Working Abroad in Italy: Everything You Need to Know Before Moving

Italy has a way of pulling you in. The coffee, the chaos, the architecture, the pasta. It’s all intoxicating. But if you’re planning to work in Italy, not just vacation there, you’ll quickly realize the dream comes with paperwork, patience, and a learning curve (usually in Italian).

For EU citizens, working here is refreshingly simple. There's no visa or red tape. For non-EU citizens, the process can be bureaucratic, but it’s not impossible. And once you settle in? The trade-off that includes good food, community, and slower living often feels very worth it.

Let’s unpack what working in Italy really looks like, from visas and industries to cost of living, salaries, and culture.

Why Work in Italy?

When people talk about the benefits of working in Italy, they usually mean the lifestyle. And that’s fair. But there’s more to it. Italy’s economy is diverse, its industries are evolving, and its appreciation for balance (and beauty) makes work feel different here.

Here’s why many EU citizens and expats choose to work abroad in Italy:

• A lifestyle that’s rich (even if your salary isn’t). Italians don’t measure wealth by job titles. They measure it by time, food, and relationships. That mindset can feel refreshing if you’re burnt out from more corporate cultures. Expect long lunches, evening walks, and real weekends.

  
  

• Growing demand for international talent. Despite a slower economy, there’s a steady need for multilingual professionals in tourism, tech, design, fashion, logistics, and renewable energy. If you’re looking for jobs for foreigners in Italy, focus on cities like Milan, Rome, Florence, or Bologna.

  
  

• EU access and easy relocation for Europeans. EU/EEA citizens don’t need a visa or permit to live and work here. You can move freely, start job hunting immediately, and benefit from the same employment rights as locals.

  
  

• An economy built on creativity and craftsmanship. Italy’s industries value detail, design, and innovation. Whether you’re in marketing, fashion, or product development, you’ll find workplaces that still care about craft, not just speed.

Now that you know what makes moving to Italy worthwhile, let's cover the legal part of working abroad—work permits and visas.

Work Visa & Eligibility Requirements for Italy

Before applying, make sure you understand how work permits in Italy work. The rules differ for EU and non-EU citizens.

Visa-Free Rules for EU/EEA Citizens

If you’re from the EU, EEA, or Switzerland, you’re in luck. You can work in Italy without a visa or permit. You’ll just need to:

• Register your residence locally within 3 months of arrival.

• Obtain a Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code)—essential for jobs, housing, and healthcare. Once that’s done, you’re legally ready to work.

Visa Options for Non-EU Citizens

If you’re from outside the EU, you’ll need a work visa and residence permit before you can start your job. Here are the main pathways:

1. National Work Visa (Type D): Issued when you have a job offer from an Italian employer who’s authorized to hire foreign workers under the annual “Decreto Flussi” (flow decree). These quotas open once a year, so timing matters.

   
   

2. EU Blue Card: Designed for highly qualified professionals with a university degree and an employment offer of at least €25,000/year. It offers easier renewal and allows movement across EU countries later on.

   
   

3. Digital Nomad Visa: Launched in 2024, this new route lets remote workers or freelancers stay for up to a year (renewable). You’ll need proof of self-employment, valid health insurance, and income of roughly €2,500/month.

   
   

4. Self-Employment Visa: For entrepreneurs or freelancers who can prove professional qualifications and financial stability. Approval can take time ( sometimes months!), so plan ahead.

Always check the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs website or your local Italian consulate for the latest updates.

Getting Sponsored by an Employer in Italy

Getting an employer sponsorship in Italy is possible, but not very common, especially for smaller businesses. International companies and large organizations (like Amazon, IBM, or Ferrero) are more likely to handle visa sponsorship.

Your best bet is to look for roles that mention “relocation package” or “international mobility.” Even if it’s not explicit, mention in your cover letter that you’re “open to relocation and familiar with the Italian visa process.” That signals you know what’s involved.

How to Find a Job in Italy as a Foreigner

Let’s get one thing out of the way: finding a job in Italy is hard.

But it's not hard because there are no jobs. It’s hard because hiring here runs on relationships, language, and timing. It’s not a “click apply and wait” kind of country. It’s more of a “build trust, show consistency, and follow up twice” kind of system.

If you accept that and work with the culture instead of against it, you can absolutely build a solid career here. Here’s how.

Best Job Boards for English-Speaking Roles in Italy

If you’re looking for English-speaking jobs in Italy, the right mix is using both global and local sources.

• LinkedIn Jobs (Italy filter): Your main tool for international and bilingual positions. Milan, Rome, and Bologna post the most roles.💡 Tip: switch your LinkedIn profile language to Italian — it helps recruiters find you in both searches.

• InfoJobs & Indeed.it: Dominant local job boards. Many companies post exclusively here, often in Italian.

