Italy · Work visa

EU Blue Card

Processing: 8-12 weeks
Cost: From €216
Validity: Up to the contract duration

Work and residence permit for highly qualified non-EU professionals with an Italian job offer. It is exempt from the Decreto Flussi quota and can lead to long-term residence and mobility within the EU.

Requirements

University degree (at least 3 years) or, for ICT roles, equivalent recognized higher professional skills
Binding job offer or employment contract of at least 6 months for a highly qualified role
Gross annual salary of at least 1.5x the national average (approx. EUR 36,000 in 2026), or 1.2x (approx. EUR 28,000-29,000) for shortage occupations such as ICT and healthcare
Recognition (dichiarazione di valore or equivalency) of the foreign qualification
Role must match the qualification held

Time and cost

Processing time: 8-12 weeks (nulla osta plus visa)
Validity: Up to the contract duration plus 3 months, generally up to 3 years
Cost: From €216
Required
€116 national visa fee
About €100 to €130 residence permit costs
Path to residency: EU long-term residence permit after 5 years of legal residence; Italian citizenship after 10 years

Documents

Valid passport
Valid for the duration of the intended stay
University degree certificate
With Italian dichiarazione di valore or CIMEA equivalency statement
Employment contract or binding job offer
Stating salary, duration and highly qualified role
Nulla osta (work authorization)
Issued by the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione before the visa
Proof of accommodation
Lease or hosting declaration in Italy
Health insurance
Coverage until enrollment in the national health service

Tips

The Decreto Flussi quota does not apply, so applications are open year-round
Family members can join immediately and work without a separate permit
After 18 months you can move to and work in another EU country under Blue Card mobility