Job Seeker Visa for Italy: A Simple Guide

Picture this: You, an ambitious expat, are aching to trade your resume for a Roman holiday—or perhaps a Milanese career move.

Either way, Italy’s job-seeker visa is your ticket in.

Get ready as we untangle the spaghetti-like maze of requirements and help you hit the Italian job market with gusto. Avanti!

Working In Italy

Shaped like a boot, Italy is a country that regularly features on the top destination lists of leading travel websites. This is unsurprising, as it’s a nation that has everything – the perfect blend of the ancient world meeting modern society.

Steeped in historical significance and at the forefront of fashion and culture, you’ll enjoy its sunny climate, breathtaking landscapes, inspiring architecture, and fine food by living and working here.

When you’re not working, you could visit art cities such as Florence, with its Michelangelo and Giambologna sculptures, or admire Venice’s Gothic palazzi and canals.

You could also tick sightseeing in Rome off your bucket list and relax in one of its delightful cafés. On other days, you could hit the fashion boutiques of Milan or head to Naples, the birthplace of modern pizza.

Despite the drawbacks of a Mediterranean lifestyle, you’ll find that work for native English speakers is hard to come by due to the high competition for jobs.

However, foreign workers who speak Italian and have the right skills, qualifications, and experience may still be able to find employment – especially in major cities such as Florence, Milan, Genoa, and the capital Rome.

Jobs In Italy

According to the International Monetary Fund, it may be the world’s tenth-largest economy, but it relies heavily on its manufacturing and services industries.

Italy’s unemployment rate is at 7.8% (September 2022) after it reached double figures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The contrast between the North and the South is stark – northern Italy is more industrialized and developed and known for its abundance of private companies.

At the same time, the South relies heavily on agriculture and farming.

As most of the country’s 60.3 million inhabitants reside in the North, ambitious graduates are more likely to find work in large northern towns and cities such as Milan, Turin, and Genoa.

Plus, with millions of travelers flocking to Italy every year to see its famous sights, casual work and temporary contracts in the tourism industry are much easier to find than permanent employment in other sectors.

Most Italian locals need to be fluent in English; therefore, you’ll unlikely secure work without mastering the language.

On the other hand, your English speaking ability will be highly valued, particularly in tourism and teaching. Because of this, jobs teaching English as a foreign language are readily available.

The services sector dominates the economy with a strong focus on wholesale, retail sales, and transportation.

Driven by the manufacturing of luxury items such as fashion, cars, and furniture, the industry also accounts for a fair amount of Italy’s output. In terms of agriculture, Italy is one of the world’s largest producers of wine, olive oil, and fruit.

The number of multinational companies in Italy may be smaller than in other European countries. Still, Italian solid brands include automobiles, such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, and fashion designers Gucci, Prada, Versace, and Armani.

Positions are mostly advertised online and through recruitment agencies.

What Is A Job-Seeking Visa In Italy?

The Italy work visa is a type of Italian Long-Stay visa, also known as a National or D-Visa. The Italian work visa is simply an entrance visa.

This means that it grants you permission to enter Italy, but you still need to get additional permission to stay (a residence permit or permesso di soggiorno).

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

Before You Apply For The Italy Work Visa

Before you can apply for an Italian work visa, you have to make sure that you can. That’s because the Italian government only accepts work permit applications for a few months every one or two years, depending on Italy’s job market and the state of immigration.

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

This is called a Decreto Flussi (translating to “flow decree”). 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 the Decreto Flussi, the Italian government issues work permits for seasonal and non-seasonal workers.

This means that you can only apply for an Italy work visa if:

The Decreto Flussi is open
The yearly quota hasn’t been filled
You have an employer in Italy who will apply for your work permit (Nulla Osta)*
You are granted a work permit

An Italian work permit is called a Nulla Osta al lavoro. Your employer has to apply for a Nulla Osta document at their province’s (Preffetura’s) Immigration Office (Sportello Unico d’Immigrazione – SUI).

The Italian government also issues work permits for foreign nationals already living in Italy and want to convert their current student or training residence permit into a work residence permit.

Can Foreigners Work In Italy?

EU-citizens

People from European Union countries and Switzerland do not need any specific work visa. As they are in the European Economic Area, people can move freely between member countries and work and live there.

While a work permit is not needed, it is essential to check how your two countries handle taxes, social security, and other related matters.

