Italy has moved swiftly to implement the EU Council’s latest decision on displaced Ukrainians, issuing Decree-Law 201/2025 that prolongs temporary-protection residence permits until 4 March 2027. The extension, highlighted by immigration service VisaHQ on 9 January, guarantees roughly 60,000 Ukrainian nationals continued legal stay and access to work, healthcare and education.
Holders must renew their plastic residence cards at local police headquarters (Questure) before their current permits expire on 4 March 2026. Fees have been waived and an online appointment system has been activated to reduce queues that stretched to six weeks in Rome and Milan last year.
For applicants who prefer professional assistance, VisaHQ can manage every step of the Italian residence-permit renewal or conversion, from booking Questura appointments to verifying supporting documents and tracking progress online. Details on these services can be found at https://www.visahq.com/italy/.
![Temporary-Protection Residence Permits for Ukrainians Extended to 2027]()
Critically for employers, the decree keeps in place the option to convert temporary-protection permits into standard work authorisations outside the annual quota. In 2025 more than 8,000 Ukrainians filled logistics and healthcare vacancies through this pathway. HR departments should therefore encourage early renewal and parallel conversion filings to prevent work-permit gaps.
The measure also paves the way for increased family-reunification requests as longer planning horizons make relocation feasible for spouses and children. Mobility advisers expect higher demand for language training and housing support, particularly in northern regions where manufacturing jobs are concentrated.
Italy’s move aligns it with EU Directive 2025/1460, signalling sustained political support for Ukrainians displaced by the war. Companies employing Ukrainian talent gain stability but should monitor future EU discussions on phasing out special protection as conditions evolve.
Holders must renew their plastic residence cards at local police headquarters (Questure) before their current permits expire on 4 March 2026. Fees have been waived and an online appointment system has been activated to reduce queues that stretched to six weeks in Rome and Milan last year.
For applicants who prefer professional assistance, VisaHQ can manage every step of the Italian residence-permit renewal or conversion, from booking Questura appointments to verifying supporting documents and tracking progress online. Details on these services can be found at https://www.visahq.com/italy/.
Critically for employers, the decree keeps in place the option to convert temporary-protection permits into standard work authorisations outside the annual quota. In 2025 more than 8,000 Ukrainians filled logistics and healthcare vacancies through this pathway. HR departments should therefore encourage early renewal and parallel conversion filings to prevent work-permit gaps.
The measure also paves the way for increased family-reunification requests as longer planning horizons make relocation feasible for spouses and children. Mobility advisers expect higher demand for language training and housing support, particularly in northern regions where manufacturing jobs are concentrated.
Italy’s move aligns it with EU Directive 2025/1460, signalling sustained political support for Ukrainians displaced by the war. Companies employing Ukrainian talent gain stability but should monitor future EU discussions on phasing out special protection as conditions evolve.
