Italy Visa & Policy Updates
Italy is digitizing visa and work permit filings while enforcing a 30-day cap on Single Permit issuance. The 2026 Decreto Flussi provides 75,000 non-seasonal work permits, and the residency requirement for welfare benefits has been reduced to five years. Recent reforms also extend citizenship declaration deadlines for minors to 2029, though the Constitutional Court is currently reviewing restrictions on citizenship by descent claims filed after March 28.
Italy restricts citizenship by descent for claims filed after March 28
Italy's Constitutional Court has referred a major case regarding jure sanguinis citizenship to the EU's highest court. The ruling could redefine residency and passport eligibility for thousands of foreign nationals with Italian ancestry seeking to live and work in the EU.
Italy caps single permit issuance at 30 days for non-EU hires
Italy has implemented a strict 30-day deadline for police headquarters to issue Single Permits once an application is complete. This reform effectively caps the total work authorization process at 90 days and clarifies work-access rules for foreign employees.
Italy moves visa and work permit filings fully online
Italy is implementing a series of updates to visa requirements, work permit processing, and entry procedures for international arrivals. These changes streamline residency applications for expats while tightening documentation standards for non-EU travelers.
Italy Updates Citizenship Declaration Deadlines
The Italian government has extended the deadline for eligible minors of Italian descent to file 'benefit-of-law' citizenship declarations until May 31, 2029. This extension provides more time for expat families with Italian heritage to secure EU passports and eases the administrative burden on consulates.
Italy Updates Consular Services and Digital Processing
Law No. 11/2026 introduces significant reforms to Italian consular services, promising faster passport renewals and more predictable visa processing times. The update also digitizes document legalization and integrates consular data with tax and pension systems for smoother administrative handling.
Italy Updates Residency Rules for Welfare Benefits
The EU Court of Justice has ruled against Italy's 10-year residency requirement for welfare benefits. Non-EU residents with at least five-year permits can now access social support regardless of their actual time lived in the country, significantly lowering the barrier for long-term foreign workers.
Understanding Italy's Non-Seasonal Work Quotas
Italy has launched its 2026 'Click Day' under the Decreto Flussi, offering 75,000 work permits for non-seasonal employment. These permits are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and require an Italian employer to submit applications for foreign workers.