Work in Italy

Famously shaped like a boot, Italy regularly features on lists of the world's most popular travel destinations. It's easy to see why, with a combination of ancient history and modern culture, alongside renowned:

• architecture
• art
• fashion.

By choosing to live and work in Italy, you'll have the opportunity to experience its sunny climate, breathtaking landscapes and historic cities.

When you're not working, there's plenty to explore. You could visit Florence and see sculptures by Michelangelo and Giambologna, admire the Gothic palazzi and canals of Venice, or discover the historic sights of Rome before relaxing in one of the city's cafés. Elsewhere, you could browse the fashion boutiques of Milan or head south to Naples, widely regarded as the birthplace of modern pizza.

Finding work in Italy can be competitive, particularly if you don't speak Italian. Relevant qualifications, experience and specialist expertise could improve your chances. Major cities such as Florence, Milan, Genoa and Rome are among the places to begin your search.

Jobs in Italy

Italy has one of the world's largest economies, with services and manufacturing among its important industries. However, your job prospects will vary depending on your:

• experience
• location
• sector
• skills.

Entering the labour market can be challenging for younger people. Italy's overall unemployment rate stood at 6.2% in August 2026, compared with 20.3% among 15 to 24-year-olds. For graduates, AlmaLaurea's 2026 Graduates' Employment Status report found that 80.2% were employed one year after graduating.

Opportunities vary across Italy. The north has a strong industrial and commercial base, with major employment centres including:

• Genoa
• Milan
• Turin.

Southern Italy has a different economic profile, with agriculture, services and tourism contributing to employment.

Lazio, which includes Rome, has a highly qualified workforce, with graduates accounting for 32.5% of the region's employed people. Lombardy, home to Milan and a major centre for business and industry, has an employment rate above the national average.

Different cities have their own industry strengths:

• Bologna - manufacturing, engineering and business.
• Milan - finance, fashion, design and professional services.
• Rome - government, tourism, communications and professional services.
• Turin - automotive manufacturing and engineering.

When deciding where to focus your job search, consider:

• the local cost of living
• the skills employers require
• vacancies in your field.

If you're looking for a specialist role, explore opportunities across the country rather than restricting your search to the largest cities.

Italy also has internationally recognised industries in fashion, furniture, food production and agriculture, alongside its strengths in automotive manufacturing.

Well-known brands include automotive companies such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, and fashion names including:

• Armani
• Gucci
• Prada
• Versace.

Skills shortages

Shortages vary by occupation, industry and region, so it's worth researching where your expertise is in demand.

According to the Italian Ministry of Labour, employers reported difficulties filling 43.6% of positions they planned to recruit for in October 2026, included roles for specialists in the life sciences and engineering technicians.

Other skills shortage areas to explore include:

• healthcare
• information and communications technology (ICT)
• mathematics and science occupations.

Recruitment data can highlight occupations where employers are struggling to find suitable candidates. To identify where your skills could be required, compare vacancies across the regions where you want to work through European Employment Services Network (EURES) - labour-market information for Italy.

How to get a job in Italy

Most vacancies in Italy are advertised online, through recruitment agencies and directly by employers. You can search for opportunities on:

• Glassdoor
• Jooble
• The Local Italy
• Reed
• Total Jobs
• TrovoLavoro.it

You can also use Cliclavoro, Italy's employment portal, to search for vacancies and access information about jobs and careers. The EURES is another useful resource for researching vacancies and working conditions in Italy.

Alongside job boards, explore employers' careers websites for graduate schemes and entry-level roles. For example:

• British American Tobacco has an 18-month Global Graduate Marketing Programme in Rome.
• Intesa Sanpaolo offers an International Graduate Programme in banking and finance, lasting between 18 and 36 months.
• UNIQLO runs a 12-month Management Candidate Graduate Programme in Milan.

Networking can also help you find opportunities and build professional contacts. Use LinkedIn to connect with people in your field and consider approaching organisations directly with a speculative application.

If you already work for an international organisation with operations in Italy, you could also explore whether an internal transfer or secondment is available.

Depending on the employer, you may need to submit a CV and cover letter or complete an online application form. Applications may be expected in Italian, but follow the language instructions in the vacancy rather than assuming this is required for a role advertised in English.

You can use the Europass CV builder to help structure your CV, but adapt your application to the individual employer rather than relying on the same format for every vacancy.

Summer jobs

If you're looking for short-term work in Italy, tourism and agriculture are two sectors worth exploring, although opportunities vary by location and time of year. You should start your search well before the summer tourist season begins.

Seasonal work can include:

• fruit picking and other agricultural roles
• holiday resorts and summer camps
• hotels, restaurants and bars
• ski resorts.

If you have relevant childcare experience, you could also explore au pair opportunities.

Seasonal work forms an important part of recruitment in Italy. The country's Flow Decree immigration programme includes places for eligible non-EU seasonal workers, rather than graduates specifically.

Volunteering in areas such as farming, hostels, eco-villages, or animal care can be another way to develop your skills, gain experience and practise your Italian. Check the conditions carefully before committing to a programme. Make sure you understand:

• any fees or costs
• the work you'll be expected to do
• what accommodation and meals are included
• whether your immigration status allows you to take part.

You can explore opportunities through websites including:

• Go Overseas
• International Volunteer HQ
• Volunteer World
• Workaway.info
• Worldpackers

Teaching jobs

If you have a strong command of English, teaching the language could be one route into working in Italy. Opportunities may be available with:

• international schools
• organisations providing language training to businesses
• private language schools
• universities.

