Italian Decreto Flussi 2026: Work Visa Quotas, Clickdays and Legal Framework

Welcome back to our annual update regarding the legal framework to obtain a working visa in Italy. Before going further, our attorneys want to gently remind our readers that ILF Law Firm is a legal practice and not a job-finding service. We are not an employment agency or recruiter, and we have no contacts with companies offering jobs. Please do not write to us seeking a job in Italy. Our only role here is to assist with legal procedures (work visas, permits, immigration law procedures), not to provide employment opportunities.

What Is the Decreto Flussi?

Let us clarify once more “Decreto Flussi” – the Italian government’s framework defining immigration flows. A governative decree that regulates how many non-EU workers can enter Italy for work. The newly approved Decreto Flussi for 2026–2028 lays out a three-year plan authorizing nearly 500,000 work visas for non-EU citizens. It sets annual quotas for seasonal workers, non-seasonal (subordinate) workers, and self-employed individuals. These quotas determine the maximum number of work permits (nulla osta) available each year for those categories. By planning over three years, Italy aims to align legal immigration with labor market needs while discouraging irregular migration.

Important: ILF Law Firm can provide guidance on visa and permit applications, but we cannot help you find a job in Italy. We are not employers and do not have ties to companies hiring workers.

Annual Work Visa Quotas (2026–2028)

Under the new decree, Italy will admit a record number of non-EU workers over 2026–2028. The table below summarizes the total quota of work visas each year and how they are divided between seasonal and non-seasonal employment:

Year	Total Work Visas (Quota)	Seasonal Work Visas	Non-Seasonal Work Visas*
2026	164,850	88,000	76,850**
2027	165,850	89,000	76,850**
2028	166,850	90,000	76,850**

*Non-seasonal quotas include subordinate (employed) workers and self-employed workers.

**Approximate non-seasonal total; annual increases in seasonal quotas account for the rise in total quotas.

As shown above, the total quota starts at 164,850 work permits in 2026 and grows slightly to 166,850 by 2028. About 267,000 of the 497,550 three-year total are allocated to seasonal jobs (mainly agriculture and tourism), and roughly 230,550 to non-seasonal employment (including self-employment). Each year’s quota is further broken down by categories of workers and industries, as detailed below.

Categories and Quota Breakdown

Seasonal work visas make up the largest share each year, reflecting Italy’s high demand in agriculture and tourism. Non-seasonal subordinate work visas cover all other employed roles in various sectors, and a smaller portion is reserved for self-employed professionals. The decree also sets aside slots for certain special groups and allows some permit conversions. Below is an overview of how the quotas are allocated in 2026:

Seasonal Workers (Agriculture & Tourism)

88,000 visas in 2026 (rising to 89,000 in 2027 and 90,000 in 2028). Within this:

Up to 47,000 each year are reserved for the agricultural sector, for applications submitted through major farmers’ associations (e.g. Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, etc.).
13,000 (2026) rising to 14,000 (2027) and 15,000 (2028) are reserved in the tourism-hospitality sector, via nationally representative employer associations.
12,600 (2026) up to 13,000 (2028) of the seasonal slots are set aside for nationals of countries that newly sign migration cooperation agreements with Italy during 2026–28.
Multi-year Seasonal: Within the seasonal cap, 5,000 of the 2026 visas (6,000 in 2027; 7,000 in 2028) are reserved for foreign seasonal workers who have worked in Italy before. These allow a multi-year clearance for workers who came at least once in the past 5 years, enabling them to return for seasonal work more easily.

Non-Seasonal Employed Workers (Lavoro Subordinato)

About 76,000+ visas in 2026 are for non-seasonal jobs across a wide range of sectors (industry, construction, services, etc. – essentially all major industries are eligible). Notably:

Priority Countries Quota: 25,000 work visas in 2026 (and each year) are reserved for citizens of 38 specified non-EU countries that have priority status. These include countries such as Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Egypt, India, Morocco, Nigeria, Pakistan, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Tunisia, Ukraine, and others. (See full list in official decree.) Workers from these nations benefit from a dedicated portion of the quota.
Cooperation Countries Quota: 18,000 visas in 2026 are for citizens of other countries that have migration cooperation agreements with Italy. This quota is set to increase over time (e.g. 26,000 in 2027 and 34,000 in 2028) as new agreements are signed. In effect, Italy rewards countries that cooperate in preventing illegal migration by giving their workers more visa opportunities.
Refugees and Stateless Persons: 320 quotas in 2026 (300 for employees + 20 for self-employed) are reserved for individuals recognized as stateless or refugees by UNHCR or other authorities. This humanitarian allocation remains 320 per year.
Domestic Care Workers (Colf and Badanti): 13,600 visas in 2026 are dedicated to non-seasonal domestic workers – caregivers for the elderly, disabled, and housekeepers. This sub-quota rises to 14,000 in 2027 and 14,200 in 2028 , reflecting Italy’s growing need for caregivers. These slots are open to all nationalities (not restricted by country lists). Hiring a foreign caregiver under this quota requires the employer to meet specific income criteria (e.g. earning ≥ €20,000/year for single households, or €27,000 if supporting a family) and to offer at least the minimum contract wage (around €538.69/month for domestic work).
Venezuelan Italians: A small number of visas each year are set aside for individuals of Italian descent in Venezuela (and other countries) who wish to come as self-employed workers. This recognizes the Italian diaspora in difficult economic conditions. (These spots are limited and subject to specific ancestry criteria.)

Self-Employed Professionals and Entrepreneurs

500 visas per year are designated for self-employment entries (total 1,500 over 2026–28). Eligible candidates include entrepreneurs investing at least €500,000 and creating 3+ jobs, freelance professionals in regulated fields, corporate executives, renowned artists, and founders of innovative startups. These categories mirror the requirements of Italy’s existing self-employment visa rules (Interministerial Decree of 11 May 2011, no. 850). (Note: Some sources initially reported 650 self-employed visas for 2026 , but the official decree confirmed 500 per year.)

Conversion of Permits

The decreto flussi also allocates a number of slots for foreigners already in Italy on certain permits (e.g. study, internship, seasonal work) to convert their status to a work permit. For example, a student who graduates in Italy may convert their residence permit to a lavoro subordinato permit within the quota. These conversion quotas, a few thousand each year, ensure that trained individuals already in Italy can join the workforce. (Exact conversion numbers are set in the decree for each year and category of permit, but are beyond the scope of this summary.)

Remember: ILF can assist with legal advice and the application process for these work visas. However, you must secure a job offer or meet the self-employment criteria yourself – ILF cannot provide jobs or connect you to employers. We only handle immigration legal services, not recruitment.

Eligible Countries and Expanded Sectors

The 2026–2028 plan greatly broadens opportunities across industries and favors certain countries.

Countries Eligible

Citizens of any non-EU country can be hired under some part of the quota, but 38 countries enjoy a priority allotment of 25,000 visas/year (see “Priority countries” above). In addition, Italy may include additional countries during 2026–28 if new bilateral agreements on migration are reached. If your country is not on the initial list, it could become eligible for the cooperation quota if a deal is signed. All nationalities are eligible for seasonal jobs and domestic caregiver visas, as those categories are not limited by country lists.

Sectors Covered

The decree expanded the sectors open to non-seasonal work permits. Virtually all major economic sectors are included, whereas previous decrees were more restricted. Non-seasonal work visas in 2026–28 can be issued for jobs in agriculture, forestry, fishing, manufacturing (food, textiles, metal products, etc.), construction, trade, transportation/logistics, hospitality (hotels and restaurants), tourism services, business support services, personal care services, healthcare and social assistance, education, and other services. In practice, this means employers across the economy – from farms and factories to IT companies and healthcare providers – can sponsor non-EU workers if they secure a quota spot. This broad inclusion aims to address labor shortages in many industries, not just traditional sectors.

