Short-term work visa in Italy

A short-term work visa type C (Schengen) allows you to work in Italy for up to 90 days. This visa is issued for seasonal work, short-term contracts, or participation in projects. To obtain it, you must have an invitation from an Italian employer and the appropriate work permit.

Do you need a work permit?

Yes, a work permit (Nulla Osta) is required to obtain a short-term work visa. This document is issued by the Italian employer at the local immigration office (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) before submitting the visa application. Without this permit, the consulate will not accept visa documents.

What types of work permits are there in Italy?

Italy issues work permits within an annual quota (Decreto Flussi), which determines the number of permits for different categories of workers:

• Seasonal workers: in agriculture and tourism.
• Non-seasonal workers: in industry, construction, transport, etc.
• Self-employed persons: entrepreneurs, freelancers, and others.

Separate requirements and quotas are established for each category.

What is the visa validity period?

A short-term work visa (type C) is issued for up to 90 days. Its duration depends on the terms of the employment contract and cannot exceed 90 days within any 180-day period.

How to get a visa to Italy?

1. Find an employer in Italy: get an official job offer.
2. Obtaining a Nulla Osta: the employer submits an application for a work permit to the local immigration office. Once approved, the employer sends you the original permit.
3. Submitting documents for a visa: contact the Italian consulate with a complete set of documents.
4. Obtaining a visa: once your visa has been approved, you are entitled to enter Italy.
5. Declaration of presence: within 8 days of arrival in Italy, you must submit a declaration of presence (Dichiarazione di presenza) to the local police station (Questura).

Documents required to obtain a visa

• Valid foreign passport: valid for at least 3 months after the planned date of departure from Italy.
• Work permit (Nulla Osta): original and copy.
• Employment contract: signed by the employer.
• Completed visa application form: form for a short-term visa.
• Photographs: two color photographs measuring 35x45 mm.
• Proof of residence in Italy: for example, a rental agreement or an invitation from an employer.
• Medical insurance: valid in the Schengen area with coverage of at least €30,000.
• Proof of financial solvency: bank statements or a letter of guarantee from your employer.
• Tickets or reservations: airline tickets or confirmation of reservations.
• Other documents: additional documents may be required by the consulate.

Given its warm climate, world-renowned cuisine, and healthy work-life balance, it's no wonder Italy remains a popular destination for foreigners. For those considering moving to this country, there are many job opportunities in various industries, including tourism, fashion, automotive, and pharmaceuticals.

Among the leading sectors of the Italian labor market are metallurgy, textiles, agriculture, and, as expected, automotive and tourism. However, as in most countries, opportunities in different regions of Italy vary considerably. For example, while the south of the country is focused mainly on tourism and agriculture, the north is home to large corporations and banking. The labor market in major cities such as Milan, Rome, and Naples remains naturally competitive and diverse across industries.

The most popular professions in Italy in 2025

• Manual workers

• Drivers

• Marketing professionals

• Engineers

• Tourism and hospitality jobs

Salaries and minimum wages

The average monthly salary in Italy in 2024 is 2,475 euros, significantly lower than in neighboring France and Austria. Italy is ranked 32nd in the Numbeo Cost of Living Index, while France and Austria are ranked 21st and 19th, respectively.

Finding a job in Italy

As in most countries, there are many resources in Italy that allow you to search and apply for jobs in different industries and locations. Below is an overview of the most famous ones.

General sites for job search

1. Europe Language Jobs: Allows native speakers of European languages to find jobs in more than 1,500 companies
2. Experteer: An all-Italian site that allows you to find job listings and headhunters
3. Glassdoor: English language jobs in Italy
4. monster.it: Global job search site
5. Randstad: project or temporary freelance positions
6. The Local It: English-speaking jobs in various sectors across the country
7. Total Jobs: Global site with a filter for Italian jobs
8. TrovoLavoro: Italian website with vacancies all over the country

Vacancies in the public sector

1. The European Staff Recruitment Office: All vacancies in EU institutions, bodies and agencies
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation: Positions in administration, diplomacy, translation, etc.
3. Work at the United Nations (UN): Positions in UN agencies located in Italy

The Italian Constitution guarantees all citizens the right to work, fair wages and paid vacation. Like the minimum wage, most Italian labor rights are established by collective bargaining agreements between trade unions and employers, rather than by the Constitution itself. This perhaps explains why Italy has the largest number of trade unions of any EU country, as well as generous and protected maternity leave (two months before and three months after childbirth).

Article 36 of the Italian Constitution also stipulates that a normal working week cannot exceed 40 hours. Anything over this limit is considered overtime and should only be for exceptional reasons that cannot be solved by hiring new employees. Different overtime limits are also set by collective bargaining agreements.

According to Italian labor law, overtime must be paid at a minimum of 10% of the regular rate, but in fact it can be as high as 30% of the basic rate, taking into account the remuneration received by the employee (e.g., any bonuses or allowances for working at night or in shifts).

Italy is one of the six countries in the European Union (EU) that does not have a statutory minimum wage. However, the Italian Constitution provides for the right of workers to a wage that is sufficient for them and their families to live on (Article 36). However, the details of this right have never been set out in law. Instead, national collective bargaining agreements (contrattazione collettiva nazionale di lavoro - CCNL) protect about 95% of workers in Italy in many industries. They do not cover all sectors, and not all of these agreements include wage issues. As a result, Italy has one of the highest proportions of "working poor" in the EU.

IT SHOULD BE NOTED that the Italian Constitution also contains an anti-discrimination law that guarantees equal treatment and social value to all citizens regardless of gender, race, language, religion, political views, or prejudice related to personal or social status.

In 2020, just over 4.4 million businesses were registered in Italy, operating across the country. The vast majority (4.2 million) of them are small businesses with less than 10 employees. Only about 10% of companies are foreign.

The most popular business sectors in the country are:

• Retail trade
• Science and technology
• Construction
• Manufacturing
• Tourism

In terms of business culture, Italians work on the basis of trust. Therefore, in business, they prefer to cooperate with those they know rather than establish new connections. Although most Italian companies have a hierarchical structure, processes are relatively informal; for example, meetings tend to be open and unstructured. People prefer to meet face-to-face, so it is worth brushing up on your Italian language skills, as English is less common than in many other European countries and this can be a challenge.

How to start a business in Italy?

A non-EU citizen who plans to start a business and settle in Italy but does not have a residence permit must first apply for a Nulla-osta. This declaration indicates that there are no obstacles to starting a business. The Null-osta is issued by the competent authority, which can be either a municipality or a Chamber of Commerce, depending on the circumstances.

NOTE

In Italy, certain regulated professions require a license or authorization to work in the field. This applies to most medical professionals, teachers, lawyers, guides, security guards, hairdressers, etc.

You can find a list of activities that are subject to licensing and find contact information for the relevant regulatory authorities.

Registering a business in Italy

All companies must register with the National Business Registry (Registo Imprese) before starting to operate.

To do this, you will need:

• Company name
  
• Statute (Statuto) and Memorandum of Association (Atto Costitutivo) if you are a joint stock company
• A separate bank account for your business (required if you are a registered company)
• The Chamber of Commerce (Camere di Commercio) manages the Italian business register. If you are a registered company (other than an SRLS), the notary who supervises the signing of your articles of association will also take care of the registration. Freelancers do not need to register with the Registry.

In addition, Italian companies must also register with the following authorities:

1. The Tax Agency (Agenzia Entrate) - to register for taxes and obtain a company tax number (if you are creating a corporation), as well as a VAT number

2. National Institute for Social Security (Istituto nazionale della previdenza sociale - INPS) - so that you can make social security payments and access benefits, including state pensions

3. The National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (Istituto Nazionale per l'Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro - INAIL) - for insurance coverage against work-related accidents and illnesses.

You can now register for all these services online using the Unified Business Communication system (ComUnica). This process usually takes about five to seven days. You will need to pay an annual fee of about €200 for businesses with a turnover of up to €100,000, as well as a small initial administrative fee.

If you want to start a sole proprietorship, become a partner in a new general partnership, a manager of a new limited liability company, a legal representative of a foreign company or a manager of an existing company, and you are already an Italian resident or plan to reside in Italy, the conditions of reciprocity must be checked in advance and you must obtain a valid residence permit (Permesso di soggiorno per lavoro autonomo).

