Skip to content Italy has taken another step in aligning its immigration framework with updated EU rules on legal migration. On 9 April 2026, the Council of Ministers gave final approval to the legislative decree implementing Directive (EU) 2024/1233. The law implements a single permit for third-country nationals to reside and work in a Member State.
Aim of the reform
The reform is part of a broader European effort to simplify admission procedures for non-EU workers. Furthermore, the EU wishes to strengthen a common set of rights for workers lawfully employed within the Union.
At EU level, the directive set that Member States must provide a single application procedure. Such single procedure shall lead to ne administrative act combining residence and work authorization.
Practical changes
One of the most relevant practical changes of the decree is the work permit release time. Under the new rules, the local immigration office must issue the single work permit within 30 days from the application. Renewals remain subject to a 90-day timeframe.
The decree also places a clearer information duty on employers. Accordingly, employers must promptly inform the worker of any communication received during the work authorization process.
Currently, immigration procedures often become difficult not only because of legal requirements, but also because of fragmented communication between the parties. The tightened deadlines and increased transparency obligations should reduce uncertainty and make the process smoother for all parties involved. For employers, this could mean better workforce planning. For foreign workers, it could translate into greater visibility over the status of their application and fewer administrative blind spots.
Greater flexibility
The Italian government had anticipated that the decree would also introduce greater flexibility in the labour market.
In fact, single permit holders would be allowed to change employer during the validity of the permit. This procedure is subject to notification to the competent authorities. Furthermore, in the event of unemployment, the permit would not be immediately revoked. Instead, it would allow the worker to remain in Italy for at least three months to seek new employment. These elements, if confirmed in the final decree text, would support more regular labour market integration.
Overall, the final approval of the decree signals a meaningful update to Italy’s immigration and employment framework for non-EU nationals. The reform does not eliminate the complexity of the system, but it does point toward a more streamlined and rights-based model. This is closer to the direction set by the European Union.