TriesteAllNews reports that Italy’s Council of Ministers has formally adopted the long-awaited immigration quota decree (“Decreto Flussi”) authorising almost half-a-million non-EU workers to enter the country over the 2026-2028 triennium. For 2026 alone, 164,850 permits will be available—split between seasonal agriculture, manufacturing, logistics and domestic care sectors. (triesteallnews.it)
The quota prioritises nationals from 14 countries with which Italy has bilateral readmission or labour agreements, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Albania, Egypt and Morocco. Employers must file ‘click-day’ applications via the ALI online portal; demand is expected to outstrip supply within minutes, mirroring January’s construction quota that closed in 15 minutes.
Critics question the timing, pointing to 1.8 million Italians receiving social-welfare benefits, 700,000 of whom are deemed employable. The government counters that vacancies for low-skilled roles remain chronically unfilled and that the decree includes €60 million for vocational up-skilling of benefit recipients.
![Government’s New Decreto Flussi Opens 500,000 Work Permits for 2026-28]()
For global-mobility and HR teams the decree offers a predictable pipeline of entry permits, but success depends on meticulous pre-filing: translated contracts, proof of suitable accommodation and arrival flight reservations must all be uploaded before the portal opens. Companies that miss the window will have to wait until 2027 quotas or explore intra-company transfer routes under Art. 27 of the immigration code.
At this stage, engaging a specialist such as VisaHQ can streamline the process: through its Italy-focused platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) the firm offers document pre-checks, certified translations and real-time monitoring of ‘click-day’ openings, giving employers and assignees a better chance of securing one of the coveted quota permits before the system closes.
Observers also note that EU Blue-Card numbers remain uncapped and under-utilised; the new decree therefore widens, rather than replaces, existing skilled-migration channels. Parliament has 60 days to convert the measure into law, but industry insiders expect only minor amendments.
The quota prioritises nationals from 14 countries with which Italy has bilateral readmission or labour agreements, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Albania, Egypt and Morocco. Employers must file ‘click-day’ applications via the ALI online portal; demand is expected to outstrip supply within minutes, mirroring January’s construction quota that closed in 15 minutes.
Critics question the timing, pointing to 1.8 million Italians receiving social-welfare benefits, 700,000 of whom are deemed employable. The government counters that vacancies for low-skilled roles remain chronically unfilled and that the decree includes €60 million for vocational up-skilling of benefit recipients.
For global-mobility and HR teams the decree offers a predictable pipeline of entry permits, but success depends on meticulous pre-filing: translated contracts, proof of suitable accommodation and arrival flight reservations must all be uploaded before the portal opens. Companies that miss the window will have to wait until 2027 quotas or explore intra-company transfer routes under Art. 27 of the immigration code.
At this stage, engaging a specialist such as VisaHQ can streamline the process: through its Italy-focused platform (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) the firm offers document pre-checks, certified translations and real-time monitoring of ‘click-day’ openings, giving employers and assignees a better chance of securing one of the coveted quota permits before the system closes.
Observers also note that EU Blue-Card numbers remain uncapped and under-utilised; the new decree therefore widens, rather than replaces, existing skilled-migration channels. Parliament has 60 days to convert the measure into law, but industry insiders expect only minor amendments.