Non-EU-citizens

Italy is one of the most open European countries when it comes to immigration; however, there are still some steps one needs to take to obtain a work permit in Italy. There are only a few types of work visas in Italy.

Still, the application process can be tricky, as besides obtaining a work visa, which only allows you to enter Italy, you also need to get separate permission to stay in Italian “Permesso di Soggiorno”.

How Can You Get An Italian Work Visa And Permit?

So, you’re a foreign national who wants to move to Italy and find a job. Unfortunately, if you are a non-EU citizen, you need to have a job in Italy already (and have fulfilled several conditions) before you can apply for an Italy Work Visa.

For non-EU nationals, receiving permission to live and work in Italy involves a three-part process:

Find an Italian employer who will hire you and apply for your work permit (they have to apply for your work authorization in Italy). Only after your employer receives your work permit and sends it to you, you can:
Apply for an Italy Work Visa at the Italian Representation in your home country. If you receive the Italy Work Visa, only then you can:
Enter Italy and apply for a Residence Permit to be allowed to stay and work in the country legally.

In addition, you only have a short window of time during which you can apply for an Italian Work Visa. The Italian Government also sets out yearly quotas in regards to how many non-EU citizens they will issue work visas to.

Types Of Work Visas In Italy

There are a few types of work visas in Italy, but we will focus on the resident-related work permits, also called National Visa (Visa D), for those who want to move to Italy and stay longer than 90 days. The most common work visas in Italy are:

Salaried employment visa – the employer sponsors your visa
Self-employment visa – which falls under the categories of

Business owner
Start-up
Freelancer
Sports activity
Artistic activity

Seasonal work (for work related to agriculture or tourism)
Long-term seasonal work (you can stay and work on seasonal activities for two years)
Working holiday – visa valid for 12 months, where the visa holder can also work locally
Scientific research – visa sponsored for highly educated people by local Italian scientific institutes or universities

What Documents Do You Need To Provide To Support Your Work Visa Application In Italy?

When applying for an Italy work visa, you must have a set of supporting documents required for an Italian visa application. The additional requirements for an Italy Work Visa include:

Copy of your signed work contract.
The original and a copy of your Nulla Osta.
Completed Italian Long-Stay Visa Application form.
Passport with at least two blank pages, valid for at least three months after the duration of your visa.
Passport pictures are in line with Italy visa photo requirements.
Proof of accommodation in Italy.
Proof of sufficient financial means.
Proof of paid visa fee.
Diplomas/other certificates.

Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list of requirements.

The requirements for an Italian work visa change depending on the country and specific case; therefore, you should always contact the appropriate authority where you are applying for a work visa for more information.

The Italian authorities reserve the right to request any documents as they see fit.

In addition, you must send your employer in Italy whatever documents they need to apply for your work permit.

Because your employer applies for your work permit at their province’s Immigration office (and each immigration office has different requirements), you must contact your employer in regards to what documents they need from you.

Where And When Can You Apply For An Italy Work Visa?

If the Italian immigration office grants you a work permit, your employer has to send the permit to you (usually electronically).

The Italian Government also notifies the Italian Representation in your country (such as an Italian embassy or consulate), in which you will apply for a work visa.

If your country still needs an Italian Representation, you must apply at the Visa Application Center or another Schengen country’s Representation that Italy has outsourced visa applications.

You must apply in person after you have collected all the necessary documents and downloaded and completed the Italy Visa Application Form.

After you apply for your Italian work visa, the Italian authorities will process your application and decide whether you meet the requirements for a visa. If you receive the Italy work visa, you have six months to pick it up and enter Italy.

After You Apply For The Italy Work Visa

Once you enter Italy with a work visa, you have eight days to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) card.

You must apply for a residence permit at your city’s local post office. You must present your work permit and work visa when you apply, along with additional supporting documents.

Then, it is the Foreign Department (Ufficio Stranieri) of your local Italian Police Headquarters (Questura) who gives you your Italian residence permit, allowing you to live and work in Italy.

What Is The Italy Residence Permit?

Within eight days of arriving in Italy, you must apply for a residence permit at the local Post Office (Portale Immigrazione – in Italian).

You will have to fill in the application obtained there and prepare a copy of your passport to support your application.

Your employer will help you with that process. This type of work visa is usually issued for 2 years. It is possible to renew the visa before 60 days of its expiration.

