Skip to content As announced with a note of January 20th, 2026, the Council of Ministers has preliminary approved a legislative decree implementing EU Directive 2024/1233.
The Directive entered into force on May 20, 2024. It establishes a new single application procedure for the issuance of a single permit allowing third-country nationals to reside and work within the territory of a Member State. Furthermore, the Directive reminds a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State.
Member States must transpose the Directive by May 21, 2026. Each state can determine whether the permit application is responsibility of the worker or of the employer. In any case, the Directive does not affect the Member States’ right to determine the volume of admissions of non-EU citizens in accordance with Article 79/5) of the TFEU.
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In Italy, the work permit application must be submitted by the employer or an authorized representative.
The implementation of the Directive in Italy simplifies the administrative process for the single permit application, reducing the maximum deadline for completing the issuance procedure to ninety days, unless of exceptional cases.
Additionally, the decree introduces a transparency obligation for employers, who must promptly inform the foreign worker of any communication regarding the work authorization.
Finally, the new permit guarantees a greater flexibility in the labor market. Indeed, foreign nationals holding a single permit will have the right to change employers during the permit’s validity period, subject to notification to the competent authorities. In the event of unemployment, the authorities won’t revoke the permit, allowing the worker to remain in the national territory to seek new employment.