How does Work Visa via Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree) work in Italy, and who qualifies?

The Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree) is the gateway for most non-EU employee and seasonal work in Italy. It sets a quota each year (now planned over multiple years), and applications open on designated 'click days'. Your Italian employer submits the nulla osta al lavoro request through the ALI portal during the quota window, and the application must fall within that year's allocation for the relevant work category.

Once the nulla osta is granted, you obtain a national (type D) work visa from the Italian consulate. After arriving in Italy you sign the contratto di soggiorno (residence contract) and apply for your permesso di soggiorno at the Questura within eight working days. The quota and click-day timing are the defining constraints of this route.

Not every work route runs through the quota — the EU Blue Card, the Digital Nomad visa and the Italia Startup Visa sit outside it — so it is worth checking whether a quota-free option fits you better. Because quotas and timing change each cycle, confirm the current position on interno.gov.it. ACME can help you and your employer prepare for the click day and weigh quota versus quota-free routes.