British residents in Italy risk border delays over single document requirement

For those who relocated to Italy before Brexit: the carta di soggiorno is no longer merely advisable—it has become a practical necessity. The British Embassy in Rome has confirmed that this is the only document that protects against registration in the EES system (the EU's biometric border control).

What is at stake? The EES tracks entry and exit within the Schengen area and flags those exceeding the 90-day limit. EU citizens are exempt, but British nationals, even those with residence rights under the EU withdrawal agreement, risk erroneous registration. The problem: to remove one's record from the system requires either the carta itself or an official receipt confirming an application for it. The system recognises no other documents.

The Embassy acknowledges candidly that Italian authorities often apply rules flexibly in practice, but officially only these two documents suffice. For those unable to apply due to health or age, the advice amounts to "explain your situation to the authorities." It remains unclear what will happen to British nationals who are registered in the EES without the carta—they will not lose their right to reside in Italy, but border complications are assured.

Source: The Local Italy