The Italian Council of Ministers has officially approved the new Decreto Flussi 2026, offering crucial clarity for employers, migrant workers, and immigration professionals preparing for the next wave of legal labor migration.
With a total of 164,850 work permits available in 2026, the Decreto Flussi outlines both the sector-based quotas and the application dates for the upcoming intake as announced by the Italian government on 30 June.
Please note that the interested applicants can only apply for the work permit in Italy under this decree if their country has an agreement with Italy. The names of these agreement countries will be announced soon.
Click Day Dates for 2026 Confirmed
A central feature of the Decreto Flussi is the much-debated “click day” system—an online race where employers compete for a limited number of work permits. While discussions around reform are ongoing, the government has confirmed that the current system will remain in place for 2026.
Click Day 2026 Schedule:
| Date | Visa Category | Sector |
| January 12 | Seasonal Workers | Agriculture |
| February 9 | Seasonal Workers | Tourism |
| February 16 | Non-Seasonal Workers | General Sectors |
| February 18 | Self-Employed and Other Non-Seasonal Workers | Various Professions |
Pre-Filing of Decreto Flussi 2026
Employers can begin pre-filing applications in autumn 2025, giving them time to gather necessary documents and submit ahead of the January–February 2026 windows for clickdays. However, final permit allocations will still operate on a first-come, first-served basis during the designated “click days.”
The Click Day Controversy
The click day system has drawn criticism from both businesses and migration experts due to:
- Technical bottlenecks during submission
- Misalignment between actual labor demand and available quotas
- Administrative delays in converting applications to approved permits
Despite these issues, the system will continue through at least 2026. Authorities are considering alternatives such as year-round sponsorship schemes and bilateral agreements to create additional out-of-quota entry channels.
Work Permit Quotas for 2026
Under the Decreto Flussi 2026, a total of 164,850 foreign workers will be allowed to enter Italy legally for employment. The quotas are divided into seasonal and non-seasonal categories.
2026 Quota Breakdown:
| Category | Quota | Details |
| Seasonal Workers | 88,000 | Mainly in agriculture and tourism |
| Non-Seasonal Workers | 63,250 | Construction, manufacturing, etc. |
| Domestic Workers (colf, badanti) | 13,600 | Home caregivers and housekeepers |
| Total | 164,850 |
The domestic care sector continues to receive special attention. This is why the government has reserved 13,600 spots specifically for home helpers and caregivers—an allocation that will gradually increase to meet the country’s aging population needs.
Long-Term Migration Strategy
Decreto Flussi 2026 is part of Italy’s broader three-year migration plan (2026–2028), which will allow 497,550 foreign workers into the country:
- 267,000 seasonal workers (mostly agriculture/tourism)
- 230,550 non-seasonal workers (caregiving, construction, etc.)
Furthermore, the officials emphasize that these quotas were determined based on real labor market needs and past demand data, aiming to avoid unused quotas and better match Italy’s workforce gaps.
Local Quotas and Decentralization
To improve efficiency, starting in 2026, quotas will be divided by province. This change is intended to:
- Prevent larger cities or regions from monopolizing permits
- Reduce delays by enabling local-level processing
- Tailor allocations to specific regional labor shortages
Turning Quotas into Jobs: The Real Challenge
Although the 2025 and 2026 quotas are the highest ever, Italy continues to struggle with low conversion rates. In 2024, fewer than 10% of allocated permits translated into actual jobs. The bottlenecks stem from:
- Bureaucratic delays
- Incomplete documentation
- Mismatches between employers and available candidates
To address this, Italy is increasing investment in training programs abroad, ensuring that incoming workers are job-ready and can integrate more effectively into the Italian labor market.
Final Thoughts
Undoubtedly, the Decreto Flussi 2026 is a critical step in Italy’s strategy to meet labor demand while maintaining legal migration pathways. With the government maintaining the click day system for now—but signaling changes ahead—employers should prepare early, especially for sectors with high demand like agriculture, caregiving, and tourism.
Last but not least, while the administrative framework is expanding, the real success of this decree will depend on streamlining bureaucracy, improving conversion rates, and creating long-term, sustainable pathways for foreign workers.