How to Get a Visa and Work Permit in Italy (2025)

Italy’s strategic position in Europe, vibrant economy, and skilled workforce make it a top destination for global talent and companies seeking a foothold in the EU. Whether you’re looking to expand your business, tap into specialized skills, or support flexibility for remote teams, Italy’s allure is clear.

However, any non-EU/EEA national who wants to work in Italy must hold a valid work permit. A work permit is the authorization that legally allows a foreign national to work for a specific employer in a specific role. It is typically paired with a long-stay visa (for entry) and a residence permit (for long-term stay). Without a work permit, foreign employees cannot work or be paid in Italy.

This employer-sponsored process can be complex, involving Italy’s strict annual quota system, multi-step approval processes, and documentation requirements that vary by category. Missing quota windows, errors in forms, or incomplete documents can lead to delays, denials, or hiring disruptions.

With Deel, you access Italy’s market and talent pool at speed and with confidence. No more missed quotas or compliance anxiety—just a seamless, transparent process, from first application to renewed success.

How easy is it to get a work visa in Italy?

Short answer: It’s challenging, especially for non-EU candidates.

A work permit (Nulla Osta al lavoro) is the central authorization employers must obtain before a foreign national can apply for their visa and begin working legally in Italy.

The difficulty often depends on factors such as the national quota system for granting work permits to non-EU nationals, the applicant’s skills and education level, and whether there is a high local demand for the applicant’s potential job title and scope.

Because work permits are employer-sponsored and employer-specific, companies must justify the role and demonstrate compliance with Italian labor standards before approval is granted.

Are there different types of entry visas and work permits in Italy?

From an employer perspective, the key distinction is whether the route requires employer sponsorship (e.g., Subordinate Work, EU Blue Card) or whether the applicant qualifies independently (e.g., Digital Nomad, some family categories). Employer-sponsored categories involve salary thresholds, job-role justification, and strict documentation requirements.

• Conversion of Residence Permits into Subordinate Work (Lavoro Subordinato): This permit suits non-EU nationals already in Italy on a valid residence permit who secure an employment contract. Applicants must show six months of lawful stay, a job offer aligned with national collective agreements, and a minimum gross annual salary of €8,000. The converted permit can run up to two years and is renewable. Employers must submit the quota application and job contract through the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione portal

• Family Permit: Family members of EU or Italian citizens can apply under this permit to join relatives in Italy. Eligible applicants include spouses, minor children, and dependent parents, provided the sponsor demonstrates adequate housing and income. The permit initially grants up to two years of residence, renewable as long as the family relationship and financial conditions persist

• EU Blue Card (Nulla Osta Visa): The EU Blue Card targets highly skilled non-EU workers with a tertiary degree or five years of relevant experience and a job offer paying at least 1.5× the national average salary (€46,000 gross/year). It’s valid up to four years or the contract duration plus three months, whichever is shorter, and leads to long-term EU residence eligibility. The EU Blue Card is one of the most employer-friendly and predictable pathways for highly skilled workers because it does not rely on Italy’s annual quota (Decreto Flussi)

• Digital Nomad Visa: This permit is designed for remote workers employed by foreign companies who wish to live in Italy without local employment ties. Applicants must prove remote employment status, a minimum monthly income of about €2,300 per month, and valid health insurance covering Italy. Because Digital Nomad Visa holders cannot perform work for an Italian employer, this category is not suitable for local Italian hires

See also: Digital Nomad Visas for Remote Work: The Complete 2025 List

Italy visa and work permit eligibility requirements for candidates

To qualify for a work permit, employees must meet both general immigration requirements and category-specific criteria tied to salary, skills, qualifications, and documentation.

Italy visa comparison table

Get a fast, expert visa assessment—including detailed eligibility and cost breakdown—in just 48 hours with Deel Immigration.

See also: Self-Verify Global Employee Visa Eligibility in Minutes

Italy visa and work-permit sponsorship criteria for employers

To sponsor a work permit in Italy, employers must act as the official sponsor responsible for obtaining the Nulla Osta (work authorization) before the employee can apply for their visa abroad. This work permit links the employee to a single employer and job role.

Using an Employer of Record (EOR) streamlines sponsorship by having the EOR act as the legal employer. The EOR handles quota allocation, permit filing, payroll withholding, social contributions, and on-the-ground HR compliance, freeing your team from Italian administrative burdens. This is especially valuable in Italy, where strict sponsorship rules, quota timing, and Ministry of Interior checks make employer compliance a central part of successful work permit approval.

