With the adoption by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, of a measure that has come into force today, updating the rules on diplomatic and service passports to better protect the needs of family members of staff of the Foreign Ministry and the other Administrations serving abroad in the diplomatic-consular network, the Foreign Ministry is reafirming its commitment to a more inclusive and plural society and a better balance between professional and private life.
This reform (which is in line with other measures adopted in recent weeks, including the adoption of a new circular for the achievement of actual gender equality, as well as the establishment, last Monday, 9 November, of the figure of the Special Envoy for Human Rights of LGBTIQ+ persons) provides that the diplomatic or service passport (which is an essential tool for the staff of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the exercise of their duties) will be issued to some categories that were previously excluded, such as family members who are in work, including remotely, and who wish to accompany the employee (their spouse or civil partner) – to the place of destination without having to renounce their professional aspirations.
This important innovation by the Foreign Ministry defends the value of family unity by enabling spouses and civil partners, where possible and under certain conditions, to reside legally in the countries of destination of their family members and to continue with their own work.
