What is the Italy Work Visa (Decreto Flussi)?
Italy's standard route for non-EU workers is employer-sponsored subordinate employment (lavoro subordinato). The employer must first obtain a nulla osta al lavoro (work clearance) from the local Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione (SUI).
For standard roles, this runs through the Decreto Flussi — an annual government decree setting quotas by category and region, processed first-come-first-served on designated "click days" (usually early in the year, and often filling within hours). After the nulla osta is granted, you apply for an entry visa at the Italian consulate, then a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within 8 working days of arriving.
If you are a highly qualified professional with a degree, the EU Blue Card is usually the better route — it sits entirely outside the Decreto Flussi quota, so the employer can apply year-round with no click day. This page covers the standard quota route; both lead to EU permanent residence after 5 years.
Note: Information on this page is for guidance only and does not constitute immigration advice. Requirements change — verify current figures at the official government source before applying.
Do you qualify?
The core requirement is a qualifying job offer that fits within an available Decreto Flussi quota. The employer drives the process and submits on the click day. Highly qualified professionals should check the quota-free EU Blue Card route instead.
You need a job offer from an eligible Italian employer (registered, current on social security obligations, able to pay the salary). The role must fall within an available Decreto Flussi quota for the year and category, and the salary must meet the National Collective Bargaining Agreement (CCNL) minimum for the sector. The employer completes a labour market test with the local job centre, then submits the nulla osta on the click day.
The 2026 salary requirements
Decreto Flussi roles follow the sector's collective bargaining agreement (CCNL) — there is no single figure, as the minimum depends on the sector, level and contract type. The salary must at least match the applicable CCNL minimum for the role.
If you are a degree-holder in a well-paid role, the EU Blue Card has a defined floor of ~€36,300/year (1.5× the ISTAT national average) and skips the quota entirely. Tax note: Italy's IRPEF is progressive (23–43%) plus regional and municipal surcharges; the favourable "impatriati" regime for inbound workers can exempt a share of income, though its conditions have tightened — consult an Italian tax advisor.
What you need to apply
The employer obtains the nulla osta first, on the click day. You then apply for the entry visa at the Italian consulate, and the residence permit after arrival.
If you do not have any of the documents below, read the FAQs section for further guidance.
Application timeline
End-to-end typically takes 60–180 days and depends entirely on securing a quota slot on the click day.
Most common delay: quota exhaustion on the click day — quotas can fill within hours, so preparation and pre-filing are essential. Employers pre-fill applications in advance and submit the moment the window opens.
The employer completes the labour market test and pre-fills the nulla osta application (pre-filing opened 1 November 2025 for the 2026 cycle), then submits on the scheduled click day.
Handled by: your employer
The SUI processes the nulla osta. The legal maximum was reduced to 30 days under 2025 law.
Handled by: the SUI
Once the nulla osta is issued, apply for the entry visa at the Italian consulate in your country. Processing takes roughly 2–3 weeks, plus appointment availability.
Handled by: you
Travel to Italy. Within 8 working days of arrival, apply for the residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Questura and sign the contract of stay at the SUI.
Handled by: you
Frequently asked questions
The Decreto Flussi is Italy's annual decree setting the maximum number of non-EU workers admitted, by category and region. For 2026–2028, Italy sharply increased quotas (roughly 500,000 permits over the period) across agriculture, construction, hospitality, logistics and care. Applications open on designated click days and are processed first-come, first-served — many quotas fill within hours, so employers pre-fill and submit the moment the window opens.
The EU Blue Card sits entirely outside the Decreto Flussi quota. For highly qualified professionals with a degree (or 5 years' experience) and a salary of ~€36,300+, the employer can apply year-round with no click day and no quota cap, and the nulla osta review is cut to 30 days. For most of our skilled audience — IT, engineering, healthcare — the Blue Card is the faster, more reliable route.
Your permit is tied to your employer and role, so changing employers requires updating your work authorisation and residence permit. Plan any change carefully with the new employer.
Yes. Family reunification (ricongiungimento familiare) is available for your spouse and dependent children once you hold a valid residence permit and meet income and housing requirements. Your spouse can work in Italy.
Not for the visa itself. However, Italian A2 is required for the EU long-term residence permit after 5 years. Outside of multinationals and tourism, Italian is the working language — most workplaces and all government processes operate in Italian, so learning it significantly improves both daily life and job prospects.
Certain Decreto Flussi allocations are reserved for nationals of countries with migration cooperation agreements with Italy. Being from a reserved-quota country gives access to a specific allocation but does not guarantee approval or faster processing — applications from some nationalities face additional verification by the Questura and the National Labour Inspectorate rather than automatic approval.
You cannot apply for an Italian work visa without a job offer and an employer-obtained nulla osta. Every job listed on Workbeyond is from employers who sponsor international talent to work in Italy. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level to find roles that match your criteria.
Find sponsored jobs in Italy
Every job listed on Workbeyond is from an employer who sponsors international workers. Standard roles go through the Decreto Flussi quota; if you are a degree holder, an employer who can file a quota-free EU Blue Card is the fastest route in. Use the filters to narrow by profession, city and seniority level.
Planning a move? See the Italy destination guide.