---
title: "Italy Blue Card requirements 2026: 2-year stay"
url: https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/eu-blue-card/
lang: en
updated: 2026-10-11
---

Italy · Work

# Italy Blue Card

**First stay:** 2 yrs

EU Blue Card (Carta Blu UE, Art. 27-quater D.Lgs. 286/1998)

First checked against official sources on 11 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

- **First stay:** 2 yrs (Blue Card lasts two years for open-ended contracts; for fixed-term contracts it lasts the contract plus three months.)
- **Who can apply:** Most passports (Non-EU/EEA nationals)
- **Work:** Limited (Employment with the sponsoring employer; in the first 12 months only work that matches the admission conditions. The holder may look for a job when unemployed and may also work self-employed in parallel.)
- **Spouse work:** Can work (Family reunification is allowed whatever the length of the Blue Card permit; family members receive a family-reasons permit of the same duration as the Blue Card. Your spouse or partner may work in Italy without a separate permit.)
- **Tax angle:** Tax relief (Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income (Art. 24-bis TUIR, flat tax): Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years.)

## Key facts

Blue Card is a work route for Italy. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-11 against the official source.

- **Government fees:** €116 ≈ $130 · €30.46 ≈ $34
- **Processing:** Up to 30 days
- **First stay:** 2 yrs

## Cost, time and long term

To apply: 2 government fees listed below; decision: up to 30 days. No lawyer or agent fee is included.

**Government fees: €116 ≈ $130 · €30.46 ≈ $34**

- EUR 116 (≈ $130) National long-stay visa (type D) fee for work and family reasons, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate.
- EUR 30.46 (≈ $34) Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable.

**Renewal: Renewable**

The permit lasts two years for an open-ended contract, or the contract term plus three months. Request renewal at least 90 days before the permit expires; the Questura checks that the original conditions still apply.

[Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art27quater)

**Permanent residence: After 5 years of residence**

The EU long-term residence permit needs five years on a valid residence permit, income at least the annual social allowance, and an Italian language test; it is issued within 90 days.

[Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art9)

**Citizenship: After 10 years of residence**

Naturalisation needs 10 years of legal residence (4 years for EU citizens) and Italian at level B1 or above.

[Ministero dell'Interno](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/temi/concessione-della-cittadinanza-italiana-residenza-sul-territorio-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-9) [Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1992-02-05;91~art9)

**Processing: Up to 30 days**

The work clearance (nulla osta) is due within 30 days of the application, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases; the Blue Card permit follows within 30 days.

[Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art27quater)

**Where to apply: Abroad or in-country**

The employer applies for the clearance; a worker already staying lawfully in Italy can apply without living abroad, otherwise apply for the visa at the consulate.

[Normattiva](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art27quater)

## Why this route may not fit

Check this before you apply.

- Needs a job offer from an employer in Italy
- Work rights are limited
- Not open to EU, EEA or Swiss passports

### What you'll need

#### Who can apply

- A higher-education qualification of at least three years, or a post-secondary qualification at level 6 or above of the national framework.
- Alternatively, a qualification for a regulated profession under D.Lgs. 206/2007.
- Alternatively, a higher professional qualification shown by five years of experience comparable to a tertiary qualification.
- ICT managers and specialists (ISCO-08 133 and 25) need three years of relevant experience in the last seven years.

#### What you must show

- Annual gross salary at least the national collective-agreement level.
- Annual gross salary at least the ISTAT average annual gross salary, read from the contract or binding offer.

#### Documents

- Employment contract or binding job offer of at least six months in a job that needs the qualification.

#### Steps

1. The employer applies for the work nulla osta at the Sportello Unico, issued within 30 days.
2. Employers with a Ministry of the Interior protocol file a communication instead.

#### After you arrive

- The residence permit lasts two years for an open-ended contract, or the contract term plus three months.
- A change of employer in the first 12 months needs prior authorisation.

## What happens at day 183

How Italy decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.

