Italy Allocates 43,300 Non‑Seasonal Work Permits for 2026
The Italian government has officially granted 43,300 non‑seasonal work permits for the year 2026 as part of its three‑year migration plan Decreto Flussi 2026‑2028. The scheme is designed to meet labour‑force needs across several key economic sectors.
Sectors Covered
The quotas apply to salaried positions in:
- Manufacturing
- Logistics
- Construction
- Hospitality
- Home‑care services
Distribution of the Quotas
| Category | Number of Permits | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Partner‑country workers | 25,000 | Reserved for nationals from about 40 partner countries already engaged with Rome. |
| New cooperation agreements | 18,000 | Allocated to nations that sign fresh migration‑cooperation accords during 2026. |
| Stateless persons & UN‑recognized refugees | 300 | Dedicated to the most vulnerable groups. |
Source: Director’s Note No. 531, issued by the Italian Ministry of Labour on 19 February.
Application Procedure
- Employer request – Employers must submit a nulla osta (authorisation request) through the official ALI portal, often during a single “click‑day”.
- Visa filing – Once the nulla osta is granted, the candidate has six months to apply for a visa at the competent Italian consulate.
- Residence permit – After arriving in Italy, the worker must request a residence permit within eight days.
Wider Migration Outlook
According to specialised sources, Italy is expected to issue approximately 497,550 work visas to non‑EU nationals over the 2026‑2028 period. For 2026 alone, about 164,850 authorisations (seasonal + non‑seasonal) are projected.
What Does This Mean for Tunisian Workers?
- The announcement of the 43,300 non‑seasonal permits does not explicitly reserve a quota for Tunisia.
- However, Italian authorities are actively encouraging bilateral migration‑cooperation agreements, which could open additional slots for Tunisian applicants under the remaining available quotas.
- Existing Italy‑Tunisia bilateral accords already contain provisions for specific quotas in certain cases—particularly for non‑seasonal Tunisian workers—making legal entry into the Italian labour market more attainable.
Why This Matters
With persistent labour shortages in critical sectors, Italy’s policy aims to attract both skilled and unskilled workers while providing legal pathways to employment. The approach reflects Italy’s effort to balance economic demand with migration control, offering promising opportunities for Tunisian job‑seekers willing to navigate the outlined procedures.
