Work permit quotas set for 2019

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Italian government has published its annual quota for workers from outside the European Economic Area.

What does the change mean? Italy will open up spots for a total of 30,850 non-EEA nationals in different sectors and positions in 2019, just as it did last year. While the quota places some limits on employers, several categories of workers are exempt, including intracompany transferees, highly skilled workers and executives or managers who are assigned to the Italian branch of a foreign company.

• Implementation time frame: Immediate and ongoing. The decree setting this year’s quota was published in the Official Gazette on April 9.
• Visas/permits affected: Quota-subject work permits.
• Who is affected: Italian companies sponsoring non-EU foreign nationals for work permits that are subject to the quotas.  
• Business impact: The quotas should not have a significant business impact because they are the same as in 2018.  

Additional information: Each year, the Italian government issues a decree (“Decreto Flussi”) that defines the number of quota-subject non-EEA workers who can be admitted to be employed locally by Italian companies. This year, the overall quota is divided among permits for seasonal workers (18,000), conversion for non-EEA nationals who are already in Italy but are seeking to change their status (9,850), self-employed workers (2,400) and special categories of non-EEA nationals, e.g., South Americans with Italian ancestors or people who have completed specific training in their country of residence (600).

Analysis & Comments: The total quota of 30,850 work permits for non-EEA nationals is on par with what it has been in past years. Employers are reminded that exemptions exist for a number of worker categories. Companies are encouraged to take note of the quotas and any relevant exemptions and plan their international recruiting and hiring programs accordingly.

Source: Deloitte LLP. Deloitte LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC303675 and its registered office at 1 New Street Square, London EC4A 3HQ, United Kingdom.