Vatican: Tougher Penalties for Illegal Immigrants

Source: FSSPX News

The Holy See issued a decree on December 19, 2025, that significantly increases financial penalties and even prison sentences for those who enter the Vatican City State territory illegally.

As InfoCatolica ironically notes, “The policy of openness to immigration, legal and illegal, that Pope Francis has been calling for since the beginning of his pontificate, is not being applied in the Vatican, where he is head of state.” As Specola reported, since last month, penalties for illegal entry into the Vatican have been significantly toughened.

The text, signed by Cardinal Fernando Vérgez Alzaga, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State, came into force immediately after its publication.

The decree provides for prison sentences of one to four years, and fines of up to 25,000 euros for those who enter Vatican territory by violence, threats, or deception. The latter case includes actions such as fraudulently circumventing security systems or evading border controls.

Penalties will be more severe if illegal entry is carried out with the aid of weapons, dangerous substances, or in a group. In addition, they are increased by two-thirds if there is forced entry through the border control while driving a vehicle.

The decree introduces new provisions governing unauthorized overflight of Vatican airspace, including the use of drones, with penalties of up to three years in prison.

Among the new provisions is the possibility of imposing a ban on access to Vatican territory for a period of up to 15 years for repeat offenders, as well as administrative fines for those who do not respect the rules of residence or use of property granted by the State.

Preserving the Security of the Vatican

The decree responds to the urgent need to guarantee security in a territory of great religious and diplomatic importance. In this sense, the new provisions strengthen the legal tools available to prevent and sanction acts that could jeopardize public order or the integrity of Vatican premises.

The holding of the Holy Year, with an expected influx of 40 million pilgrims, is undoubtedly an additional reason to explain the implementation of this new law, and the fact that it was immediately applicable.