In a striking policy turn, Italy will issue almost half a million work permits to non-EU citizens from 2026 to 2028 in an effort to fill job gaps and reverse its shrinking population.
The cabinet of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni approved the scheme after a prior initiative that allocated more than 450,000 visas for the period 2023 to 2025. The new program opens a safe route for foreign workers while reinforcing measures against unlawful entry and residence.
Read more: Pakistan and Italy Collaborate to Prevent Illegal Immigration
🔹 Key Figures at a Glance
- 497,550 work visas to be issued from 2026 to 2028
- 164,850 permits planned for 2026 alone
- 450,000+ permits already issued between 2023-2025
- Italy’s population dropped by 37,000 in 2024
- 281,000 more deaths than births caused the net decline
- 10 million newcomers needed by 2050 for economic stability
- Visa fee: €116 | Residence permit: €40-€100 depending on duration
- Application required within 8 days of arrival
🔍 Why is Italy Expanding Legal Immigration?
A growing labor shortage across agriculture, hospitality, manufacturing and healthcare, combined with low birth rates and an aging demographic, is making it hard for Italy to keep its workforce strong.
The fresh visa caps try to tackle these shortages by welcoming skilled workers in a safe, orderly way.
This is a response to years of employer feedback and labor statistics showing slow growth in key sectors.
Balancing Legal and Illegal Migration:
The Italian government now pushes legal migration while redoubling efforts to stop people entering without permission: * Tightening border patrols * Accelerating deportation * Restricting NGO rescue boats in the Mediterranean This twin strategy sums up Meloni s immigration policy: welcoming newcomers through the front door while shutting the back one. . . . . .
🏢 Who Will Benefit?
The new programme will mainly help industries suffering severe labour shortages. Expected gainers include: * Agriculture and farming * Construction and manufacturing * Hospitality and domestic care Coldiretti, Italy s biggest farm lobby, has called the plan vital to food production and rural communities. . . . .
✈️ How Can Foreign Workers Apply?
Non-EU applicants wishing to work in Italy must: * Secure a work visa before arriving * Apply for a residency card within 8 days * Show proof of income, housing, and job offer After five years they can seek long-term EU residency. . . . . .
📉 Italy’s Population Crisis in Numbers
Italy s population dipped to 58.93 million in 2024, and if current trends hold the workforce could shrink quickly. Researcher Osservatorio Conti Pubblici Italiani warns that attracting 10 million newcomers by 2050 is crucial for the economy and welfare system. . . . .
