Foreign-born population – 2025 | 11.7% of the population | Main countries of birth: Romania (13%), Albania (8%), Morocco (7%) |
Size: 6.9 million, 52% women | Evolution since 2015: +19% |
International Migration Outlook 2026
50th Edition
In 2025, Italy received 249 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), 46% more than in 2024. This figure comprises 15% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 13% labour migrants, 67% family members (including accompanying family) and 5% humanitarian migrants. Around 35 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 21 000 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 225 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2024, a 33% increase compared to 2023. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Bangladesh, Albania and Ukraine were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2024. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Tunisia registered the strongest increase (5 700) and Ukraine the largest decrease (‑8 500) in flows to Italy compared to the previous year.
In 2025, the number of first asylum applicants decreased by ‑16%, to reach around 127 000. Most applicants came from Bangladesh (27 000), Peru (15 000) and Egypt (11 000). The largest increase since 2024 concerned nationals of India (2 200) and the largest decrease nationals of Bangladesh (‑5 400). Of the 105 000 decisions taken in 2025, 30% were positive.
Emigration of Italian citizens to OECD countries decreased by ‑5% in 2024, to 146 000. Approximately 31% of this group migrated to Spain, 14% to Germany and 12% to Switzerland.
In October 2025, the government adopted a new three‑year Decreto Flussi covering the period 2026-2028, authorising 497 550 entries of non-EU workers over three years. The annual quota was set at 164 850 for 2026, rising gradually to 166 850 by 2028. Compared with the previous framework, the new plan increased the share allocated to non-seasonal employment and expanded dedicated quotas for domestic and care workers, reflecting persistent labour shortages linked to population ageing. Seasonal employment in agriculture and tourism continued to account for the largest share of admissions, while preferential allocations were maintained for nationals of countries that have signed with Italy co‑operation agreements on migration issues. The decree introduced procedural provisions aimed at improving the matching of quotas with labour demand, including territorial allocation mechanisms and deadlines for processing applications, implemented progressively from early 2026. The decree places more emphasis on care and domestic assistance: 13 600 places in 2026, rising to 14 200 in 2028, for family assistance and care workers, compared with around 9 500 places under the previous framework.
In June 2025, Italy expanded labour mobility pathways for refugees through new agreements supporting entry under dedicated quotas linked to training and employment offers. These schemes complement existing programmes facilitating access to employment for beneficiaries of international protection already residing in the country.
In May 2025, Parliament converted Decree Law No. 37/2025 into Law No. 75/2025, expanding the use of facilities established in Albania under the Italy-Albania protocol.
Up to June 2026, data on overseas vocational training programmes developed under Article 23 of Italy’s Immigration Law indicate growing use of labour mobility pathways. Article 23 allows foreign workers who complete vocational, language and civic training programmes approved by the Ministry of Labour and Social Policies to enter Italy and be recruited outside the annual Decreti Flussi quotas. As of 5 August 2026, 137 training programmes had been approved in 34 countries and 3 755 participants completed the training. These initiatives support skills development, improve labour market matching and facilitate migrant workers’ integration through fair, demand-driven international recruitment mechanisms.
Italy maintained the temporary protection regime for displaced persons from Ukraine. As of March 2025, approximately 165 000 beneficiaries were registered. Italy extended temporary protection until March 2027 and encouraged transitions to alternative residence permits, including employment-based permits, while preserving access to protection for the duration of the regime.
Controls at the land border with Slovenia were reintroduced until 18 December 2026, due to the high level of irregular migration including a strong presence of smuggling and trafficking networks.
In June 2025, a referendum proposing to reduce the residence requirement for naturalisation from 10 to 5 years failed due to insufficient turnout, leaving Italy’s citizenship legislation unchanged.
In May 2025, the government adopted a new National Plan against Racism, Xenophobia and Intolerance covering 2025-2027. The Plan identified six priority areas for intervention – employment, housing, education, health, security and justice, and media and communication – complemented by cross-cutting actions on training, awareness-raising and local partnership networks.
For further information: www.lavoro.gov.it/ | www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/
