The advantage of quota-free pathways
The Decreto Flussi comes with click days, queues and uncertainty: quotas for some categories are exhausted in under ten minutes. For companies searching for a specific professional — an engineer, a manager, an IT specialist — waiting for the click day is simply not a viable option.
There are three alternative pathways that allow the hiring of highly qualified non-EU workers at any time of year, outside the quotas of the Decreto Flussi: the EU Blue Card, the intra-company ICT transfer, and the secondment under Art. 27-A of the Consolidated Immigration Act (D.Lgs. 286/98). The choice depends on the type of employment relationship the company intends to establish with the worker.
All three pathways described in this guide are completely quota-free: they do not depend on the Decreto Flussi, have no opening dates and have no annual cap on applications. Applications can be submitted at any time.
Which pathway is right for you?
EU Blue Card — the main pathway
Governed by Art. 27-quater of the Consolidated Immigration Act (D.Lgs. 286/98), which transposes EU Directive 2021/1883, this is the most widely used pathway for the direct hiring of highly qualified professionals. The employer is an Italian company that recruits a foreign professional under an employment contract.
Worker requirements
Post-secondary higher education qualification
A bachelor's or master's degree, or an equivalent qualification of at least three years' duration, awarded by the competent authority in the country where it was obtained. It must attest the completion of a higher education programme in a field relevant to the proposed employment.
MandatoryProfessional qualification at ISTAT levels 1, 2 or 3 (CP2021)
Managers (level 1), Intellectual, scientific and highly specialised professions (level 2), Technical professions (level 3). Included are: managers, engineers, architects, IT specialists, doctors, researchers, financial analysts, marketing specialists and many other roles.
MandatoryException for ICT professionals without a degree
For managers and specialists in the ICT sector, in lieu of an academic qualification it is sufficient to document at least 3 years of relevant professional experience in the last 7 years. This exception applies exclusively to the information and communication technology sector.
ICT sector onlyContract requirements
Contract or binding offer of at least 6 months
Must specify the gross annual salary, job title, duration and duties. It may be an open-ended or fixed-term contract (min. 6 months).
MandatorySalary ≥ ISTAT average wage and ≥ CCNL
The gross annual salary must satisfy both parameters: the average annual ISTAT salary for dependent workers (updated annually, indicative 2026 value: ~€34,500–36,300) and the applicable CCNL for the sector, if higher.
Both parameters requiredThe exact value of the average annual ISTAT salary for the current year must be verified on the ISTAT website at the time the application is submitted. For 2026 the indicative threshold is €34,500–36,300 gross per year. This is the binding parameter alongside the CCNL: whichever is higher applies.
What the EU Blue Card holder receives
Renewable two-year permit
24 months for open-ended contracts; contract duration + 3 months for fixed-term contracts, up to a maximum of 24 months. Renewable indefinitely as long as the requirements are met.
EU mobility after 12 months
After 12 months of lawful residence in Italy, the holder may move to another EU Member State to carry out highly qualified work, with a simplified procedure for obtaining a new Blue Card in the destination country.
Facilitated family reunification
Family members (spouse, dependent children) are entitled to family reunification regardless of the permit's duration, without the ordinary income requirements of Art. 29 of the Consolidated Immigration Act.
Protection in case of unemployment
In the event of job loss (including voluntary resignation), the holder is entitled to registration with the employment placement lists for at least one year and may obtain a permit while awaiting new employment.
First job change: the first 12 months
During the first 12 months, an EU Blue Card holder may not freely change employer: they must obtain authorisation from the competent Territorial Labour Directorate. After the first 12 months the change is unrestricted, provided the new employment meets the Blue Card requirements.
ICT — intra-company transfer
The ICT permit (Art. 27-quinquies of D.Lgs. 286/98) is designed for multinationals that need to temporarily transfer to Italy an employee who is already on their payroll abroad. The worker formally remains an employee of the foreign company — they are not hired by the Italian entity.
Who can be transferred under the ICT
Managers
Perform functions of high professional standing, with decision-making autonomy and responsibility vis-à-vis the entrepreneur. Maximum transfer duration: 3 years.
Specialist workers
Possess specialist knowledge essential to the company's products, research or techniques. Maximum duration: 3 years.
Trainee workers
Graduate employees transferred for managerial training purposes within the group. Maximum duration: 1 year, non-extendable.
Pre-existing employment requirement
The worker must have been employed by the foreign company for at least 3 uninterrupted months before the date the transfer is requested.
The ICT transfer requires a documented corporate relationship between the foreign seconding company and the Italian host entity: they must belong to the same group (same parent company, subsidiary, or representative office). The ICT cannot be used to hire a professional who is external to the group.
Intra-EU ICT mobility
A significant advantage of the ICT is European mobility: the holder of an ICT permit issued by another EU Member State may reside and work in Italy without a visa, for up to 90 days (short-term mobility) or for longer periods with a simplified nulla osta (long-term mobility). This makes it particularly useful for groups with a hub in another EU country.
