Decreto Flussi · Italia

Italy’s annual work quota — how it really works

The Decreto Flussi is Italy’s annual quota system for non-EU workers. Understanding the click-day mechanism — and preparing well in advance — is the difference between securing a spot and waiting another year.

Click-day 2025: Quotas for subordinate work typically open in Q1. Dossiers must be ready in advance — the portal exhausts within minutes. See the procedure →

Di cosa si tratta

The quota system — in plain terms

Each year the Italian government publishes a DPCM setting the total number of non-EU workers who may enter Italy for subordinate work. These quotas are released on a specific date — the click-day — via portaleimmigrazione.it. Applications are processed in order of submission. In recent years, the available spots have been exhausted in under ten minutes.

How the click-day works

On the designated date and time, portaleimmigrazione.it opens for submissions. Employers submit applications for specific workers. The system processes them in order of receipt until all quotas are filled. Preparation of the complete dossier months in advance is the only way to submit the instant the portal opens.

Three phases after the click-day

Winning a quota slot is Phase 1. But the worker cannot enter Italy until Phase 2 (entry visa at the Italian consulate) and Phase 3 (permesso di soggiorno at the Questura within 8 days of arrival) are also complete.

Decreto Flussi vs EU Blue Card

The Blue Card is quota-free and available any time of year — but requires a university degree and a salary above €35,500. The Flussi system is quota-based and competitive, but covers a broader range of roles and qualifications.

Cifre chiave

In sintesi — the numbers that matter

1×/yearClick-day frequencyOne chance per year per quota type

<10 minQuotas exhausted inOften under 5 minutes in recent years

3 phasesTo enter Italy legallyClick-day → visa → permesso

2 yearsPermit validityRenewable while employment continues

Who can apply

Eligibility — what is required

01

Non-EU nationality

The Decreto Flussi applies to citizens of non-EU countries. Some quotas are reserved for nationals of countries with bilateral agreements with Italy.

Mandatory

02

A willing Italian employer

An Italian employer must file the application on click-day on behalf of a specific worker. The employer takes on legal obligations including accommodation guarantee and return travel costs.

Mandatory · Employer files the application

03

Employment contract or offer

Signed contract specifying role, remuneration and working conditions, in compliance with the applicable CCNL. The salary must meet the CCNL minimum.

Mandatory · CCNL compliance required

04

Worker identified before click-day

Italy’s Flussi requires the employer to name a specific worker. The complete dossier — including passport details and contract — must be ready before click-day.

Critical · Worker must be identified in advance

Decreto Flussi · Procedure

Tre fasi — a partire dal click-day

The Flussi procedure has the same three-phase structure as the Blue Card — but Phase 1 depends entirely on a single moment, the click-day, for which months of preparation are essential.

Click-day 2025: Quotas for subordinate work typically open in Q1. Dossiers must be ready in advance — the portal exhausts within minutes. See the procedure →

Panoramica

Three phases — three different authorities

Phase	Authority	Who leads	When
1 — Click-day + Nulla Osta	portaleimmigrazione.it → SUI	Employer + ImmiLex	Click-day (specific date/time)
2 — Entry visa	Italian consulate abroad	Worker + ImmiLex	After Nulla Osta issued
3 — Permesso di Soggiorno	Post office → Questura	Worker + ImmiLex	Within 8 days of entry

Step by step

From preparation to permit in hand

1

Dossier preparation (months before click-day)

DURC, Visura Camerale, employment contract, worker passport. There is no time to prepare documents on click-day itself.

Employer + ImmiLex2–4 months before

2

Click-day submission

We submit the application the instant portaleimmigrazione.it opens. Speed is critical — delays of even a few seconds can mean missing the quota.

Employer + ImmiLexDay 0 · Real-time

3

Nulla Osta issued by SUI

The Sportello Unico reviews the application and issues the Nulla Osta. We manage all communications. Valid 6 months.

