What are the Decreto Flussi and the nulla osta?
The Decreto Flussi is the decree that sets how many non-EU nationals can enter Italy each year to work, by category and sector. An employer that wants to hire someone within these quotas applies for a nulla osta al lavoro, a work clearance issued by the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione, the one-stop immigration desk at the local prefecture. The worker then uses it to apply for an entry visa.
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Schedule a strategy callThe 2026 to 2028 quotas
The current decree, a prime ministerial decree (DPCM) of 2 October 2025 published in the Official Gazette on 15 October 2025, covers 2026, 2027 and 2028. For 2027 it allows 165,850 entries: 76,200 for non-seasonal employment, of which 14,000 are for domestic and family care, 89,000 for seasonal work in agriculture and tourism, and 650 for self-employment.
How the application works
Applications are made online on the Interior Ministry’s ALI portal. Employers first pre-fill the forms and then send them on set click days, when the quotas are allocated. For the 2027 quotas, pre-filling is open from 23 October to 7 December 2026, and non-seasonal applications (form B2020) can be sent from 9:00 on 16 February 2027, or on 18 February for family care. Applications are accepted until 31 December 2027 while quotas remain.
The labour inspectorate can check the applications, and the prefecture then issues the nulla osta, which it aims to do within 60 days for non-seasonal work. Under reforms made in 2025 and 2026, the employer must confirm the request within 15 days of being told that the visa checks are complete, or it is treated as refused. Once the worker arrives in Italy, the employer and the worker have 15 days to sign the residence contract (contratto di soggiorno).
Entries outside the quotas
Some workers can enter outside the quotas, at any time of year, under article 27 of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Legislative Decree 286/1998). They include highly qualified workers applying for an EU Blue Card, intra-corporate transferees and researchers.
The Decreto Flussi when you hire through an EOR
With TopSource as your Employer of Record in Italy, we act as the Italian employer: we pre-fill and send the nulla osta application, confirm it on time and sign the residence contract with the worker after arrival. Because the process runs over several months, from the pre-filling window to the worker’s arrival, we plan the start date with you well in advance.
Frequently asked questions
When are the Decreto Flussi click days for 2027?
12 January 2027 for seasonal farm work, 9 February for seasonal tourism, 16 February for non-seasonal employment and 18 February for family care, from 9:00 each day.
How many non-EU workers can enter Italy under the Decreto Flussi in 2027?
165,850 in total, including 76,200 for non-seasonal employment, 89,000 for seasonal work and 650 for self-employment.
Do EU Blue Card applicants need a Decreto Flussi quota?
No. Highly qualified workers applying for an EU Blue Card enter outside the quotas, as do intra-corporate transferees and researchers, under article 27 of the Consolidated Immigration Act.
Related terms in Italy
- Comunicazione Obbligatoria (Italy)
- Libro Unico del Lavoro (Italy)
- Smart Working Agreement (Italy)
- ROL and Ex-Festività Permits (Italy)
- Patto di Non Concorrenza (Italy)
- Employee Categories (Italy)
- Mandatory Disability Hiring Quota (Italy)
- Cassa Integrazione (Italy)
- Welfare Aziendale (Italy)
- F24 Payment Form (Italy)
- UniEmens (Italy)