Italy has announced plans to issue nearly 500,000 new work visas for non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028, marking a significant expansion of legal immigration channels as the country grapples with severe labor shortages and demographic decline. This strategic move represents a pragmatic approach to addressing economic needs while maintaining strict controls on illegal immigration.
The announcement reveals the scale of Italy’s labor market challenges and presents substantial opportunities for international workers and businesses operating in the country. Starting with 164,850 permits in 2026, the program aims to reach a cumulative total of 497,550 new entries by 2028, building on an existing initiative that authorized over 450,000 permits between 2023 and 2025.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration has carefully calibrated this approach, expanding legal pathways while simultaneously tightening controls on unauthorized arrivals. The government has implemented measures to accelerate repatriations and restrict charity rescue operations in the Mediterranean, demonstrating a dual strategy of managed immigration alongside border enforcement.
The driving forces behind this policy shift are unmistakably demographic and economic. Italy’s population declined by 37,000 to 58.93 million in 2024, with 281,000 more deaths than births, continuing a decade-long trend of population decline. This demographic reality has created urgent labor market needs across multiple sectors, particularly agriculture, where the Coldiretti lobby has welcomed the government’s plan as essential for maintaining food production capacity.
According to research by the Osservatorio Conti Pubblici think tank, Italy would need to accept at least 10 million immigrants by 2050 to counter ongoing depopulation and maintain current population levels. While the current visa expansion falls far short of this figure, it represents a significant step toward acknowledging the country’s demographic realities.
The government’s approach appears strategically designed to balance political and economic considerations. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi emphasized that the administration “will continue with determination to allow legal migration channels, benefiting important sectors of our economy.” The quotas were determined based on input from social partners and analysis of previous work permit applications, suggesting a data-driven approach to workforce planning.
For international businesses and workers, this development creates substantial opportunities. The systematic expansion of work visa availability indicates Italy’s commitment to addressing labor shortages through legal channels, potentially making the country more attractive for international talent across various sectors. The agricultural sector, construction, hospitality, and healthcare are likely to benefit significantly from increased workforce availability.
The timing of this announcement is particularly noteworthy, coming amid broader European discussions about immigration and labor mobility. While many European countries struggle with similar demographic challenges, Italy’s explicit recognition of immigration as an economic necessity positions it as potentially more welcoming to international workers than some of its neighbors.
This policy shift also reflects the practical realities of governing in modern Europe, where ideological positions on immigration must contend with economic necessities. Meloni’s right-wing coalition has managed to expand legal immigration while maintaining its tough stance on unauthorized arrivals, potentially offering a template for other European governments facing similar challenges.
The success of this initiative will largely depend on implementation details, including processing efficiency, integration support, and matching workers with appropriate opportunities. The government’s emphasis on responding to actual business needs suggests a more demand-driven approach than previous immigration policies.
For investors and businesses already operating in Italy or considering expansion, this development signals greater workforce availability and government recognition of immigration’s economic benefits. Companies in labor-intensive sectors may find it easier to recruit international talent, while service providers specializing in immigration and integration services may see increased demand.
The broader implications extend beyond immediate labor market effects. Increased legal immigration could help stabilize Italy’s social security system, support economic growth, and maintain the country’s position as a major European economy. However, successful integration will require coordination between national and local governments, employers, and civil society organizations.
Italy’s approach may serve as a case study for other European nations facing similar demographic pressures. By creating legal pathways for needed workers while maintaining border controls, the government attempts to address both economic necessities and political concerns about immigration.
The announcement represents a significant acknowledgment that Italy’s economic future depends partly on international workers. As the euro zone’s third-largest economy, Italy’s immigration policies have broader implications for European labor mobility and economic competitiveness. This measured expansion of work visa availability suggests a more mature approach to immigration policy, based on economic evidence rather than purely political considerations.
