The Italian government has granted preliminary approval for the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, a migration decree that sets a quota of 497,550 work visas for non-European Union nationals over a three-year period.
This strategic decision is designed to meet the labor demands of key economic sectors in Italy, such as agriculture, tourism, domestic care, and more, as reported by the press release of dottrinalavoro.it.
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 is a bold and structured initiative from the Italian government, balancing economic needs with humanitarian concerns. With nearly 500,000 legal work opportunities available, Italy opens its doors to foreign talent while aiming to reduce irregular migration and strengthen global partnerships.
Work Visa Quotas: 2026 to 2028 Breakdown
Overall, the Italian government has approved a total of 497,550 work visas under the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, distributed as follows:
| Work Type | Total Quotas (2026-2028) |
| Subordinate & Self-Employment (non-seasonal) | 230,550 |
| Seasonal Work (Agriculture & Tourism) | 267,000 |
| Grand Total | 497,550 |
Decreto FLussi 2026-2028: Year-by-Year Visa Distribution
The total quota of nearly half a million visas is evenly distributed over the three years:
| Year | Total Work Visas |
| 2026 | 164,850 |
| 2027 | 165,850 |
| 2028 | 166,850 |
This includes seasonal and non-seasonal entries, as well as allocations for domestic workers and carers.
Domestic Workers and Carers Quota
The Decreto Flussi includes specific allocations for housekeepers and caregivers, critical roles in Italy’s aging population context:
| Year | Quota for Domestic Workers & Carers |
| 2026 | 13,600 |
| 2027 | 14,000 |
| 2028 | 14,200 |
Special Categories Within Quotas
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 also includes specific categories of foreign nationals allowed entry under dedicated quotas.
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 | Notes |
| Workers of Italian origin (up to third degree ancestry) | 50 | 50 | 50 | 10 from Venezuela, 40 from other eligible countries |
| Stateless persons and refugees recognized by the UNHCR | 320 | 320 | 320 | 300 for employment, 20 for self-employment each year |
| Family assistance workers | 13,600 | 14,000 | 14,200 | Focused on care for disabled and elderly individuals |
| Self-employed workers (total) | 500 | 500 | 500 | Must meet specific investment or professional criteria |
Seasonal Work Quota Breakdown
In Italy, Seasonal workers remain in high demand, particularly in agriculture and tourism, and this is why the quota has been set as follows:
| Year | Seasonal Work Quota |
| 2026 | 88,000 |
| 2027 | 89,000 |
| 2028 | 90,000 |
| Total | 267,000 |
a) Seasonal Quota Allocation for Partner Countries
Workers from Partner Countries: Seasonal workers from partner nations are allocated 12,600 quotas in 2026, 12,750 in 2027, and 13,000 in 2028.
Multi-Year Authorizations: For foreign workers who have already worked seasonally in Italy within the past five years, multi-year authorizations are available with quotas of 5,000 (2026), 6,000 (2027), and 7,000 (2028).
b) Sector Priorities Quota
- Agriculture: 47,000 quotas each year, reserved for applications submitted through recognized agricultural organizations such as Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, and Cia-Agricoltori Italiani.
- Tourism: 13,000 quotas in 2026, 14,000 in 2027, and 15,000 in 2028, coordinated through major national employer associations.
Currently, the following occupations or jobs are considered seasonal:
- Agronomist
- Agrotechnician
- Laboratory analyst of the agri-food industry
- Poultry farmer
- Agri-food technician
- Cellarman –
- Direct farmer
- Farm operator (professional agricultural entrepreneur)
- The driver of food processing plants
- The driver of agricultural machinery
- Environmental Consultant
- Oenologist
- Fruit grower – Frantoiano
- Specialized agricultural worker (farm worker)
- Horticulturist
- Pruner
Generally, the work visa issued for seasonal jobs lasts for a maximum of nine months in total.
Important to remember:
- You need a job offer from an Italian employer who is registered with the system.
- The job usually lasts for a few months, but you may return in future years.
- You can come back every year if you’ve followed the rules, and eventually convert your seasonal visa into a longer-term work permit.
- Some employers can apply for a multi-year seasonal permit, which makes it easier for returning workers.
Non-Seasonal Work Quota Breakdown (2026–2028)
The overall quota for the nonseasonal jobs has been distributed as follows:
| Year | Non-Seasonal Work Quota (Subordinate + Self-Employed) |
| 2026 | 76,850 |
| 2027 | 76,850 |
| 2028 | 76,850 |
| Total | 230,550 |
Non-Seasonal Quota Allocation for Partner Countries:
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
| Workers from existing partner countries | 25,000 | 25,000 | 25,000 |
| Workers from new cooperation agreements | 18,000 | 26,000 | 34,000 |
The following occupations are considered non-seasonal occupations currently:
- road transport,
- construction,
- and tourism.
Important to remember:
- You must have a job offer before applying.
- The work contract is typically longer-term or permanent in rare cases.
- Non-seasonal work can lead to residency permits and even citizenship later on.
- Certain categories, like caregivers or family assistants, may have dedicated quotas.
List of eligible countries
To promote regulated migration and strengthen bilateral relations, Italy reserves specific quotas for workers from countries with active or new cooperation agreements. Workers from the following countries will benefit from reserved quotas for seasonal and non-seasonal employment:
Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Korea, Ivory Coast, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Japan, Jordan, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Priority for Countries Fighting Irregular Migration
Preferential quotas will be given to workers from countries that cooperate with Italy in preventing human trafficking and promoting safe migration pathways. These quotas will be adjusted based on successful past entries and collaboration results.
Highly Qualified Workers Encouraged
The decree also supports the entry of highly qualified professionals, aiming to boost Italy’s knowledge economy and innovation sectors. These efforts align with bilateral agreements and international cooperation frameworks.
What Is the Decreto Flussi?
The Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree) is an annual or multi-year government measure that determines how many non-EU foreign workers can legally enter Italy for work. These include both seasonal and non-seasonal jobs, as well as domestic workers and carers.
The Application Process (Both Seasonal & Non-Seasonal)
- Quota is announced: The government publishes the Decreto Flussi and sets the quota for the year.
- Employer applies first: The Italian employer must submit a request to hire a foreign worker online — this is often competitive and time-sensitive.
- Approval: If approved, the worker gets authorization (called a “nulla osta”) to come to Italy.
- Visa application: With the nulla osta, the worker applies for a visa at the Italian consulate in their home country.
- Arrival & contract: Once in Italy, the worker signs the contract and gets a residence permit for work purposes.