The Undersecretary: “Our communities are a precious resource. We must strengthen their ties with Italy and ensure they play an increasingly prominent role.”
The Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Massimo Dell’Utri, undertook a mission to Germany on 13 and 14 October, visiting Stuttgart and Munich, with the aim of meeting with the Italian communities, gaining a deeper understanding of the consular network’s activities, and strengthening relations with local businesses and media organisations.
Germany is one of the main hubs for the Italian community worldwide, with over 909,000 Italian nationals registered in consular records as at 30 September 2026. A broad and diverse community, bringing together generations of Italians who have made their lives in this country, families who are now fully integrated, and a new wave of migrants comprising young people, professionals and skilled workers.
“The Italian community in Germany is remarkable in terms of its history, skills and ability to integrate. Alongside those who arrived many years ago and have contributed to this country’s economic and social growth, there are now many young people who choose Germany as the place to study, work and build their future. These are different experiences, but they are united by a connection with Italy that we must continue to nurture and cherish. Our aim is to ensure that every generation feels part of a vibrant community, that their voices are heard, and that they feel increasingly connected to Italian institutions,” said Undersecretary Dell’Utri.
During the mission, particular attention was paid to the running of consular services and to the needs of a constantly evolving community. With over 199,000 registered Italian nationals, the Stuttgart constituency is the largest in Germany, whilst Munich stands out for the growth in its Italian population and the significant presence of new professional groups.
The mission forms part of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to making consular services increasingly efficient and accessible, through administrative simplification, digital innovation and ongoing engagement with Italian citizens abroad.
Another key issue was the renewal of the Committees of Italians Abroad (Com.It.Es.), for which elections are due to take place on 4 December. In Germany, there are around 770,000 people eligible to vote in the constituencies covered by the election. To take part, you must apply to be included on the electoral roll by 4 November.
“The Com.It.Es. are a vital means of representation and participation, as they enable our compatriots to make a tangible contribution to the life of the communities in which they live and to maintain a direct link with Italian institutions. That is why it is important for people to be well-informed, to understand the role of these organisations, and to be able to make an informed choice about whether to get involved. The stronger a community is, the more it is able to make its voice heard,” added Dell’Utri.
The mission also provided an opportunity to highlight the importance of fostering cultural, economic and social ties between Italy and its citizens abroad. In this context, ‘Tourism of the Roots’ plays a significant role; this initiative aims to transform the history of Italian emigration into a new opportunity to reconnect with the regions of origin, with a particular focus on small municipalities and the younger generations.
“The relationship with Italy must not end upon departure. We want to create new opportunities so that our compatriots and their descendants can rediscover their roots, learn about their families’ homelands and contribute to their development. ‘Tourism of the Roots’ is precisely about this: strengthening a bond that is at once emotional, cultural and economic. At the same time, we must be attentive to the new trends in mobility and leverage the skills of the many Italians living and working abroad,” the Undersecretary emphasised.
The mission underlines the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ commitment to one of the most important Italian communities abroad and its desire to strengthen dialogue with Italian nationals, by encouraging participation, improving services and promoting new opportunities for collaboration between Italy and Germany.