Business in Italy
Italy Decreto Flussi 2026–2028: Work Visa Guide
How Italy’s 2026–2028 Decreto Flussi works: quotas, employer filing, click days, nulla osta, visa steps and alternatives outside the quota system.
7 min read·Aug 24, 2026Read article
Italy
Flow Decree Visa
Hire non‑EU workers legally through programmed quotas
Planned hiring within official quotas
Lawful work visa and compliant employment contract
Seasonal and non‑seasonal channels
End‑to‑end handling up to residence permit
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Introduction
What You Need to Know
The pathway to hire non‑EU workers through annual quotas
Decreto Flussi is Italy's quota framework for admitting non-EU workers in defined seasonal and non-seasonal categories; the employee ultimately receives the appropriate work visa, not a visa legally named 'Flow Decree Visa'. The current programme covers 2026-2028 and allocates 164,850 entries for 2026, 165,850 for 2027, and 166,850 for 2028 - 497,550 in total - divided among specific sectors, nationalities, and channels.
The employer files the Nulla Osta application on the Ministry of Interior portal during the relevant window. Before filing, the employer may need the statutory labour-market availability check, professional asseverazione, evidence of economic capacity, suitable accommodation, and a CCNL-compliant offer. The current 60-day Nulla Osta term runs from allocation of the quota, not necessarily from the initial online filing.
During the visa phase the employer must confirm that the job offer remains available. After entry, the residence contract is signed and transmitted through the current digital procedure. The worker may begin once lawfully entered with the Nulla Osta and visa and after the employer files the mandatory UNILAV notification, while the residence-permit process is completed.
Legal basis: Prime Ministerial Decree of 2 October 2025 — Legal-entry flows for foreign workers, 2026–2028 · 2026 Flows — Official circular and operational instructions
Last reviewed:
Review the requirements, documents and procedural steps below.
Step 1
Who can apply
A quota-based hire requires the following elements:
🏗️
Required
Eligible job offer
A genuine seasonal or non-seasonal role covered by a current quota category and sector
🏢
Required
Italian employer sponsor
An employer with the financial, organizational, contractual, and accommodation evidence required for the filing
🔎
If applicable
Labour-market check
Prior verification of worker availability in Italy where the law requires it
📊
Required
Quota and filing window
Availability in the correct annual allocation and submission through the designated Ministry portal window
🌍
Required
Worker profile
Nationality, skills, passport, and background compatible with the chosen quota channel and employment offer
Important Warning
Article 23 workers trained abroad and study-to-work conversions follow separate off-quota rules and should not be presented as Decreto Flussi quota applications.
Timing and Procedure
⏳
Processing times
Typical timing for Flow Decree cases
Nulla Osta statutory term: 60 days from allocation of the relevant quota
Visa within 30 days from the Consulate
Entry into Italy within 6 months from Nulla Osta
Portal filing does not itself secure a quota or start a guaranteed 60-day countdown. Admissibility, allocation, checks, and employer confirmation all matter.
📤
How to apply
Main steps
2026-2028 programme: 164,850 + 165,850 + 166,850 entries
Main annual filing windows: 12 January, 9 February, 16 February, and 18 February, by category
Online application on the Ministry of Interior portal for the correct sector and quota
With approved Nulla Osta the worker applies for a visa at the Consulate
With the visa the worker enters Italy
Contact us today: Flow Decree windows are time‑limited and places fill up quickly.
Step 2
Required Documents
Complete document checklist for your application
🏢
For the Nulla Osta application (employer)
CCNL-compliant employment offer stating duration, duties, salary, hours and workplace
Employer identity document
If individual: ID card or passport
If company: legal representative’s ID, current Chamber of Commerce excerpt, tax code and VAT number, any power of attorney
Labour-market availability check, where required
Professional asseverazione or evidence of a statutory exemption
Evidence of the employer's financial and organizational capacity
Accommodation documentation and housing suitability evidence where required
Quota category, worker nationality and sector evidence
Employer confirmation of the job offer during the visa phase
🪪
For the visa application (worker)
Valid passport
Work Nulla Osta
Copy of the employment offer
Travel medical insurance if required
Other documents requested by the Consulate (e.g. translations, family certificates)
Secure the correct quota Before filing, we verify the worker’s nationality, sector and contract against the current quota category, confirm employer capacity and required labour-market checks, and prepare the correct ALI form for the applicable submission window.
Translation & Legalization
Foreign documents may require an Italian translation, apostille or consular legalization depending on the issuing country, document type and competent authority. Future Italian coordinates the formalities actually required for the file.
Document Support
We manage the entire Flow Decree process: online filing, consular visa and residence permit. Experts of the Ministry portal and the consular network, we ensure compliant filings and continuous tracking until issuance.
Step 3
Application Process
Filing responsibilities, authority steps and expected sequence
We complete the labour-market check where required, verify employer capacity and accommodation, obtain asseverazione where applicable, and file in the correct quota and portal window. The statutory 60-day term runs from quota allocation.
How long does it take?
8-12months
Complete Flow Decree process from online application to residence permit issuance.
We Handle Everything
How Future Italian Can Help You
The Flow Decree requires quota planning, a correct online application and coordinated handling of Nulla Osta, visa and permit. Our specialists know the procedures of the Ministry of the Interior, the Consulates and the Single Immigration Desk.
Personalized consultation
Requirements and quota analysis, company/worker profile
Document assistance
Nulla Osta and visa dossier, sworn translations and legalizations where required
Application preparation and filing
Online filing on the Ministry portal, consular bookings and deadline management
Monitoring
Case tracking with Ministry, Single Immigration Desk and Consulate, management of additional requests
Post‑issuance support
Residence permit, tax code, registry registration and residence contract
You hire safely. We manage the procedure. With Future Italian, you're never alone
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Get answers to the most common questions about this service
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Practical guidance on visas, residency, and Italian bureaucracy, written by our team.
