In a move that brings relief to tens of thousands of displaced Ukrainians, Italy has authorised renewals of temporary-protection residence permits until 4 March 2027. Decree-Law 201/2025, published on 31 December 2025 and highlighted by VisaHQ on 8 January 2026, transposes the EU Council’s decision to prolong protection across the bloc.
Roughly 60,000 Ukrainians are currently registered in Italy under the “protezione speciale” track introduced in 2022. Holders must submit renewal requests at their local police headquarters (Questura) before their current cards expire on 4 March 2026. Fees are waived and online booking systems have been activated to smooth processing.
Applicants who want step-by-step help with the paperwork can turn to VisaHQ’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/). The platform offers detailed checklists, real-time appointment scheduling and concierge document review, making the Questura filing process faster for both individuals and the companies that support them.
![Temporary-Protection Permits for Ukrainians in Italy Extended to 2027]()
Crucially for employers, the decree continues to allow conversion of temporary-protection permits into standard work authorisations without counting against the annual immigration quota. That provision made it possible in 2025 for companies in logistics and healthcare to hire over 8,000 Ukrainian workers on indefinite contracts.
Human-resources teams should verify that employees initiate renewals early; Questura appointment backlogs last year ran to six weeks in Rome and Milan. Companies sponsoring conversions must still secure the usual labour-market clearance but can file in parallel with the renewal, cutting lead times.
The extension aligns Italy with EU Directive 2025/1460 and signals continued political support for Ukrainians until at least one year after the directive’s new sunset clause. Mobility advisers predict a rise in family-reunification cases as longer planning horizons encourage spouses and children to join permit holders.
Roughly 60,000 Ukrainians are currently registered in Italy under the “protezione speciale” track introduced in 2022. Holders must submit renewal requests at their local police headquarters (Questura) before their current cards expire on 4 March 2026. Fees are waived and online booking systems have been activated to smooth processing.
Applicants who want step-by-step help with the paperwork can turn to VisaHQ’s Italy portal (https://www.visahq.com/italy/). The platform offers detailed checklists, real-time appointment scheduling and concierge document review, making the Questura filing process faster for both individuals and the companies that support them.
Crucially for employers, the decree continues to allow conversion of temporary-protection permits into standard work authorisations without counting against the annual immigration quota. That provision made it possible in 2025 for companies in logistics and healthcare to hire over 8,000 Ukrainian workers on indefinite contracts.
Human-resources teams should verify that employees initiate renewals early; Questura appointment backlogs last year ran to six weeks in Rome and Milan. Companies sponsoring conversions must still secure the usual labour-market clearance but can file in parallel with the renewal, cutting lead times.
The extension aligns Italy with EU Directive 2025/1460 and signals continued political support for Ukrainians until at least one year after the directive’s new sunset clause. Mobility advisers predict a rise in family-reunification cases as longer planning horizons encourage spouses and children to join permit holders.
