If you are hoping to work on a farm in Italy in 2027, you have probably seen the date 12 January 2027 shared all over social media. The date is real. But many people misunderstand what it means, and that misunderstanding can cost them money.
This guide explains what the date is, who it is for, and what you can do now. For more practical updates on working abroad, you can also follow the latest posts on our homepage.
What Is the Decreto Flussi?
The Decreto Flussi (also called the Flows Decree) is the Italian government’s system for allowing a set number of non-EU workers to enter the country each year for work. It sets quotas by type of work, and applications are submitted through an online portal during fixed windows known as “click days.”
For 2027, Italy has planned 165,850 entries for non-EU workers, with four click days between January and February 2027. The decree is part of a wider plan covering 2026 to 2028, with 497,550 entries authorised over three years.
The Key Dates for 2027
Here are the dates that matter for agricultural work:
- 23 October 2026: Employers can start preparing (pre-filling) their applications through the ALI portal.
- 7 December 2026: The pre-filling period for agricultural businesses ends.
- 9 to 13 December 2026: The portal reopens only so employers can complete and save applications they have already entered. New applications cannot be added.
- 12 January 2027, 9:00 a.m.: Click day for seasonal agricultural work, the first click day of the year.
The other click days follow shortly after:
- 9 February 2027: Seasonal tourism work
- 16 February 2027: Non-seasonal employment
- 18 February 2027: Family care and assistance work
The operational rules are set out in an official interministerial circular (no. 7185) dated 1 October 2026. You can read the Ministry of Labour’s announcement (in Italian) and a detailed breakdown of the circular.
The Most Important Point: Workers Do Not Apply on 12 January
This is where most of the confusion starts.
The 12 January click day is not a day when individual workers can apply for an Italian visa. It is the day when employers, or their authorised representatives, submit requests to bring foreign workers into Italy. According to Stranieri in Italia, seasonal agricultural requests are made using the C-Stag agricolo form.
In simple terms:
- An Italian employer prepares and submits a request for a worker.
- The authorities review it and, if it is approved, issue the work authorisation (the nulla osta).
- Only after that can the worker move on to the visa stage.
If you do not have an employer, there is nothing for you to submit on 12 January. If you are new to this topic, our homepage has more jobs to work abroad.
Why the Process Starts Before the Click Day
The pre-filling period from 23 October to 7 December exists so that employers can enter and check their data well ahead of time. Under the current system, much of the work happens before the click day itself. By 12 January, a serious employer’s application should already be prepared in the system.
For workers, this has a practical meaning. If a farm wants to hire from abroad for the 2027 season, that decision is usually being made now, not in January.
What You Can Do Right Now
You cannot control the quotas or the portal, but you can prepare.
1. Prepare a clear, honest CV
Keep it short and easy to read. Include:
- Your farm or agricultural experience, even if informal
- The crops or animals you have worked with
- Any machinery you can operate
- Your physical readiness for seasonal work
- Languages you speak, even basic Italian or English
2. Start looking for legitimate employers
A real employer is an actual Italian business that can be verified. Be careful with anyone who contacts you out of nowhere, refuses to share business details, or pressures you to decide quickly.
3. Research the type of agricultural work you can do
Seasonal farm work in Italy can include harvesting fruit, vegetables or grapes, planting, greenhouse work and packing. Different regions need workers at different times of year. Knowing what you can do makes you easier to place.
4. Check the eligibility rules for your country
Entry under the Decreto Flussi is tied to eligible countries, and the list can change from year to year. Reports on the 2027 plan mention a new opening for Kenya, for example. Always confirm your country’s status through official Italian government sources, not social media posts.
5. Avoid anyone promising a guaranteed visa for a fee
No agent, recruiter or “consultant” can guarantee a visa. Approval depends on:
- A real employer sponsoring you
- Your country and eligibility
- Available quotas
- A successful review by the Italian authorities
Warning signs of a scam include:
- Demands for large upfront payments
- “Guaranteed” approval or “100% success”
- Pressure to pay immediately or “lose your slot”
- Payments requested through personal accounts or untraceable methods
- No clear employer name, address or contract
For more tips on spotting fake job offers, visit our work abroad section.
Common Questions
Is 12 January the visa application date for workers?
No. It is the date when employers submit requests for seasonal agricultural workers.
Can I apply by myself?
Not through the click day. An employer must submit the request on your behalf.
Does applying on click day guarantee approval?
No. Quotas are limited, and every request is reviewed.
Is the preparation period still open?
As of 30 October 2026, yes. Pre-filling runs until 7 December 2026, with a short reopening from 9 to 13 December to complete and save applications already entered.
Can the dates change?
Yes. Governments can adjust schedules and rules, so check official sources regularly. One report on the schedule notes that the January date holds “barring changes”.
Final Thoughts
The 12 January 2027 click day is an important date, but it is only one step in a longer process that is already underway. If Italy is part of your 2027 plan, the smartest use of your time right now is to prepare your CV, research the work, look for genuine employers, and stay away from anyone selling guaranteed visas.
Prepare early, verify everything, and never pay for a promise.
Want more practical updates like this? Bookmark our homepage and check back regularly.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Dates, quotas and eligibility rules may change. Always confirm details with official sources such as Italy’s Ministry of Labour, the Ministry of the Interior, or an Italian embassy or consulate.
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