Italy is a beautiful country with many attractions and a mild Mediterranean climate. It is pleasant not only to relax here, but also to work, which is what a huge number of foreigners do. After collecting the necessary package of documents and choosing a vacancy, you can join them. In addition to a lot of positive emotions and new impressions, working in Italy will help you earn good money in a short time and, possibly, make a career in Europe.
Why working in Italy is so attractive
The attractiveness of vacancies of Italian employers for foreign citizens is not limited to the opportunity to visit famous historical sites, cultural events of world importance and the availability of recreation on the seaside.
The vacancies offered to foreigners in Italy are interesting primarily for the following reasons:
- Loyal migration legislation can significantly reduce the time spent on official employment in Turin, Tuscany, Sardinia and any other popular region.
- The opportunity to apply for permanent residence and make a move after two years of residence in the country with the status of a residence permit.
- The high level of wages for foreign workers from Russia and the CIS countries compared to other European countries, due to which even unskilled seasonal work gives a good profit.
- Employment outside the quotas for EU Blue Card holders (versus finding a job in countries outside the European Union).
Popular jobs for foreign workers in Italy
The ranking of vacancies for Belarusians, Ukrainians and citizens of other post-Soviet states on the Italian labor market is based on two parameters: knowledge of the language and the level of training of a specialist.
The most popular jobs that you can apply for without knowing the language are:
- handymen at a construction site;
- auxiliary workers at enterprises;
- farm workers;
- a harvester in a garden or on a vegetable farm;
- public space cleaner and street cleaner.
In Venice and other large cities, of the vacancies for low-skilled specialists with knowledge of the Italian language, the following are most in demand:
- for men: au pair, driver;
- for girls and women: nanny, nurse, housekeeper, maid, sales assistant;
- for both sexes: waiter, gardener, farmer's assistant.
In addition, seasonal job vacancies are quite popular among Moldovans, Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians: instructors in ski resorts, employees in rental centers, staff for servicing ski slopes, animators, guides and cook assistants in the tourist season, pickers in vineyards, vegetable and fruit farms.
Among high-level professionals, training in the country invariably requires:
- managers;
- designers;
- sales representatives;
- merchandisers;
- reporting analysts;
- tutors and teachers (mostly foreign languages);
- certified builders and mechanical engineering specialists, engineers and designers;
- IT specialists;
- security engineers and design engineers
- nurses and doctors of various profiles.
Some of the professions in demand in Italy require knowledge of not only Italian, but also English. This is a mandatory requirement for doctors, guides, animators, hotel workers - all those who may come across tourists who do not know Italian.
Basic requirements and working conditions for foreigners in Italy
Working conditions for foreign nationals in Italy do not differ from those provided to local applicants.
Typically, most employers can offer:
- total working hours - 40 hours per week + 8 hours of allowable and separately paid overtime;
- employment during the day from 08.00 to 17.00, lunch break (siesta) from 12.30 to 15.30 (in large enterprises, lunch lasts 1 hour);
- four weeks annual leave + 12 holidays a year;
- seasonal work, as well as work of maids and nurses, is very often offered with accommodation, but the employees themselves provide food for themselves.
Outlets usually work until 20.00. There are also round-the-clock establishments. Such organizations usually have a shift work schedule.
Those who decide to get a job in Italy have the following basic requirements:
- Preference is given to applicants with knowledge of the Italian language. Advice: knowledge of English will be a plus.
- Work outside the specialty is not encouraged. That is why employers prefer to choose those whose diplomas correspond to the proposed vacancy.
- The age of the candidates is from 30 to 50 years old.
Search for vacancies for foreigners
If you are interested in working in Milan and other Italian cities, there are two options for selecting vacancies:
- independently, using sites, recommendations of friends and periodicals;
- through the agency.
Searching for vacancies through advertisements in Italian periodicals and on websites requires a good knowledge of the Italian language, because you will have to independently study the labor market in Italy.
Many periodicals have online versions:
- Corriere della Sera (Friday supplement - Corriere Lavoro) - www.corriere.it;
- Il Sole 24 Ore publishes the Cerco Lavoro – Giovani app for young graduates on Mondays - www.ilsole24ore.com;
- Lavoro & Carriere - a specialized publication for job seekers and those interested in internships in Italy - www.lavoroecarriere.it;
- Bollettino Del Lavoro is a monthly publication for posting and searching for vacancies - www.bollettinodellavoro.it.
From Internet portals for job search, you can recommend the following resources.