Deel Immigration, as a G2-tier Leader in Employer of Record services across 150+ countries, can sponsor over 200 permit types in 40+ jurisdictions. Our in-app Italy work visa processing time tracker gives real-time status updates, and we manage high-volume caseloads with speed and accuracy, ensuring swift work permit issuance for your talent.

See also: Easy Visa Sponsorship for Exploring New International Markets

Italy work-permit application process

The work permit process in Italy requires coordinated actions between the employer and employee, with the employer always completing the initial steps to obtain the Nulla Osta. Only once the work permit is approved can the employee apply for their visa.

Step one: Apply for work quota allocation

Apply for a work quota allocation (“Decreto Flussi”) through the Ministry of Interior. Applicants gather job contract details, and the sponsor submits a quota request via the Sportello Unico portal.

Not all visa routes require quotas (e.g., EU Blue Card), but most Subordinate Work pathways do, making timing critical.

Tip: Confirm the annual quota release dates on the Ministry site to file immediately when slots open.

Step two: Submit work permit application

This application results in the issuing of the “Nulla Osta al lavoro,” the official work authorization required before a visa can be granted.

Submit the work permit application to the local Prefettura office with the required documentation. Applicants provide a passport copy, contract, and polizia di stato declaration; employers fill out sponsor forms and book Prefettura appointments.

Tip: Delegate sponsorship responsibilities to Deel. Our team will handle all required forms and paperwork, helping streamline and accelerate the visa and hiring process.

Step three: Await approval

The Prefettura forwards the application to the Ministry of Interior for evaluation and approval. The Ministry assesses quotas, background checks, and labor compliance.

The Ministry also verifies that the job offer meets Italian labor standards, including correct salary, contract type, and alignment with national collective bargaining agreements.

Tip: Use the Deel visa tracker to see real-time status updates.

Step four: Applicant applies for visa

Upon approval, the applicant applies for the relevant visa at the Italian consulate or embassy abroad. The applicant schedules a visa interview, submits biometric data, and pays consular fees.

The visa allows the candidate to enter Italy, but it does not yet grant long-term work authorization—that only comes once the residence permit is issued.

Tip: Deel’s immigration experts guide applicants through application forms, and the platform reminds you of crucial deadlines.

Step five: Applicant travels to Italy

Applicant enters Italy and completes residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) registration within 8 days of arrival. Applicants file at the Ufficio Postale using the Kit C, submit fingerprints at the Questura, and receive the plastic card.

Employees cannot begin legal work or be paid through Italian payroll until they have initiated their residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) application.

Tip: The candidate can leverage Deel’s relocation partners and exclusive discounts to assist with travel logistics.

See also: Application Guide for Enterprise Employee Visas

What is the cost of a visa and work permit in Italy?

Fees in Italy vary by permit class, applicant nationality, and any dependents. Core cost drivers include government filing fees, consular visa fees, postal charges for permesso di soggiorno kits, and legal assistance if you choose expert support.

Employers should also factor in translation, apostille, and legalization costs, which vary depending on the employee’s country of origin.

Deel offers transparent, flat-fee service pricing with no hidden charges. You’ll receive a detailed breakdown of government and service fees upfront.

Is Deel Immigration the best choice for hiring in Italy?

Absolutely. For companies hiring non-EU employees in Italy, work-permit success depends on hitting quota windows, preparing compliant documentation, and managing strict sponsorship rules—areas where Deel’s experts excel.

Deel provides:

• End-to-end immigration management tailored to Italian visa categories and quota requirements
• Fast, free visa assessments to identify the optimal permit type for each candidate
• Personalized expert support guiding you through every step, from quota application to residence permit registration
• Accelerated processing with real-time application tracking via Deel’s intuitive platform
• Automated renewal reminders and dependent visa support to keep your team fully compliant and supported

With Deel Immigration, you can confidently hire top talent in Italy while minimizing administrative delays and risks. Let’s dive deeper into how Deel speeds up hiring in Italy.

Hire employees in Italy faster with Deel Immigration

Hiring in Italy can be challenging due to strict annual quotas and multi-step permit processes, but Deel Immigration streamlines these hurdles with unmatched expertise and technology. Our end-to-end immigration management handles quota applications, paperwork submissions, and compliance monitoring so you can focus on growing your business. With Deel, you get personalized expert support that guides you through Italy’s unique sponsorship and renewal requirements, ensuring no detail is overlooked.

Book a free consultation today to discover how Deel’s accelerated processing and self-serve document uploads can cut weeks off traditional timelines. Our real-time application tracking keeps you informed every step of the way, while our relocation discounts ease the transition for your new hires. Don’t let Italy’s immigration complexities slow your hiring — partner with Deel and onboard talent faster than ever.