The Arab Spring and the return intention of Egyptian migrants living in Italy

The widespread enthusiasm triggered by the Arab Spring affected both first- and second-generation Egyptians in Italy and led to different forms of action and socio-political participation. However, to what extent this new enthusiasm will transform into a real consideration of returning to Egypt is a largely unexplored topic. Relying on the main migration theories, we address the following research questions: which traditional theoretical arguments apply to the intention to return of first- and second-generation Egyptians in Italy? Do the changes in Egypt after the Arab Spring strengthen their intention to return? Data come from qualitative interviews, conducted between 2011 –2013, with Egyptians in Turin and Rome. The results show that transnational ties strengthened by the Arab Spring do support the idea of returning, although a definitive return will probably not occur, neither for the first nor for the second generation, but rather they will adopt a transnational way of living.