Italy Work Visas 2026-2028: 497,550 Quota, 2027 Click Days and How to Avoid Scams
Italy's decreto flussi allows 497,550 non-EU workers over 2026-2028, including 164,850 in 2026. Pre-filling for 2027 runs 23 October to 7 December 2026, and only employers can apply.
EuropeIn brief
- Italy's decree of 2 October 2025 allows 497,550 non-EU workers to enter over 2026-2028: 164,850 in 2026, 165,850 in 2027 and 166,850 in 2028.
- Each year, about 88,000 to 90,000 places are for seasonal work and 76,200 for non-seasonal jobs, plus 650 for self-employment.
- Employers can pre-fill 2027 applications from 23 October to 7 December 2026.
- The 2027 click days are 12 January (seasonal farm), 9 February (seasonal tourism), 16 February (non-seasonal) and 18 February (domestic care).
- Only the Italian employer can apply for the work permit (nulla osta); workers cannot buy one from an agent.
| Country | Europe |
|---|---|
| Organization | Government of Italy – Ministry of Labour and Ministry of the Interior |
| Last date to apply | 7 Dec 2026 |
| Official source | Italian Ministry of Labour – decreto flussi 2026-2028 ✓ lavoro.gov.it |
Italy has the biggest legal work-migration programme in Europe. Its decreto flussi (flows decree), signed on 2 October 2025, allows 497,550 non-EU workers to enter over three years. The 2027 application season opens on 23 October 2026.
Quota by year
| Category | 2026 | 2027 | 2028 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonal (agriculture, tourism) | 88,000 | 89,000 | 90,000 |
| Non-seasonal employed | 76,200 | 76,200 | 76,200 |
| Self-employed | 650 | 650 | 650 |
| Total | 164,850 | 165,850 | 166,850 |
Within the non-seasonal quota, places for domestic and care workers are 13,600 in 2026, 14,000 in 2027 and 7,000 in 2028.
2027 dates
| Step | Date |
|---|---|
| Pre-filling of applications | 23 October 2026 (9:00) to 7 December 2026 (20:00) |
| Editing existing drafts only | 9 to 13 December 2026 |
| Click day: seasonal agriculture | 12 January 2027, 9:00 |
| Click day: seasonal tourism | 9 February 2027, 9:00 |
| Click day: non-seasonal work | 16 February 2027, 9:00 |
| Click day: domestic and care work | 18 February 2027, 9:00 |
After each click day, applications can be sent until 31 December 2027 or until the quota runs out.
How the process works
- An Italian employer offers you a job.
- The employer applies online for a nulla osta (work authorisation) through the Interior Ministry's Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione, logging in with SPID or CIE.
- Once the nulla osta is issued, you apply for a work visa at the Italian embassy or consulate in your country.
- After you arrive, you complete your residence permit.
Scam warning
Fake "Europe work visa" agents are very common. Remember:
- You cannot apply alone. Only an employer in Italy can file the application.
- No one can guarantee a place. Quotas are filled on click days, first come, first served.
- Never pay for a "job" or "visa slot". Ask for the employer's name and check that it is a real Italian company.
- The Indian missions in the UAE recently warned about agencies selling Europe jobs that never materialise. Read our UAE job and visa agency scam warning.
Official sources
- Italian Ministry of Labour: decreto flussi 2026-2028 (Italian)
- Italian Ministry of the Interior: 497,550 places over three years (Italian)
Also see Romania's 2026 work permit quota and the EU Talent Pool.
Frequently asked questions
How many work visas will Italy issue in 2027?
The decree sets 165,850 places for 2027: 89,000 seasonal, 76,200 non-seasonal employed and 650 self-employed.
When is the Italy click day 2027?
12 January 2027 for seasonal agriculture, 9 February for seasonal tourism, 16 February for non-seasonal work and 18 February for domestic and care work, all at 9:00.
Can I apply for an Italian work visa myself?
No. The Italian employer applies online for the nulla osta (work permit) through the Interior Ministry portal. Once it is issued, you apply for the visa at the Italian consulate.
Is a Europe work visa from an agent real?
Be very careful. Italy's process starts with an employer application, and no agent can guarantee a quota place. Never pay for a 'guaranteed' Italy or Europe work visa.
Apply only through the official source.
Open official notice →TheJobSeek never charges for jobs and is not a recruitment agency. If anyone asks you to pay for a job offer or visa in the name of this article, it is a scam.