SUI · Prefecture30–90 daysValid 6 months

4

Entry visa at Italian consulate

The worker applies for the work entry visa (type D) at the Italian consulate in their country of residence, presenting the Nulla Osta. We prepare the complete consular dossier.

Worker + ImmiLex15–30 days

5

Contratto di soggiorno + Permesso di Soggiorno

Within 8 days of entering Italy, worker and employer appear at the SUI to sign the contratto di soggiorno, then submit the permesso kit at the post office. Mandatory under Art. 5-bis D.Lgs 286/98.

Worker + Employer + ImmiLexMandatory within 8 days

6

Questura biometric appointment & permit issued

The Questura schedules the biometric appointment. The permesso di soggiorno per lavoro subordinato is issued — valid 2 years, renewable while employment continues.

QuesturaPermesso issued2 years · Renewable

Decreto Flussi · Documents

Documenti richiesti — pronti prima del click-day

Every document must be ready before the click-day. There is no time to collect documents after the portal opens.

Click-day 2025: Quotas for subordinate work typically open in Q1. Dossiers must be ready in advance — the portal exhausts within minutes. See the procedure →

Phase 1 — Click-day dossier

Employer documents — ready in advance

01

Employment contract or binding offer

Signed contract specifying role, gross salary (CCNL compliant), working hours and start date.

Employer · CCNL compliance required

02

Visura Camerale

Recent certificate confirming the company’s legal status and registered activity (typically within 3 months).

Datore di lavoro

03

DURC

Confirms the employer is up to date with INPS and INAIL contributions. Valid 120 days.

Employer · Valid 120 days

04

Accommodation guarantee

Documentation guaranteeing suitable housing for the worker upon arrival.

Employer · Mandatory

05

Worker’s passport (copy)

Clear copy of all pages of the worker’s valid passport.

Worker

06

Marca da bollo (€16)

Revenue stamp required at submission. Available at tabaccherie and post offices.

€16 · Employer

Phases 2 & 3

Consulate and Questura documents

07

Nulla Osta (original) + visa application + passport

Issued by the SUI after Phase 1. Valid 6 months. Completed type D visa application form. Passport with at least 2 blank pages.

From Phase 1

08

Contratto di soggiorno (signed at SUI within 8 days)

Both worker and employer must appear at the SUI. Missing the 8-day deadline can result in the permesso being refused.

Worker + Employer · Within 8 days

09

Kit postale + 4 photos + marca da bollo (€16)

Residence permit kit submitted at the post office within 8 days of entry.

Post office · Within 8 days

Decreto Flussi · Costs

Quanto costa la procedura Flussi?

Tre fasi significano tre serie di costi. Phase 1 is the most intensive — months of preparation, real-time submission and SUI follow-up.

Click-day 2025: Quotas for subordinate work typically open in Q1. Dossiers must be ready in advance — the portal exhausts within minutes. See the procedure →

ImmiLex service fees

What you pay us

Chiamata di orientamento

€ 150

45 minuti · Detratta se si procede

Eligibility and quota category assessment
Decreto Flussi vs Blue Card comparison
Nationality and sector quota availability review
Timeline and cost estimate
Employer obligations briefing

Prenota una consulenza — € 150

Fase 1 — Click-day e Nulla Osta

€ 1,500

Employer-led · portaleimmigrazione.it → SUI

Full dossier preparation (employer + worker documents)
CCNL compliance verification
Real-time click-day submission
SUI follow-up until Nulla Osta issued

Richiedi una valutazione

Phase 2 — Entry Visa

€ 500

Worker · Italian consulate abroad

Consular dossier preparation and review
Consular appointment coordination

Richiedi una valutazione

Phase 3 — Permesso di Soggiorno

€ 480

Worker + Employer · SUI + Post office + Questura

SUI appointment coordination for contratto di soggiorno
Kit postale preparation and submission
Questura follow-up until issued

Richiedi una valutazione

Complete Package — All 3 Phases

€ 2,300 save € 180

Click-day → Visa → Permesso · Orientation fee deducted

All Phase 1, 2 and 3 services
Dedicated case manager from preparation to permit
Click-day preparation and real-time submission
All deadline management

Richiedi una valutazione

Government fees

Authority fees — paid separately

Indicative amounts. Fees change periodically. We provide precise estimates in the orientation call.