- **Stay on this route:** **2 years at first, renewable**
- **Tax residence:** - **At least 183 days in a tax year (184 days in leap years)** A person who for most of the year (at least 183 days, 184 in leap years) satisfies at least one residence condition is resident in Italy for income tax.
- **Foreign-source income:** **Flat lump sum EUR 300,000** Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years.
- **Special regime:** **Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income** · Tax relief

[All tax rules for Italy](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/tax/) Tax records checked 10 Oct 2026

**Full official text**

Residence permit for highly qualified employees with a three-year higher-education qualification, a regulated-profession qualification or five years of comparable experience (three years for ICT managers and specialists); the employer applies for the work nulla osta. (sources 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)

#### What you must show and pay

- A fee of EUR 116 (≈ $130) · National long-stay visa (type D) fee for work and family reasons, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate. (source 5)
- A fee of EUR 30.46 (≈ $34) · Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable. (source 6)

#### Requirements

- A higher-education qualification of at least three years, or a post-secondary qualification at level 6 or above of the national framework. (sources 1, 2)
- Alternatively, a qualification for a regulated profession under D.Lgs. 206/2007. (sources 1, 2)
- Alternatively, a higher professional qualification shown by five years of experience comparable to a tertiary qualification. (sources 1, 2)
- ICT managers and specialists (ISCO-08 133 and 25) need three years of relevant experience in the last seven years. (sources 1, 2)
- Annual gross salary at least the national collective-agreement level. (sources 1, 2)
- Annual gross salary at least the ISTAT average annual gross salary, read from the contract or binding offer. (sources 1, 2)
- Employment contract or binding job offer of at least six months in a job that needs the qualification. (source 1)
- The employer applies for the work nulla osta at the Sportello Unico, issued within 30 days. (sources 1, 2)
- Employers with a Ministry of the Interior protocol file a communication instead. (sources 1, 2)
- The residence permit lasts two years for an open-ended contract, or the contract term plus three months. (sources 1, 2)
- A change of employer in the first 12 months needs prior authorisation. (source 1)

#### Stay

- Blue Card lasts two years for open-ended contracts; for fixed-term contracts it lasts the contract plus three months.
- Initial permitted stay: 24 months.
- Renewable, subject to the conditions in force at renewal.

#### Nationality

Non-EU/EEA nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

#### Work

Employment with the sponsoring employer; in the first 12 months only work that matches the admission conditions. The holder may look for a job when unemployed and may also work self-employed in parallel.

#### Family

Family reunification is allowed whatever the length of the Blue Card permit; family members receive a family-reasons permit of the same duration as the Blue Card. Your spouse or partner may work in Italy without a separate permit.

Checked 2026-10-11

## Official sources

1. [Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act), Art. 27-quater: EU Blue Card](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art27quater) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Joint circular of 28 March 2024 on the EU Blue Card (Directive 2021/1883)](https://www.lavoro.gov.it/temi-e-priorita-immigrazione/normativa/circolare-congiunta-prot.-n.-2829-del-28-marzo-2024) · Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Labour and Social Policies · checked 2026-10-11 · published 2024-03-28
3. [EU Blue Card (Art. 27-quater D.Lgs. 286/1998)](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/la-carta-blu-ue-art-27quater-dlgs-28698-ingresso-lavoratori-altamente-qualificati) · Ministry of the Interior · checked 2026-10-10
4. [The visa for Italy: long-stay visa types (investors, self-employment, subordinate work, elective residence, research, study, working holiday)](https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home.aspx) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Cost for a visa and how to pay](https://ambaddisabeba.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/quanto-costa-un-visto-e-come-pagare/) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa) · checked 2026-10-11
6. [How, where and how much: applying for a residence permit](https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/come-dove-e-quanto-costa) · State Police (Polizia di Stato) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 30: residence permit for family reasons](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art30) · Normattiva (Italian Government) · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art5) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 9 (EU long-term resident permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
10. [Citizenship by residence, Art. 9 of Law 91/1992](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/temi/concessione-della-cittadinanza-italiana-residenza-sul-territorio-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-9) · Ministero dell'Interno · checked 2026-10-11
11. [Law 91/1992, Art. 9.1 (Italian language level B1 for citizenship)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1992-02-05;91~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11

