Italy is making big changes to its immigration system in 2025. If you’re planning to apply for a work visa or move for employment, knowing the Italy immigration 2025 opening date is critical. These are the key dates when applications open, and once spots fill, you have to wait until the next year.

The government is also updating how the whole process works. From digital portals to tighter rules for employers, the process is faster but stricter. Missing a step could mean losing your chance.

Overview of Italy’s immigration policy in 2025

Shift from emigration to net immigration country

Italy used to have more people leaving than coming in. That’s no longer the case.

More foreign, non-EU workers are arriving, while fewer Italians are moving abroad. The government now sees immigration as a way to support the country’s aging workforce and fix labor shortages.

This shift has changed how immigration laws are made. The focus is now on who gets in and how fast they can start working.

Controlled openness balancing labor shortages and public concerns

Italy is trying to fix worker gaps without opening the doors too wide. There’s high demand in sectors like farming, caregiving, hospitality, and construction.

At the same time, the public has concerns about social pressure and integration. This has pushed the government to keep quotas in place while expanding work opportunities for legal migrants.

The annual cap and annual quota for non-European workers are set to address labor shortages while helping to reduce irregular migration. These quotas are part of Italy’s strategy to manage migration flows and prevent irregular migration.

Every work permit must go through approval, and the rules are tight. No one gets in automatically, even with a job offer.

Digitalization and biometric data requirements in Visa processing

Italy now uses digital systems for visa applications. Paper forms are mostly gone.

Online applications are now the standard, with strict procedures for registration and submission of required documentation. Foreign nationals applying for visas must complete digital registration and provide all necessary documents as part of the new process.

Starting in 2025, all applicants must submit biometric data like fingerprints and ID photos. This step is now part of the early stages of the process.

Applications without biometric data won’t move forward. Every step is logged online through new government systems, and applicants must follow each step exactly.

Employer compliance and labor market test changes

Employers must now prove they tried to hire locals before turning to foreign workers. This is called the “labor market test.” Employer demand is a key factor in determining the need for foreign workers, and employers must demonstrate that there is no suitable Italian candidate before hiring a foreign worker.

The process includes job posting requirements and official forms. Italian employers are now required to use a certified email address and have a registered digital domicile or official communications during the hiring process. If they skip steps or don’t wait long enough, their request for foreign workers may be denied.

Employers also need to upload digital job contracts and sign them using official ID systems. This helps confirm the job offer is real and not just a formality to get a visa.

Foreign workers must also sign an integration agreement upon arrival, committing to learn Italian and understand local laws.

 

Italy immigration 2025 opening date and key application windows

Decreto Flussi 2025: quotas and application windows

While the main “click days” for 2025 work visa applications under the Decreto Flussi have already passed (February 5, 7, and 12, 2025), it’s important to understand the overall framework and remaining possibilities. For the year 2025, a total of 70,720 entries are allocated for non-seasonal subordinate work, 730 entries for self-employment, and 110,000 entries for seasonal subordinate work.

 

Starting in 2026, the overall quota will be divided by province to better match local labor needs. Bilateral agreements with partner countries help allocate seasonal quotas, providing a structured pathway for workers. Strategic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, and construction receive special attention in quota allocations to meet the needs of Italian companies. This figure represents a notable increase and reflects Italy’s continuing need for foreign labor across various sectors.

Key procedural updates for 2025 and beyond

• Mandatory biometric data collection

All long-term visa applicants now need to provide biometric data, aligning Italy with broader Schengen practices. This requirement applies to all national visa applicants.

• Digitalization of immigration paperwork

Employers are required to use certified electronic mail (PEC) and digital signatures for official immigration communications and to digitally sign the “stay contract” (contratto di soggiorno) with the employee.

• Stricter oversight of employers

Measures are in place to ensure job offers materialize and to prevent unauthorized employment. For instance, employers who do not formalize contracts or employ workers without proper authorization may face restrictions on system access for three years.

• Streamlined processes

Obligation for the employer to confirm the work authorization application within 7 days from receiving notification that the required checks on the worker’s visa application have been completed.

 

Looking ahead: Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 and future trends

multi-year planning: a strategic shift for Italy’s immigration policy

• A significant development in Italian immigration policy is the preliminary approval of the Decreto Flussi for the 2026-2028 period on June 30, 2025. This new three-year plan represents a strategic shift towards more predictable and structured migration, aiming to address Italy’s persistent labor shortages and demographic challenges. It outlines a substantial increase in authorized entries, totaling 497,550 foreign workers over this period, a record number.

These overall quotas will be further broken down into specific categories:

• Non-Seasonal and Self-Employed Work: 230,550 total units across 2026-2028.
• Seasonal Jobs (Agriculture and Tourism): 267,000 total units across 2026-2028.

