Constitution and agreements

South Tyrol’s autonomy is based on three fundamental documents:
the Italian Constitution, the Paris Treaty and the Second Autonomy Statute.
After the end of the Second World War South Tyrol is once more absorbed by Italy.
The victorious powers however stipulate full protection for the Austrian minority as a condition for this. The result is the Paris Treaty between Italy and Austria, defining the outlines of autonomy. The treaty forms the international safeguard for South Tyrolean autonomy.
The protection of minorities is set out in Art. 6 of the Italian Constitution.
The October 2014 “Safeguard Pact” is a new financial arrangement with the Italian government that guarantees South Tyrol a fixed proportion of the national interest burden and a reversal of the previous tax collection principle.
An exchange of letters between the Italian and the Austrian governments gives the agreement a basis in international law.
With the Second Autonomy Statute of 1972 South Tyrol receives the de facto status of a region whose legislative and administrative autonomy is, however, far greater than the competencies of a region governed under normal statute.
1946
Paris Treaty
1948
First Autonomy Statute
1972
Second Autonomy Statute
1992
Declaration of end of dispute