Appointments for the elderly over 80 and disabled individuals are available at no cost.

In a significant move, the Italian government has introduced new measures to facilitate the entry and stay of foreign workers in the family assistance and socio-health sectors. These measures are aimed at helping people with disabilities and those over 80 years old who require care.

The new decree, Decree 243/2025/ND-CP, includes a series of urgent provisions relating to the regular entry of workers and foreign citizens, as well as the management of the migratory phenomenon. One of the key changes is the abolishment of the work permit requirement for the mentioned categories.

The specific procedure for hiring requests is confirmed, which must be presented to the Single Immigration Desk (SUI) through employment agencies or employers' associations that have signed the collective labor agreement for the domestic sector. This procedure has been found to avoid the instrumental use of this entry channel.

The region with the highest ratio of caregivers to people over 60 is Sardegna, with 24.5%, followed by Toscana (13.5%), Marche (13.4%), Friuli-Venezia Giulia (12.7%), Emilia-Romagna, and Umbria (11.9%).

Hiring requests can be presented by the spouse or by a relative or affine of the assisted person up to the second degree. In the case of people with severe disabilities, this can also be done by a relative up to the third degree of the employer, even if not cohabiting, resident in Italy.

Workers in the first 12 months of employment must exclusively perform work activities consistent with the admission conditions. After the first year, a residence permit for work reasons outside the quotas set by the flows decree may be issued to the interested party for a duration of one year. During this period, workers can change employers, but this passage must be authorized by the competent territorial labor inspectors.

Up to 19% of the expenses incurred for hiring a home care assistant can be deducted from IRPEF up to a maximum of 2,100 euros per year, resulting in a maximum benefit of 399 euros. The cost of a full-time live-in caregiver generally varies between 1,300 and 1,900 euros per month.

Zini, the minister in charge of the new measures, suggests extending these measures to all procedures, including ordinary ones. However, the hiring of the spouse and the relative or affine up to the third degree of the employer is not allowed.

The government believes that these changes will help reduce the waiting times for the arrival of workers in Italy. The Click Day for the domestic sector in 2026 is scheduled for February 18, but Zini believes that this should be surpassed in this sector due to the long waiting times for the arrival of workers in Italy.

It's important to note that at the end of the residence permit, renewal must be requested directly from the police headquarters. Renewal is not automatic and requires a separate application process.

In Italy, 8.8 million people live alone, with over 60 years accounting for 55.2% of this category. These new measures are expected to help address the growing need for caregivers and domestic workers in the country.

In conclusion, the Italian government's decision to liberalize the hiring of extra-community caregivers and domestic workers is a significant step towards improving the quality of life for the elderly and disabled population in Italy. The new measures are expected to streamline the hiring process, reduce waiting times, and provide financial incentives for employers.

Appointments for the elderly over 80 and disabled individuals are available at no cost.