UK Tightens Schengen Travel Advisory as Italy Finalises Biometric Border Roll-out
UNHCR Logs 12 % Rise in Mediterranean Sea Arrivals to Italy in Early 2026
Campania’s CGIL Says Decree Flussi Failing Migrant Workers, Urges Budget Increase
Latest News
Trentino Launches Training on Hiring Foreign Seasonal Workers Under Decree Flussi 2026
The Province of Trento kicked off a free training series on 10 March 2026 to help farmers navigate Italy’s new Decree Flussi quotas for non-EU seasonal workers. The course covers application paperwork, compliance obligations and worker safety, aiming to curb past abuses and ensure sufficient manpower for the 2026 growing season.
Permit-Processing Backlog Leaves Iranian Family in Limbo in Turin
An Ansa investigation on 10 March highlighted how residence-permit backlogs can immobilise even skilled foreign families in Italy. The case underscores systemic delays at immigration offices and serves as a cautionary tale for employers who depend on dependent-permit renewals.
University of Pavia Opens 10-18 March Visa Window for 2026/27 Non-EU Student Intakes
Pavia opened its 10-18 March online pre-enrolment window for non-EU students seeking visas for the 2026/27 academic year. Applicants must move quickly, as consular slots are limited and pre-enrolment alone no longer secures an appointment. Employers recruiting Pavia graduates should anticipate potential visa-related delays.
Italy’s 24-Hour General Strike Shuts Schools and Public Offices, Immigration Services Hit
A 24-hour general strike on 9 March 2026 closed most Italian schools, universities and public offices, including immigration desks, though national transport was formally excluded. Visa appointments, residence-permit biometrics and the issuance of supporting letters for international students were postponed, forcing employers to extend assignment timelines. Mobility managers were advised to add buffer days and watch for additional strikes later in the month.
UNHCR Snapshot Shows 64 % Surge in March Sea Arrivals to Italy
UNHCR’s 9 March 2026 weekly dashboard shows 931 migrants landed in Italy during the first eight days of March, 64 % more than in the same 2025 period, though overall 2026 arrivals are still lower year-to-date. The spike, dominated by Sudanese, Bangladeshi and Egyptian nationals, will further lengthen asylum backlogs and could prompt tighter border checks, affecting corporate mobility schedules.
EU Parliament Committee Fast-Tracks New Returns Directive, Italy Backs Tougher Enforcement
On 9 March 2026 the European Parliament’s LIBE Committee approved its report on a regulation creating a common EU return-procedure system and authorised negotiations with the Council. Italy supported the move, saying faster removals would ease pressure on its reception system. Companies should expect tighter exit checks and review compliance processes for non-EU assignees.
EU Social-Policy Ministers Debate Posting of Third-Country Nationals, Rome Seeks Legal Clarity
EU social-policy ministers meeting on 9 March 2026 discussed how to give third-country nationals posted within the EU a clear legal status. Italy pressed for a digital attestation linked to the new European Labour ID to avoid duplicate work-permit applications when Italian-based staff are seconded abroad. Although still exploratory, the initiative could simplify short-term cross-border assignments and reduce compliance risk.
EU Supports Mass Repatriation Flights From Gulf; 25,000 Italians Already Home
The European Commission confirmed on 9 March 2026 that it has backed 42 repatriation flights for EU citizens stranded in the Gulf; Italy alone has already brought home about 25,000 people. Special Etihad and Oman Air services into Rome and Milan continue this week, while the foreign ministry readies a last evacuation from Saudi Arabia. Companies with staff in the region should revisit evacuation and travel-insurance plans.