The Italian government has announced plans to issue 500,000 work permits to non-EU citizens between 2026 and 2028, in a bid to tackle severe labor shortages across key industries such as construction and hospitality.
The move marks an increase from the 450,000 permits granted over the past three years and reflects growing concerns over Italy’s shrinking workforce and aging population.
Many businesses have struggled to fill positions as fewer young Italians show interest in manual or blue-collar jobs. “We are currently working on three construction sites. There aren’t enough workers to complete all projects,” said Arben Mece, a surveyor at Novalux Construction Company.
In Rome, luxury hotels and guesthouses are also hopeful that the new permits will ease staffing shortages. “There are thousands of properties here, and everyone is always looking for new employees,” said Gaetano Lauro, manager at The Inn at the Roman Forum.
Government estimates suggest that one in three Italian companies plans to hire non-EU workers next year to fill vacancies left by Italians seeking work abroad.
However, not everyone welcomes the plan. Critics argue that the government’s Decreto Flussi policy — which regulates the entry of foreign workers — has failed to prevent irregular immigration, particularly in agriculture. Alessandra Valentini, regional secretary of the agricultural union FLAI, said many undocumented workers originally entered Italy through legal channels but never received proper contracts.
The new multi-year framework of the Decreto Flussi aims to simplify the hiring process for businesses. While some industries have praised the reform, others warn it may do little to address the exploitation of irregular migrants already working in the country.