Abstract

The essay analyses the Italian legislation on contributory and noncontributory social security benefits for third country nationals. The principle of equal treatment for citizens and third country nationals with respect to social rights is established by national, European and supranational law. Nevertheless, the Italian legislation provides for a split between contributory and non-contributory social security benefits. With regard to contributory social security benefits, an almost absolute equality of treatment of citizens and third country nationals is provided for by the legislation. On the contrary, as regards non-contributory social security benefits, the law differentiates the possibility to access those benefits on the basis of the residence title of the applying subject.