20 January 2026

On Tuesday, 20 January 2026, the Council of Ministers approved, in preliminary examination, a legislative decree implementing Directive (EU) 2024/1233 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 24 April 2024 on a single application procedure for a single permit allowing third-country nationals to reside and work in the territory of a Member State and on a common set of rights for third-country workers legally residing in a Member State.

The decree radically simplifies the administrative process for applying for a single permit, reducing the maximum time limit for completing the issuance procedure to 90 days, except in exceptional cases. Among the main changes, a transparency obligation is introduced for employers, who must promptly inform foreign workers of any communication relating to the permit. In addition, the measure ensures greater flexibility in the labour market: foreign nationals holding a single permit will be able to change employers during the period of validity of the permit, subject to notification to the competent authorities. In the event of unemployment, the permit will not be revoked, allowing the worker to remain in the country for a minimum period of three months to seek new employment, thus strengthening protections against labour exploitation and promoting regular integration.