Foreign-born population – 2024 | 11.2% of the population | Main countries of birth: |
6.7 million, 53% women | Evolution since 2014: +16% | Romania (13%), Albania (8%), Morocco (7%) |
International Migration Outlook 2025
In 2024, Italy received 169 000 new immigrants on a long-term or permanent basis (including changes of status and free mobility), - 16% compared to 2023. This figure comprises 23% immigrants benefitting from free mobility, 10% labour migrants, 61% family members (including accompanying family) and 5% humanitarian migrants. Around 20 000 permits were issued to tertiary-level international students and 17 300 to temporary and seasonal labour migrants (excluding intra-EU migration). In addition, 169 000 intra-EU postings were recorded in 2023, a 27% increase compared to 2022. These posted workers are generally on short-term contracts.
Ukraine, Albania and Romania were the top three nationalities of newcomers in 2023. Among the top 15 countries of origin, Egypt registered the strongest increase (8 300) and Romania the largest decrease (‑5 100) in flows to Italy compared to the previous year.
In 2024, the number of first asylum applicants increased by 16%, to reach around 151 000. The majority of applicants came from Bangladesh (33 000), Peru (16 000) and Pakistan (12 000). The largest increase since 2023 concerned nationals of Bangladesh (9 700) and the largest decrease nationals of Egypt (‑6 600). Of the 79 000 decisions taken in 2024, 36% were positive.
Emigration of Italian citizens to OECD countries remained stable in 2023, to 152 000. Approximately 32% of this group migrated to Spain, 15% to Germany and 13% to Switzerland.
The Italian Government has been implementing a series of measures to streamline entry procedures for foreign workers. In October 2024, Decree Law No. 145/2024 introduced several changes including the digitalisation of the contract of stay and integration agreement, along with biometric data requirements for visas beginning in January 2025. Labour market test waiting times were shortened to eight days. From January 2025, employers seeking to hire EU Blue Card or quota-subject work permit applicants must confirm their interest within one week of approval notification for the issuance process to proceed.
Italy’s 2024 work permit quotas allocated a total of 151 000 permits (up from 136 000 for 2023), including 61 250 permits for non-seasonal workers, 89 050 for seasonal workers, and 700 for self-employed individuals.
Following the November 2023 revision of Italy’s EU Blue Card legislation, an implementing circular was issued in March 2024 to clarify the new rules. The EU Blue Card professional experience pathway was opened for applicants lacking academic qualifications but possessing five years of relevant professional experience or three years in the IT sector. The circular also requires EU Blue Card sponsoring employers to prove that no local workers (of any nationality) were available for the position. Exceptions to labour market testing apply to highly qualified individuals on a researcher or EU ICT permit (who can now also obtain an EU Blue Card without leaving Italy).
Italy introduced a Digital Nomad Visa in April 2024, allowing third-country nationals to reside in Italy and perform highly skilled remote work as freelancers or for foreign employers for up to 12 months (renewable). Dependents may join under a family permit. Eligibility includes prior remote work or digital nomad experience, and professional skills equivalent to EU Blue Card requirements.
In March 2024, following an MoU, Italy and Tunisia signed a Protocol to facilitate the entry of 12 000 Tunisian workers over three years to address labour shortages in Italy. In April 2024, a one‑year pilot project was launched to bring 300 workers, from Lebanon, Ethiopia and Ivory Coast, under a “worker corridors” scheme.
In other changes: from 1 June 2024, dependent foreign nationals staying over 90 days for family reunification must apply for a “family reasons” national visa (Type D) instead of relying on a short-stay visa. Further, in January 2024, fines were increased for Italian citizens failing to register while residing abroad.
In March 2025, Decree Law No. 36/2025 introduced significant citizenship law changes, most notably limiting automatic citizenship by descent to individuals with at least one parent or grandparent born in Italy. A separate decree in May 2025 expanded the use of Albanian migrant detention centres to include migrants in Italy under deportation orders.
In December 2024, Law 187/2024 introduced stricter rules for family reunification in Italy. Most foreign nationals must now complete two continuous years of legal residence before applying to bring family members – such as spouses, disabled adult children, or parents under certain conditions. The rule does not apply to holders of international protection or to minor children under 18.
For further information: www.lavoro.gov.it/ | www.integrazionemigranti.gov.it/.