## Blue Card and its alternatives

| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Blue Card | – | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Work visa (Decreto Flussi)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/work-decreto-flussi/) | – | – | – |
| [Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/portugal/eu-blue-card/) Portugal | Needs income from €1,726 a month ≈ $1,930 | 2 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [Employee visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/spain/employee-visa/) Spain | – | 1 yr, renewable | Limited |
| [D1 work / business visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/georgia/d1-work-business-visa/) Georgia | – | 1 yr, renewable | – |

## Questions people ask

### How much money do I need for the Blue Card?

A fee of EUR 116 (≈ $130). National long-stay visa (type D) fee for work and family reasons, payable in local currency at the consular exchange rate. A fee of EUR 30.46 (≈ $34). Cost of the electronic residence permit card for a permit longer than 90 days; a contribution of EUR 40, (≈ $45) 50 or 100 depending on permit duration or type and a EUR 16 (≈ $18) tax stamp are also payable.

### How long can I stay on the Blue Card?

Blue Card lasts two years for open-ended contracts; for fixed-term contracts it lasts the contract plus three months.

### How long does the Blue Card take to process?

The work clearance (nulla osta) is due within 30 days of the application, extendable by 30 in exceptional cases; the Blue Card permit follows within 30 days.

### Can I work on the Blue Card?

Limited. Employment with the sponsoring employer; in the first 12 months only work that matches the admission conditions.

### Can I bring my family on the Blue Card?

Family reunification is allowed whatever the length of the Blue Card permit; family members receive a family-reasons permit of the same duration as the Blue Card.

### Who can apply for the Blue Card?

Non-EU/EEA nationals Not open to: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Switzerland, Cyprus, Czechia, Germany, Denmark, Estonia, Spain, Finland, France, Greece, Croatia, Hungary, Ireland, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Latvia, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovenia, Slovakia.

### Does the Blue Card lead to permanent residence in Italy?

Time on the Blue Card counts toward permanent residence in Italy, which the rules allow after 5 years of residence. Time on the Blue Card counts toward citizenship, which the rules allow after 10 years of residence.

### Is there a tax break for Blue Card holders in Italy?

Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income (Art. 24-bis TUIR, flat tax): Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years. It's separate from the visa and has its own conditions.

## Tax

Special regime

### [Substitute tax for new residents on foreign-source income (Art. 24-bis TUIR, flat tax)](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/tax/#tax-it-new-residents-foreign-income-substitute-tax)

Tax relief

Foreign-source income: Flat lump sum EUR 300,000

**Details**

- Who: Not resident in Italy for at least nine of the ten tax periods before the option starts
- Limit: €300k/yr ≈ $335k

Optional annual lump sum replacing Italian tax on foreign-source income: EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000) for people transferring residence from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025), EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) for transfers between 11 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, EUR100,000 (≈ $112,000) for earlier transfers; the effect ends after fifteen years.

#### Taxed on

Foreign-source income of eligible individuals who transfer residence to Italy; Italian-source income is taxed under ordinary rules.

#### Who it applies to

- Not resident in Italy for at least nine of the ten tax periods before the option starts.
- The option is made in the tax return for the transfer year or the next one; an advance ruling request (interpello) is possible.
- Family members who meet the same residence test can be added at EUR50,000 (≈ $55,900) each a year from 1 January 2026 (EUR25,000 (≈ $27,900) for earlier cohorts).
- The option can exclude chosen foreign states, whose income is then taxed under ordinary rules with a foreign tax credit.

#### Exclusions

- Italian-source income stays under ordinary taxation.
- Gains on substantial participations (Art. 67(1)(c) TUIR) realised in the first five option periods are outside the lump sum.
- Revocation or loss of the option (for example for non-payment) bars a new option.

#### Limits

- EUR 300,000 a year (≈ $335,000) · Main taxpayer: residence transferred from 1 January 2026 (Law 199/2025 art. 1 paras. 25-26 raised EUR200,000 (≈ $223,000) to EUR300,000 (≈ $335,000))
- EUR 50,000 a year (≈ $55,900) · Per family member, residence transferred from 1 January 2026
- EUR 200,000 a year (≈ $223,000) · Main taxpayer: residence transferred 11 August 2024 to 31 December 2025
- EUR 25,000 a year (≈ $27,900) · Per family member, transfers before 1 January 2026
- EUR 100,000 a year (≈ $112,000) · Main taxpayer: transfers before 11 August 2024

#### Tax residence

The cohort is set by the date residence is transferred to Italy. The lump sum is paid in one instalment by the balance-payment deadline, and the option lapses after fifteen tax periods.

