Politics · Italy · 7 hrs ago
Veneto border towns consider joining Friuli-Venezia Giulia
Mayors from 11 towns in eastern Veneto are considering a move to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a neighbouring region in north-eastern Italy.
The towns include San Michele al Tagliamento, home to the popular beach resort of Bibione, where a municipal advisory body has asked the town council to consider a consultative referendum.
Local leaders say residents already rely on services in Friuli, including healthcare and hospitals, while some other services are also based there.
They say their towns are more closely connected to the Pordenone area than to Venice, Veneto’s regional capital.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s special autonomous status is also part of the debate, because it has more financial resources and greater control over public spending.
A study cited in the debate estimates that the move could raise the region’s added value by 7.5% and bring it about €172 million more in shared income-tax revenue.
The towns could gain more spending power and access to regional benefits, but no transfer has been approved; options include keeping things as they are, making agreements between the regions or holding local referendums.
Eleven Veneto municipalities are considering moving to Friuli-Venezia Giulia, while San Michele al Tagliamento has begun steps toward a consultative referendum on the change.
The issue was discussed at a hearing in Trieste, where Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s regional council commission heard from mayors of interested Veneto towns.
Mayors cited closer ties to Friuli for services and transport, as well as the distance from Venice.
A study cited in the report estimates the move could raise Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s added value by 7.5% and bring the region about €172 million in extra income-tax revenue.
Options under discussion include keeping the current arrangement, creating agreements between the regions, or holding municipal referendums.
- Who
- Mayors of Veneto border municipalities, including San Michele al Tagliamento, are considering the change.
- What
- They are exploring whether to leave Veneto and join Friuli-Venezia Giulia, including through consultative referendums.
- When
- The issue was reported on November 3, 2026. The hearing took place before publication; its exact date is not stated.
- Where
- The municipalities are in eastern Veneto, on the border with Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
- Why
- Mayors point to closer links with Friuli for services and geography. The region’s special status and financial resources are also cited.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The issue of border municipalities changing region was raised, but Sappada was the only place mentioned that moved from the Belluno area to the Province of Pordenone.
Cinto Caomaggiore voted in favour of a referendum on joining Friuli, but the process stopped in Parliament.
Il Fatto Quotidiano reported that San Michele al Tagliamento’s municipal consultation had approved asking the town council to consider a consultative referendum.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s Fifth Commission heard from mayors of interested Veneto municipalities in Trieste.
- Municipalities listed
- 11: Annone Veneto, Cinto Caomaggiore, Concordia Sagittaria, Fossalta di Portogruaro, Gruaro, Portogruaro, Pramaggiore, San Michele al Tagliamento, San Stino di Livenza, Teglio Veneto and Caorle
- Referendum proposal
- San Michele al Tagliamento, which includes Bibione
- Estimated added value
- 7.5% increase for Friuli-Venezia Giulia, according to the cited foundation study
- Estimated extra income-tax revenue
- About €172 million for Friuli-Venezia Giulia, according to the cited foundation study
- Other options
- Maintain the current arrangement or make agreements between the neighbouring regions
What people are saying
We are territorially connected to the Pordenone area, while Venice is far away. The State and the Regions must commit to this issue. From this moment on, there can be no going back.
This is a hardship for citizens before it is one for administrators. There is an open border between the Portogruaro area and the Pordenone area.