About the city

Milan

A migration hotspot developing long-term solutions

Key Takeaways

  • 1

    Milan exemplifies a complex and multifaceted collaboration between public authorities and civil society on inclusion policy.

  • 2

    Integrated social services: The city is reorganising its social services around the concept of vulnerability and inclusion, to include the entire population.

What is unique about the city?

From emergency measures to long-term solutions: The main challenge for Milan over the last few years has been the need to shift from an emergency response to long-term inclusion solutions. Milan has responded with a strategy that later became known as the “Milan model”, a reception system that is significantly more open and efficient than the national average. As a city with a long migration history because of its socio-cultural and economic resources, Milan has also become a hub for migration movements. The last two left-leaning administrations have invested in a range of social and economic policies directed at supporting migrant and refugee inclusion.

Milan is a community of peace and tolerance, seeking to become a capital of freedom where the responsibility to welcome and include migrants is a top priority.

Giuseppe Sala, Mayor of Milan

What is the focus of local migration policies?

Innovation in multiple areas: Milan has an active administration and civil society that has experimented with innovative approaches in multiple areas: from the reception of migrants and refugees, service provision, health and social support, access to jobs, and collaborations with central government in the local management of reception centres.

What are the key factors?

A leftist administration meets civic engagement: The development of Milan’s reception system has been made possible by the mandates of two consecutive left-leaning administrations. The first was overseen by former mayor Giuliano Pisapia (2011-2016), followed by the current mayor Giuseppe Sala (2016-), with the active participation of an engaged third sector. The public administration in Milan is committed to working on inclusion strategies and to responding to the changing demands of refugees arriving and residing in Milan. Close cooperation between public institutions, local NGOs and migrant communities is considered essential to improving social support and local services.

What are the greatest achievements so far?

Increased access to job markets and special programs for minors and families: Increased access to the job market and special programmes for minors and families: Celav (Centro di Mediazione Lavoro) centre) supports the introduction of foreign workers into the job market and targets all unemployed residents of Milan, with a special focus on particularly disadvantaged groups such as persons with a disability and members of ethnic minorities. Second, a Service Centre for Unaccompanied Migrant Minors is an innovative, multifunctional centre entirely dedicated to unaccompanied minors’ needs. And third, a family reunification service supports family members who have been granted approval for family reunification, as well as newly reunited families in Milan.

Political activities and advocacy beyond the city level

Milan has invested in building a public image of itself as an inclusive city internationally, profiting greatly from exchanges with other municipalities in Europe and worldwide. The city has positioned itself against the restrictive policies of former Interior Minister Matteo Salvini, and in 2018 joined the “Comuni Disobbedienti” (Disobedient municipalities) campaign. The city is part of several national and international networks in favour of more inclusive migration policies. It also joined the EU Urban Agenda Partnership on Inclusion of Migrants and Refugees in 2020.

Member of the following networks

Download the full city report

The city report contains more information about the city’s migration and inclusion policies and selected local approaches. Report from 2021, updated in 2023.

Download Report