The EU Blue Card in Italy

The Carta blu UE (art. 27-quater TU, rewritten in 2023 to implement Directive 2021/1883) is the main work route for highly qualified non-EU hires — outside the decreto flussi quotas, with no click-days. Facts verified 22 July 2026; orientation, not legal advice.

The requirements

• One of: a 3-year tertiary degree, a ≥3-year post-secondary qualification (EQF level 6), regulated-profession recognition, 5 years of comparable professional experience, or 3 of the last 7 years in ICT-specialist roles
• A contract proposal or binding job offer of at least 6 months for a highly qualified role
• Gross annual salary at least at the collective-agreement (CCNL) level and not below the ISTAT average gross annual salary (≈ €36,300 per the ministry FAQ)
• Qualification documents legalised/apostilled with Italian translation (Dichiarazione di Valore or CIMEA attestation for degrees); experience proven by contracts and payslips

Two things the 2023 reform changed that older articles miss: a degree is no longer mandatory (five years of comparable experience qualifies — three for ICT specialists), and the minimum offer length dropped to 6 months. There is no fixed euro salary floor in the law: the bar is the collective agreement plus the ISTAT average wage.

How it works

1. Your employer files the nulla osta (modello BC) with the Sportello Unico — decision due within 30 days since the 2025 simplification law. A labour-market check applies, waived if you already hold a highly-qualified-work permit.
2. With the nulla osta, you get the type D visa at the consulate — or, if you are already legally in Italy (including on study, research, or protection permits), you can apply without leaving.
3. The Questura issues the permesso "Carta blu UE": 2 years with a permanent contract, otherwise contract length + 3 months; renewable.

Rights and the road to permanence

• First 12 months: you work the highly qualified job the card was issued for; employer changes need labour-inspectorate authorisation (silent assent in 15 days). After that, equal treatment with nationals — parallel self-employment included.
• Losing the job doesn't lose the card: registered job-seeking is protected, with at least a year to find new work.
• Family: reunification regardless of the card's duration, with family permits issued alongside (the general 2-year prior-residence rule for spouses/parents has no verified Blue Card carve-out — check your prefettura's current practice).
• EU mobility: short assignments in Italy on another state's Blue Card (90 days in 180), and easier long-term moves after 12 months elsewhere.
• Permanence, faster in spirit: a dedicated route (art. 9-ter) grants EU long-term residence after 5 years as a Blue Card holder across member states — cumulated, with the last 2 years in Italy.