Initial “Click Day” schedule for 2026 (subject to final confirmation)

While the “click day” system is confirmed to remain in place for 2026, the preliminary schedule indicates the following:

• Pre-filing of Applications: Expected to open in the Autumn of 2025.
• January 12, 2026: Anticipated “click day” for seasonal workers in the agriculture sector.
• February 9, 2026: Anticipated “click day” for seasonal workers in the tourism sector.
• February 16 and 18, 2026: Anticipated “click days” for all other categories of work permits, covering non-seasonal employed workers and self-employed visas.

Key innovations and outlook

• Territorial distribution of quotas (starting 2026)

A crucial new innovation is that the Ministry of Labour will divide national quotas by province within ten days after the application deadlines. The unified immigration desk will coordinate the allocation and notification process, ensuring compliance with official procedures and efficient management of visa notifications and employer confirmations. This aims to better align local labor needs with the permits granted, ensuring a more even distribution of workers across Italy and potentially reducing processing delays.

• Increased out-of-quota entries

The government expresses willingness to expand possibilities for entry outside the quota system, particularly for highly needed job profiles, to eventually downsize reliance on “click days.” This is a significant indicator of a move towards a more flexible system for specific professions.

• Focus on training in countries of origin

There’s an increased emphasis on encouraging training programs for foreign workers in their home countries, aiming to better prepare them for the Italian labor market.

• Specific quota for care workers

The Government plans to reintroduce out-of-quota entries—first tested under Decree Law 145/2024—for caregivers assisting persons with disabilities or the very elderly.

There is an intention to remove the current cap of 10,000 entries, even though, as of June 18, 2025, only 13% of that quota had been requested through work authorization applications.

 

• Citizenship by descent changes (effective may 2025)

It’s important to note that recent changes affect Italian citizenship by descent. As of May 24, 2025, descendants born outside Italy are generally eligible only if they have a parent or grandparent who holds, or held, exclusively Italian citizenship. Children born abroad to Italian parents no longer automatically acquire citizenship; parents must submit a declaration within one year of the child’s birth. These changes do not apply to applications submitted before March 28, 2025.

The Italian government’s shift to a multi-year immigration plan reflects a commitment to a more strategic, transparent, and responsive approach to managing labor migration. For foreign workers and employers alike, this framework aims to provide greater predictability and more streamlined processes in the coming years.

 

Maximizing success in italy immigration 2025: insider strategies for employers and applicants

Pre-click day preparation

Start collecting paperwork months in advance. Get tax IDs, translated documents, and company records ready.

Create digital profiles for both workers and employers on the portal. Make sure logins work and upload test files to check for errors.

Have a clear plan for the exact minute the portal opens.

Using the vfs global portal without errors

Know how to log in, upload, and submit on the new portal. Practice with mock forms if they’re available.

Check internet speed, browser settings, and file formats in advance. Use wired internet if possible for faster upload times.

Prepare backups of all documents in case of file errors.

Quota optimization techniques

If your sector has low quotas, consider alternate categories or job types. Some sectors overlap—pick the one with more available slots.

Split applications across different roles or locations if possible. That gives you more chances to secure at least one spot.

Always check the latest quota data before applying.

Legal compliance checklist

Make sure contracts are digitally signed. Confirm that job offers meet wage and work hour rules.

Double-check the validity of Nulla Osta. Book biometric appointments early, and confirm them in writing.

Keep proof of every step in case of checks or delays.

Citizenship planning for long-term residency

If you’re applying for work in 2025, think long-term. Many workers become eligible for citizenship after years of residency. In addition, family reasons, such as family reunification with minor children, can also provide a pathway to residency and eventual citizenship.

Track time in Italy, renew permits on time, and collect proof of legal stay. This can help if you apply for citizenship later.

Stay up to date on rule changes that might affect your path.

Ready to apply for italian immigration or citizenship?

Getting approved for a work visa or citizenship in Italy isn’t just about checking boxes—it’s about timing, accuracy, and knowing the system. Whether you’re applying through the 2025 Decreto Flussi, planning to secure a work contract, or preparing a citizenship claim through ancestry, marriage, or residency, you need a clear plan and the right support.

Every year, we at Aprigliano International Law Firm help people from the U.S., Canada, Australia and around the world apply successfully for Italian work visas, residence permits, and citizenship. We handle the entire application process—from work sponsorship and Nulla Osta requests to biometric appointments, visa filing, and citizenship court cases.

We’ve guided hundreds through Italy’s fast-changing immigration rules, helping clients secure everything from seasonal work permits to European Union Blue Cards and dual citizenship. We make sure the documents are right, the deadlines are met, and the application is strong from the start.

Contact us for more information. It’s quick, confidential, and helps us understand the best path for your situation. Once we review it, we’ll reach out to schedule a consultation and walk you through your next steps.