With the war in Ukraine showing no definitive end, the Italian government has moved to give longer-term certainty to the roughly 170,000 Ukrainians currently living in Italy under temporary or special-protection status. Decree-Law 201/2025, published in the Official Gazette on 31 December 2025 and effective immediately, authorises holders of ‘protezione speciale’ permits renewed under Article 7(3) of Decree-Law 20/2023 to apply for further renewals through 4 March 2027.
The measure aligns Italian policy with the EU Council’s Decision 2025/1460, which prolongs temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians across the bloc. In practical terms, Ukrainian nationals in Italy can now plan multi-year work contracts, school enrolments and housing leases without the annual renewal scramble that characterised 2024-25.
For applicants who prefer professional guidance, VisaHQ offers step-by-step assistance with Italian residence and visa procedures, including special-protection permit renewals. Its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) provides document checklists, deadline reminders and appointment-booking support, helping both individuals and HR teams navigate prefecture requirements efficiently.
![Italy Allows Ukrainian Special-Protection Permits to Be Renewed Until 4 March 2027]()
Employers benefit too. Companies that hired Ukrainian professionals—often under Italy’s quota-exempt special-cases channel—can now extend contracts and assignment letters with confidence that employees’ residence documents will remain valid. HR teams should, however, diarise renewal windows well before the new 2027 cut-off and ensure payroll records reflect the extended permit dates.
The decree does not automatically convert special-protection permits into standard work permits. Ukrainians wishing to transition to the regular labour-migration pathway must still secure quota availability (under the 2026-28 Flow Decree) and meet contractual requirements. Legal advisers recommend starting conversion procedures at least six months in advance, given ongoing demand for work-visa slots.
Local NGOs have welcomed the extension but caution that prefecture offices need extra staffing to handle the anticipated renewal surge in early 2026. Digital pre-booking systems will open later this month; applicants are urged to upload biometric data in advance to shorten appointment times.
The measure aligns Italian policy with the EU Council’s Decision 2025/1460, which prolongs temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians across the bloc. In practical terms, Ukrainian nationals in Italy can now plan multi-year work contracts, school enrolments and housing leases without the annual renewal scramble that characterised 2024-25.
For applicants who prefer professional guidance, VisaHQ offers step-by-step assistance with Italian residence and visa procedures, including special-protection permit renewals. Its Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) provides document checklists, deadline reminders and appointment-booking support, helping both individuals and HR teams navigate prefecture requirements efficiently.
Employers benefit too. Companies that hired Ukrainian professionals—often under Italy’s quota-exempt special-cases channel—can now extend contracts and assignment letters with confidence that employees’ residence documents will remain valid. HR teams should, however, diarise renewal windows well before the new 2027 cut-off and ensure payroll records reflect the extended permit dates.
The decree does not automatically convert special-protection permits into standard work permits. Ukrainians wishing to transition to the regular labour-migration pathway must still secure quota availability (under the 2026-28 Flow Decree) and meet contractual requirements. Legal advisers recommend starting conversion procedures at least six months in advance, given ongoing demand for work-visa slots.
Local NGOs have welcomed the extension but caution that prefecture offices need extra staffing to handle the anticipated renewal surge in early 2026. Digital pre-booking systems will open later this month; applicants are urged to upload biometric data in advance to shorten appointment times.
