📌 Seasonal Work and Residence Permits: an important clarification

 📌 Seasonal Work and Residence Permits: an important clarification

With a judgment issued on 5 February 2026 (no. 217), the Regional Administrative Court of Emilia-Romagna reaffirmed a key principle that is still widely misunderstood: foreign nationals who enter Italy with a seasonal work visa are not entitled to a residence permit for “waiting for employment.”

Seasonal work is governed by a specific legal framework, clearly distinct from ordinary employment. If the employment relationship is not properly established or comes to an end, the visa and the work authorisation lose their legal effect and cannot be converted into a permit allowing the person to stay in Italy while looking for another job. Administrative guidelines cannot override clear statutory rules.

This ruling confirms a consolidated line of case law and serves as a necessary warning against unrealistic expectations and unnecessary litigation, which often have serious personal consequences for the individuals involved.

👉 The full judgment is available here:
https://www.calameo.com/books/008079775493de16d3a2d

Avv. Fabio Loscerbo