What Migrant Workers and Employers Need to Know
Italy continues to reform its immigration system in 2025, aiming to modernise the legal framework and meet labor market needs. Here’s the latest:
1. Digitalisation of Work Permit Procedures
As of January 2025, a new law mandates full digital processing for work permits: employers must use certified email (PEC) and digitally sign employment contracts. This replaces paper-based and in-person submission requirements
2. Biometric Data Collection Mandatory
Applicants for long-term visas (e.g. Blue Card) must submit biometric data, including fingerprints, during their consular visa interview—effective from January 11, 2025
3. Faster Labour Market Test & Employer Confirmation
Labour market checks now take just 8 days. Additionally, employers must reconfirm their intention to hire before visa issuance—otherwise, the work authorisation risks cancellation. Failure to formalise the contract may lead to a three‑year ban from presenting future applications
4. Decreto Flussi 2025 – Quotas and New Allocations
For 2025, Italy has allocated approximately 181,450 quotas across non‑seasonal, seasonal, and self‑employment sectors:
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~70,720 for non‑seasonal employment
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~110,000 for seasonal employment
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~730 for self‑employment
Following a May 2025 directive, an additional 22,968 quotas have been reassigned to areas with unmet demand, based on actual employer requests at immigration desks
Furthermore, seasonal sector employers (especially tourism/hospitality) can pre‑compile nulla osta applications until July 31, 2025, ahead of the second “click‑day” on October 1, 2025 (with 15,000 seasonal quotas reserved)
5. Long‑Term Vision: Visa Expansion 2026–2028
The Italian government has approved issuance of nearly 500,000 new work visas between mid‑2026 and 2028 to address demographic decline and labour shortages. In 2026 alone, 164,850 permits will be issued, building upon the 450,000 already granted for 2023–25
6. Enhanced Protections for Exploited Migrant Workers
Law No. 187/2024 (converted from DL 145/2024) introduces stronger safeguards for victims of labour exploitation. It streamlines protection measures, expands the permission-to-stay schemes for victims of trafficking/caporali, and ensures legal aid for those collaborating in investigations
Implications for Migrant Workers and Employers
For Workers:
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Ensure correct submission of biometric data during consular visas.
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Check that employers complete all confirmation steps to avoid cancellations or bans.
For Employers:
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Adopt certified email (PEC) and digital signing workflows.
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Track timelines: pre‑compiled nulla osta for seasonal work opens in July; click‑days in October.
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Understand that unfulfilled contract formalisation imposes strict penalties.
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Stay alert to additional quota allocations to respond quickly to labor market needs.
Synthesis
Italy’s 2025–2028 immigration reforms aim to build a more digital, efficient, and protective system—balancing the need for lawful foreign labour with stronger accountability and anti‑exploitation safeguards. Employers and migrant workers must adapt to streamlined procedures, tighter timing, and increased responsibilities.
