Italian Government has introduced new immigration rules which include approval of Decreto Flussi 2025. On October 2, 2024, the Council of Ministers passed a decree law aimed at streamlining and simplifying existing regulations related to the entry of foreign workers into Italy, the protection and support of victims of exploitation, the management of migration flows, and matters concerning international protection, including relevant legal procedures.
The first part of the provision complements the existing rules for entry into Italy for employment purposes, most recently outlined in the Prime Ministerial Decree of September 27, 2023, which addresses migration flows for the 2023-2025 period.
A review conducted by the Presidency of the Council, in collaboration with the relevant ministries, has revealed irregularities in the application of entry mechanisms. These irregularities have been identified not only in recent years but also in earlier periods. This is why a new stricter immigration policy has been adopted to tackle these all issues.
Simplified and Streamlined Procedures for Foreign Worker Entry (2023-2025)
To address the irregularities that emerged during the planning of migration flows for 2023-2025, several measures have been introduced to simplify and speed up procedures which are as follows:
a) Pre-compilation of Work Permit Applications
Applications for work permits will be pre-filled before the official “click day” to extend the time for review. This allows authorities to regularize valid applications and exclude those that cannot proceed.
b) Data Verification with Automated Systems
An interoperable system will be implemented, connecting the current IT system with databases from various government entities (Interior Ministry, Labor Ministry, INPS, Chambers of Commerce, Revenue Agency, Agid). This will enable automatic verification of specific data included in work permit applications.
c) Additional Click Days for Specific Sectors
Extra “click days” will be scheduled throughout the year for sectors requiring additional labor.
d) Employer Obligations
Employers must confirm their intent to hire foreign workers before the issuance of an entry visa. Employers are required to create a digital domicile, and the entire hiring process, including the signing and submission of the residence contract, will be digitized. This eliminates the need for employers and employees to visit the one-stop immigration office in person.
e) Penalties for Non-Compliance by Employers
Employers who fail to finalize an employment contract after the worker’s entry or hire workers without a contract will be banned from using the system for three years.
f) Application Limits for Employers
Employers will face a limit on the number of applications they can submit, based on factors such as turnover, the number of employees, and the sector of activity.
Flexible Contracts for Seasonal Workers
a) Multiple Employment Contracts
Seasonal workers will be allowed to sign a new contract with either the same or a different employer within 60 days of their previous contract’s expiration, provided their work permit remains valid.
b) Conversion of Seasonal Work Permits
Seasonal work permits can be converted into fixed-term or permanent work permits outside the established quotas.
Elderly and Disabled Care Assistance (Experimental)
An experimental entry channel for 2025 will be introduced to allow up to 10,000 workers to assist the elderly and disabled. These workers will be hired through employment agencies, employers’ organizations, or professionals in the legal-economic field. No tacit consent will be allowed in evaluating these work permit applications.
Applications from High-Risk Countries
The use of tacit consent during the examination phase of applications will be eliminated for workers from high-risk countries. For 2025, these countries include Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Refugees and Stateless Persons
Special entry channels for refugees and stateless individuals will be maintained. Foreign nationals seeking asylum are required to cooperate with authorities to verify their age, identity, nationality, and the countries they have traveled through or stayed in.
This obligation also applies to foreigners found in an irregular situation within the country or those rescued at sea. If the individual fails to cooperate, the police commissioner can authorize public security officers to immediately access identification data and documents stored on electronic devices, without accessing personal correspondence or communications.
The foreign national has the right to be present during this process, accompanied by a cultural mediator. A report of these actions is then sent to a justice of the peace for validation, who must make a decision within 48 hours. If the report is not validated fully or in part, the data collected cannot be used. Similar obligations apply to foreigners who are not immediately deported and are either in detention, seeking international protection or are unaccompanied minors during the process.