The Senate Chamber has definitively approved, by a show of hands, the so-called “decreto flussi” 2026-2028 which sets out a series of provisions concerning the regular entry of foreign workers and foreign nationals, as well as the management of migration. The governing majority voted in favor, while the opposition voted against. The final green light therefore arrived after the approval in the Chamber of Deputies on November 18. The measure had originally been approved by the Council of Ministers on September 4 but was then sent back to the Cabinet at the beginning of October.
What the new decreto flussi 2026-2028 provides
The decree (decreto flussi immigration) introduces a maximum period of 30 days for the issuance of the work authorization (nulla osta) from the moment the nominative application is submitted. In addition, the time limit for submitting an entry visa application has been extended to 12 months—on an experimental basis until December 31, 2027—once the training and education activities in the countries of origin have been completed.
Furthermore, the duration of residence permits issued to foreign nationals for reasons of social protection—namely victims of trafficking or serious exploitation—and for those issued to foreigners who are victims of unlawful intermediation and labor exploitation has been extended from 6 to 12 months. In both cases, the law now provides the possibility of renewing the permits to allow for social and employment integration
Other provisions
The flussi decree also grants holders of residence permits for social protection and victims of domestic violence the right to benefit from the “inclusion allowance,” exempting them from the current requirements of citizenship, residence, and stay. The possibility of entry and stay “extra-quota” has been extended until 2028 for up to 10,000 foreign workers employed in family assistance or social-healthcare services for persons with disabilities, elderly individuals, or children from birth to six years of age.
The quota for foreigners admitted to participate in volunteer programs in Italy will no longer be set annually, as has been the case until now, but over a three-year period. The time limit for issuing the authorization for family reunification has also been modified, increasing from 90 to 150 days.
Finally, the possibility of participating in the meetings of the Committee for Combating Illegal Recruitment (caporalato) and Labor Exploitation in Agriculture has been extended to civilly recognized religious organizations.
