I am a Canadian citizen looking to move to Europe with my family. Italy and Spain are at the top of my list, but every program I research requires a criminal background check. I have had two DUI convictions, one in 2007 and one in 2014. I did not hurt anyone, and had no jail time, just fines. Which programs would I be eligible for despite these past mistakes?
As far as Italy is concerned, past criminal convictions may impact the possibility to obtain a residence permit for Italy. Italian law provides for a number of criminal offenses that prevent the issuance of a residence permit and, in general, Italian authorities shall carry out an evaluation about the level of social dangerousness of the applicant to decide whether or not to grant the authorization to stay.
I think DUI should not be a past conviction that should prevent you from obtaining a visa in Italy. To enter Italy, foreign nationals must not be listed in the Schengen Information System1 as an inadmissible person; be subject to expulsion measures; be considered a threat to public order, national security and international relations, as well as a threat to public order or national security of other Schengen countries.
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