Universal resources:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Cliclavoro | State Labor Exchange with a lot of useful information and offers from direct employers. |
| Monster | Functional search menu by city, specialty, keyword and a given list of parameters; personal account; the ability to leave a resume. |
| Subito | Personal Area; convenient search menu for a variety of parameters; a list of vacancies available from the main page; the ability to view the contact details of the employer without registering on the site. |
| Cambiolavoro | Personal Area; the ability to respond to a vacancy directly from the ad; a wide range of proposals (interesting work in Rome, Venice, Milan and other major cities). |
| Cliccalavoro | Quick search for vacancies by keyword and company; a list of regions and industries to search for vacancies at the bottom of the main page of the site; Personal Area. |
| Lavoro corriere | All traditional options for sorting vacancies; Personal Area; information about internships; a convenient list of requirements for each proposal. |
| Kijiji | It is a universal classifieds portal with a job search section for those who are overtaken by unemployment in Italy. |
Specialized sites for a narrow category of professionals:
| Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Jobs In Milan | Vacancies for English-speaking, including foreign, professionals in Milan. |
| Informa Giovani | Information portal for young people, where advertisements for courses, volunteer programs and the search for employees in various specialties are presented. |
| Pambianco Jobs Fashion Jobs | Portals for those looking for work in the field of fashion and style. |
| Lavoro turismo Job In Tourism | Offers for professionals in the tourism business. |
| Free bulletin board in Italy | Russian-language resource, where low-paid jobs are mainly offered. |
| Studenti | Offers for students. |
Job aggregators - intermediaries who collect offers from other sites and exchanges include:
- it.jobrapido.com;
- neuvoo.it/it;
- www.simplyhired.it;
- italy.xpatjobs.com;
- it.jooble.org;
- careerjet.it.
Modern Italian job search sites are not responsible for the advertisements posted.
If you need guarantees, please contact specialized firms. From a number of reputable recruitment agencies with good reviews, you can recommend:
- Etjca;
- ADHR Group;
- About Job;
- A&B Associati;
- Quanta;
- Page Personnel;
- Oggi Lavoro;
- E-Work.
Agencies that help get temporary jobs stand apart. A great option for those who are interested in summer work and the opportunity to get to know life in Italy.
Reliable Italian temporary work agencies:
- Adecco;
- AliSpa;
- Eurointerim;
- Kelly;
- Manpower;
- Randstad.
Alternatively, you can contact the Italian government offices offering employment in local businesses - Uffici di Collocamento. And although the chance of finding a job through them is extremely small, it is worth trying in any case.
Recruitment procedure in Italy
Official employment with an Italian employer consists of several mandatory stages:
- initial contact with the employer, interviewing and verbal agreement on employment;
- obtaining a work permit in accordance with the quota;
- conclusion of an employment contract;
- obtaining a job invitation from a specific company or entrepreneur;
- registration of a work visa.
List of documents for employment in Italy
When entering the territory of Italy for the purpose of work, you will need the following documents:
- foreign passport (employment is possible only with a biometric passport);
- a work visa pasted into a valid foreign passport;
- an employment contract with an Italian employer;
- work permit.
In addition, documents confirming knowledge of the language, education and licenses for specific activities may be required (relevant for doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers). If you are interested in a high-paying job in Venice for Russians and good offers in other regions, you cannot do without such documents.
How to get a work permit from an Italian employer
A work permit in Italy (Nulla Osta) is issued to foreign citizens within the framework of annual quotas (a certain number of foreigners who can enter the country for the purpose of employment).
To obtain such a permit, an employer must:
- wait until the publication of quotas for the admission of foreign labor in the current year;
- apply to the Single Immigration Office (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione) at the prefecture of the place of future employment. For example, if you are interested in working in Florence, then the application should be made in this region, and not in another, even if there is also a branch of the company there;
- pass an employer check in the Labor Department of the region and a potential employee in Questura (police): during the checks, it is found out if there are any obstacles to hiring a foreigner by a specific company or private entrepreneur;
- obtain a work permit in Italy. The document is handed over to the employer or sent to the consulate of the country where it is planned to apply for a visa by a foreign worker.
You can apply online at nullaostalavoro.dlci.interno.it.
What you need to get an Italian work visa
The validity of a work permit in Italy is 180 days. During this period, it is necessary to have time to issue a work visa.
Per Lavoro Subordinato (D) is an Italian work visa, for the issuance of which you must submit a package of documents to the consulate or visa center.
The number of papers provided to the embassy for any type of activity includes (contract for a period of less than 90 days):
- biometric passport;
- work permit;
- the contract;
- national passport and a copy of its pages with personal data and a photo of the applicant;
- photo of the established sample;
- a receipt for payment of the consular fee;
- confirmation of the availability of funds for living in the country (sponsorship letter / certificate from the place of work / bank statement);
- booking tickets;
- confirmation of the availability of a place of residence (sponsorship letter / lease agreement / certificate of ownership of residential real estate);
- medical policy.
List of additional papers for an Italian work visa:
| Field of activity | List of papers for a visa |
|---|---|
| Employment: Athletes | personal portfolio; documents confirming special education. |
| Employment for artists | confirmation of education. |
| Managers and highly qualified employees of companies. Degree Applicants or Academic Researchers | confirmation that the work contract does not imply employment. |
| Entrepreneurship | a certificate issued by the Italian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which describes the parameters of economic resources for the implementation of the declared activity. |
Average salary in Italy
The income level of foreign workers / specialists in Italy directly depends on the level of qualifications and the position held. The minimum wage has not been set, although the bill on the minimum wage is already in Parliament and is likely to be adopted in 2021.
