The Italian Navy is opening 2.500 positions for Initial Term Volunteers for 2027: a national competition.

The Italian Navy is offering a great opportunity for young people to enter the public sector: a national public competition for 2.500 Initial Term Volunteers (VFI) through 2027. The initiative envisages placement in naval units and Port Authorities, divided into two groups and an initial application window set for the end of October 2026.

What is it about

This is a fixed-term recruitment program that allows eligible young Italians to enter military service for an initial term defined by armed forces regulations. The total of 2.500 positions is divided among different operational areas: 1.680 positions in the first block and 820 in the second, with provisional assignment to naval components (CEMM) and Port Authorities. The goal is to create a continuous supply of personnel capable of training and operating in maritime, surveillance, and rescue contexts, strengthening a pool of suitable candidates for further training and subsequent stabilization within the armed forces.

The professional figure

The desired profile is that of an Initial Fixed-Term Volunteer (VFI). The program includes entry into naval units or Port Authorities, with the possibility of specialization. Among the options indicated by the recruitment process are roles in naval aviation, divers, raiders, submariners, and maritime rescuers, as well as positions related to the support and control of port activities. A psychological, physical, and aptitude selection process and initial training are required to prepare candidates to operate in complex environments, with tests and assessments tailored to the technical profile and operational behavior required in the maritime and naval sectors. The operational details and final specializations will be defined along the way, based on the needs of the various units.

Essentially, the VFIs represent a gateway for young people into the world of the Navy, with the opportunity to develop technical and operational skills in naval contexts or related to port coordination, up to possible post-recruitment specialization paths.

The main requirements

To participate in the competition, candidates must meet a series of requirements common to military selections. Among the most relevant:

• Italian citizenship or equivalent status provided by law;
• Enjoyment of political and civil rights;
• Age between 18 and 24 (born between October 24, 2002 and October 24, 2008, inclusive);
• Middle school diploma (license); for the aircraft component, a high school diploma valid for university enrollment is required;
• Not have criminal convictions or be subject to preventive measures and not have non-culpable convictions;
• Physical, psychological and attitudinal suitability for military service and absence of addictions to alcohol or non-therapeutic drugs;
• Not already be serving as a volunteer in the Armed Forces;
• A 10% reserve of places is provided for specific categories pursuant to Article 702 of the Military Code.

In addition to the general requirements, the official announcement specifies that certain roles, such as the aircraft operator, require a different and specific level of education. The actual operational activities and assigned tasks will be clarified during the training and specific assessment phases.

Contract, location and prospects

The role is an Initial Fixed-Term Service (VFI), with a term established by military regulations. Operational locations may include naval units, Navy bases, and Port Authorities, with psychological and physical certifications and aptitude tests determining final assignment. The full program, once completed, includes a full-fledged training and service career that may lead to permanent employment or, in some cases, further professional development within the national defense system.

Regarding compensation, the announcement does not specify salary or any allowances. This aspect, like other contractual details, remains to be confirmed in the official announcement text and on the Defense Competitions Portal.

How the selection works

The selection process is complex and involves several phases. Generally, it begins with an evaluation of qualifications and the creation of a provisional ranking. This is followed by a call for psychological, physical, and aptitude assessments, with tests designed to verify physical fitness, endurance, and aptitude for a naval operational environment. Specific assessments are required for certain roles: in the naval and Port Authorities sectors, physical fitness tests and technical aptitude tests may be conducted. Some phases, such as those dedicated to specialized personnel (e.g., commandos, submariners, deep-sea divers, rescuers), require more complex selection processes and suitability assessments tailored to the required profile.

Applications are submitted exclusively online through the Defense Competitions Portal. Digital authentication tools such as SPID, CIE, or CNS are required to access the system and submit the application.

The start date and management of the initial deadlines vary depending on the recruitment blocks. The published version assumes a first important deadline: October 24, 2026, at 23:59 PM for Block 1. For the second block, the application submission windows will be indicated in the official text and in subsequent communications on the Defense Portal.

Deadline and how to apply

Main deadline: October 24, 2026, at 23:59 PM for the first tranche of applications (block 1). Applications are conducted online on the Defense Competitions Portal, where you can upload the required documents and track your application status. After the initial application, additional blocks may open with different deadlines; the deadlines and submission procedures for block 2 and subsequent phases will be announced on the official portal and in the call for applications.

Before submitting your application, it's helpful to check a few practical details. First, make sure you meet the indicated age and educational qualification requirements; have your electronic or certified identity documents (SPID/CIE/CNS) available for access, and a digital copy of your qualifications. It's important to consult the official application page for any additional information regarding the required documents and any mandatory attachments. For positions for aircraft components, check specific additional educational requirements.

The application process often includes a qualifications assessment, followed by psychological, physical, and aptitude tests, and, in some locations, physical examinations. For this reason, candidates should schedule the medical examination or required tests in advance, especially if they are from regions far from the Taranto office, where assessments are required for certain categories.

What to know before submitting your application

• The procedure is online and requires SPID/CIE/CNS; prepare a valid and up-to-date digital login.
• Please note the initial expiration date: October 24, 2026, at 23:59 PM for Block 1; any subsequent blocks will be posted on the official portal.
• Check any diploma required for the aircraft component (high school diploma valid for university enrollment).
• Follow the test instructions: they may include psychological and physical assessments and aptitude tests; Taranto is recommended for some phases.
• Prepare identity and educational documents in digital format, as well as any eligibility certificates.
• Please check the Defense Competitions Portal and the official call page periodically for updates on any subsequent restrictions.

In short, this is an ambitious national competition aimed at providing the armed forces with a significant number of young people, offering a concrete opportunity to enter the public sector and receive specialized training in the maritime sector. The initiative is part of a nationwide recruitment framework, with transparent procedures and complex yet well-defined selection stages, typical of public competitions at this level.

Original source of the offer: Go to the official announcement or tender.