Italy to Issue 500,000 Work Visas for Non-EU Nationals 2026-2028

Italy's New Work Visa Program

• 🇮🇹 The Italian government plans to issue nearly 500,000 work visas for non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028.
• 🎯 This initiative is part of a strategy to expand legal immigration channels to address labor shortages.
• 📊 Visa quotas were determined by considering needs expressed by social partners and previous work permit applications.

Focus on Specific Sectors

• 🧑‍🌾 The largest number of visas will be allocated to seasonal work in agriculture and tourism.
• 📈 This move aims to meet the demands of businesses and ensure a realistic program.

Broader Immigration Strategy

• ⚖️ This is the second major visa allocation by Prime Minister Georgia Meloni's government, following a decision to issue 450,000 permits between 2023 and 2025.
• 🚢 The expansion of legal channels is coupled with a tough stance on illegal immigration, including efforts to stop human traffickers and secure external borders.
• 🤝 Italy has also reached agreements, such as with Albania, to build migration centers.

Addressing Demographic Challenges

• 📉 The visa program is also a response to Italy's demographic challenges, including an aging population and a declining birth rate.
• 🚶 Over the past decade, more than a million Italians have emigrated, with a significant portion being young adults.