Business in Italy: the principle of reciprocity

The principle of reciprocity means that in the country of origin of a foreign citizen, an Italian citizen is granted the same rights as the foreign citizen he or she is applying for. The conditions of reciprocity can be checked by anyone at the Italian embassy in the country of origin. These conditions are checked by the civil servant/governmental body that receives the request. For example, a notary when establishing a company or the Chamber of Commerce when appointing a manager.

In Europe, there is also the Permesso unico di lavoro (according to Legislative Decree 40/2014), which allows you to work in Europe in the country that issued it. It is valid for one or two years and allows a person to work (as in the case of a family residence permit), but it is not valid for work in other EU countries, as it is not a long-term residence permit in the EU. Non-EU nationals who hold a long-term residence permit can carry out any economic activity in Italy (Legislative Decree 3/2007).

Obtaining a residence permit is one of the most important aspects that a potential foreign investor should consider.

The Italian National Police is the competent authority to issue or renew any type of residence permit.

Useful resources

Doing Business - a guide from the Italian Trade Agency with information on starting a business in Italy, including legal business structures, taxation, and hiring staff

Impresa in un Giorno - business portal of the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

INV Italia - provides support to those in Italy who want to become self-employed or start their own business

Agenzia Entrate - Italian tax agency with information on taxes and accounting for legal entities and individuals

Business visa for Italy - types and procedure

If you are planning a business trip to Italy, you will have to apply for a short-term visa, which allows you to stay in Italy for 90 days. To stay here for more than 90 days, you need a residence permit.

A short-term visa is also known as a Schengen visa. This visa is valid in all European countries that are part of the Schengen Agreement. Italy is a part of the Schengen Agreement. With a Schengen visa, you can travel and stay in Italy and all other 26 Schengen countries.

You need to have a good reason to visit the country:

• You must have enough money to support yourself and your dependents throughout your stay.
  
• You must have strong ties to your home country, which will allow you to return home after your stay is over.
• You must have a clean criminal record and a good reputation.
• You need an official invitation from a respectable company in the country with which you are/will be doing business.

The document must be drawn up in Italian or English on the official letterhead of the company and be stamped and signed by an official of the company, who must indicate his/her full name.

List of documents required for an Italian business visa

Countries that are members of the Schengen area have similar visa requirements.

You will need to include the following documents in your visa application:

• A completed visa application form.
• A color photo.
• A valid passport with a validity period of at least six months after the end of your stay in the country.
• A copy of your airline ticket.
• Proof of travel insurance, which must be valid for the duration of your visa and in the Schengen area.
• The cost of the policy must be at least 30,000 euros and cover the costs of sudden illness, accident.
• Supporting documents, which may include copies of tickets, hotel reservation confirmation, private invitation and official invitation.
• The invitation letter in case of a business visit contains the contact details of the organization and the details of the invited person, including the purpose and duration of the visit.
• The applicant must provide evidence of sufficient funds to support their stay in the country.
• The application must include a business registration certificate confirming that your business is legal and approved by the relevant authorities.
• A bank statement.
• Income tax returns.

Where to apply for a visa?

You can apply for a visa at the Italian embassy or consulate nearest to you.

Duration of stay

With a business visa, you can stay in Italy or any other Schengen country for a maximum of 90 days.

Additional information for foreigners intending to come to Italy is available on the website.

One approach to finding a job in Italy is to send out your resume to companies that interest you. Keep in mind that in Italy, a sociable atmosphere with professional standards is important, so establishing personal connections beforehand is key. This is where personally introducing yourself through a personalized email or phone call will help ensure that you are remembered as a candidate.

Italian work culture

Italy has a serious and hard-working business culture. In general, professional protocols in a pleasant and friendly atmosphere are the norm. It is important to remember that the casual attitude of Italians towards punctuality does not apply in a business context, especially when it comes to meetings and interviews.

Language requirements

Knowledge of the Italian language will also make life in the country much easier, as many people do not speak English. English is more commonly spoken in tourist areas and large cities, but less so in rural areas.

Useful resources

ANPAL is a national agency for active employment policy that provides information on the Italian labor market

Europe Language Jobs - job board for foreigners living abroad

GoinGlobal - read more about what to expect during an interview with an employer in Italy