Ruhani Health Care
Italy has officially approved the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, a comprehensive plan outlining how 497,550 foreign workers will be admitted to the country over the next three years.
Announced in the Official Journal on October 15, 2025, this new decree defines employment quotas, sectoral needs, and procedural rules for the entry of non-EU citizens, both seasonal and non-seasonal.
This Canadian immigration style move for Decreto Flussi reflects Italy’s broader strategy to address labor shortages, support key economic sectors, and strengthen cooperation with partner countries through controlled and legal migration channels.
Overview of the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028
The new Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) outlines clear quotas for foreign nationals who will be allowed to enter Italy for seasonal, non-seasonal, and self-employment purposes.
A total of 497,550 third-country nationals will be admitted to Italy across three years, divided as follows:
| Year | Number of Foreign Workers Admitted |
| 2026 | 164,850 |
| 2027 | 165,850 |
| 2028 | 166,850 |
| Total (2026–2028) | 497,550 |
Entries Outside of Quotas
The decree also allows for certain categories of workers to enter Italy outside of the established quotas, reflecting Italy’s commitment to flexibility and international cooperation.
Main Criteria for Non-Quota Entries
- Promotion of legal migration outside quotas to meet labor demands.
- Priority admission for citizens of countries that have repatriation or migration cooperation agreements with Italy.
- Support for pre-departure training programs, including professional and civic-linguistic education in countries of origin.
- Conversion of study or training permits into work permits outside of quotas, encouraging graduates to stay and work in Italy.
- Legislative developments to regulate non-seasonal employment in family assistance, particularly for people with disabilities and the elderly.
These criteria aim to balance migration control with inclusion and workforce development, ensuring that incoming workers are prepared, trained, and integrated from day one.
Non-Seasonal Work Visa Quotas
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 assigns a significant number of the following entries for non-seasonal workers, covering vital sectors:
| Year | Non-Seasonal Employees |
| 2026 | 76,200 |
| 2027 | 76,200 |
| 2028 | 76,200 |
Seasonal Work Visa Quotas
Italy’s economy relies heavily on seasonal workers, particularly in the agricultural and tourism sectors. The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 continues to prioritize these sectors, ensuring a steady workforce.
| Year | Seasonal Work Entries |
| 2026 | 88,000 |
| 2027 | 89,000 |
| 2028 | 90,000 |
Key Provisions for Seasonal Work
- Workers from partner countries: 12,600 quotas in 2026, 12,750 in 2027, and 13,000 in 2028.
- Multi-year permits for those who worked in Italy seasonally in the past five years: 5,000 in 2026, 6,000 in 2027, and 7,000 in 2028.
- Agricultural sector priority: 47,000 positions annually managed by major agricultural associations (Coldiretti, CIA, Confagricoltura, and others).
- Tourism sector priority: 13,000 jobs in 2026, 14,000 in 2027, and 15,000 in 2028, coordinated through national employer federations.
These organizations are responsible for ensuring that workers’ contracts are properly signed and communicated in line with Italian labor laws.
Self-Employment Visa Quotas
Foreign applicants can also apply for the self-employment visa in Italy. For them, the overall quotas have been set aside as stated below:
| Year | Self-Employed Workers |
| 2026 | 650 |
| 2027 | 650 |
| 2028 | 650 |
To qualify under the self-employment quota, applicants must meet strict professional or financial criteria. These include:
- Investment of at least €500,000 and creation of three new jobs in Italy.
- Recognized professional credentials or certification from national associations.
- Managerial or executive roles recognized under Decree 850/2011.
- Artists or cultural professionals with international acclaim.
- Founders of innovative start-ups, as defined by Law 221/2012.
Sectors Open for Employment in Italy
Foreign workers may apply for job positions in:
- Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
- Food, beverage, and tobacco industries
- Textiles, clothing, and footwear manufacturing
- Metal industries and construction
- Wholesale and retail trade
- Tourism, accommodation, and catering
- Transportation, logistics, and warehousing
- Healthcare, private care, and social assistance
- Business support and operational services
List of Decreto Flussi Eligible Countries
One of the core elements of the announced Decreto Flussi is Italy’s effort to strengthen cooperation with non-EU countries through structured migration agreements. Foreign workers from the following nations are eligible under this program:
| Albania | Algeria | Bangladesh | Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| South Korea | Ivory Coast | Ecuador | Egypt |
| El Salvador | Ethiopia | Philippines | Gambia |
| Georgia | Ghana | Japan | Jordan |
| Guatemala | India | Kyrgyzstan | Kosovo |
| Mali | Morocco | Mauritius | Moldova |
| Montenegro | Niger | Nigeria | Pakistan |
| Peru | North Macedonia | Senegal | Serbia |
| Sri Lanka | Sudan | Thailand | Tunisia |
| Ukraine | Uzbekistan |
Quota Breakdown by Countries Partnership Type
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
| Workers from existing partner countries | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Workers from countries signing new agreements | 18,000 | 26,000 | 34,000 |
This approach rewards nations that actively collaborate with Italy on migration management and public information campaigns, discouraging irregular migration.
Special Categories Included in the Decree
The decree also provides entry opportunities for several specific categories of foreign nationals, each with a clearly defined quota and eligibility criteria.
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Description |
| Workers of Italian origin (up to third degree) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 10 from Venezuela, 40 from other eligible countries |
| Stateless persons and refugees (UNHCR recognized) | 320 | 320 | 320 | 300 for work, 20 for self-employment |
| Family assistance workers | 13,600 | 14,000 | 14,200 | For care of disabled or elderly individuals |
| Self-employed professionals | 500 | 500 | 500 | Entrepreneurs, freelancers, executives, artists, or start-up founders |
Application Clickdays and Procedures
To streamline the process, the decree defines specific deadlines for employers to submit applications for work authorizations.
| Category | Start Date | Deadline | Sector |
| Agricultural sector (seasonal) | January 12, 9:00 AM | December 31 | Agriculture |
| Tourism sector (seasonal) | February 9, 9:00 AM | December 31 | Tourism |
| Non-seasonal employment | February 16, 9:00 AM | December 31 | All sectors |
| Family assistance work | February 18, 9:00 AM | December 31 | Domestic care |
Important Rules
- Applications must be pre-filled online via the Ministry of the Interior portal during the pre-filling phase announced by official circulars.
- Requests are processed in chronological order, subject to quota availability.
- Unutilized authorizations or those without visa issuance within six months of the year-end will automatically expire.
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 marks a significant milestone in Italy’s immigration and labor policy. By allocating nearly half a million work permits, it aims to fill critical labor gaps, promote integration and training, and strengthen international partnerships that ensure safe and legal migration.
For employers, this decree offers a clearer framework to recruit needed talent across multiple industries. For workers, it opens doors to legal employment in Italy — in sectors that continue to drive the country’s economy forward.
In essence, the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 is not just about numbers — it’s about planning, cooperation, and opportunity.