Updating the AIRE directory

Laws and initiatives concerning the modernization of the Registry of the Italian residents living abroad (AIRE) have made important steps, but still much more must be done. It is particularly important to begin a communication campaign concerning the citizens' rights and the consular services, which have to do with the registration.

Many Italians living abroad erroneously believe that there are penalties related to being registered, for example, the possibility of losing pension rights or medical assistance. Pensions in Italy are paid according to the contributions put into the pension fund, and are not lost by living abroad. Medical assistance in Italy for citizens living abroad is possible by notifying their consulate and therefore receiving a document in order to obtain medical assistance in Italy for a period of ninety days, and after the expiration date this document may be renewed in Italy.

Being registered in AIRE makes various consular services and the right to vote from abroad available to compatriots. Even more, a citizen can bring household furniture, goods and anything owned and used while abroad back to Italy exempt from custom taxes in case he decides to return to Italy definitively as a resident again. For example, one's personal car may be imported into Italy with customs exemption.

Understanding these benefits will account for a larger number of registrations. But this won't be enough to attract the attention of all Italian citizens living abroad.

It is necessary to build a network that connects us not only to important issues within our country, but also to enable us to take advantage of the benefits and privileges of being Italian. I hope to establish this network, through online services and sponsored events aimed to building our community. For example, citizens could obtain up to date information concerning Italian cultural events taking place in their area or network with other compatriots.