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Italy is suffering from a labor shortage and is desperately seeking people with 500,000 job openings by 2028, creating an exclusive visa outside of quotas for descendant Brazilians, accelerating hiring with 164,000 already in 2026, and paving the way for immediate legal work in the country.

Written by Alisson Ficher
Published on 18/04/2026 at 14:34
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Aging population pressures Italian market as government expands entry of foreigners, creates specific rule for descendants, and accelerates work permits at historic volume, opening new legal alternative for Brazilians seeking formal employment in the European country.

The expansion of Italian migration policies has placed Brazil among the countries directly impacted by a new hiring pathway aimed at descendants, in a scenario of worker shortages and urgent need for workforce replenishment in various economic sectors.

Within this context, the official plan foresees 497,550 entries for work between 2026 and 2028, including 164,850 permits just in 2026, while a recent rule has begun to allow entry into subordinate jobs outside the annual quotas for descendants residing abroad.

Changes in Italian citizenship and impact for Brazilians

At the same time that it expands access to the labor market, the European country has tightened criteria for automatic recognition of citizenship by descent, especially for more distant generations, which has significantly altered the landscape for Brazilians seeking this traditional pathway.

With the entry into force of Law No. 74, of May 23, 2025, the principle of jus sanguinis was maintained, but with relevant restrictions for those born outside Italy, concentrating recognition on closer family ties with ancestors born in Italian territory.

New visa outside the quotas opens path for work

Alongside the changes in citizenship, the government has structured a migration alternative directly linked to the labor market, creating a mechanism that seeks to balance economic needs with new access rules to the country.

The measure was regulated by interministerial decree of November 17, 2025, published on November 24, 2025, establishing a channel for entry and stay for subordinate work outside the quotas, directed at descendants of Italians in seven countries, including Brazil.

As a result, workers fitting this profile no longer depend on competition for the limited vacancies of the traditional system, reducing a historical barrier and increasing the chances of formal hiring in Italian territory.

This movement also responds to the growing difficulty of filling vacancies in strategic sectors, pressured by the aging population and the reduction of the available workforce, both in seasonal and permanent activities.

Rules continue to require formal job offer

Despite the flexibility in some areas, the legal requirements for entering the Italian labor market remain strict and follow a well-defined process that cannot be ignored by those intending to migrate.

To engage in subordinate activity, it is still essential for the employer in Italy to initiate the process by obtaining the nulla osta, an essential document that precedes the visa application at the Italian consulate in Brazil.

Contrary to what may seem at first glance, there is no possibility of entering as a tourist to seek employment, as the tourist visa does not authorize the exercise of labor activity in Italian territory.

For this reason, regularization necessarily depends on a concrete job offer, prior document analysis, and the issuance of the appropriate visa before travel, steps that ensure the legality of the stay in the country.

Language and professional adaptation weigh in hiring

Another determining factor in the hiring process involves adapting to the European professional standard, which requires organized documentation and clarity in presenting the candidate’s skills.

In this context, the Europass remains a widely used model for resumes, while language proficiency is assessed based on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which classifies mastery between levels A1 and C2.

Additionally, Italian companies tend to value professionals who can communicate effectively in the local language, making proficiency in Italian a relevant differentiator in the competition for positions.

Italian labor market grows with migration program

With the implementation of the new migration program, Italy reinforces a long-term strategy aimed at attracting foreign workers, adjusting entry policies to the real demands of the economy.

The decree regulating the three-year period distributes authorizations among different types of work, including seasonal, non-seasonal, and some forms of self-employment, organized through a specific calendar.

Although the total number is often rounded, the official volume established is 497,550 entries, consolidating one of the largest recent migration openings in the country.

For Brazilian descendants, the main impact lies in creating a concrete alternative for access to the formal market, especially for those who have begun to face limitations in recognizing citizenship.

Cost of living and planning before the move

Even with the expansion of opportunities, the decision to move requires detailed planning, especially regarding the cost of living, which varies significantly between different Italian regions.

While northern cities and large centers present higher costs, southern regions tend to offer more affordable prices, which directly influences the feasibility of staying.

In light of this, factors such as salary, housing, transportation, and regularization deadlines need to be carefully considered before departure.

Residence permit and access to public health

After arriving in the country, the foreign worker must apply for the residence permit within eight working days, a crucial step to ensure legal stay and continue the integration process.

This document allows access to essential services and facilitates regularization in different areas of daily life in Italian territory.

In the field of health, access to the National Health Service depends on registration with the corresponding local unit, conditioned on the worker’s regular migration status.

In general, the validity of this registration follows the authorized period of stay, ensuring care within the rules established by the Italian public system.

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Alisson Ficher

Jornalista formado desde 2017 e atuante na área desde 2015, com seis anos de experiência em revista impressa, passagens por canais de TV aberta e mais de 12 mil publicações online. Especialista em política, empregos, economia, cursos, entre outros temas e também editor do portal CPG. Registro profissional: 0087134/SP. Se você tiver alguma dúvida, quiser reportar um erro ou sugerir uma pauta sobre os temas tratados no site, entre em contato pelo e-mail: alisson.hficher@outlook.com. Não aceitamos currículos!

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