Roughly 170,000 Ukrainians who fled to Italy after Russia’s 2022 invasion can breathe easier: Decree-Law 201/2025, confirmed on 17 January and published on 18 January, allows holders of ‘protezione speciale’ residence permits to renew them through 4 March 2027. The move aligns Italy with EU Council Decision 2025/1460, which prolongs bloc-wide temporary protection for displaced Ukrainians. (visahq.com)
Temporary protection grants access to Italy’s labour market, national health service and school system. Without the extension, work authorisation would have lapsed in March 2026, threatening employment continuity and forcing employers to scramble for alternative permits. Renewal requests must be filed within the standard 60-day window before expiry; missing the deadline automatically suspends the right to work. (visahq.com)
Companies that hired Ukrainian professionals over the last three years—particularly in engineering and IT—are auditing HR files to identify who needs renewals and booking prefecture appointments early, as slot availability historically tightens ahead of expiry deadlines. Regions such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna are expanding free Italian-language courses and recognising Ukrainian university diplomas to help integrate talent into high-skill roles. (visahq.com)
![Italy Extends Temporary-Protection Permits for Ukrainians to 4 March 2027]()
For employers or individuals who prefer expert guidance, VisaHQ’s Italy team can oversee the entire renewal process—from securing appointment slots and preparing document packets to tracking the issuance of new electronic cards—so applicants stay comfortably within the 60-day filing window. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) provides real-time status updates and tailored checklists, giving HR departments and Ukrainian nationals alike a streamlined, compliant pathway to maintain work and residence rights.
From a compliance perspective, mobility managers should update assignment handbooks, budget for potential €30 electronic-card fees and monitor an Interior-Ministry circular expected within weeks clarifying whether new biometrics are required. Firms that fund up-skilling programmes may gain priority access to regional training grants—an incentive worth exploring given Italy’s chronic STEM shortages.
Longer-term, the measure underscores an EU-wide pivot toward multi-year solutions for displaced Ukrainians, reducing annual renewal cycles and administrative burdens for employers. HR departments should treat 2027 as the next key horizon for strategic workforce planning.
Temporary protection grants access to Italy’s labour market, national health service and school system. Without the extension, work authorisation would have lapsed in March 2026, threatening employment continuity and forcing employers to scramble for alternative permits. Renewal requests must be filed within the standard 60-day window before expiry; missing the deadline automatically suspends the right to work. (visahq.com)
Companies that hired Ukrainian professionals over the last three years—particularly in engineering and IT—are auditing HR files to identify who needs renewals and booking prefecture appointments early, as slot availability historically tightens ahead of expiry deadlines. Regions such as Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna are expanding free Italian-language courses and recognising Ukrainian university diplomas to help integrate talent into high-skill roles. (visahq.com)
For employers or individuals who prefer expert guidance, VisaHQ’s Italy team can oversee the entire renewal process—from securing appointment slots and preparing document packets to tracking the issuance of new electronic cards—so applicants stay comfortably within the 60-day filing window. Their online platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) provides real-time status updates and tailored checklists, giving HR departments and Ukrainian nationals alike a streamlined, compliant pathway to maintain work and residence rights.
From a compliance perspective, mobility managers should update assignment handbooks, budget for potential €30 electronic-card fees and monitor an Interior-Ministry circular expected within weeks clarifying whether new biometrics are required. Firms that fund up-skilling programmes may gain priority access to regional training grants—an incentive worth exploring given Italy’s chronic STEM shortages.
Longer-term, the measure underscores an EU-wide pivot toward multi-year solutions for displaced Ukrainians, reducing annual renewal cycles and administrative burdens for employers. HR departments should treat 2027 as the next key horizon for strategic workforce planning.
