How many quotas are there in the Decreto Flussi?

Quotas vary each year. The DPCM Flussi 2023-2025 provided for around 452,000 entries over three years for both non-seasonal and seasonal work combined. Quotas are usually divided by sector (construction, tourism, agriculture, domestic work) and by country of origin (with preferences for countries with bilateral agreements with Italy such as Morocco, Albania, Tunisia, Sri Lanka, etc.).

Can I convert a seasonal permit into a non-seasonal one?

Not directly. A seasonal permit cannot be converted to non-seasonal work, but can be converted in some specific cases (e.g. if the employer wants to hire you permanently) through a new nulla osta procedure, not necessarily linked to the flussi quotas.

What happens if quotas run out before my employer submits the application?

The application is not accepted and you must wait for the next click day (next year or a possible extraordinary decree). It is possible to register on waiting lists at some prefectures for high-demand sectors. Some regions have bilateral agreements that guarantee reserved quotas.

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Decreto Flussi: how to enter Italy for work (seasonal and non-seasonal)

The Decreto Flussi is the annual (or multi-year) provision by which the Italian government sets the maximum quotas of non-EU citizens who can enter Italy for work purposes. Applications are submitted via the Ministry of the Interior's portal and quotas are exhausted within minutes or hours of opening (the so-called 'click day'). Preparation in advance is essential.

Authority

Prefettura — Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione

Time

30 min

Updated

May 2026

What you need

✓Italian employer willing to hire you (they must submit the application, not the worker)
✓Valid worker's passport
✓Any previous work nulla osta (for sectors with reserved quotas)
✓Employment contract or job offer
✓Professional documentation (for qualified categories: cooks, seafarers, etc.)

Step-by-step procedure

The employer submits the online application (not the worker)

It is the employer in Italy who must submit the application to the SUI via the immigrazione.gov.it portal. The worker cannot apply alone. The application includes: worker's data, type of contract, hiring province, work sector. Quotas open with a decree and are exhausted very quickly: the employer must be ready with all credentials and data on click day.

Quotas for seasonal work (agriculture, tourism) generally open in spring; those for non-seasonal work in autumn/winter.

Wait for the nulla osta and apply for the visa at the consulate

If the application is accepted (within the quotas), the Prefecture issues the work nulla osta. The worker abroad must go to the Italian Consulate in their country with the nulla osta to apply for an employed work visa (seasonal or non-seasonal). The visa is usually issued within 30-90 days. The visa has a fixed validity: you must enter Italy by that date.

Arrival in Italy: sign the contract and apply for the residence permit

Within 8 days of entering Italy, go to the SUI at the Prefecture to sign the residence contract and apply for the work residence permit. Bring your passport with visa, the original nulla osta and the employment contract offer. The residence permit is issued by the Questura within 1-3 months and will be delivered to you via post office.

The seasonal work permit lasts a maximum of 9 months and cannot be converted to a non-seasonal permit except in exceptional cases.

📄

Portale Immigrazione — Flussi

Ministero dell'Interno — Prefettura

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Frequently asked questions

Responsible authority

Authority

Prefettura — Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione

Phone

Certified email

Website

Visit site →

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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.

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