Italy to Grant 500,000 Work Visas to Non-EU Nationals by 2028
Italy has announced plans to grant nearly 500,000 work visas to non-EU nationals between 2026 and 2028 in response to growing labour shortages and a rapidly declining population. The decision, confirmed by the Italian cabinet on Monday, will allow 164,850 workers to enter the country in 2026, with the total number of foreign workers expected to reach 497,550 by the end of the three-year period. The new quota, part of Italy’s broader immigration strategy, was developed in consultation with economic stakeholders and is designed to align with actual business needs and previous application trends.
The move marks a continuation of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s policy of facilitating legal migration while simultaneously tightening control over illegal immigration. Since taking office, Meloni has overseen the approval of over 450,000 work permits between 2023 and 2025 and has pursued measures aimed at expediting deportations and limiting the operations of NGOs rescuing migrants in the Mediterranean.
Italy’s labour market has been severely impacted by an aging population and a persistently low birth rate. In 2024 alone, the country recorded 281,000 more deaths than births, contributing to a population drop of 37,000 and bringing the total to 58.93 million. According to a recent study by the Osservatorio Conti Pubblici think tank, Italy would need to accept at least 10 million immigrants by 2050 to maintain current demographic levels.
The plan has received support from key industry representatives, including agricultural lobby Coldiretti, which welcomed the move as a necessary step to ensure stability in food production and seasonal labour availability. Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi confirmed that the policy would continue to support legal migration channels critical to Italy’s economic health, while safeguarding national security through strict regulation of unauthorized entries.