• Click-day fee (marca da bollo): €16
• Consular visa fee (type D, work): €116
• Permesso di Soggiorno postal kit: €30.46
• Permesso issue fee: €80
• Marca da bollo (Questura): €16

Total budget guide: Complete service (ImmiLex €2,300 + government fees ~€245) typically totals between €2,550 and €2,600.

Decreto Flussi · FAQ

Domande sul Decreto Flussi con risposta

Le domande che sentiamo più spesso da datori di lavoro e lavoratori che navigano il sistema delle quote.

Click-day 2025: Quotas for subordinate work typically open in Q1. Dossiers must be ready in advance — the portal exhausts within minutes. See the procedure →

How do I know when the click-day will be?

The Italian government publishes the annual DPCM setting quotas, usually in Q1. Click-day dates are announced with short notice — sometimes just a few weeks. We monitor official publications and notify clients as soon as dates are confirmed.

Can I apply for multiple workers on click-day?

Yes. An employer can submit multiple applications on click-day — one per worker. Each application must be complete and individually prepared. We manage multi-worker submissions to maximise the chance of all being processed before the quota is exhausted.

What happens if the quota runs out before my application is processed?

If the quota is exhausted before your application is reached, it is not processed and there is no waiting list. The next opportunity is the following year’s click-day. This is why having a fully prepared dossier and submitting in the first seconds is the only viable strategy.

My worker is already in Italy on a different permit. Can they switch?

It depends on the permit type. Workers in Italy on certain permits (study, research, seasonal work) may be able to convert to a work permit without going through the Flussi system. We assess conversion eligibility before recommending the Flussi route.

What is the contratto di soggiorno and why does it matter?

The contratto di soggiorno is signed at the SUI within 8 days of the worker’s entry. It formalises the employer’s obligations: housing, employment contract compliance, and return travel costs. Missing the 8-day deadline can result in the permesso being refused.

What happens when the 2-year permit expires?

The permit is renewable as long as employment continues. We manage renewals in advance of expiry. After 5 years of continuous legal residence, the worker may apply for the EU long-term residence permit (Permesso CE), which is indefinite.

Italy’s annual work quota — how it really works

The quota system — in plain terms

How the click-day works

Three phases after the click-day

Decreto Flussi vs EU Blue Card

In sintesi — the numbers that matter

Eligibility — what is required

Non-EU nationality

A willing Italian employer

Employment contract or offer

Worker identified before click-day

Tre fasi — a partire dal click-day

Three phases — three different authorities

From preparation to permit in hand

Dossier preparation (months before click-day)

Click-day submission

Nulla Osta issued by SUI

Entry visa at Italian consulate

Contratto di soggiorno + Permesso di Soggiorno

Questura biometric appointment & permit issued

Documenti richiesti — pronti prima del click-day

Employer documents — ready in advance

Employment contract or binding offer

Visura Camerale

DURC

Accommodation guarantee

Worker’s passport (copy)

Marca da bollo (€16)

Consulate and Questura documents

Nulla Osta (original) + visa application + passport

Contratto di soggiorno (signed at SUI within 8 days)

Kit postale + 4 photos + marca da bollo (€16)

Quanto costa la procedura Flussi?

What you pay us

Chiamata di orientamento

Fase 1 — Click-day e Nulla Osta

Phase 2 — Entry Visa

Phase 3 — Permesso di Soggiorno

Complete Package — All 3 Phases

Authority fees — paid separately

Domande sul Decreto Flussi con risposta

How do I know when the click-day will be?

Can I apply for multiple workers on click-day?

What happens if the quota runs out before my application is processed?

My worker is already in Italy on a different permit. Can they switch?

What is the contratto di soggiorno and why does it matter?

What happens when the 2-year permit expires?

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