With the DPCM of 2 October 2025, the Italian Government approved the Decreto Flussi 2026-2028. Let’s take a look at its main provisions.
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- How many quotas are provided under the new Decreto Flussi?
- Which countries of origin are eligible for subordinate workers, seasonal and non-seasonal?
- Which sectors are included for non-seasonal subordinate workers?
- What are the quotas and requirements for self-employed workers?
- How many quotas are provided for seasonal workers?
- How many quotas are provided for domestic workers (caregivers and housekeepers)?
- When are the click days scheduled?
- When will the pre-filling of applications be available?
- Why consult an immigration lawyer in Bologna?
1. How many quotas are provided for under the new Decreto Flussi?
According to the DPCM of 2 October 2025, foreign citizens residing abroad may enter Italy for seasonal and non-seasonal subordinate work and for self-employment, within the following total quotas:
- 164,850 units for the year 2026
- 165,850 units for the year 2027
- 166,850 units for the year 2028
2. Which countries of origin are included for entry of subordinate workers (seasonal and non-seasonal)?
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 allows entry for subordinate work of citizens from the following countries:
Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Republic of Korea, Côte d’Ivoire, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, the Philippines, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Japan, Jordan, Guatemala, India, Kyrgyzstan, Kosovo, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldova, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Thailand, Tunisia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan.
Additional countries may be added during the three-year period if cooperation agreements on migration are concluded.
3. Which sectors are included for non-seasonal subordinate workers?
Compared with the previous three-year plan, the new Decreto Flussi expands the productive sectors eligible for entry. These now include:
agriculture, forestry and fishing; food, beverage and tobacco industries; textile, clothing and footwear industries; metallurgical and metal products industries; other industries; construction; wholesale and retail trade; accommodation and catering services; tourism; transport, logistics and warehousing; business and personal support services; healthcare, social assistance and private health services; and other services.
“Other industries” refers to activities with ATECO 2025 codes 16–22 and 26–33, while “other services” include codes K, 61, 62, 63, M and 68.
4. What are the quotas and requirements for self-employed workers?
For each of the years 2026, 2027 and 2028, entry into Italy for self-employment is permitted for a total of 500 foreign citizens per year, belonging to the following categories:
- Entrepreneurs planning an investment of at least €500,000 of their own funds, creating at least three new jobs.
- Professionals intending to practice regulated or recognized professions in Italy.
- Corporate directors and auditors as defined by the Interministerial Decree of 11 May 2011, no. 850.
- Renowned artists or highly qualified professionals engaged by public or private entities, in compliance with the 2011 decree.
- Foreign citizens intending to establish innovative start-ups under Law no. 221 of 17 December 2012, meeting the required conditions and holding an autonomous working relationship with the company.
5. How many quotas are provided for seasonal workers?
The Decreto Flussi sets the following quotas for seasonal work:
- 88,000 units for 2026
- 89,000 units for 2027
- 90,000 units for 2028
Additional quotas are reserved for nationals of countries that sign migration cooperation agreements during the three-year period:
12,600 in 2026, 12,750 in 2027 and 13,000 in 2028.
Within these limits, the following quotas are reserved for foreign workers who have already entered Italy for seasonal work at least once in the past five years and whose employers apply for multi-year authorization:
- 5,000 in 2026
- 6,000 in 2027
- 7,000 in 2028
Furthermore, 47,000 quotas per year (2026–2028) are reserved for the agriculture sector, for applications submitted by professional employer organizations such as Coldiretti, CIA, Confagricoltura, Copagri, Alleanza delle Cooperative Italiane and Unione Nazionale Cooperative Italiane Agroalimentare.
For the tourism sector, quotas are reserved as follows: 13,000 in 2026, 14,000 in 2027 and 15,000 in 2028, for applications submitted by nationally representative employer associations.
6. How many quotas are provided for domestic workers (caregivers and housekeepers)?
The Decreto Flussi provides for the entry of non-seasonal subordinate workers in the domestic care sector (caregivers and housekeepers), as follows:
- 13,600 units for 2026
- 14,000 units for 2027
- 14,200 units for 2028
7. When are the click days scheduled?
The click days for 2026, 2027 and 2028 are scheduled as follows:
- For seasonal agricultural work, from 9:00 a.m. on 12 January of the reference year.
- For seasonal tourism work, from 9:00 a.m. on 9 February.
- For other work categories (art. 6, paragraphs 2 and 3, letters a and b), from 9:00 a.m. on 16 February.
- For domestic workers (caregivers and housekeepers), from 9:00 a.m. on 18 February.
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8. When will the pre-filling of applications be available?
The Decreto Flussi 2026-2028 also provides for a pre-filling period. For 2026, it will open at 9:00 a.m. on 23 October 2025 and close at 8:00 p.m. on 7 December 2025. The system will be available 24/7, including weekends and holidays (November 1st included).
9. Why should you consult an immigration lawyer in Bologna?
If you intend to submit an application under the Decreto Flussi, consulting an experienced immigration lawyer can make a real difference helping you gather all the required documents and properly prepare your pre-filled application.
Integra – Immigration, Work and Rights offers a wide range of legal services and is based in Bologna (Via Cesare Battisti 33) and Pesaro (Viale della Vittoria 161).
