Italy to Issue 500,000 Work Visas Till 2028 – New Policy In Effect to Cope Skill Shortages

If you’ve been watching Europe’s job market from the outside thinking, “Cool… but where are the actual legal work routes?” — Italy just dropped one of the clearest answers in years.

Italy has officially rolled out a three-year work-entry plan for 2026, 2027, and 2028, targeting around half a million legal work entries. In simple words: Italy is opening a very large door for non-EU workers — and unlike vague headlines, this plan is tied to real quotas, real categories, and real application windows.

But here’s the catch (the honest one): you don’t “just apply” alone. In most cases, you apply through an employer in Italy. So the opportunity is huge — and the strategy matters.

Let’s break it down in a publish-ready, global-worker friendly guide.

What Is Italy’s 2026–2028 Work Visa Plan (And Why It’s Big News)?

Italy runs a legal hiring route for non-EU workers under an annual quota system commonly known as the flow decree (Decreto Flussi). For the 2026–2028 period, the government has scheduled one of the largest multi-year entry programs Europe has seen recently.

This matters because it’s not only about “jobs.” It’s about a legal channel that employers can use to bring workers from outside the EU into Italy — in very high numbers — for sectors where Italy needs manpower, quickly and repeatedly.

What Types of Italian Work Visas/Entries Are Included in New Plan?

Italy’s 2026–2028 work visa program is not for a single visa — it’s a structured system with four (04) major entry lanes, each designed for a different type of worker and employment goal.

To understand where you fit, think of it like choosing the right highway: some lanes move fast for seasonal workers, while others are built for long-term careers and residency pathways.

Here’s a clear breakdown of the main work visa routes included:

If You Want to Take Advantage of Italy’s New Work Visa Quota Policy (2026–2028), These Jobs Matter Most

If you’re genuinely interested in using Italy’s massive new 2026–2028 work visa quota plan as your entry route into Europe, here’s the most important thing to understand:

Italy is not opening work visas randomly.

The strongest opportunities will go to international workers who match the exact sectors Italy is actively prioritizing under its legal hiring quotas. That means the smartest move is to focus on occupations where Italy has clear, repeating workforce demand — not just popular job titles.

So if you want to position yourself correctly for this new visa window, these are the job categories that matter most.

The #1 Thing You Must Understand:
You Usually Need an Italian Employer

This isn’t like filling out a solo online form and waiting for a miracle. In most Flussi categories, the employer in Italy must:

1. Select a worker
2. Apply for work authorization (Nulla Osta) within the official quota window
3. Once approved, the worker uses that approval to apply for the visa at the consulate

So the real question becomes: How do you get an Italian employer to file for you? – That’s where your strategy lives.

How to Apply for New Italian Work Visa Under New Quota Program?

Step 1: Pick Your Lane (Seasonal vs Non-Seasonal vs Care vs Self-Employed): Your documents, job hunt strategy, and timeline depend on this.

Step 2: Find an Employer Willing to Sponsor (This Is the Key Step): Focus on employers in sectors that regularly hire through these quotas:

1. 1. Agriculture cooperatives and farm operators
   2. Hotels, resorts, restaurant groups, tourism operators
   3. Construction companies and subcontractors
   4. Logistics firms and warehouse operators
   5. Care agencies and home assistance providers
   6. Manufacturers with ongoing staffing needs

Step 3: Employer Submits the Authorization During the Official Window: Italy opens specific online submission windows (often known as “click days”). These are time-sensitive, and employers prepare in advance.

Step 4: After Authorization Approval, You Apply for the Work Visa: Once your authorization is granted, you proceed with the visa application through the Italian consulate where you live.

Step 5: Arrive in Italy → Complete Residence Permit Steps: After entry, you complete the local procedures for your residence permit and formalize your stay based on the contract.

Who Should Pay the Most Attention to Italy’s 2026–2028 Work Visa Opportunity?

Italy’s new expanded work visa quota plan is not meant for everyone equally — it is designed for specific worker groups that Italy urgently needs across its economy.

So if you’re wondering whether this is a real opportunity for your profile, here’s the simple answer:

This program is especially worth watching if you fall into one of the categories below.

This Opportunity Is Highly Relevant For You If:

• You are open to seasonal work in Italy, particularly in agriculture or the tourism and hospitality industry, where the highest volume of international hiring happens every year.

• You are a skilled or semi-skilled worker in sectors like construction, logistics, manufacturing, food production, retail support, or other essential services that Italy is actively prioritizing for long-term labor needs.

• You work in caregiving or home assistance, including socio-health support roles, which are expected to remain in high demand due to Italy’s aging population and rising care requirements.

• You are applying from a country commonly included in Italy’s international labor cooperation routes, where quota allocations are often structured to encourage legal recruitment partnerships.

• You want a legitimate, structured pathway into Europe and are ready to follow the employer-sponsored work visa process, since most of these permits require an Italian job offer and employer authorization.

Reference

• https://integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Ricerca-news/Dettaglio-news/id/4462/Flussi-2026-2028-pubblicato-il-decreto-da-500-mila-ingressi.