The task of our diplomatic-consular missions is to protect the interests of, and provide services to, Italians when not on Italian soil.
The services must be offered on the basis of equality, impartiality, efficiency and transparency, for the purpose of protecting Italian citizens and promoting respect for human rights and freedoms.
Services include assistance, for example, in cases of death, accident, serious illness, arrest or detention, acts of violence, assistance during serious crises (natural disasters, civil disorder, armed conflict, etc.) and the issuance of emergency travel documents in case of loss or theft.
The SECOLI Portal: consular services online
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation is providing a new IT tool for Italian citizens living abroad, to allow them to receive information and services without having to visit our consular offices in person. The new online consular services portal, SECOLI, was launched in Belgium on 12 November 2012.
In line with the Italian and European Digital Agenda, the new application exponentially expands the range of services available online, and offers our fellow citizens living abroad a comprehensive range of multi-channel content.
In many cases, citizens will be able to obtain the service they need, or complete their application, without having to visit the Consulate in person. When they do need to attend in person, they will be able to make an appointment and “speak to” consular staff online so that they can collect all the information they need (documents to be submitted, fees, expected timescale for completion of the procedure, etc).
As many as 70 online services
The services will gradually be made available on the portal, with 70 identified so far for inclusion. They come under the following categories: register office and voting for Italians living abroad; marital status; notary services; documents and certificates; assistance for Italian nationals; Consulates and Institutions; and Italian communities. A “guide to consular services” will also be included. The portal will be rolled out in two, parallel stages: in the rest of Europe, in the coming months, and by the end of 2013 in the rest of the world.
Evaluation of services
Please remember that it is possible to leave an evaluation of services received in a registry available in each mission.