How to Apply for a Work Visa Under Decreto Flussi

All work visa applications under the flussi quota must be submitted online by the employer (for employee visas) or by the applicant (for self-employment visas or permit conversions) through the official government portal. Below is a step-by-step guide to the access and application process:

Obtain SPID (Digital Identity): The applicant or sponsoring employer must have an Italian digital identity (SPID) or Electronic ID Card (CIE) to access the online system. If the employer doesn’t have SPID, they can also apply with the assistance of authorized trade associations or a certified professional (e.g. labor consultant).
Portal Registration: Log into the Ministero dell’Interno Services Portal (Dipartimento per le Libertà Civili e l’Immigrazione) – specifically the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione section. This is the official online portal to fill and send flussi applications: portaleservizi.dlci.interno.it. Employers should also have a registered PEC email address (certified email) for official communications.
Pre-Fill the Application: Precompilazione (pre-filling) is a new phase introduced to streamline the process. For the 2026 quota, the portal opened for filling out applications on 23 October 2025. During this window, employers/agents could input all worker and job details into the online form and even upload required documents in advance. The specific online forms are: Model C–Stag (Agriculture) for seasonal farm work, Model C–Stag (Tourism) for seasonal tourism work, Model B2020 for non-seasonal employed work, and Model A-bis (in quota) for domestic caregiving work. Each pre-filled application is saved with status “Da inviare” (“to be sent”).
Attach Required Documents: When pre-filling, the system allows uploading of supporting documents. Key attachments include proof of suitable accommodation for the worker in Italy and the “asseveration” document. The asseveration is a certification by a qualified professional or trade association confirming that the employer meets all legal requirements to hire a foreign worker (adequate income, compliant work contract terms, etc.). This document must be digitally signed and is essentially a guarantee of the job offer’s legitimacy and the company’s capability to employ the worker. Attaching these documents during pre-compilation allows authorities to pre-verify the application. In fact, the Ministry will review the pre-filed data; only if everything is in order will they issue an activation code that permits the application to be formally submitted on click day. (This step is critical – without the activation code, the application cannot be sent on click day.)
Modification Period: After the initial pre-fill deadline, the portal briefly reopens from 9 December to 13 December 2025 to allow any final edits or corrections to pre-filed applications. No new applications can be started in this window; it’s only for modifying saved drafts. By 13 December, all applications should be complete and ready in “to be sent” status.
Click Day – Submit the Application: The actual submission happens on designated Click Days – the dates when the system opens for sending in the prepared applications. Each category of work visa has its own click day and time. Starting at 9:00 a.m. (Rome time) on the given day, the applicant (or employer) can hit “submit” to officially lodge the request. The Click Day dates for 2026 were as follows:
- 12 January 2026, 9:00 AM: Seasonal work permits in the Agriculture sector (model C–stag agricolo).
- 9 February 2026, 9:00 AM: Seasonal work permits in the Tourism sector (model C–stag turistico).
- 16 February 2026, 9:00 AM: Non-seasonal employed work in all other sectors (model B2020) – for workers from the eligible country lists or those under cooperation agreements. (This includes most industrial, service, and skilled work visas, as well as the small quotas for refugees/stateless and any permit conversions under the quota).
- 18 February 2026, 9:00 AM: Domestic care sector work permits (model A–bis) – for hiring foreign caregivers and domestic workers.
Post-Submission and Processing: Once submitted, the application is queued for review by the local Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (Immigration One-Stop office) in the province where the job will take place. The new decree mandates faster processing: authorities must issue the nulla osta (work authorization) within 30 days of receiving the application (this is a legal maximum set by the 2025 law). This is a significant improvement aimed at reducing wait times. During processing, officials verify all documentation and that no Italian/EU workers are available for that job (employers are required to have advertised the position or checked with job centers first). If everything is in order, the nulla osta is approved.
Confirmation and Visa Issuance: Once the work authorization is ready, the employer will be notified (usually via their PEC email). Under new rules, the employer must confirm their intention to hire that specific worker within 7 days of the notification. This extra confirmation step helps reconfirm that the job offer still stands before the visa is issued. After confirmation, the Italian consulate in the worker’s home country is authorized to issue the entry visa for work. The worker should then apply at the consulate with the nulla osta reference. A recent policy change (effective through 2027) gives the worker up to 12 months to obtain the entry visa after completing any required training or steps in the origin country. In other words, the window to use the nulla osta is extended (on a trial basis) to ensure bureaucratic or training delays don’t cause the permit to expire.
Entry to Italy and Residence Permit: After the visa is granted, the worker travels to Italy and must arrive within the visa’s validity period (usually the visa must be used within 6 months of issuance). Upon arrival, the worker has 8 days to go to the Sportello Unico, along with the employer, to sign the Contract of Stay (contratto di soggiorno) and formally pick up the nulla osta. The worker will then apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit for work) at the post office. Note that under the new decree, if a nulla osta is issued but the worker fails to obtain the visa within 6 months, the authorization will be automatically canceled. This rule is meant to free up unused quota spots and address the issue from past years where thousands of quota slots went unfilled or did not translate into actual visas.

