Italy Approves Migration Flow Plan for 2026–2028: Nearly 500,000 Legal Entries to Support Economy and Tackle Irregular Migration

In a pivotal development for Italy’s migration and labor policies, the Council of Ministers has granted preliminary approval to the draft Decreto Flussi—the decree of the President of the Council of Ministers—governing legal migration flows for the three-year period 2026 to 2028.

The draft decree authorizes a total of 497,550 legal entries of non-EU nationals into Italy during this period, covering both seasonal and non-seasonal employment, as well as self-employment. This marks one of the most ambitious and structured migration plans in recent years, reflecting the government's aim to balance economic necessity with migration control and international cooperation.

Meeting Labor Market Demands While Ensuring Legal Pathways

The government’s objective is twofold:

1. To meet the structural labor needs of Italy’s production system, particularly in sectors experiencing chronic workforce shortages.

2. To expand and strengthen legal migration channels, reducing dependence on irregular migration and the vulnerabilities it creates.

The flow decree is a strategic instrument that reflects the input of employers’ associations, regional authorities, and labor market analyses. It responds to specific needs in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, construction, logistics, and domestic care, which continue to face difficulty in recruiting adequately trained workers.

Quota Breakdown: 2026–2028

Over the course of the three years, the decree outlines the following quota allocations:

• Total authorized entries: 497,550

• For 2026: 164,850 authorized entries

• Breakdown by category for the full three-year period:

  • 230,550 entries for non-seasonal employment and self-employed workers

  • 267,000 entries for seasonal employment, mainly in agriculture and tourism

The quotas were established based on several key factors:

• Labor demand expressed by employer and business associations

• Data from historical work permit applications

• Feedback from regional governments

• Strategic alignment with bilateral agreements with countries of origin

This data-driven approach aims to ensure that migration planning is no longer reactive, but anticipates and supports the real needs of businesses and the Italian economy.

Beyond “Click Day”: A New Vision for Legal Migration

A major innovation of the decree is the plan to gradually phase out the “click day” system, a process that has long drawn criticism for creating chaos, fostering inequality, and rewarding speed over fairness.

Under the current system, employers must submit applications online on a designated day, with slots often being filled within minutes—regardless of the actual needs or qualifications involved. The government is now preparing to replace this system with a more flexible, merit-based, and predictable process.

Key steps in this transition:

• Encouraging “fuori quota” entries (outside the standard quotas) for specific high-demand job profiles

• Prioritizing workers with recognized qualifications or training

• Strengthening training and recruitment programs in migrants’ countries of origin, especially through bilateral agreements

This shift is intended to promote sustainable, well-regulated migration, reduce administrative burden, and improve labor matching for employers.

Broader Goals: Security, Cooperation, and Integration

The 2026–2028 migration flow decree is also part of Italy’s broader migration strategy, which includes:

• Combating irregular migration and unauthorized labor

• Preventing the exploitation of migrant workers, particularly in sectors prone to abuse

• Reinforcing partnerships with countries of origin to ensure safe and legal migration pathways

• Promoting integration and social inclusion of migrant workers already in the country

To support these goals, the decree will be accompanied by training, orientation, and support programs both in Italy and in partner countries. These efforts are also aimed at strengthening the role of legal migration in development cooperation, offering shared benefits for both Italy and migrant-sending nations.

Conclusion: A Shift Toward Long-Term, Ethical Migration Management

This new migration flow plan represents a significant step forward in Italy’s migration policy. It reflects an understanding that migration is not only a social and security issue, but an economic necessity that must be addressed through legal, fair, and sustainable mechanisms.

By authorizing nearly half a million legal entries over three years, the Italian government is positioning itself to:

• Strengthen the national economy

• Combat illegal practices

• Offer genuine opportunities to foreign workers under transparent and humane conditions

If implemented effectively, this decree could serve as a model for other EU countries seeking to balance labor market needs, migration control, and human rights.