Art. 27 lett. A — manager secondment
The pathway under Art. 27, letter A of the Consolidated Immigration Act (D.Lgs. 286/98) allows the temporary secondment to Italy of managers and highly specialised personnel employed by a foreign company with links to the Italian entity, but without the structural constraints of the ICT. It is the pathway with the longest maximum duration and the only one that allows subsequent direct absorption into the Italian workforce.
| Feature | Art. 27-A | ICT (Art. 27-quinquies) |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-existing employment relationship | At least 6 months | At least 3 months |
| Maximum duration | 5 years (extendable) | 3 years (managers/specialists) |
| Absorption into Italian workforce | Yes, from end of 1st contract | No |
| EU mobility | No | Yes (ICT mobility) |
| Corporate link required | Yes (documented) | Yes (same group) |
| SUI nulla osta deadline | 90 days | 45 days |
Art. 27-A is preferable when the company intends to evaluate the permanent integration of the professional into the Italian workforce after a secondment period, or when the anticipated project duration exceeds the 3 years permitted under the ICT.
Operational procedure
The overall flow is identical for all three pathways: nulla osta → visa → residence contract → permit. Forms, deadlines and certain specific documents vary between them.
Requirements check and pathway selection
Before initiating the process it is essential to verify that the professional meets the requirements for the chosen pathway (academic qualification, ISTAT level, salary) and that the company meets the formal requirements (asseverazione, CCNL, corporate link for ICT/Art.27). An error at this stage delays the entire procedure.
Nulla osta application — Single Immigration Desk (SUI)
The employer or host entity submits an online application to the SUI of the competent Prefecture. For the EU Blue Card, a prior check of the availability of Italian/EU workers is also required (response within 8 working days — reduced from 2024). The SUI must respond within 90 days for the EU Blue Card and 45 days for the ICT.
Entry visa — Italian Consulate
Once the nulla osta is obtained, the worker applies for a highly qualified work visa at the Italian Consulate in their country of residence. The visa is valid for 6 months to allow entry. Holders of an ICT permit issued by another EU Member State enter without a visa.
Residence contract and permit — SUI / Questura
Within 8 working days of entering Italy, the worker declares their presence to the SUI and signs the residence contract (from 2024 the employer's digital signature is mandatory). The Questura issues the residence permit within 45 days of the declaration of presence.
Documents to prepare (EU Blue Card)
Employment contract signed by both parties
Must state: gross annual salary, applicable CCNL, duties, duration, place of work. From 2024 the digital signature of the legal representative is mandatory.
EmployerAcademic qualification with declaration of value
Diploma or degree obtained abroad, with a Dichiarazione di Valore issued by the Italian Embassy in the country where the qualification was awarded, or with an Apostille if the country adheres to the 1961 Hague Convention. Italian translation is mandatory.
Worker · Translation + legalisationEmployer asseverazione
A document digitally signed by a qualified professional (labour consultant, accountant) or an accredited employer organisation, certifying that the request is consistent with the company's financial and economic situation.
Labour consultant · MandatoryItalian/EU worker unavailability check
The employer must demonstrate that they have verified the availability of Italian or EU candidates through the Employment Centre (ANPAL). The response deadline was reduced to 8 working days from 2024.
Employment Centre · ANPALCompany documentation
Up-to-date company registration certificate, latest tax return or balance sheet, current DURC. For ICT and Art. 27-A: also documentation proving the corporate link between the foreign and Italian company.
EmployerHousing suitability
Proof that the worker will have suitable accommodation in Italy. May be provided by the company (if it makes accommodation available) or by the worker themselves. From 2025, the employer's self-declaration is accepted for temporary site accommodation; for hotel/guesthouse stays it is sufficient to state the name and address.
Employer or workerDoes your company want to hire a foreign professional?
ImmiLex manages the entire procedure: pathway selection, asseverazione, nulla osta, visa and residence permit. From the first consultation to the professional on the job.
FAQ
No. The EU Blue Card is a completely quota-free pathway: applications can be submitted at any time of year, without waiting for the click day or competing for a limited number of places. The same applies to the ICT (Art. 27-quinquies) and Art. 27-A.
The gross annual salary must simultaneously satisfy two parameters: the updated average annual ISTAT salary (indicatively €34,500–36,300 for 2026) and the CCNL applicable to the sector. The higher of the two values applies. The ISTAT figure must be verified at the time of application on the official ISTAT website.
The EU Blue Card is for new direct hires: the professional becomes an employee of the Italian company. The ICT is for internal transfers within multinational groups: the worker remains employed by the foreign company and is temporarily seconded to the Italian office. The ICT requires a documented corporate link and a pre-existing employment relationship of at least 3 months.
Yes, for all three pathways. Holders of an EU Blue Card and ICT are entitled to family reunification (spouse and dependent children) regardless of the permit's duration and without the ordinary income requirements under Art. 29 of the Consolidated Immigration Act that apply to standard pathways. The reunification application may be submitted at the same time as the main application.
They are entitled to registration with the employment placement lists for at least one year and may obtain a permit while awaiting new employment. If no new highly qualified employment is found within 3 months of becoming unemployed, the EU Blue Card may be withdrawn and the worker may have to leave Italy. This protection also applies in the case of voluntary resignation.
From submission of the SUI application to the first day of work in Italy, the process typically takes 3–5 months: SUI nulla osta (45–90 days), consular visa (2–4 weeks), entry and residence contract (8 days). Gathering and checking documents before the application takes an additional 2–4 weeks, depending on the complexity of the case.
Yes, through the EU Blue Card mobility procedure. After 12 months of lawful residence in the first Member State, the professional may transfer to Italy to carry out highly qualified work, without having to return to their country of origin. They must apply for an Italian EU Blue Card, but the procedure is simplified compared to entry from a third country.