• Europe Language Jobs: Great for multilingual candidates in customer service, support, or sales.

• Glassdoor, Monster.it, and Jobrapido: Ideal for corporate and mid-career roles.

• Expat.com & JustLanded: Helpful for short-term, seasonal, or teaching positions.

You’ll find some roles posted in English, but many are hidden behind Italian-language listings. The best thing you can do? Apply anyway.

Top Industries for Foreigners in Italy

Italy’s job market is old-school in some ways, but also quietly globalizing. These are the sectors where expats actually get hired — not just theoretically, but in practice.

• Tourism & hospitality: Hotels, travel agencies, and luxury resorts hire multilingual staff constantly, especially during peak season (April–October). EU citizens can often land jobs within weeks.

  
  

• Fashion, design & creative industries: Milan remains the epicenter of European fashion. International brands and agencies need English-speaking designers, merchandisers, and marketing specialists.

  
  

• Technology & startups: Italy’s tech scene is smaller than Berlin’s or Amsterdam’s, but growing fast in Milan and Turin. Startups often operate in English and hire developers, UX designers, and data analysts remotely or in hybrid setups.

  
  

• Education & training: Private schools, universities, and language centers hire native English speakers every semester. Even with basic Italian, you can find roles teaching adults or business professionals.

  
  

• Engineering, energy & green tech: Italy’s renewable energy and manufacturing sectors are booming. Multinationals like ENEL, Eni, and Leonardo often recruit engineers and project managers internationally.

Biggest Companies Hiring International Professionals

Cost of Living, Taxes & Salaries in Italy

Okay, it's time to talk numbers. because the Italian job market looks very different depending on where you live.

Average Salaries for Expats in Italy

• Customer service or admin: €1,200–€1,700/month

• Marketing or IT: €2,000–€3,200/month

• Engineering or finance: €2,500–€4,000/month

• Teaching (private schools): €1,200–€2,000/month

Milan and Rome pay the most, but they’re also the most expensive. In smaller cities like Bologna, Bari, or Palermo, salaries are lower but so are expenses. You can live comfortably on €1,800–€2,000/month.

Monthly Living Costs in Major Cities

You can live well on a modest salary if you pick the right city. For most expats, the “sweet spot” is a mid-sized city with enough opportunity, without Milan-level prices.

Tax Rates, Social Contributions & Employee Benefits

Italy’s tax system is progressive. The more you earn, the higher your rate.

• 23% on income up to €15,000

• 27% from €15,001–€28,000

• 38% from €28,001–€55,000

• 41% from €55,001–€75,000

• 43% above €75,000

Employees contribute around 9–10% to social security, and employers cover about 30%. Full-time employees typically get 13–14 monthly salary payments, with an extra “13th month” in December (and sometimes a 14th in summer).

Health insurance is public. (Believe it or not, most locals never use private coverage.)

Working Culture in Italy

The work culture in Italy blends passion with pragmatism. It’s not as relaxed as Spain, nor as rigid as Germany. It sits somewhere in the middle.

Here’s what to expect day to day.

Work Hours, Holidays & Leave Policies

The standard workweek is 40 hours, Monday to Friday. Most offices run from 9:00–6:00 (with a 1–2 hour lunch break). August is sacred. Expect slow responses and half-empty offices as the country collectively goes on vacation. Employees get at least 20 days of paid vacation, plus 12–14 public holidays, depending on the region.

Typical Employee Benefits

• Public healthcare (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) is automatically covered by your social contributions.

• Annual bonuses (13th or 14th salary), depending on your sector.

• Meal vouchers (buoni pasto) are common.

• Maternity and parental leave are generous compared to other EU countries.

Some international firms also offer remote work flexibility, but traditional companies still prefer in-person collaboration.

Work Culture, Communication & Management Style

Italians value trust, relationships, and initiative. You’ll often start meetings with casual conversation. Communication tends to be indirect but warm, and decisions often take time because hierarchy and consensus both matter.

Don’t mistake the slower pace for inefficiency. It’s just a different rhythm. The same culture that takes its time deciding also celebrates wins together. You’ll find colleagues who’ll become friends, lunches that turn into memories, and a sense that work, while important, isn’t life itself.

Pros and Cons of Living and Working in Italy

Italy sells a beautiful dream: world-class food, art on every corner, weekend trips to the sea or the Alps, and a lifestyle that actually makes room for living. And yes, those parts are real. So are the strong regional economies (Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna), growing tech hubs, and an endless supply of culture.

But day-to-day work in Italy also means navigating slower processes, a relationship-driven job market, and salaries that don’t always match the cost of living in major cities.

If you’re weighing a move, here’s the candid view on the pros and cons that expats report after the honeymoon phase.

FAQs About Working in Italy as an EU Citizen