You need a visitor's visa to enter and temporarily stay in Italy and any other Schengen member state if you belong to one of the following categories:

1. You are a citizen of a third country that has not concluded a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen countries
   
2. You are a citizen of a third country that has signed an agreement on visa liberalization with the Schengen countries, but you have previously been denied entry to Italy or any other Schengen country.

Can I work in Italy on a visitor visa?

You cannot work on a visitor visa in Italy. Although many people work and travel on a visitor's visa, it can potentially cause tax problems for you or your employer.

Can a visitor visa in Italy be changed to a work visa?

Generally, you can only apply for a work visa if you are outside of Italy. If you are in Italy on a visitor's visa, you will have to leave the country and apply to the Italian embassy in your country of residence. In addition, you will need to provide evidence that you have a job offer in Italy and meet other requirements.

As Italy is a part of the European Union, any EU citizen can enter the country and start working without any authorization (e.g. a work permit). However, they must obtain a "declaration of presence" at the local police station.

Citizens of African countries need to obtain a work permit and sign a residence agreement for temporary employment. 

How to obtain a temporary work permit in Italy?

You must sign a residence agreement (in Italian) and present your passport and travel documents. Your work permit will be valid for 20 days to nine months, depending on the duration of your work. A residence permit is issued for the period and purpose specified in the visa.

If an EU citizen wants to stay in the country for longer than three months, he/she must also apply for a residence permit.

An Italian work visa is a type of Italian long-term visa, also known as a national or D-visa. An Italian work visa is simply an entry visa that gives you permission to enter Italy, but you still need to obtain an additional residence permit (residence permit or permesso di soggiorno).

You must apply for a permesso di soggiorno within eight days after you have already entered Italy.

Before you apply for an Italian work visa, you should make sure that you are eligible to do so. That's because the Italian government only accepts work permit applications for a few months every one or two years, depending on the Italian labor market and immigration status.

In addition, there is also a set quota that determines how many work permits Italy will issue.

This is called the Decreto Flussi (flow of foreign workers). In 2019, the Decreto Flussi opened in April and the Italian government set a quota of 30,850 work permits - the same as in 2018. Through Decreto Flussi, the Italian government issues work permits to seasonal and non-seasonal workers.

This means that you can apply for a work visa to Italy if:

• Decreto Flussi is open.
  
• The annual quota is not filled.
• You have an employer in Italy who will apply for a work permit (Nulla Osta)*.
• You are granted a work permit.

NOTE

The work permit in Italy is called Nulla Osta al lavoro. Your employer must apply for the Nulla Osta document at the immigration office of your province (Preffetura) (Sportello Unico d'Immigrazione - SUI).

How can you get an Italian work visa?

So, you are a foreigner who wants to move to Italy and find a job. Unfortunately, if you are not an EU citizen, you need to already have a job in Italy (and fulfill several conditions) before you can apply for an Italian work visa.

For non-EU citizens, obtaining a residence and work permit in Italy consists of three parts:

• Find an Italian employer who will hire you and apply for a work permit (they must apply for a work permit in Italy). Only after the employer receives the work permit and sends it to you, you can:
  
• Apply for a work visa to Italy at an Italian representative office in your country. If you get a work visa to Italy, only then can you:
• Enter Italy and apply for a residence permit to be authorized to stay and work in the country legally.
• In addition, you have only a short period of time during which you can apply for an Italian work visa. The Italian government also sets annual quotas on how many non-EU citizens they will issue work visas to.

Requirements for obtaining an Italian work visa

When applying for a work visa to Italy, you must have a set of supporting documents that are required for an Italian visa. 

Additional requirements for an Italian work visa include:

• A copy of your signed employment contract.
  
• Original and copy of your Nulla Osta.
• A completed application form for a long-term visa to Italy.
• A passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the expiration of your visa.
• Passport photos.
• Proof of residence in Italy.
• Proof of sufficient financial resources.
• Certificate of paid visa fee.
• Diplomas/other certificates.

PLEASE NOTE that this is not an exhaustive list of requirements. The requirements for an Italian work visa vary from country to country and case to case, so you should always contact the relevant authority where you are applying for a work visa for more information.

The Italian authorities reserve the right to request any documents they deem necessary.

