91998E0036

WRITTEN QUESTION E-0036/98 by Christoph Konrad (PPE) to the Commission (29 January 1998)

Subject: Violation of European law by Italy

1. Has the Commission now received any of the information from the Italian authorities referred to in its answers to questions E-2945/97 ((OJ C 117, 16.4.1998, p. 108. )) and E-3330/97 ((OJ C 138, 30.4.1998, p. 138. )) concerning a vehicle registration problem?

2. In the light of any information received, does the Commission consider there are grounds for an investigation under the procedure established by Article 169 of the EC Treaty or has it already begun such an investigation?

3. If so, when can the first results be expected?

Answer given by Mr Monti on behalf of the Commission (9 March 1998)

The Commission has contacted the Italian authorities several times on the problems posed by the registration of vehicles in Italy by citizens resident in other Member States. In the course of these enquiries it has obtained the following information and undertakings.

The difficulties encountered in the past by Italian nationals living abroad should now have been resolved, following the adoption by the Italian Ministry of Transport and Navigation of DG IV's Circular No 106 of 14 October 1997.

This circular enables Italian nationals listed in the AIRE (the register of Italian citizens living abroad) to register their vehicles in Italy and to obtain the corresponding registration document subject to the same conditions as Italian nationals resident in Italy.

However, applicants who are nationals of another Member State and living in a country other than Italy and who none the less want to use their vehicles in Italy on a permanent basis are still not allowed to register them there. The Italian authorities require a residence permit, to ensure compliance with national provisions on tax and public order connected with the ownership and use of the vehicle.

The Commission has informed the Italian authorities that this practice may hamper exercise of the freedoms recognised under the EC Treaty. It has also drawn their attention to the fact that less restrictive means of verification exist, particularly where the applicant can demonstrate a meaningful 'link' with Italy (because he or she owns or rents accommodation there on a long-term basis, for example).

The Italian authorities have undertaken to look into a possible solution in this area and have asked that a system based on the same criteria be envisaged at Community level. While waiting for proposals from the Italian authorities, the Commission has started discussions on the subject to discover whether similar problems also exist in the other Member States and, if so, to find a common solution.