Throughout this process, ILF can assist with the paperwork, SPID setup, application preparation, and follow-up. But please remember, we cannot provide you with an employer or job offer – you or your employer must initiate the process. ILF Law Firm is not a job agency, and inquiries solely seeking a job placement will not be entertained.

Key Legal Changes and Updates in the 2026–2028 Plan

The Flussi Decree 2026–2028 isn’t just about the numbers, it also introduced important legal and procedural changes to improve Italy’s migration management. Here are some key updates:

Provincial Quota Distribution: For the first time, the government will allocate approved work permits by province after the application period. Within 10 days after the application deadlines, the Ministry of Labour will divide the granted quotas among Italy’s provinces based on local labor needs. This territorial approach aims to ensure that regions facing worker shortages get the permits they need, aligning immigration with geographic demand.
30-Day Processing Guarantee: As noted, a new legal provision requires that the nulla osta (work permit) be issued within 30 days of the application’s submission. In the past, work permit processing could drag on for months; this change creates a statutory deadline for officials, aiming to speed up the bureaucracy.
Extended Visa Application Period: The timeframe for a worker to use their nulla osta and apply for the visa at the Italian consulate is extended up to 12 months (until end of 2027, as a trial) after completing any required training in the origin country. This measure helps accommodate migrant training programs and ensure candidates aren’t disqualified due to administrative delays in their home country.
Automatic Cancellation of Unused Permits: If a work permit is approved but the worker fails to obtain the visa and arrives in Italy within 6 months, the permit will be automatically voided. This prevents quotas from “going to waste.” The freed-up spots could potentially be reallocated in future decrees or through provincial adjustments. This change comes after data showed only 7.8% of 2024’s quota had turned into actual work permits by mid-2024 , due to many no-shows or bureaucratic issues. Canceling unused slots ensures more realistic quota usage.
Extra-Quota Entries for Caregivers: Separate from the main quotas, the government renewed a special program for caregivers assisting the disabled and elderly. Up to 10,000 caregivers per year can be admitted outside the quota limits. These entries (valid through 2028) are reserved for home care workers for non-self-sufficient seniors (over 80 years old) or persons with disabilities. Notably, such applications can only be filed by licensed employment agencies or authorized associations (not individual families directly) and could start from 1 January each year. During the first year of employment, these caregivers must remain with the sponsoring employer, after which they can switch jobs if a standard quota is available. This special scheme was introduced to meet the surging demand for elder care which the ordinary quota (13,600 in 2026) might not fully cover.
Other Protections: The decree also extends the validity of residence permits for social protection (e.g. human trafficking or exploitation victims) from 6 to 12 months, renewable, to aid in their recovery and integration. Holders of such permits, as well as victims of domestic violence, are now eligible for Italy’s “inclusion allowance” welfare benefit, even if they aren’t long-term residents. Additionally, the timeframe for issuing family reunification authorizations was increased from 90 to 150 days (reflecting backlogs). While these provisions don’t directly affect work visa applicants, they form part of the broader legislative package accompanying the Flussi plan.

Plan Ahead and Seek Legal Guidance

Remember, ILF Law Firm is here to assist with the legal process: from advising on eligibility, helping employers with documentation (like the asseveration), to guiding you through the online portal and post-approval steps. If you have a job offer or plan to invest in Italy, our immigration lawyers can streamline your work visa application and ensure compliance with all requirements. Please do not ask us to find you a job – we are not an employment service and cannot connect workers with employers. Our support is focused on legal counsel and application assistance once you have a qualifying job offer or meet the criteria to apply.