Entry requirements vary between employers. Depending on the role, you may need:

• a degree
• previous teaching experience
• a recognised Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) qualification.

Be sure to check individual vacancies before applying.

Recruitment dates also vary, though employers may begin recruiting in the spring for positions that start in September or October.

One option is the British Council Teach English as a Language Assistant scheme. Around 40 placements are available in Italy each year, running from October to May. Language assistants spend around 12 hours a week supporting English-language learning in schools.

Competition for the programme is high and you'll need to meet its eligibility requirements, including having at least B1-level Italian. Check the British Council's latest guidance for application dates, placement conditions and visa requirements.

For information about teaching English in Italy and relevant qualifications, visit The TEFL Institute.

Internships

An internship can help you gain practical experience, develop your Italian language skills and build professional contacts while living in Italy. Opportunities are available across sectors, including:

• architecture
• business
• design
• fashion.

Entry requirements and availability vary.

Internships can be paid or unpaid, depending on the opportunity and the applicable rules. Before applying, check the:

• duration and responsibilities
• eligibility requirements
• pay or other financial support
• visa or work-authorisation requirements.

You can search for internships through:

• AIESEC UK - offers career-focused international opportunities for students and recent graduates.
• GoAbroad.com - Internships abroad in Italy - search for internship programmes in Italy across a range of sectors and locations.
• Go Overseas - Internships in Italy - compare internship programmes and apply through individual providers.
• Piktalent Italy - advertises internship opportunities with companies in Italy, including in cities such as Milan and Rome.

Italian visas

Your right to live and work in Italy depends on your nationality and individual circumstances.

If you're an EU citizen, you can generally live and work in Italy without a work permit, although you may need to complete residence registration or other formalities if you stay for more than three months.

For details on which visa you'll need, see the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Entry into Italy.

If you're a UK citizen without protected residence rights or another exemption, you'll generally need the appropriate immigration permission to work in Italy. Being able to visit Italy for up to 90 days without a visa doesn't automatically give you the right to take up employment. Before accepting a job or making plans to relocate, check which immigration route applies to you through GOV.UK - Travel to Italy for work.

For many non-EU workers, your Italian employer must first obtain work authorisation. You can then apply for the relevant visa, where required. After arriving in Italy, you'll generally also need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within the applicable deadline.

Italy sets annual quotas for certain categories of non-EU workers. For 2026, the government authorised:

• 76,200 entries for non-seasonal employment
• 650 entries for self-employment
• 88,000 entries for seasonal employment.

These quotas don't guarantee you a job or permission to work, and not every immigration route is subject to the same limits.

Language requirements

Learning Italian can widen your employment options and make everyday life easier. Many roles require a good level of Italian, particularly if you'll be working with local customers, colleagues, organisations or public services. However, you may find English-speaking opportunities with international companies and specialist employers, especially if you have technical or other in-demand skills.

Language ability is just one of the skills employers look for. Unioncamere's 2025 graduate recruitment report found that specific work experience was required in 58.3% of cases, while foreign-language communication skills were requested in 38%.

Check the language requirements for each vacancy and, if necessary, consider taking an Italian course before you move. Combining this with relevant internships, placements or work experience could help strengthen your applications.

How to explain your qualifications to employers

The Bologna Process helps make higher education qualifications more comparable across Europe, but whether your UK qualification is recognised in Italy will depend on the job you want to do.

For many non-regulated roles, employers may assess your qualifications and experience as part of the recruitment process. However, if you want to work in a regulated profession, you may need to have your professional qualifications formally recognised or meet specific registration requirements before you can practise.

Requirements vary, so check the rules for your chosen career before applying for jobs, particularly if your UK qualification is essential for entry.

For guidance on recognising foreign professional qualifications, check the Italian Ministry of Enterprises and Made in Italy. You can also use ENIC-NARIC - Italy to find information about the recognition and comparison of international qualifications.ENIC-NARIC - Italy.

What it's like to work in Italy

Italy doesn't have a universal statutory minimum wage. Instead, minimum pay is generally set through sector-specific collective bargaining agreements negotiated between employers and trade unions, with rates varying according to the type and level of work. According to AlmaLaurea, average net monthly earnings one year after graduation were €1,492 (£1,250).

You and your employer will generally both pay social security contributions. Your access to benefits and healthcare will depend on your employment and residence status, with eligible residents able to register for Italy's national health service.

When comparing salaries, consider how much it will cost you to live in your chosen location. Accommodation costs can vary significantly between cities. HousingAnywhere's 2026 Rent Index, for example, reported median monthly rents for furnished rooms of €620 (£520) in Milan and Bologna and €630 (£527) in Rome.

A standard full-time working week is generally 40 hours, although some collective agreements provide for fewer hours. Average working time, including overtime, must not exceed 48 hours a week over the applicable reference period.

You'll be entitled to at least four weeks of paid annual leave each year, although your contract or collective agreement may provide additional leave and public-holiday entitlements.

Italy observes public holidays throughout the year, including:

• New Year's Day (1 January)
• Epiphany (6 January)
• Liberation Day (25 April)
• Labour Day (1 May)
• Republic Day (2 June)
• Assumption Day (15 August)
• All Saints' Day (1 November)
• Immaculate Conception (8 December)
• Christmas Day (25 December)
• St Stephen's Day (26 December).

Easter Monday is also a public holiday, although its date changes each year. Some towns and cities observe additional holidays in honour of their patron saints.

You can find further information on pay and employment conditions through EURES, while ISTAT provides statistics that can help you compare household spending across Italy.

Find out more

• Discover what it's like to study in Italy.