The Italian government has published the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028, defining work permit quotas, legal references, and application dates for foreign workers. The Decreto Flussi is the annual government decree that regulates the entry of non-EU citizens into Italy for employment and self-employment purposes.
The latest decree — the Prime Ministerial Decree (DPCM) of October 15, 2025 — has been officially published in the Official Journal, setting the work quotas for the three-year period 2026–2028 and outlining how applications must be submitted.
Work Permit Quotas for 2026–2028
Under the new Decreto Flussi 2026–2028, a total of 497,550 foreign workers from third countries will be allowed entry to Italy for seasonal, non-seasonal, and self-employment purposes.
| Year | Number of Foreign Workers Admitted |
| 2026 | 164,850 |
| 2027 | 165,850 |
| 2028 | 166,850 |
The Decretto Flussi quota is generally divided into seasonal, non-seasonal, and self-employment quotas. This breakdown is as follows:
a) Seasonal Work Quota
| Year | Seasonal Work Quota |
| 2026 | 88,000 |
| 2027 | 89,000 |
| 2028 | 90,000 |
| Total | 267,000 |
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) Non-Seasonal Work Quota
| 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 Decreto Flussi allocates quotas among production sectors and contractual categories, ensuring a balanced response to Italy’s labor market needs.
c) 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 |
Clickdays for 2026
Employers seeking to hire foreign workers under the Decreto Flussi must submit applications through the ALI Portal of the Ministry of the Interior during the following periods:
| Category | Opening Date & Time |
| Seasonal agricultural workers | From 9:00 a.m., 12 January 2026 |
| Seasonal tourism workers | From 9:00 a.m., 9 February 2026 |
| Non-seasonal subordinate workers from countries with migration cooperation agreements | From 9:00 a.m., 16 February 2026 |
| Other non-seasonal subordinate workers | From 9:00 a.m., 18 February 2026 |
Before official submission, a pre-compilation phase of the application forms is required. This will be detailed in a joint circular issued by the Ministries of the Interior, Labor, Agriculture, and Tourism, in consultation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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.
Legal Framework Behind the Decreto Flussi 2026–2028
The Decreto Flussi is rooted in a robust legal foundation established by several Italian legislative acts. The President of the Council of Ministers, in accordance with the relevant laws and decrees, officially adopted this regulation to manage labor migration in a structured, lawful, and economically balanced manner.
Below is a summarized version of the legal framework extracted from the official decree:
- Law No. 400/1988 — Regulates the organization of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
- Legislative Decree No. 286/1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act) — Defines the rules on immigration and the rights of foreigners in Italy.
- Article 3 of the Consolidated Act — Establishes that immigration policies are defined through a triennial programmatic document approved by the Government.
- Article 21 — Authorizes the definition of maximum quotas for foreign entries and introduces restrictions for countries that do not cooperate in combating illegal immigration.
- Legislative Decree No. 73/2022 — Simplifies tax and employment procedures, including those related to the issuance of work permits.
- Legislative Decree No. 20/2023 — Regulates legal entry flows for foreign workers and strengthens measures against irregular immigration.
- Legislative Decree No. 145/2024 — Addresses entry procedures for foreign workers and provides protection against exploitation and illegal recruitment.
- Legislative Decree No. 36/2025 — Introduces updates on citizenship and allows entry for descendants of Italian citizens residing abroad, even outside quotas.
The Decreto Flussi 2026–2028 reflects Italy’s strategic approach to balancing labor market demands, migration management, and economic growth.
By defining clear quotas, procedures, and eligibility criteria, the decree provides both Italian employers and foreign workers with a structured path toward legal employment in Italy.
Employers and applicants should stay updated on the ALI Portal for upcoming circulars and official submission guidelines.