Italy Work Visa 2026 – Decreto Flussi Explained
Do you dream of working in the Mediterranean sun in 2026? Italy has recently reasserted its most ambitious labor agenda in decades, the Decreto Flussi 2026 is not only a visa, it is an enormous platform, with close to 165,000 legal avenues to non-EU employees.
This is not however a normal application process. It is a fast-track game called Click Day, in which slots are disappearing within seconds.2 This guide is a dissection of the quotas, the most important dates, and the specific actions you must do in order to procure your own Italian future.
What is the 2026 Decreto Flussi?
The 2026 work permit quota The legal quota of non-EU citizens who may enter Italy to work is established by the annual Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree), which, in 2026, will have 164,850 work permits, as part of a three-year plan to address severe labor shortages.
2026 Quota Breakdown by Sector:
- Seasonal Work (Agriculture & Tourism): 88,000 slots.
- Non-Seasonal Work (Lavoro Subordinato): 76,200 vacancies.
- Self-Employed ( Lavoro Autonomo): 650 slots (reserved to entrepreneurs, startup founders, and top-tier professionals).
Priority of the High-Demand Sector
The kind of talent that Italy is seeking is in the sectors where a skills gap is being experienced. Provided that your field of expertise can fall within one of the following categories, there are much greater odds that you will be sponsored:
- Construction / Shipbuilding: Massive demand of specialties builders and technicians.
- Logistics & Road Haulage: Heavy vehicle drivers are one of the priorities.
- Healthcare & Domestic Care: Colf and Badanti (domestic helpers) sub-quota particularly concerns domestic helpers who are helping the elderly and the people with disabilities.10
- Agriculture: The main form of seasonal entry is harvesting of fruits and vegetables.
Application Process (5 Steps)
The visa is done through a joint venture between you and your Italian employer.
- Locate a certified Employer: The employer should demonstrate that he or she is not able to locate a domestic Italian or EU employee to fill the position.
- Asseverazione (The Certification): Your employer needs to have a certificate provided to him by a labor consultant or accountant that confirms that they have the means to compensate you (usually at least 30,000 turnover every year).
- Click Day Submission: The application is filed on the ALI Portal by the employer with the use of their digital identity (SPID).
- Nulla Osta Issuance: Provided successful, you are issued with a Nulla Osta (No Impediment certificate).13 The nulla osta is valid 6 months.
- Consular Visa Interview:You present your Nulla Osta to the Italian Embassy of the country where you are living and the work visa is stamped on your passport.14
FAQs
Would it be possible to have the Decreto Flussi even when I am already in Italy?
Yes, in case you hold a proper Residence Permit to Study or Internship, you may request a Conversion of Permit at the non-seasonal Click Day window in order to convert your status into a Work Permit.
What is the “Pre-filling” phase?
Prior to the actual Click Day, the government makes the portal (typically in the late autumn) available so that the employers can pre-fill the forms.15 They will only need to press the send button as soon as the window opens.
Does it have a language requirement?
No official Italian language test is needed on the Decreto Flussi visa per se, although the vast majority of employers would insist on basic Italian both as a precaution and to fit in.
What countries are given Priority Status in 2026?
Italy has migration agreements with 38 countries including India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Morocco and Tunisia that have sub-quotas.
What would I do in case I do not attend the Click Day?
In case quotas are taken, you have to wait to the next year or consider to use extra-quota schemes such as the EU Blue Card or the Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) visa that have no caps.
Final Thought
The 2026 Decreto Flussi is the highest immigration rate in Italian history, yet the first-come-first-served policy favors those who are ready.18 Have your employer have their SPID and Asseverazione prepared at least 30 days before the deadline in January.
Disclaimer
This paper is an informational and educational article. It is recommended that a reader should confirm the information that is provided by reliable sources, i.e. the official interno.gov.it or lavoro.gov.it portal.