The time is very short, and people are getting ready to apply for work visas in Italy. I lived there for many years, so I can explain the process to you in simple language.”
If you have been dreaming of working in Italy, the moment you have been waiting for has finally arrived. But be warned: the rules have changed, and if you do not act within the next few weeks, you might miss your chance for the entire year of 2026.
The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has officially published the new Three-Year Flow Decree (Decreto Flussi Triennale 2026–2028). This massive immigration plan authorizes nearly half a million foreign workers to enter Italy over the next three years to fill critical labor shortages in agriculture, tourism, construction, and care work.
For the year 2026 specifically, the government has authorized 164,850 work visas. However, unlike in previous years where you could wait until the “Click Day” to prepare, the new anti-fraud system requires you to start the process now.
In this exclusive guide, I will break down the exact dates, the new quotas, and the mandatory “Pre-filling” window that is currently open but closing fast.
The Big News: 164,850 Visas for 2026
The new Decree (published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale on October 15, 2025) confirms that Italy is desperate for workers. The quota for 2026 is significantly higher than in previous years, aimed at balancing the demographic decline in Italy.
The Quota Breakdown:
- Total Entries: 164,850
- Seasonal Work (Agriculture & Tourism): Approx. 88,000 spots.
- Non-Seasonal (Permanent Jobs): Approx. 76,000 spots.
- Self-Employed / Freelancers: 650 spots.
Crucial Warning: The “Pre-filling” Deadline (December 7)
This is the most important part of this article. Please read carefully.
In the past, employers would rush to upload documents on the Click Day itself. This caused the system to crash and allowed for mistakes.
New Rule: You (or your employer) MUST fill out the application in advance during the “Pre-filling” (Precompilazione) window.
- Window Opens: October 23, 2025 (Already Open)
- Window Closes: December 7, 2025 (Strict Deadline)
If your employer does not fill out your application on the official Ministry of Interior Services Portal before December 7, they will NOT be able to click “Send” on the actual Click Day. You will be disqualified before the race even starts.
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The Official Click Day Calendar for 2026
Once the pre-filling is done, the applications are saved in the system. Your employer must then log in on the specific “Click Day” and hit the send button the second the clock strikes 9:00 AM.
Here are the confirmed dates for 2026:
1. January 12, 2026 – Agriculture (Seasonal)
- Who: Fruit pickers, harvest workers, and farm laborers.
- Quota: This is usually the largest category. If you have a seasonal contract (6-9 months), your employer applies on this day.
2. February 9, 2026 – Tourism (Seasonal)
- Who: Waiters, hotel staff, cleaners, chefs, and beach resort workers.
- Why: The Italian summer season depends on these workers. Hotels in Rimini, Amalfi, and Sicily are recruiting now.
3. February 16, 2026 – Permanent Jobs (Non-Seasonal)
- Who: Construction workers, truck drivers (autotrasportatori), mechanics, electricians, plumbers, and telecommunications workers.
- Special Note: This day also includes workers from countries with specific cooperation agreements (like Pakistan, Bangladesh, India) for permanent roles.
4. February 18, 2026 – Family Care (Badanti)
- Who: Domestic workers and caregivers for the elderly.
- Quota: Approx. 13,600 spots.
- Opportunity: This sector faces the biggest shortage in Italy due to the aging population.
New “Anti-Fraud” Rules You Must Know
After the scandals of the 2024 Decreto Flussi (where thousands of fake applications were sold by mafia networks), the government has introduced strict checks.
- Digital Signature (SPID/CIE): Employers must use a verified digital identity (SPID) to apply. They can no longer use bulk anonymous accounts.
- The “Asseverazione”: Your employer needs a document from a labor consultant (Consulente del Lavoro) certifying that the company can actually afford to hire you. Without this “Asseverazione,” the visa will be denied.
- 3-Year Ban: If an employer applies for a worker but then refuses to sign the contract when the worker arrives, that employer will be banned from the system for 3 years.
Required Documents for 2026
To be ready for the pre-filling, your employer in Italy needs these documents from you immediately:
- Passport Copy: Must be valid for at least 18 months.
- Address in Italy: Where will you stay? (Idoneità alloggiativa).
- Contract Proposal: Details of salary (must match the National Collective Agreement – CCNL).
- No-Impediment (Nulla Osta): This is what they are applying for.
Editor’s Note: My Advice to You
Having lived in Italy for 17 years, I know how the Prefettura (Immigration Office) works. The “Click Day” is a lottery. The spots for countries like Pakistan, India, and Bangladesh often run out in less than 5 minutes.
Do not wait. If you have a relative or a friend in Italy who wants to hire you, tell them to log into the Ministry of Interior Portal TODAY. If they wait until Christmas, it will be too late to get the documents ready for the December 7 deadline.
Also, be very careful of scams. No “agent” can guarantee you a visa. The only person who can apply for you is a legitimate employer with a VAT number (Partita IVA) in Italy. If someone asks you for €10,000 to “book a slot,” it is 100% a scam.
Official Sources
- Ministry of Labor Announcement: Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 Guidelines
- Application Portal: Portale Servizi Ministero dell’Interno
- Gazzetta Ufficiale: DPCM October 2025 Decree
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