Italy is a country with a rich culture and history, whose fantastic landscapes attract tourists and expats from different parts of the world. The state is the leader in the number of migrants, in addition, it has the highest rates of issuing temporary residence permits in the EU. Find out how a foreigner can move to work in Italy, what conditions and what package of documents is required for moving

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According to the International Monetary Fund, according to the level of economic development, Italy is the tenth country in the world, the level of its GDP depends significantly on industry and the service sector. On the other hand, the unemployment rate in Italy is one of the highest in Europe, about 7.8%.

However, the perfect blend of ancient world and modern society is the key factor that attracts foreigners here, as you can enjoy a sunny climate, fantastic scenery, inspiring architecture and exquisite food.

How can an expat move to Italy for work in 2024? We will find out further.

Visa for work in Italy in 2024

First of all, you should find out what the requirements are for working legally in Italy. As with any country, there are differences in requirements for EU and non-EU citizens.

- EU citizens

Representatives of these countries can work in Italy without any time limits or permits. In general, you will only need a valid ID or passport and your tax number, codice fiscale. To get it, send a request to the Agenzia delle Entrate.

Although you do not need a work visa or a permit to work and live in Italy, you still need to register in the country. To do this, visit the nearest police station and fill certain forms and documents.

- Citizens of third countries

If you are a non-EU citizen and want to work in Italy, you will need a work visa. There are several different types of visas you may be eligible for, depending on your nationality and the type of work you intend to do in Italy. The most common visas for work in Italy are:

1. Seasonal work - a visa is issued for up to 9 months. It provides for the possibility of changing the place of work, but not the type of activity. If the document is reopened, the candidate has priority over others in terms of quotas. An employee who has been invited by the same employer for seasonal work for 2 years in a row has the right to obtain a long-term residence permit for a period of up to 3 years.

2. Work for an Italian employer – after receiving a visa for employment, a foreigner must submit documents for a temporary residence permit within 8 days after arriving in Italy. To obtain a visa, it is necessary to submit to the consulate a plan for the further development of the employee within the company where he is employed.

3. Work for an Italian employer for highly qualified specialists - the so-called blue (or blue) card of the European Union is issued by the police commissioner in the province where the specialist lives. In order to confirm the level of qualification, the candidate must provide a notarized diploma of education, certificates of advanced training and language proficiency, as well as recommendations from former employers.

4. Visa for an individual entrepreneur - on such grounds, entrepreneurs whose activities are not fixed at the legislative level by citizens of Italy or other EU countries can obtain a visa. In this case, the work permit is issued not by the employer, but by the employee himself. He also submits documents confirming a sufficient amount of finances and the ability to live in the country and conduct business.

Outside of the quotas, translators, teachers of foreign languages ​​at universities, as well as professors or candidates for a scientific degree who come for the purpose of teaching and conducting scientific activities can find employment in Italy.

Italy offers grants from 10,000 euros for moving to Tuscany, details here.

Requirements for obtaining a work visa in Italy

To obtain a work visa, the following package of documents must be submitted:

- a work permit included in the number of quotas is issued by the employer;

- housing (lease) agreement signed by the employer;

- confirmation of the availability of funds in a bank account (which must correspond to the amount of funds needed by a foreigner in order to leave the country if necessary).

Is it easy for a foreigner to find a job in Italy?

In general, breaking into the Italian job market is quite difficult, especially if you are not a native speaker. Also, many of the best jobs in Italy are only available to locals.

However, it will be much easier for foreigners with appropriate qualifications to do so. The most popular vacancies in Italy include:

- Sales representatives.

- Nurses.

- Teachers.

- Engineers.

- Guides.

- Employees of the hotel and restaurant sector.

- Web developers.

How to find a job in Italy?

The best way to find a job in Italy is to start by browsing job websites: Monster.it, Indeed.com, Jobrapido.com, CareerJet.it, EuroJobs.it and Job Meeting.

You can also consider attending job fairs and networking events, which are great ways to meet potential employers face-to-face.

If you are looking for a job in the tourism industry, the Job in tourism portal is a great place to start your search. This website has a list of jobs in the tourism sector, so it's a great resource if you're looking for jobs in hotels, restaurants or other tourism businesses.

How to apply for a job in Italy?

Once you've found a job you like, you'll need to apply for the job and go through the interview process.

1. Create a resume

When it comes to writing a resume for a job application in Italy, the most important thing to know is that your application must be submitted in Italian. In addition, the structure and content of your resume should include the following:

- Start with your personal information, including your name, address, phone number and email address.

- In the education section, list the schools you attended and the dates you attended them.

- Indicate your work experience, starting with the last position.

- Be sure to include your skills and strengths, as well as any additional information that may be relevant.

- Use a professional tone and avoid excessive use of slang or informal language.

2. Pass the interview

If the employer likes you, you will be invited to an interview. In most cases, the interviewer will start with general questions about your experience and qualifications. Be sure to have a copy of your resume handy so you can refer to it during the interview. It is also important to know the history of the company and to be able to talk in detail about its products or services.

You may also be asked to complete a task or take a test as part of the interview process. This might include writing a short essay, solving a problem, or surveying a client.

At the end, don't forget to thank the interviewer for their time and be sure to send a thank you email or letter.

The Italian government has simplified the rules for applying for an EU Blue Card, more information at the link.

Do you need to know Italian to get a job in Italy?

In most cases, knowledge of the Italian language at a high level is essential for getting a job.

Knowing Italian will also make life in the country much easier, as a large part of the population does not speak English.

English is spoken more often in tourist areas and big cities, but less so in rural areas.

Taking an Italian course will help you learn the language or improve your skills to the required level.

Social support for workers in Italy

If you are employed in Italy and have a social security number, you will be entitled to all benefits, including free public health care, annual leave and pensions. If you are self-employed, not all of these benefits may apply.

- The procedure for obtaining a social security number in Italy

To get a social security number in Italy, you must register with the SSN, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, Italy's National Health System.

You receive your Tessera Sanitaria when you first register with SSN. There are two types of registration: mandatory and voluntary. The former applies to most residents, workers, family members, etc., while voluntary registration is generally for short-term visitors such as students, domestic helpers, religious staff, etc.

In order to safely move, travel or work in a new country, you will need health insurance. You can issue an extended policy on our website using the link.

Work culture in Italy

Family time is an important aspect of Italian culture, so employees strive to find a healthy work-life balance.

Italians work an average of 36 hours per week, with a maximum work week of 40 hours plus eight hours of overtime. As the work tends to be very structured, you usually work Monday to Friday from 8/9 to 1pm, with a two hour lunch break and then work from 3pm to 6pm.

All employees are entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave and 12 public holidays.

If you have decided to move to Italy on a work visa, you should be patient and do your best to find a job. However, the state will impress you with its culture, history and employment prospects.

We will remind you! The other day, Decoding Global Talent published a ranking of the best cities for expats to work in 2024. Find out which cities of the world highly qualified specialists dream of moving to and why in this article.

Ihor Usyk - head of Visit World's legal department

To organize a safe move to Italy, I advise you to contact a specialist. My colleagues, qualified specialists with legal education, will help you avoid unpleasant situations when traveling abroad.

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.