Italy Braces for Month-Long Wave of Transport Strikes Threatening Flights, Trains and Local Transit
Maintenance Works to Disrupt Rail Links Between Rome and Fiumicino Airport on 3 and 6 November
30,000-strong CGIL march shuts down central Rome, threatens new general strike
Latest News
Caritas unveils 26th Immigration Report at Festival Sabir, warns of labour-shortage ‘perfect storm’
Caritas Italiana presented its authoritative 26th Immigration Report in Palermo on 25 October, highlighting a record 320,000 unfilled jobs and urging faster digital work-permit processing. The findings will influence 2026 quota planning and are essential reading for employers relying on non-EU talent.
Ferry walkout cuts Sardinia and Sicily links as Tirrenia & Moby crews strike
Maritime unions grounded many Tirrenia and Moby ferries between 24–25 October, severing key passenger and cargo routes to Sardinia and Sicily. Minimum services ran but dozens of crossings were cancelled, delaying freight and disrupting travellers. The action spotlights supply-chain vulnerability and sets the stage for possible longer walkouts in December.
Italy launches new nationwide training and labour-market programmes for migrant integration
The European Commission flagged a set of Italian initiatives—including a tourism-sector pact, a national municipal training programme and new UNHCR and Turin pilot projects—that upgrade Italy’s migrant-integration infrastructure. The measures aim to convert refugees and other third-country nationals into a reliable labour pool for sectors facing shortages, signalling easier talent sourcing and faster local-level procedures for employers.
New ‘Decreto Flussi’ sets 497,550 work-visa quotas for 2026-2028
An industry circular dated 24 October confirms that Italy’s new quota decree authorises 497,550 non-EU work permits for 2026-2028 and details application timelines, employer caps and an extended caregiver fast-track. The three-year horizon allows longer-range workforce planning, but large employers will have to work around a three-permit-per-year cap.
Milan Bergamo Airport launches record-breaking winter 2025/26 schedule
From 26 October 2025 Milan Bergamo Airport operates its biggest winter schedule ever, with 107 destinations, 18 airlines and 5 % more seats than last year. Ryanair bases 22 aircraft and Wizz Air adds five new routes, expanding business-travel connectivity and seasonal leisure options. The enlarged network, supported by recent infrastructure upgrades and biometric border trials, strengthens Bergamo’s role as a cost-efficient northern Italian hub.
Turin Airport adds third based Ryanair jet and 12 new routes as winter timetable starts
Starting 26 October 2025 Turin-Caselle Airport’s winter timetable features a third Ryanair aircraft, 12 new routes and stronger links to Eastern Europe. The growth connects Piedmont to 20 countries and bolsters business and leisure travel ahead of the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.
Italy Opens Pre-Filling Window for 2026–2028 ‘Decreto Flussi’ Work-Visa Quotas
Italy opened the pre-filling phase for 164,850 non-EU work permits under the 2026–2028 *Decreto Flussi* on 23 October. Employers have until 7 December to prepare applications for four January–February click days. The expanded quota—part of a three-year plan totalling nearly half a million permits—aims to fill chronic labour shortages while preserving strict controls on irregular migration.
Rome to Host 13-Nation Meeting on ‘Accelerated Repatriations’ of Migrants
Italy and 12 other EU countries formed a coalition on 23 October to fast-track migrant repatriations and will meet again in Rome on 5 November to draft operational plans. The initiative seeks to unblock EU negotiations on the Return Regulation and balance expanded legal-migration quotas with tougher enforcement, potentially affecting corporate transferees from ‘safe country’ lists.
EU and Egypt pledge stronger cooperation on migrant returns at Brussels summit involving Italy
At the first EU-Egypt summit, leaders—including Italy—agreed to intensify cooperation on the return and reintegration of irregular migrants, potentially paving the way for new legal-migration schemes.
Terni Prefecture briefs employers on new three-year immigration quotas
At a 22 October briefing, Terni’s prefecture explained procedures for the 2026-2028 ‘Decreto Flussi’ quotas. Pre-registration starts 23 October and employers were urged to prepare documentation early as permits will be allocated on a first-come basis.
EU grants six-month grace period before ETIAS becomes mandatory for Schengen visitors
The European Commission confirmed a six-month transition period after ETIAS launches, during which visa-exempt travellers can still enter the Schengen Area without the €20 authorisation. The move eases pressure on carriers and Italian tourism operators, but companies should still prepare staff and booking systems for the new requirement.
Liguria TAR rules tax arrears alone cannot justify residence-permit refusal
Liguria’s TAR found that missed social-security payments are not sufficient grounds to refuse a residence-permit renewal, potentially easing the path for self-employed foreigners whose income is irregular.
Foreign Minister Tajani puts migration high on agenda at Berlin-Process summit in London
At the Berlin-Process summit, Italy pushed for stronger border management and legal migration channels in the Western Balkans, linking them to EU-accession progress. Tajani also opened ‘Casa Italia’, a new embassy hub in London.
Italy warns citizens in Peru after state of emergency declared in Lima and Callao
After Peru declared a month-long state of emergency for Lima and Callao, the Italian Embassy warned residents and travellers to limit movements and register itineraries. Italian firms operating in Peru should activate contingency plans for staff safety and reassess travel schedules.
Turin pilot project links Questura and municipal registry to speed residence-permit checks
Turin’s new agreement allows instant data exchange between the civil registry and police immigration office, aiming to cut red tape for foreigners and give authorities better oversight of lawful stays.
Domestic link returns: Ryanair revives Bergamo–Pescara flights for winter season
The Bergamo–Pescara domestic route returns on 26 October 2025 with three weekly Ryanair flights, offering a fast north–south link for SMEs, contractors and leisure travellers and aligning with the carrier’s greener 737-8200 deployment.
Ryanair opens Birmingham–Rome Ciampino route as part of 26 October network shuffle
Ryanair’s winter network revamp sees a new Birmingham–Rome Ciampino flight from 26 October 2025, offering three weekly frequencies at low entry fares and strengthening UK–Italy connectivity for tourists and business travellers alike.
Rail alert: infrastructure works alter high-speed timetables on 26 October
Ongoing upgrades on the Florence–Rome high-speed line trigger timetable tweaks on 26 October 2025, impacting selected Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Italo, Intercity and regional trains. Travellers should re-check departure times and plan for possible minor delays.
Austrian Airlines moves Milan flights to Linate and ups Rome frequencies from 26 October
From 26 October 2025 Austrian Airlines will serve Milan via Linate instead of Malpensa and add more flights to Rome. The change shortens ground-transfer times, strengthens Vienna hub connectivity and offers upgraded A320neo cabins, giving corporates a faster, more comfortable link between Italy and Austria.