In 2022, Italy received 235 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 15% more than in 2021. This figure comprises 21% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 24% labour migrants, 52% family members (including accompanying family) and 2% humanitarian migrants. Around 25 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 7 600 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 133 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2022, a 23% increase compared to 2021. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Romania, Ukraine and Albania were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2022. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Ukraine registered the strongest increase (21 000) and Nigeria the largest decrease (‑200) in flows to Italy compared to the previous year.
In 2023, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 69%, to reach around 131 000. The majority of applicants came from Bangladesh (23 000), Egypt (18 000) and Pakistan (17 000). The largest increase since 2022 concerned nationals of Egypt (9 300) and the largest decrease nationals of Georgia (‑200). Of the 46 000 decisions taken in 2023, 48% were positive.
Emigration of Italian citizens to OECD countries increased by 14% in 2022, to 152 000. Approximately 32% of this group migrated to Spain, 14% to Germany and 12% to Switzerland.
Italy implemented a series of legislative measures on migration in 2023. Overall, these measures comprise a tightening of Italy’s migration policies, with stricter and more restrictive approaches to immigration and asylum, but also some facilitations for admission of workers.
A new decree‑law effective March 2023 modified regulations for vessels engaged in search-and-rescue operations in territorial waters. Building on earlier decrees, Law No. 50 of 5 May 2023 adopted a range of state‑controlled instruments to facilitate the entry of workers while discouraging irregular arrivals through smuggling routes, including changes to the asylum procedure and the reception system. A subsequent decree in October 2023 introduced further restrictions. The reforms include limits to eligibility for international protection, establishing a procedure “for patently unfounded claims” and creating a list of countries deemed safe. For applicants from these countries, the regulation reverses the burden of proof and permits an accelerated asylum procedure at the border. The “Special Protection” status, a complementary form of protection used to cover various grounds after the Humanitarian protection permit was abolished in late 2018, is now only applicable to migrants whose fundamental rights might be violated in their country of origin. It can no longer be converted to a residence permit for employment. The new law also modifies the asylum reception system and associated integration measures, limiting stays of asylum seekers at reception centres and the range of support services offered to them. Unaccompanied minors may now convert their permits only to study permits, job seeking or work permits with a maximum validity of one year. In November 2023, Italy made an agreement with Albania providing for the opening and management of two centres in Albania to detain people rescued at sea by Italian ships.
To address labour shortages, an additional 40 000 quota for seasonal workers in the agriculture and hospitality sector was announced in August 2023. In October 2023, Italy approved three‑year admission quotas for labour migrants for 2023‑25, setting the quotas at 136 000 for 2023, 151 000 for 2024 and 165 000 for 2025. This is a sharp increase from previous quotas (69 700 in 2021 and 75 000 in 2022). The maximum duration of residence permits issued for permanent work, self-employment or family reunification has been extended from two to three years after the first renewal. As of July 2023, a legal amendment allows non-EU nationals to work immediately upon receiving a work visa and after entering Italy, before signing the residence contract. The change also applies to holders of an EU Blue Card, an Intra-Company Transfer, an EU Intra-Company Transfer and seasonal workers.
A March 2024 agreement signed between Italy and Tunisia commits to facilitate entry of 12 000 Tunisian workers over three years to address shortages in the Italian workforce. An earlier agreement also provides for a simplified entry procedure for Tunisian nationals, and the possibility of extended stay for Tunisian workers. An agreement signed in April 2024 launched a one‑year pilot project for “worker corridors”, which would bring 300 workers, primarily from Libya.
For further information: www.lavoro.gov.it/ | www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/
