On December 1, 2025, Law No. 179 of December 1, 2025, which converted into law Decree-Law No. 146 of October 3, 2025, entered into effect in Italy, regulating the entry of foreign workers into the Italian labor market. (D.L. No. 146.)
Qualified Foreign Workers
Under the new legislation, employers and employers’ organizations seeking to employ foreigners, including seasonal workers, must prefill application forms on the Ministry of the Interior’s online platform. (D.L. No. 146, art. 2.1(a), adding 2-bis.1 to art. 22 of Legislative Decree No. 286 of 1998 (L.D. No. 286).)
An employer may submit a maximum of three applications for work permits for each calendar year covered by a governmental decree authorizing such applications. Decrees are issued based on the number of employees in a company and its area of activity. Pursuant to Law No. 12 of January 11, 1979, separate rules apply to employers’ associations registered as labor consultants, lawyers’ associations, chartered accountants, and certified public accountants. They may submit a number of applications for an employer proportional to its business volume, revenues, or compensation declared for income tax purposes. (D.L. No. 146, art. 2.1(a), adding 2-bis.2 to art. 22 of L.D. No. 286.)
Work Activities While Conversion of Residence Permit is Pending
Foreigners waiting for the issuance, renewal, or conversion of their residence permit for more than 60 days may legitimately reside in Italy and temporarily engage in work activities, upon complying with all legal requirements, until the public security authorities issue a determination on the residence permit. (Art. 3.1, substituting art. 5(9-bis), para. 1 of L.D. No. 286.)
Duration of Permits for Special Cases
The new legislation allows residence permits to be extended in some cases for justice-related reasons. Residence permits issued because of police operations, investigations, or proceedings related to certain crimes, or pursuant to welfare activities by local social services, can be extended from six months to one year in situations involving violence or serious exploitation of a foreigner, provided specific dangers to the individual’s safety exist. (Art. 4.1(a)(1), amending art. 18, para. 4 of L.D. No. 286.)
Special Social Benefits for Senior Residence Permit Holders
Residence permit holders aged 60 or older who are disadvantaged may qualify for special social benefits when enrolled in assistance programs provided by local social and health services certified by the government, pursuant to Law No. 85 of July 3, 2023. (Art. 4.1(a)(2), adding para. 4-bis to art. 18 of L.D. No. 286.)
Quotas for Hiring Domestic Workers to Care for Elderly and Disabled Persons
The new legislation extends the current quotas for hiring foreign domestic workers who care for elderly citizens or persons with disabilities, in accordance with Law No. 187 of December 9, 2024. (Art. 5.1.)
Admittance of Foreigners into Volunteer Activity Programs
Foreigners admitted to Italy to participate in volunteer activities of general interest and social utility can stay in the country for three years under rules established by the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies, pursuant to Legislative Decree No. 117 of July 3, 2017. (Art. 6.1, substituting art. 27-bis, para. 1 of L.D. No. 286.)
D.L. No. 146 also defines the responsibilities of administrative entities with jurisdiction over foreigners admitted in Italy to participate in volunteer programs. They must periodically check the veracity of the declarations provided by organizations promoting such programs, in accordance with Presidential Decree No. 445 of December 28, 2000. (Art. 1.1.(d), amending art. 27-bis of L.D. No. 286.)
Combating the Illegal Recruitment of Foreign Labor
Under the new legislation, registered employment agencies carrying out activities related to recruitment, personnel search and selection, staffing, and support for professional relocation may also recruit foreign workers, subject to applicable requirements. (Art. 9.1, amending art. 1, para. 889 of Law No. 207 of December 30, 2024.)
Dante Figueroa, Law Library of Congress
January 30, 2026
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