The free movement of people between the United Kingdom and the European Union ended on 31 December 2020, and from 1 January 2021 the United Kingdom has applied a Points-Based Immigration System (PBS), under which EU citizens are treated on the same basis as those from non-EU countries, prioritising individuals’ skills and talents over their country of origin.
Should a visa be required to enter the UK, applicants will need to contact the British diplomatic and consular representations in Italy (or in their country of residence).
Pension Rights of Italian Workers
Italian workers are protected through international social security agreements aimed at guaranteeing insurance coverage for workers who have emigrated abroad. In particular, international social security legislation ensures equal treatment and the accumulation of insurance periods for the purpose of meeting the minimum requirements set out under Italian or British legislation in order to qualify for pension benefits. To submit an application, migrant workers are advised to contact — either directly or through a trusted welfare assistance body (patronato) — the pension liaison authority of their country of residence:
Department of Work and Pensions and Overseas for all those who are currently resident in the UK;
Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale – INPS for those who live in Italy.
The main Patronato bodies operating in London are:
- ACLI 134 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL, Tel. 020 7278 0069, Email: londra@patronato.acli.it
- INAS-CISL 248 Vauxhall Bridge Road, London SW1V 1AU, Tel. 020 7834 2157, Email: mail@inasitalianwelfare.co.uk
- INCA-CGIL 124 Canonbury Road, London N1 2UT, Tel. 020 7359 3701, Email: regnounito@inca.it
- ITAL-UIL Collingham House, 10/12 Gladstone Road, London SW19 1QT, Tel. 020 8540 5555, Email: ital.uil.gb@hotmail.co.uk
Proof of Life Certificate for Pensioners
To obtain a Certificate of Existence, applicants must appear in person at the Consulate General in London (Monday – Friday, 10am–12pm), or at the Honorary Consulates and Honorary Agencies within this Consular District, as listed on this page: The Consular Network – Italian Consulate General London.
Italian pension recipients residing within this consular district who, due to serious health and/or mobility issues, are unable to attend the Consulate in person, may use the following postal procedure by sending:
- The form received from Citi Bank, signed by the pensioner and completed with the pensioner’s personal details, including a telephone number;
- A copy of a valid identity document;
- The pre-paid envelope provided by Citi Bank (with a Royal Mail 1st or 2nd class stamp);
- A pre-paid envelope bearing the applicant’s own address, if they wish to receive a copy of the certificate in return.
All documents should be sent to the following address:
Welfare Department
Italian Consulate General
83-86 Farringdon Street
London EC4A 4BL
Upon receipt of the above documentation, the Welfare Department will contact the person concerned for a telephone interview and will then send the Proof of Life Certificate directly to Citi Bank.
Should the verification process not be completed within the set deadline, the following pension payment would be made by Citi Bank in cash at Western Union branches. Furthermore, in the event of failure to collect the payment in person or failure to provide proof of life, pension payments may be suspended by the bank.