Cost Of Italian Work Visas

As you already know, a few visas are needed for you to relocate and work in Italy successfully. Outlined below are some of the costs:

Entry visas, or the “authorization to work permits” cost: €116
Residence permits cost (3-12 month stays): €40
Residence permits cost (12-24 month stays): €50
Residence permits cost (long-term): €100

These are for long-term residence permits, highly qualified workers, and intra-corporate transferees.

Administrative costs for the sending of the postal kit: approx €30
Tax stamp: €16
Issuance cost: €30.46

How To Get A Job In Italy?

Networking through friends and family is still a viable means of hearing about any available work in Italy.

Therefore, finding a job when you’re already in Italy will be easier, as you can begin making contacts directly – wherever you decide to start looking.

If you’re currently employed with a company that has a presence in Italy, you could inquire about possible secondment opportunities.

If this isn’t feasible, try making speculative applications, which are welcomed in Italy as many jobs aren’t advertised. If you go down this route, be sure to do your research and send your application to the most appropriate person at the organization.

For advertised positions, applications are usually completed online and consist of a CV and cover letter or an application form. All applications should be submitted in Italian unless otherwise stated.

To save time, get your academic transcripts and certificates translated, too.

You should expect a lengthy application process, which will generally involve a series of interviews as well as psychometric testing.

Summer Jobs

As tourism is such a big business in Italy, casual or temporary work should be easy to find.

Plenty of seasonal jobs are on offer, including bar, hotel, and restaurant work. You could find employment in summer camps or holiday resorts, and if you possess some skills on the slopes, you could work at a ski resort in the Italian Alps.

The agricultural sector also provides casual summer jobs such as fruit picking and other outdoor activities.

If you have some childcare experience, consider finding work as an au pair.

As long as you have the funds to work for free, volunteering is a great way to expand your skills and learn a new language. Voluntary work looks great on your CV and gives you the chance to network and build contacts.

Teaching Jobs

English teachers are in high demand in Italy, so competition for posts is fierce, with many teachers expected to have a TEFL certificate of 100 hours minimum.

The majority of teaching jobs are available in large towns and cities such as Rome, Florence, and Milan, although opportunities exist throughout the country.

You could teach in state schools, private language schools, universities, or within businesses teaching their staff English.

You can enroll online to study for a relevant Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification, while some teaching jobs may require a Bachelor’s degree.

Recruitment for teachers typically begins in early spring for positions available in September/October.

There are also opportunities to teach English through the British Council’s English Language Assistants scheme.

Internships

As Italians place such value on networking, a work placement is a great way to build up your contacts in the country. An internship is also useful for sharpening your language skills.

Internships in Italy usually last between three and six months, with the country especially popular with those looking to get work experience in fashion, architecture, and art.

Internships and summer work placements are available at:

AIESEC UK – a youth organization that offers career-focused internships for students and recent graduates.
GoAbroad.com – an online search engine for global internships.
IAESTE – traineeships for science, engineering, technology, and applied arts students (apply via the British Council website in the autumn).
Internship Italy – a student recruitment organization with over 500 companies across Europe.

Language Requirements

In most cases, the ability to speak Italian to a high level is essential for securing a job.

Proficiency in Italian will make living in the country a lot easier, too, as many parts of the population need to learn to speak English. English is more likely spoken in tourist areas, large towns, and cities but less in rural areas.

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

What It’s Like To Work In Italy?

If you’re employed in Italy with a social security number, you’re entitled to all the benefits, including free public health care, annual leave, and pensions. If you’re self-employed, not all of these benefits may apply.

Family time is an important aspect of Italian culture, so workers try to strike a healthy work/life balance.

According to Statista, Italians work 36 hours per week on average, with the maximum legal working week set at 40 hours plus eight hours of overtime.

As work tends to be highly structured, you’ll typically work Monday to Friday, 8/9 am to 1 pm, take a two-hour lunch break, and then work from 3 pm to 6/7 pm.

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

There are five income tax bands ranging from 23% on income up to €15,000 (£13,154), all the way up to 43% on income over €50,000 (£43,848).

Conclusion

Bravo, job hunter! You’ve sifted through the nitty-gritty of Italy’s job-seeker visa, and you’re poised to dive into the Italian job pool.

Armed with your visa and a dream, your next espresso could be a work break. A presto on the job hunt!

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