In addition, you must send your employer in Italy all the documents they need to apply for a work permit. Since your employer applies for a work permit at the immigration office of their province (and each immigration office has different requirements), you should contact your employer about what documents they need from you.

Where and when can I apply for an Italian work visa?

1. If the Italian immigration office grants you a work permit, your employer must send you the permit (usually in electronic form). The Italian government also notifies the Italian representative office in your country (e.g. the Italian embassy or consulate), where you will apply for a work visa.
   
2. If there is no Italian representation in your country, you must apply at a Visa Center or at the representation of another Schengen country to which Italy has transferred visa applications.
3. You have to apply in person after you have collected all the necessary documents and downloaded and filled in the Italian visa application form.
4. After you apply for an Italian work visa, the Italian authorities will review your application and decide whether you meet the requirements for obtaining a visa. If you are granted an Italian work visa, you have six months to enter Italy with it.

After applying for an Italian work visa

1. After you have entered Italy with a work visa, you have eight days to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) card. You must apply for your residence permit at the local post office in your city. You must present your work permit and work visa when you apply, as well as additional supporting documents.
   
2. Then it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ufficio Stranieri) of your local Italian police department that grants you an Italian residence permit, which allows you to live and work in Italy.

How long is an Italian work visa valid for?

An Italian work visa is usually valid for the duration of the employment contract, but not more than two years. It can be renewed for up to five years.

Work in Italy for EU citizens

Since Italy is part of the European Union, any EU citizen can enter the country and start working without any authorization (e.g., a work permit). But they must obtain a "declaration of presence" from the local police or Questura.

However, if an EU citizen wants to stay longer than three months, they must also apply for a residence permit.

What is a visa for self-employment in Italy?

A visa for self-employment in Italy is a type of Italian long-stay visa (national or D-visa). This is the type of visa you should apply for if you are going to work as a freelancer or start your own business in Italy.

However, a self-employment visa for Italy is simply an entry visa. This means that it allows you to enter the country, but you still need additional permission to stay and work there.

You must have a work permit and the appropriate certification depending on what type of work you will be doing before applying for a visa.

What are the types of visas for self-employment in Italy?

Every year, the Italian government issues self-employment visas for certain professions:

• Italian start-up visa, which is issued to foreigners who wish to start an innovative company in Italy, as well as to foreigners who wish to join an existing company in a managerial position.
  
• Italian freelancer visa, which is issued to persons who intend to engage in self-employed, freelance work and do not have a company that wants to hire them.
• Italian entrepreneurial visa, which is issued to foreigners who want to implement an investment plan (at least 500,000 euros) that is beneficial to the Italian economy.

How to get a self-employment visa to Italy?

There is a set of requirements that you must fulfill before and after applying for an Italian self-employment visa.

In fact, applying for an Italian visa for self-employment is the third step in the long process of becoming self-employed in Italy. 

In short, the process of obtaining a self-employment visa to Italy is as follows:

1. Apply for a Nulla Osta (self-employment permit) at the local immigration office (Sportello Unico Immigrazione - SUI).
   
2. Obtain the necessary permit and documentation required to carry out specific self-employment activities in Italy.
3. Apply for a self-employment visa at the Italian representative office in your country (embassy/consulate).
4. Come to Italy and apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno).
5. In addition, each year you can apply for an Italian self-employment visa (or any other Italian work visa) for a short period of time only. You will also be subject to annual quotas.

What documents do you need to submit for a visa?

The requirements depend on the type of work you will be doing. Your country of residence also plays a role in the documents you must have.

Visa requirements for self-employment in Italy include:

• An application form for a long-term visa to Italy.
  
• Two passport-size photographs.
• A valid passport with at least two blank pages of the visa. It must be valid for at least three months longer than the visa you will be issued.
• Nulla Osta permit (original and photocopy).
• Proof of sufficient funds.
• Proof of suitable accommodation, such as a purchase or lease agreement.
• A certificate of income for the previous year, which must exceed the minimum level stipulated by law for exemption from health care contributions (8400 euros).
• A certificate issued by the Chamber of Commerce in the area where you will be working, confirming that you have the resources necessary for the self-employed activity you will be engaged in. The resources cannot be less than the annual amount of the minimum income (EUR 4,962.36).
• Civil status documents.

