Administrative Error in the Decree Flows System: TAR Puglia Orders the Issuance of the Residence Permit “Now for Then”
With a decision of significant systemic relevance, the Regional Administrative Court of Puglia – Third Section, published on 24 December 2025, addressed an issue that for years has generated litigation and uncertainty in practice: the management of entry quotas for seasonal work and the legal consequences of errors attributable to the Public Administration.
The case concerns non-EU nationals who lawfully entered Italy under the decree flows system, following the issuance of seasonal work authorisations. At a later stage, the Administration revoked those measures, alleging that the quotas had been exceeded and attributing the entry to an “IT error” or a material mistake. This led to the refusal of the residence permit and to the initiation of judicial proceedings.
The Court adopted a clear legal position: the verification of quota availability must be carried out ex ante, before the foreign worker’s entry, not ex post. Allowing entry and subsequently denying the residence permit on the ground of insufficient quotas effectively shifts onto the foreign national the consequences of an administrative malfunction for which they bear no responsibility. According to the Court, such an approach lacks legal rationality and is incompatible with the principles of fairness and proper administration.
The judgment upholds the appeal within the limits of the request for the issuance of a seasonal residence permit with “now for then” validity, recognising the applicants’ residual interest in regularising their legal status, also with a view to possible future administrative procedures. At the same time, the Court confirms—consistently with established case law—that a residence permit for job-seeking purposes cannot be granted in the context of seasonal work, as this is expressly excluded by the applicable legislation.
The ruling goes beyond the individual case. On the one hand, it reaffirms the Administration’s responsibility in managing migration flows; on the other, it safeguards the legitimate expectations of those who entered Italy on the basis of valid and effective administrative acts. In a context where the decree flows system is increasingly central to the labour market, yet structurally fragile from an organisational standpoint, this decision sets an important benchmark.
The full text of the judgment is available in the Calameo publication, which can be consulted at the following link and is intended for legal practitioners, scholars and professionals in the field:
https://www.calameo.com/books/008079775616a5b14b842
Avv. Fabio Loscerbo
