Italy’s Council of Ministers quietly signed off the long-awaited Presidential ‘Flow Decree’ late on 6 December and published it on 7 December. The decree fixes immigration quotas for the three-year period 2026-2028, authorising 497,550 new ingresso-lavoro permits—roughly 10 % more than the 2023-25 cycle. Quotas break down into 164,850 slots for 2026, 165,850 for 2027 and 166,850 for 2028.
Seasonal hiring in agriculture and tourism takes the lion’s share (267,000 permits over three years). A further 230,550 visas are reserved for non-seasonal employees and self-employed professionals, while 20,000 conversion slots allow holders of existing stay-permits to switch to work status—part of the government’s effort to regularise workers already in Italy. A dedicated 10,000-person corridor remains for elder-care and domestic staff, reflecting Italy’s rapidly ageing demographic profile.
![Italy Issues 2026-28 ‘Flow Decree’, Unlocking 497,550 New Work-Visa Slots]()
For employers the clock is already ticking. The Interior Ministry’s ALI portal closes its “pre-filling” window for 2026 applications at midnight on 7 December, with four fiercely competitive "click days" scheduled in January and February. Companies that miss those dates may have to wait another year or pay gray-market premiums to secure critical labour. Global mobility teams should be gathering police certificates, labour-market test results and biometric appointments now, and make sure they hold SPID or CIE digital credentials to access the portal.
Politically the decree walks a tightrope. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition needs migrant labour to keep the economy running, yet has promised voters tougher action on irregular migration. Officials argue that expanding legal pathways—while policing them strictly—undercuts smuggling networks. Opposition parties counter that the government is quietly increasing immigration while stoking anti-migrant rhetoric.
Practical implications for multinational employers include higher legal and translation costs, stricter post-arrival audits, and a new requirement for biometric capture at all Italian consulates. Businesses with large seasonal peaks—vineyards, resort chains, agri-food processors—should map 2026 head-count immediately and line up external counsel for the January click days.
Seasonal hiring in agriculture and tourism takes the lion’s share (267,000 permits over three years). A further 230,550 visas are reserved for non-seasonal employees and self-employed professionals, while 20,000 conversion slots allow holders of existing stay-permits to switch to work status—part of the government’s effort to regularise workers already in Italy. A dedicated 10,000-person corridor remains for elder-care and domestic staff, reflecting Italy’s rapidly ageing demographic profile.
For employers the clock is already ticking. The Interior Ministry’s ALI portal closes its “pre-filling” window for 2026 applications at midnight on 7 December, with four fiercely competitive "click days" scheduled in January and February. Companies that miss those dates may have to wait another year or pay gray-market premiums to secure critical labour. Global mobility teams should be gathering police certificates, labour-market test results and biometric appointments now, and make sure they hold SPID or CIE digital credentials to access the portal.
Politically the decree walks a tightrope. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s right-wing coalition needs migrant labour to keep the economy running, yet has promised voters tougher action on irregular migration. Officials argue that expanding legal pathways—while policing them strictly—undercuts smuggling networks. Opposition parties counter that the government is quietly increasing immigration while stoking anti-migrant rhetoric.
Practical implications for multinational employers include higher legal and translation costs, stricter post-arrival audits, and a new requirement for biometric capture at all Italian consulates. Businesses with large seasonal peaks—vineyards, resort chains, agri-food processors—should map 2026 head-count immediately and line up external counsel for the January click days.
