International adoptions, guide for families and diplomats to avoid red tape arrives
In the first six months of 2025, 242 international adoptions were completed in Italy, a slight increase over the same period in 2024, when 234 were recorded
by Andrea Carli
Key points
An easy-to-consult tool for those facing and following an international adoption to avoid the bureaucracy that too often holds back this path. A tool for all those involved: from citizens to embassy and consulate operators. This is essentially the 'Guide to international adoptions', produced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with the Presidency of the Council of Ministers' International Adoption Commission, presented on Thursday 15 January at the Farnesina, in the presence of the head of the ministry Antonio Tajani, the Minister of Family, Birth and Equal Opportunities Eugenia Maria Roccella and the vice president of the CAI, Vincenzo Starita. "We want to give a signal to reduce bureaucratic paths," said Tajani, "at least the internal ones. Adopting a child is a gesture of great generosity, but it is not easy. The guide aims to break down the obstacles that prevent adoptions from taking place quickly. Bureaucracy cannot hinder an attempt to do good'.
The document therefore aims to provide simple and effective guidance to all Italian families who decide to embark on this important path. In addition, the Guide provides useful hints to sector bodies and operators of the diplomatic-consular network in order to manage the various administrative procedures in the best interests of the minors involved more quickly and effectively. In fact, it has been sent to all the diplomatic-consular representations and will also be distributed in a printed version to the authorised bodies by the CAI, while remaining available on the Farnesina website.
Declining demand for adoptions worldwide and countries' willingness to let children go for adoption
The starting point is the one highlighted by Roccella. "The demand for adoptions in the world is dropping, and so is the willingness of countries to open their borders and allow children to be adopted. The problem of denatality affects everyone, not just us Italians. A country with a population decline that is too pronounced begins to see children as an asset to be kept within its borders. Added to this is a drop in applications, in Italy less than elsewhere'.
The guide reports some figures: in the first six months of 2025, there were 242 international adoptions concluded in Italy, a slight increase over the same period in 2024, when 234 were recorded. The data, updated to 30 June 2025, allow us to outline some positive trends. Comparing the numbers for the first half of 2025 with those of previous years on an annual basis, increases in some countries emerge. A few examples. In Brazil, there were 12 adoptions in the first six months of 2025, compared to 19 for the whole of 2024 and ten in 2023. In Burundi, there were 16 adoptions already completed (more than the 14 for the whole of 2024). In Poland, there were eight adoptions in the first six months of 2025, compared to four in the whole of 2024. In contrast, there is a decline in adoptions from countries traditionally characterised by higher numbers, such as Colombia, the Philippines and Vietnam, and in newly opened countries, such as Sierra Leone (after an encouraging start, they showed a decline). The minister recalled that the government 'has provided 52 million euro' for adoptions, 40 million of which 'for families', plus another 13 million decree published in December with various contributions, such as a 2,800 euro decree for families with procedures initiated in the 2022-2024 period and a 1,000 euro decree 'for the preparatory training course'. In Italy, she recalled, there is also 'a generous willingness on the part of Italians towards children with special needs, the famous special needs'.
Here are some of the indications provided by the Guide:
