A particularly delicate section within the activities of assistance to Italian citizens abroad concerns the repatriation of Italian nationals in serious difficulty, who are experiencing issues that cannot be resolved locally, in the foreign countries where they are. The repatriation service is provided by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in collaboration with the competent local authorities (prefectures, police stations, municipalities, local health departments, social services, etc.).
Repatriation procedures at the expense of the Treasury Deaprtment are limited to cases of proven financial hardship, as verified by the diplomatic/consular network; in all other instances, repatriation can occur subject to the grant of a loan that must be repaid by the recipient to the Treasury Department.