For Italians living abroad, the Italian Consulate is often the main point of contact with Italy, whether for passports, citizenship matters or other official services. But there is also an elected body whose role is to represent the interests of Italian citizens living overseas: COMITES.
Here’s a look at what COMITES is, what these committees do and how they represent the Italian community in Wales.
What is COMITES?
COMITES stands for Comitato degli Italiani all’Estero (Committee of Italians Abroad). Established in 1985, these committees represent Italian citizens living outside Italy in their dealings with Italian embassies and consulates.
Each committee represents a particular consular district and its members are elected by eligible Italian citizens living within that district. Elected members serve a five-year term. With Wales being part of the London consular district, it falls under COMITES London. COMITES London has 18 elected members, who carry out their duties on a voluntary, unpaid basis.
COMITES does not carry out the administrative functions of the Italian Consulate. Instead, its role is to represent the Italian community, raise concerns with the Consulate and work with the relevant authorities to address issues affecting Italians living abroad.
What does COMITES actually do?
COMITES acts as a link between the Italian community and the Italian authorities. Its work can cover a broad range of issues, including:
- Consular services: Raising concerns about access to appointments, administrative procedures and other difficulties experienced by Italian citizens.
- Education and language: Supporting initiatives that promote Italian language learning, education and professional training.
- Culture and heritage: Working with associations to preserve Italian traditions, organise cultural and recreational activities, and recognise the history of Italian emigration.
- Community welfare: Identifying the needs of Italian citizens, including older residents, young people and those requiring additional support.
- Community organisations: Working with local Italian associations and helping bring issues affecting their members to the attention of the Consulate.
For example, if Italian citizens across a consular district are experiencing similar difficulties accessing a service, COMITES can raise the issue collectively with the Consulate.
COMITES also receives funding from the Italian government to support its activities, subject to the relevant funding arrangements.
It cannot direct the Consulate or change Italian law, but it provides an established channel through which the community’s concerns can be heard.
Who represents Italians in Wales?
Wales falls within the consular district of the Italian Consulate General in London and is therefore represented by COMITES London. This means that Italian citizens living throughout Wales share the same elected committee as Italian citizens living across the wider London consular district. Issues affecting these communities, from consular access to Italian language and cultural activities, can be brought to COMITES London for consideration.
How is COMITES elected?
COMITES members are elected by Italian citizens registered abroad who are registered with AIRE and have been resident in their voting district for at least 6 months.
Candidates stand on electoral lists, with several lists able to contest the election in the same consular district. Voters choose their preferred list and can also indicate which individual candidates on that list they would like to see elected.
Seats are allocated through proportional representation, meaning each list receives a share of the available places broadly reflecting the number of votes it receives. For example, COMITES London has 18 elected members, so a list receiving 50% of the vote would generally expect to secure around nine seats. The candidates who take those seats are determined by the preference votes they receive. This allows Italian citizens to influence both the overall composition of their COMITES committee and the individuals who represent them.
Voting takes place by post, and elected members serve for five years. One important difference from Italian parliamentary elections and referendums is that eligible voters must specifically register to receive a COMITES ballot. Being registered with AIRE or already receiving other Italian election materials does not automatically mean a COMITES ballot will arrive.
Why does COMITES matter?
Italian citizens living abroad often maintain strong ties with Italy, whether through family, property, language or culture. They also rely on Italian services and face issues that may be different from those of people living in Italy.
Wales has a long-established Italian community, with connections to Italy that have continued across generations. COMITES provides a way for these communities to have their concerns heard, raise issues collectively with the Consulate and support activities that maintain their Italian heritage.
Above all, COMITES gives Italians living abroad a voice in matters that affect them, ensuring their needs and interests are represented within the Italian system.
How to register for the COMITES elections
If you’re an eligible Italian citizen living in Wales, you must register separately to vote in the COMITES elections, even if you’re already registered to vote in Italian general elections or referendums.
You can request your postal ballot through the Italian Consulate General in London:
- Online: Through the Fast It consular portal.
- By email or post: Submit the completed registration form, together with a copy of your valid passport or identity card, to the Consulate. Find out more on the Italian Consulate General website.
Registration for the 2026 elections closes on 4th November 2026. Completed postal ballots must be received by the Consulate by 4th December 2026.
