Top Industries Hiring Foreigners In Italy 2026
The issue of labor shortage is a serious problem that Italy is experiencing due to the ageing population and digital transformation. To counter this, the Italian government has sanctioned 497,550 work visas record between 2026 and 2028 according to the most recent Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree).
In the case of the 2026 alone, there will be 164,850 open slots geared towards international talent. You are either a super-skilled engineer or seeking seasonal employment in the Sun-dipped Vineyards of Tuscany 2026 is technically the Year of Opportunity in non-EU employees. This guide is a list of the best places in terms of foreign workers (skilled and unskilled) that are in demand.
Key Hiring Areas and 2026 Projections
The Italian labour market is divided into Seasonal (short-term) and Non-Seasonal (long-term/subordinate) opportunities.
Agriculture (88,000 Seasonal Slots)
The foundation of the Made in Italy food brand, agriculture is the biggest employer of foreigners.
- Major Occupations: Harvesters, greenhouse technician and machinery operators.
- Best Regions: Puglia, Sicily and Emilia-romagna.
Tourism & Hospitality
Italy has distributed the tourism recuperation in seasonal quotas and it has surpassed its local human resource capacity.
- The Major positions include: Chefs, waiters, hotel receptionist and housekeeper.
- Pro Tip: in larger hubs, such as Venice or Florence, often the requirement of fluent Italian can be circumvented by knowing English or German.
Construction Infrastructure (76,200 Non-Seasonal Slots)
Italy is recovering with the help of the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR).
- Major Occupations: Masons, electricians, plumbers and site supervisors.
- Demand Level: It is very high in Northern Italy.
Extra-Quota Industries with High Growth
In case you are either high-tech or specialized in your fields then you can apply to the EU Blue Card where you do not need to get the annual quota of the Click Day. This best suits those professionals who would like to have a quicker, more secure residency route.
Information Technology & AI
Italy is actively recruiting: 40,000 ICT technicians by 2026 will be required.
- Full-stack (Back-end) Programmers.
- Data Scientists & Analysts
- Cybersecurity Experts
Healthcare & Family Caregiving
The population of Italy is one of the oldest in the world, which leaves a huge vacuity in the number of medical personnel.
- Family Care (Badanti): 13,600 specific slots in 2026 of elderly and disabled care.
- Professional Healthcare: registered nurses and physiotherapists are in demand in Lombardy and Lazio.
Key 2026 Deadlines (Click Days)
In order to claim a position in the 2026 quota, your Italian employer will have to make you apply on the following dates. A single minute late may cost one a whole year.
- January 12, 2026: Seasonal Agricultural work.
- Seasonal Tourism & Hospitality work February 9, 2026.
- Feb 16, 2026: Non seasonal Subordinate work (Construction, Logistics, Manufacturing).
- February 18, 2026: Non-seasonal employment in Family Care/Domestic.
FAQs
Should I speak Italian in order to get a job?
In multinational firms, English is commonly used as a working language in the Skilled IT and Engineering positions. In the case of Healthcare, Construction and Tourism, however, the level of A2 or B1 of Italian is mostly demanded in terms of safety and integration.
Will I be able to apply to such jobs in my country of origin?
Yes. The Decreto Flussi targets the workers who are living in foreign countries. First of all, you need to locate an employer, and he/she requests your Nulla Osta (work authorization) in the ALI portal.
What are the cities that offer the highest number of jobs to the foreigners?
Milan: Finance, Technology, and Engineering.
Rome: Healthcare, Public Sector and Tourism.
Bologna/Modena: Food Logistics and Mechanical Engineering.
Is there an age restriction of the work visa?
As a rule, age does not matter provided you are above 18 and have a good employment opportunity. But agricultural and construction jobs that are seasonal give preference to physically fit candidates.
What will occur when the quota of 2026 is reached?
In case the quota is filled, it is possible to consider Extra-Quota opportunities, such as the EU Blue Card, the Digital Nomad Visa, or wait until the next quota (165,850 slots) in 2027.
Final Thought
The labor market in Italy (2026) is among the most liberal towards non-EU citizens. Be it a skilled Tradesman seeking the construction boom, or a Specialist Software Engineer seeking a career in Milan the trick is to lock down an employer before the last two deadlines in February 2026.
Disclaimer
The information in this job has been provided to educative and informative purposes only. Before applying, please check the information on the official employer or government site.