The average wage for 2021 was approximately € 29,300, or 2,440 per month. This is the 9th place among 15 EU countries.
In addition, the level of average earnings differs by region. Workers in the north of the country earn on average almost 7% more than their counterparts in the center and 16.6% more than similar workers in the south and islands. That is, the average salaries for the year are, respectively, 30,540 euros, 28,560 and 26,190 euros.
Another important point affecting the level of wages is the position. The gap between executives in Italian companies and ordinary workers is wide.
The former get about four times more than the latter:
- managers - 114,444 euros per year;
- personnel employees - 57,576 euros per year;
- clerks, small employees - 32,258 euros per year;
- low-skilled workers - 25,700 euros per year.
In Italy, there is a difference in wages and gender. Men earn around € 30,676 a year, while women earn around € 27,228. The difference of 6% between wages for men and women is the lowest among all EU countries.
It should be noted that people of the older generation (over 65) receive an average of 3500 euros per year, while young people (up to 30 years old) receive only 22,000 euros.
Equally important for wages is the availability of education. If the employee has a university diploma, his annual average salary can be up to 42,000 euros. For those who do not have an academic degree, this figure is significantly lower - 28,000 euros per year.
Approximate salaries of foreign workers in Italy for popular occupations:
| Field of activity | Average monthly salary, EUR |
|---|---|
| Waiter | 700–900 |
| Low-skilled labor (picking fruit in Italy, working on farms, in supermarkets and factories in low-paid jobs) | 1 000–1 200 |
| Hotel administrator | 1 300 |
| Driver | 1 400 |
| Salesman | 1 400 |
| Locksmith auto mechanic | 1 500 |
| School teacher / tutor | 1 600 |
| IT specialist | 1 700 |
| Fireman | 1 700 |
| Office Manager | 1 800 |
| Hospital nurse | 1 800 |
| Engineer | 3 000 |
| Accountant | 3 500 |
| General doctor | 4 300 |
| Commercial director of the enterprise | 4 400 |
It should be borne in mind that the salaries offered in Italy are not net income. Taxes will be withheld from them.
Italian taxes for working foreigners
In Italy, foreign workers are required to pay taxes to the treasury according to the following principle:
- living in the country from 183 days a year - from all income for the year;
- living in the country for up to 183 days a year - only from income received in Italy.
When deciding to leave for Italy to work, be prepared to pay the following types of income tax:
- national income tax (progressive rate 23–43%);
- regional tax - from 1.23 to 3.33%;
- municipal tax - 0.01-0.9%.
National income tax rate in Italy:
| Annual profit, EUR | Tax rate,% |
|---|---|
| up to 15,000 | 23 |
| 15 001–28 000 | 27 |
| 28 001–55 000 | 38 |
| 55 001– 75 000 | 41 |
| from 75 000 | 43 |
Municipal taxes in Italy are set independently by the administration of a particular region.
How to open a business in Italy for a foreigner
Foreigners wishing to start a business in Naples and other regions must meet the following criteria:
- the presence of 10,000-50,000 € on the account, depending on the type of planned activity;
- availability of a place to stay (both personal and rented housing are suitable);
- justification of the usefulness of business for the Italian economy.
When starting a business in Italy, foreign entrepreneurs are not obliged to provide jobs for indigenous people or to provide an officially established limit of profitability.
In addition to the standard package of documents, in order to obtain a work visa to Italy, businessmen will need a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the country and documents confirming the viability of the current case: certificates of payment of taxes, bank statements, copies of contracts or confirmation of the country's interest in start-up ...
As for the organizational form of the enterprise, the most popular are LLC (limited liability company) and CJSC (closed joint stock company).
Consequences of illegal employment in Italy
In terms of local legislation, illegal employment with Italian employers is recognized as:
- employment without a work visa;
- employment without an official contract and work permit issued by the current employer (in another company or from another private entrepreneur);
- work on an expired visa, passport, work permit or contract.
If you are interested in work for a couple in Italy, options for individual employment for the season and other types of employment, be sure to conclude a contract and get a work visa.
Illegal foreign workers are legally expelled from the country. Subsequently, they are usually restricted from entering Italy.
An unscrupulous employer faces a fine of up to € 10,000 and even jail time for several months.
Summarizing
In 2021, a variety of jobs are offered in Italy with and without knowledge of the Italian language. You can search for vacancies in the local press (including online publications), on thematic Internet portals and in recruiting agencies.
To apply for a position of interest, you will need an agreement with an employer, a work permit issued under a quota and a work visa. In addition, the authorities can request documents proving education and language proficiency.
If you are looking for residential jobs, look at ads looking for caregivers, farm assistants, housekeepers, and harvest workers.