If you will be fulfilling a corporate role in an existing company (e.g. partner or CEO), you will also need to have:

• Confirmation that the company is registered in the Register of Enterprises of the Chamber of Commerce.
  
• The company's registration number.
• Your position in the company.
• A copy of the official declaration of responsibility stating that you will not work in a subordinate position. It must be issued by the local labor office of the district (Direzione Territoriale del Lavoro).
• Confirmation that you will receive a salary that exceeds the minimum level required to be exempt from healthcare contributions (8,400 euros).

PLEASE NOTE that this is not an exhaustive list. You may be required to provide documents specific to your country or situation. Always contact the relevant visa application center for more information.

How long is a visa for self-employment in Italy valid for?

A visa for self-employment in Italy is initially valid for two years. However, it can be renewed. You must apply for the renewal of your self-employment visa at least 60 days before it expires.

If you are a young person from Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea, you can apply for a work visa to Italy.

Italy participates in the Working Holiday Program, which is a reciprocal cultural exchange program that allows young people (aged 18-30*) from a participating country to live and work in another participating country.

Italy currently has working holiday agreements with the following countries:

• Australia
  
• Canada
• New Zealand
• South Korea

Young people between the ages of 18 and 30 from the above countries can apply for a working holiday visa to Italy. This visa allows them to live and work in Italy for up to a year.

However, they can only work for six months and no more than three months for one employer.

A total of 1000 visas are usually issued to young people from all participating countries.

NOTE

For Canadians, the age limit is 18-35 years.

Requirements for obtaining a Working Holiday Visa

• Be a resident of Australia, Canada, New Zealand or South Korea.
  
• Be between the ages of 18 and 30 (except for Canadian residents, for whom the age limit is 35).
• Your application cannot include minor dependents.
• You must not have previously obtained a work visa for any participating country.
• Have a valid passport with at least two blank pages. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the end of your Italian work visa. 

In addition, you must have:

• A photocopy of the biodata page of your passport.
  
• Photocopies of any previous visas.
• Have a valid return ticket or prove that you have the necessary financial means to purchase one later.
• Show proof of sufficient financial means to support yourself for the duration of your stay (at least 200 euros per month, i.e. a minimum of 2400 euros). You must provide proof of financial means in the form of a bank statement for the last three months and a credit card in your name.
• Obtain health insurance of at least 30,000 euros to cover you during your stay in case of emergency, hospitalization or repatriation.
• Stay healthy.
• Show proof of residence for at least the first part of your stay.
• Proof of payment of the visa fee for Italy.

This is not a complete and exhaustive list of requirements and documents that you must provide when applying for an Italian work visa. Depending on your country and specific situation, you may need to provide additional documents. The Italian authorities also have the right to request any additional documents they deem necessary.

How to apply for an Italian work visa?

1. First, you must make an appointment in advance at the relevant Italian embassy/consulate in your country.
   
2. On the day of the appointment, you must personally submit your application to the Italian embassy/consulate and have all the necessary documents.
3. You will also have to pay a non-refundable visa fee for Italy.
4. If you get a working exit visa, you have three months to travel to Italy. You are allowed to stay for a maximum of 12 months from the date of your first entry into Italy.

Residence permit for an Italian work visa

After entering Italy, you have 8 days to apply for a residence permit in Italy (Permesso di Soggiorno). You must apply for a residence permit at the immigration office (Ufficio Immigrazione) of the local police department in Italy (Questura).

Documents to be submitted to obtain a residence permit for Working Holiday Visa:

• Application form (available at the Questura).
  
• 4 passport-size photos.
• A stamp of duty (Marca da Bollo), which costs about 14 euros.
• Your valid passport with the Italian work visa sticker.
• Photocopies of the biodata page of your passport and work visa.
• A photocopy of your health insurance.
• Work permit for the Italian work visa.
• If you want to work, your future employer must apply for a work permit (Nulla Osta al lavoro) on your behalf to the Italian Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione).

You must apply for a work permit within 20 days after entering Italy.

When your employer applies for a work permit, they must provide a residence permit. If your residence permit has not yet been issued, they can provide the receipt you received when you applied for your residence permit.

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?

Citizens of the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA - Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland) do not need a business visa to Italy. If they have sufficient income to support themselves and are registered with the local municipality (comune), they can open a business.

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