Italy has just rolled out groundbreaking reforms to its Seasonal Work Visa Program (Decreto Flussi) for 2025, offering more rights, faster access to legal employment, and simplified paperwork. The update was officially announced on May 11, 2025, and will significantly benefit workers in agriculture, tourism, and elder care sectors.
New Changes to Italy Seasonal Work Visa for New Applicants are Here!
We are happy to report 4 major changes released by the immigration department of Italy for their seasonal work visa program on May 11, 2025:
1# Immediate Right to Work After Arrival
From May 2025 onward, seasonal workers can now begin working legally as soon as they arrive in Italy even before their residence permit is finalized.
New Conditions are as follows:
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- Submit the Unilav employment form electronically.
- Register with Italy’s INPS (Social Security) system.
- Provide proof of having applied for the residence permit.
Impact: This ends the long wait period and ensures no income is lost while paperwork is pending!
2# Massive Increase in Visa Quotas
For 2025, Italy will issue a record 165,000 work visas, with 93,550 specifically reserved for seasonal workers.
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- Target sectors: Agriculture, Tourism, Hospitality, Construction, Homecare (new – 10,000 visas).
- Priority will be given to nationals from countries that have signed bilateral labor agreements with Italy.
3# No Quotas for Permit Conversions
In a major relief for existing seasonal visa holders:
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- You can now convert your seasonal permit into a long-term work permit without worrying about annual quotas.
- This includes converting permits issued by other EU countries into Italian residence permits.
4# Digitalization of the Entire Process
Italy is modernizing:
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- Employers now need to use Certified Email (PEC) and digital signatures.
- No physical paperwork is accepted – all communication and contracts go digital.
- Biometric verification is mandatory at consulates and local offices.
4 Possible Beneficiaries of New Italian Seasonal Work Visa Policy?
- Workers from non-EU countries seeking seasonal jobs in Italy.
- Returnee workers from previous years.
- Those looking to convert existing seasonal or EU residence permits to long-term work rights.
- Caregivers, farmers, tourism workers, and hospitality staff.
New Application Process of Decreto Flussi (Seasonal Work Visa – Italy)
| Step | Process |
|---|---|
| 1 | Employer applies for “nulla osta” (work authorization) at Prefettura |
| 2 | Worker applies for a visa at the Italian embassy/consulate |
| 3 | Enter Italy with visa |
| 4 | Submit residence permit application within 8 days |
| 5 | Start working immediately after submitting Unilav & INPS registration. |