Working in Italy in 2026: Websites, Salaries, Documents

Salaries under the CCNL, quotas under the 2026 Flussi Decree, work permits, and job sites. Learn more about finding work legally in Italy

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Italy remains one of the key EU labor markets for foreign workers—with a stable collective bargaining system, regulated quotas for non-EU citizens, and a well-developed job search infrastructure. The Relocate.to portal previously discussed the basics of navigating the Italian market.

In this article, we’ll take a detailed look at official salary levels in 2026, the list of required documents, the procedure for obtaining a work permit under the Decreto Flussi program, as well as the main government platforms, commercial job sites, and recruitment agencies—we’ll cover all of this below.

Are you planning to find legal employment in Italy in 2026?

The practical guide from Visit World includes a step-by-step process for applying for a nulla osta, a list of documents required by the consulate, and criteria for selecting a legal employer under the CCNL.

Minimum and Average Wages in Italy in 2026

Italy does not have a single, statutory minimum wage. Minimum wage levels are determined by sector-specific collective bargaining agreements (CCNL—Contratti Collettivi Nazionali di Lavoro), which cover approximately 97% of workers. According to ISTAT, the average gross monthly wage in 2026 is approximately 2,600 euros; however, the actual figure varies significantly depending on the sector, region, and the employee’s qualifications. Taxation is based on the progressive IRPEF scale with rates of 23%, 33%, and 43%.

Approximate minimum monthly wages under the CCNL in key sectors are as follows:

• hospitality and food service—approximately 1,100–1,300 euros;
• retail and commerce — approximately 1,200–1,400 euros;
• metalworking and manufacturing — approximately 1,400–1,700 euros.

How to start a business in Italy in 2026 — find out more at the link.

What documents are required for employment in Italy?

The standard list includes a foreign passport, codice fiscale (tax ID number), a signed employment contract (contratto di lavoro), and a residence permit with work authorization for non-EU citizens. The employer is required to register the new employee with the INPS (social security) and INAIL (workplace accident insurance) systems. Employment conditions differ for EU citizens and third-country nationals.

For citizens of European Union countries, specifically citizens of Spain, France, and Lithuania, a work permit is not required—a passport or ID card and registration with the local municipality of residence within three months are sufficient. Non-EU citizens receive a permesso di soggiorno per lavoro based on a prior nulla osta from the employer.

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Work Permits: Decreto Flussi and Nulla Osta 2026

The main legal channel for the employment of third-country nationals is the annual Decreto Flussi. The three-phase plan for 2026–2028 provides for approximately 497,550 entry permits, of which 164,850 slots are allocated for 2026. The employer submits an application for a work permit (nulla osta) through the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione on designated “click days,” after which the employee applies for a work visa at the consulate. After entering Italy, the employee must apply for a permesso di soggiorno at the questura within 8 business days.

Key “click day” dates for 2026:

1. January 12 — seasonal agricultural workers;
2. February 9 — seasonal tourism;
3. February 16 — non-seasonal employees;
4. February 18 — domestic staff and caregivers.

What is Italy’s Dolce Visa 2026 — we explain it here.

Official government platforms for finding work in Italy

A reliable starting point for your search is the official resources of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policies (Ministero del Lavoro e delle Politiche Sociali). The main portal, Cliclavoro, publishes information on the labor market, employment statistics, and official employment services. Through this portal, job seekers can access tools for managing their profiles and submitting requests to government agencies. To access the system’s advanced features, you’ll need digital identification via SPID or CIE.

Another group of resources includes the Portale per le politiche attive del lavoro and Servizi Lavoro, which are digital services for active labor market policies. The offline option is the Centri per l’Impiego (CPI); their contact information by province can be found through the official Cerca Sportello service.

How much will it cost to live in Italy in 2026? — Read about it in this article.

Popular Job Sites with Job Openings in Italy

The second tier of search options consists of private commercial platforms with a wide range of job openings. Three resources publish the largest volume of job listings on the Italian market: it.indeed.com, it.linkedin.com (Jobs section), and subito.it (Offerte di lavoro). These portals cover most sectors—from IT and engineering to the service industry, logistics, and administrative positions. Listings are updated daily, and filters allow you to search by region, contract type, and salary level.

When using these platforms, it’s important to verify the employer through the Camera di Commercio’s public registries and carefully read the contract terms to minimize the risk of informal employment.

The best cities to move to and work in Italy — listed here.

Recruitment Agencies in Italy for Job Searches

Licensed agencies are a legal and common way to find a temporary contract or an entry-level position in logistics, manufacturing, or retail. Major agencies have their own job portals and a network of regional offices throughout the country, which speeds up the selection process and contract signing. Agencies also assist with processing documents for non-EU seasonal workers within the quotas set by the Decreto Flussi.

Leading agencies in the Italian market:

• Adecco (Italian section of adecco.com);
• Randstad (randstad.it);
• Manpower (manpower.it);
• GiGroup (gigroup.it);
• Openjobmetis (openjobmetis.it).

A Guide from Visit World for Finding Employment in Italy

The process of finding employment in Italy includes negotiating a CCNL, obtaining a codice fiscale, applying for a work visa, registering with INPS, and applying for a permesso di soggiorno within 8 days of arrival—a sequence in which it is easy to make a mistake. The Visit World portal has prepared a comprehensive step-by-step guide that details how to choose a legal employment channel, prepare documents for the consulate, sign a contract with an Italian employer, and take the necessary steps after arrival.

Order the guide from Visit World to navigate the path to employment in Italy without bureaucratic mistakes or losing your quota!

Reminder! In our previous article, we wrote about 5 little-known Italian cities worth visiting in 2026.

Photo: Magnific

Products from Visit World for a comfortable trip:

Checklist for obtaining a visa and necessary documents in Italy;

Legal advice on immigration to Italy;

Travel insurance for foreigners in Italy;

Medical insurance all over the world.

We monitor the accuracy and relevance of our information. Therefore, if you see any error or discrepancy, please write to our hotline.