#### Visas

No visa is needed for the election; it is a tax option.

#### Other taxes

Italian VAT, social contributions and local taxes are separate.

Checked against official sources on 10 Oct 2026 [Change log](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/)

[Full page →](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/tax/)

## More in Italy

[Working Holiday · Australia](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/working-holiday-australia/) [Working Holiday · Canada](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/working-holiday-canada/) [Working Holiday · Japan](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/working-holiday-japan/) [Working Holiday · New Zealand](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/working-holiday-new-zealand/) [Digital nomad visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/digital-nomad-remote-worker/) [Startup Visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/startup-visa/) [Self-employment visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/self-employment/) [Student visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/italy/study-visa/)

## Work visas elsewhere

[🇬🇷 Large-company director permit](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/greece/company-executive-b3/) [🇩🇪 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/germany/eu-blue-card/) [🇫🇷 Talent · Company officer](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/france/talent-corporate-officer/) [🇬🇧 Graduate visa](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/united-kingdom/graduate-visa/) [🇳🇱 Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/netherlands/eu-blue-card/) [🇨🇾 EU Blue Card](https://settleanywhere.com/countries/cyprus/eu-blue-card/)

≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.

## How this was checked

**Checked on 2026-10-11 against 11 official sources.** Status: verified against the official sources.

Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.

1. [Legislative Decree 286/1998 (Consolidated Immigration Act), Art. 27-quater: EU Blue Card](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art27quater) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-10
2. [Joint circular of 28 March 2024 on the EU Blue Card (Directive 2021/1883)](https://www.lavoro.gov.it/temi-e-priorita-immigrazione/normativa/circolare-congiunta-prot.-n.-2829-del-28-marzo-2024) · Ministry of the Interior and Ministry of Labour and Social Policies · checked 2026-10-11
3. [EU Blue Card (Art. 27-quater D.Lgs. 286/1998)](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/la-carta-blu-ue-art-27quater-dlgs-28698-ingresso-lavoratori-altamente-qualificati) · Ministry of the Interior · checked 2026-10-10
4. [The visa for Italy: long-stay visa types (investors, self-employment, subordinate work, elective residence, research, study, working holiday)](https://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home.aspx) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs · checked 2026-10-10
5. [Cost for a visa and how to pay](https://ambaddisabeba.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/servizi-per-il-cittadino-straniero/visti/quanto-costa-un-visto-e-come-pagare/) · Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (Italian Embassy in Addis Ababa) · checked 2026-10-11
6. [How, where and how much: applying for a residence permit](https://www.poliziadistato.it/articolo/come-dove-e-quanto-costa) · State Police (Polizia di Stato) · checked 2026-10-11
7. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 30: residence permit for family reasons](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art30) · Normattiva (Italian Government) · checked 2026-10-12
8. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 5 (residence permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art5) · Normattiva · checked 2026-10-11
9. [Legislative Decree 286/1998, Art. 9 (EU long-term resident permit)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:1998-07-25;286~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11
10. [Citizenship by residence, Art. 9 of Law 91/1992](https://libertaciviliimmigrazione.dlci.interno.gov.it/temi/concessione-della-cittadinanza-italiana-residenza-sul-territorio-italiano-ai-sensi-dellart-9) · Ministero dell'Interno · checked 2026-10-11
11. [Law 91/1992, Art. 9.1 (Italian language level B1 for citizenship)](https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:legge:1992-02-05;91~art9) · Normattiva (Presidenza del Consiglio dei ministri) · checked 2026-10-11

Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the [changes page](https://settleanywhere.com/changes/), and the [methodology page](https://settleanywhere.com/methodology/) explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email [contact@stayglobe.app](mailto:contact@stayglobe.app?subject=Correction) with a link to the official source.