EU Blue Card (Italy)
🇮🇹 Italy visas · Work
What it is
For highly qualified professionals, bypasses the Decreto Flussi quota system. Requires a high-salary job offer and a university degree. The fastest and most reliable work route into Italy for skilled workers.
Key facts
- Category
- Work
- Duration
- 2 years, renewable. Permanent residence after 5 years.
- Processing time
- Up to 13 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 2 years
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Direct route
- Dependants
- Conditional
- How to apply
- Mixed
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (National long-stay visa, type D (lunga durata))
- EUR 116
Key requirements
- University degree of at least 3 years
- Employment contract for at least 1 year
- Annual gross salary of at least EUR 43,000 (or EUR 32,000 for shortage occupations)
- The employer does not need to prove no Italian worker was available
Working on this visa
Employer- and role-tied for the first twelve months (employer changes need prior authorisation); self-employment may be carried on in parallel; equal treatment with nationals otherwise.
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 4 August 2026.