Work visa (employee)

Lavoro subordinato / Carta Blu UE

Get hired by an Italian employer through the Decreto Flussi quotas or an EU Blue Card.

Who it's for: People with a job offer from an Italian company.

Requirements

The employer requests a nulla osta (work clearance) from the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione
Decreto Flussi: annual quotas allocated on 'click days', which are very competitive
EU Blue Card: a university degree (or equivalent experience), a salary above the national threshold and a contract of 6+ months. It is outside the quotas
Some highly skilled roles (researchers, professors, intra-company transfers) are also outside the quotas

Timeline: Nulla osta 1–3 months, then the visa; often 3–6 months overall
Approximate cost: €116 visa fee plus the permit; the employer handles most costs
Can you work?: Yes, for the sponsoring employer (Blue Card holders gain mobility after 12 months)
Path to permanent: EU long-term permit after 5 years (Blue Card time can be combined across EU countries), then citizenship after 10 years

Pros

Local salary, pension and full employee rights
The Blue Card is fast for tech and engineering

Cons

Italian is usually required
Local pay is lower than US pay (software engineers earn €35–65k)

Official source: integrazionemigranti.gov.it

General information as of autumn 2026, not legal advice. Requirements vary by consulate. Confirm with yours or with a licensed Italian immigration lawyer.