Italy Eases Rules for Seasonal Migrant Workers, Expands Work Visa Quota for 2025
Rome – Italy has announced a significant overhaul of its immigration policy, enabling seasonal migrant workers to begin employment legally even before their work permits are fully approved. The move is part of a broader strategy to tackle labor shortages and reduce the exploitation of foreign workers.
Under the new directive, seasonal laborers can start their jobs if they fulfill key conditions:
- Proof of Application: Workers must present documentation showing they have applied to convert their seasonal residence permits into long-term work permits.
- Employer Registration: Employers are required to electronically file a Unilav employment form with labor authorities.
- Social Security Compliance: In the case of domestic jobs, employment must be registered with Italy’s social security institute (INPS).
This reform ensures that migrant workers are legally recognized and protected under Italian labor laws from their first day on the job—even while their permit applications are still pending. Previously, workers were forced to wait for permit approvals before they could legally begin work, often pushing them into informal or exploitative employment.
Visa Quota Expansion in 2025
Italy is also significantly increasing its work visa quota for the upcoming year. In 2025, the government plans to issue over 165,000 work visas, a sharp rise from 151,000 in 2024 and 136,000 in 2023. Of these, 93,550 visas are reserved specifically for seasonal workers, with a strong focus on agriculture and tourism—two sectors heavily reliant on migrant labor.
Additionally, 10,000 visas will be allocated for foreign care workers to address growing demand in eldercare, while the construction and healthcare industries are also expected to benefit from the new migration plan.
Part of a Long-Term Strategy
These changes are part of Italy’s new three-year immigration roadmap aimed at:
- Meeting national labor market needs
- Preventing illegal or informal employment
- Streamlining the work permit and visa issuance process
What Migrants and Employers Need to Know:
- Seasonal migrants can now work legally during permit processing
- Employers must ensure timely registration and compliance
- Expanded visa opportunities will ease entry for foreign workers in 2025
As Italy faces increasing labor shortages in key sectors, these updates mark a shift toward more inclusive, secure, and transparent employment practices for migrant workers.
