These are administrative bodies that were established by Legislative Decree 25/2008 of January 28, 2008 with the task of examining and deciding on applications for international protection submitted by foreign citizens in Italy. Each Territorial Commission is comprised of four members: 1) a president, who must be a prefectural career officer, 2) an official of the state police, 3) a representative of the local authorities of the territory under the Commission’s competence (normally multiple provinces in the same region but in some cases spanning the territory of more than one region), and 4) a representative of the UNHCR.

As provided for in article 5 of Legislative Decree 25/2008 of January 28, 2008, with subsequent amendments, the National Commission for the Right of Asylum is the body responsible for guiding and coordinating the Territorial Commissions for the Recognition of International Protection, for training and updating the members of the Commissions, for statistical data collection, and for making decisions regarding revocations and cessations of status previously granted. The members of the National Commission are appointed by decree of the president of the Council of Ministers after receiving a joint proposal from the ministers of the Interior and Foreign Affairs. It is chaired by a prefect and composed of 1) a director from the Prime Minister's office, 2) a career diplomatic officer, 3) a prefectural career officer, 4) a director from the Public Security Department, and 5) a representative of the UNHCR delegate in Italy.