Italy to Issue Nearly 500,000 Work Visas to Tackle Labor Shortage

Italy has announced plans to issue approximately half a million new work visas between 2026 and 2028 as part of its efforts to address a growing labor shortage.

According to a report by Reuters, the Italian government will open legal immigration channels to non-EU nationals by offering nearly 500,000 work permits over the next three years. This move aims to fill labor gaps in various sectors and manage migration through regulated means.

In 2026 alone, Italy will allow 164,850 foreign workers to enter the country legally for employment. By 2028, the total number of work visas issued will reach 497,550.

This is the second major immigration-related initiative under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s administration. Previously, the government approved more than 450,000 work permits to be issued between 2023 and 2025.

While expanding legal pathways for labor migration, Prime Minister Meloni has also taken a firm stance against irregular migration. Her administration is working to curb unauthorized arrivals and limit the activities of humanitarian organizations operating in the Mediterranean.

Authorities stated that the visa quota was determined based on the labor demands expressed by social partners and the number of work permit applications received in previous years.

Italy’s demographic challenges are also a driving force behind the new immigration policy. In 2024, deaths outnumbered births by around 281,000, leading to a population decline of 37,000, bringing the total to 58.93 million.

A recent study suggests that to maintain its current population levels, Italy will need to welcome at least 10 million migrants by 2050.