Seasonal Permit Conversion: Court Confirms the 39-Day Requirement

 Seasonal Permit Conversion: Court Confirms the 39-Day Requirement

A recent ruling by the Regional Administrative Court of Tuscany provides important clarification on the legal requirements for converting a seasonal residence permit into a standard subordinate work permit in Italy.

The judgment, delivered by the Second Section as decision no. 329 of 2026 and published on 11 February 2026, focuses on the interpretation of Article 24, paragraph 10, of Legislative Decree no. 286 of 1998, the key provision governing the conversion of seasonal permits.

Under Italian law, a seasonal worker may request conversion if two conditions are met: first, the worker must have carried out regular employment in Italy for at least three months; second, there must be a valid job offer for subordinate employment, either fixed-term or open-ended.

The legal debate concerned how to interpret the “three months” requirement in the agricultural sector, where work is often discontinuous and strongly affected by weather conditions. Administrative circulars have translated this period into a concrete benchmark: an average of at least thirteen working days per month, for a total of thirty-nine days over three months.

In the case examined by the Court, the applicant had not reached this threshold. He argued that adverse weather conditions had prevented him from working enough days. The administration rejected the request, and the matter was brought before the administrative court.

The Court upheld the refusal. It ruled that converting the three-month requirement into a minimum number of working days does not contradict the statute, but rather ensures that the purpose of the law is respected: guaranteeing real and effective employment experience before granting a more stable residence status.

The decision also emphasizes the importance of evidence. Claims based on exceptional circumstances, such as bad weather, must be supported by precise and documented proof. General statements are not sufficient.

The full text of the judgment is available on Calaméo:
https://www.calameo.com/books/008079775c59a953c4ae6

Avv. Fabio Loscerbo