There have been some recent changes in the Italian law concerning foreign citizens and people who prostitute themselves on the road. It is important to know these laws in order to protect oneself and to know one’s rights and obligations.

ROADSIDE PROSTITUTION

There is a proposal to issue a law in order to prohibit prostitution on the road. This proposal is not yet a law. So, prostitution on the road has not yet been prohibited.
However, several mayors have issued decrees that prohibit indecent dressing, improper behaviour and stopping near churches, public buildings and residence areas. Whoever commits one of the above will be fined a minimum of 80,000 to 500,00 euros.
If you are fined and you think you have respected the law, you have the right to demand the annulment of the fine with the aid of a lawyer or personally within 60 days by going to the Giudice di Pace, i.e. a judge who protects citizen’s rights and helps them when they have problems. In Trieste, you can call 040 77921632 to take an appointment with the judge in via Coroneo 13. Or you can call the Comitato per i Diritti Civili delle Prostitute 0434551868.
LEGAL STATUS
You must have a regular permit of stay in order to live in Italy. If you do not have it, you can be expelled, accompanied to the border, taken into a detention centre (camp) where you can stay for a maximum of 2 months or simply given an expulsion order (foglio di via). If the law force order stops you a second time and discovers that you have not left the Italian territory, you can be arrested and even imprisoned. In this case you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
You can appeal against an expulsion order and request to stay in Italy by going to the Giudice di pace within 60 days.
If you are immediately accompanied to the border, you can appeal at the Italian Embassy in your country.
 Recently, the Italian government has issued the so-called “pacchetto sicurezza” – security measures and has made more severe laws for immigrants. For e.g. whoever commits a crime can be given a high sentence if he/she is irregular (clandestino) and he/she can be easily expelled.
 It is important for you to know that the most important law (Bossi-Fini Law) on the right to live in Italy has not been changed.
IDENTIFICATION, PAPER CHECK AND HOLDING for QUESTIONING  The law force order, i.e. the police, the carabinieri, the municipal police or soldiers can stop you and ask you to identify yourself (name, surname, place and date of birth) and show your papers.
In some cities, the municipal police has the duty to grant and ensure public safety and security. You can be accused of public indecency for your dressing or place of work and given a fine. Mayors in the following cities have issued bylaws sanctioning clients and sex workers: Montecatini, Salerno, Vicenza, Viareggio and several municipalities in the region of Abruzzo and Campania (Caserta).
 If you refuse to give your identify (name, surname, place and date of birth) or do not show your residence permit the law force order can oblige you to follow them to their office. The same thing happens if they have sufficient proof to believe that your identity and the documents you have shown are false.
You may be forced to stay in the police station, commando or barracks for identification, fingerprints and photo taking for a maximum of 24 hours. In case you are stopped or arrested you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
If the law force order asks you to identify yourself always give them your true identification. Giving false identity will not prevent them from verifying if you have been controlled or have had expulsions previously due to fingerprints and photo taking procedures.
In addition, the law has recently changed: giving false identity is now a serious crime and you can be arrested and given a high sentence. In addition, if you do not have a permit of stay, the sentence for any committed crime is high.
 Minors (under 18 years)are entitled to receive protection. The immigration law states that minors cannot be expelled, except in particular cases. The best advice is always to tell one’s true age.
 If you have to go to hospital or need medical check-up, remember that you have the right to receive essential and urgent treatment, among which pregnancy or abortion. Doctors do not have the right to inform the law force order of your illegal status.
 You must however obtain the STP card which permits you to obtain medical treatment without payment, in case you cannot pay for it.
 Remember that in some cities the municipal police can fine you only because you have little clothes on. Avoid staying naked or dressing lightly at work (short skirts, little tops, bra, pant, panty hoses).
 Do not make too much noise on the road. Do not leave dirt on the road (food, condom, tissue papers etc.)
 


IDENTIFICATION, PAPER CHECK AND HOLDING for QUESTIONING  The law force order, i.e. the police, the carabinieri, the municipal police or soldiers can stop you and ask you to identify yourself (name, surname, place and date of birth) and show your papers.
In some cities, the municipal police has the duty to grant and ensure public safety and security. You can be accused of public indecency for your dressing or place of work and given a fine. Mayors in the following cities have issued bylaws sanctioning clients and sex workers: Montecatini, Salerno, Vicenza, Viareggio and several municipalities in the region of Abruzzo and Campania (Caserta).
 If you refuse to give your identify (name, surname, place and date of birth) or do not show your residence permit the law force order can oblige you to follow them to their office. The same thing happens if they have sufficient proof to believe that your identity and the documents you have shown are false.
You may be forced to stay in the police station, commando or barracks for identification, fingerprints and photo taking for a maximum of 24 hours. In case you are stopped or arrested you have the right to ask for a lawyer.
PRACTICAL ADVICE
If the law force order asks you to identify yourself always give them your true identification. Giving false identity will not prevent them from verifying if you have been controlled or have had expulsions previously due to fingerprints and photo taking procedures.
In addition, the law has recently changed: giving false identity is now a serious crime and you can be arrested and given a high sentence. In addition, if you do not have a permit of stay, the sentence for any committed crime is high.
 Minors (under 18 years)are entitled to receive protection. The immigration law states that minors cannot be expelled, except in particular cases. The best advice is always to tell one’s true age.
 If you have to go to hospital or need medical check-up, remember that you have the right to receive essential and urgent treatment, among which pregnancy or abortion. Doctors do not have the right to inform the law force order of your illegal status.
 You must however obtain the STP card which permits you to obtain medical treatment without payment, in case you cannot pay for it.
 Remember that in some cities the municipal police can fine you only because you have little clothes on. Avoid staying naked or dressing lightly at work (short skirts, little tops, bra, pant, panty hoses).
 Do not make too much noise on the road. Do not leave dirt on the road (food, condom, tissue papers etc.)