According to ISTAT (Italian Institute of Statistics), Italy is the country with the highest number of immigrants. Moreover, it has the highest rates of temporary residence permit (TRP) issuance for citizens of countries outside the EU. At the same time, as of 2019, 6.4% of the population was below the poverty line.

Italy has a high unemployment rate, and wage rates that are several times lower than, for example, Germany or France. Italian youth seek jobs in neighboring countries not only because of more comfortable working conditions but also because it is extremely difficult to find employment in their homeland. Meanwhile, the State Migration Service constantly registers low rates of long-term unemployment among foreigners, as they receive state support.

How to look for a job in Italy

If you decide to move to Italy due working visa, you should be patient and make every effort to search. You can look for new vacancies on specialized sites, or by contacting a recruitment agency.

Whether you search on your own or with the help of professionals, it is worth considering the following points:

Geography

Northern and Southern Italy differ significantly in development and mentality. That is the essence of the conflict between these parts of the country. The northerners are more responsible and serious, while the southerners prefer the ease and rest rather than work.

It will be easier to get official papers for employment in the north. The southern regions are generally not interested in registering foreigners: it obliges them to do paperwork, obtain licenses and pay taxes. But they will gladly offer to work illegally.

Language proficiency

It is extremely difficult to find a good job without it. Yes, there are vacancies for low-skilled workers where knowledge of the Italian language is not required. But such work candidates from one country are usually selected and employers form a kind of camp for the work period. Such options also involve difficult working conditions, low pay, and temporary employment.

Jobs in the field of tourism and entertainment require knowledge of Italian as well as English, French, and Polish.

Sex and gender discrimination

Family is Italians’ main value. Therefore they tend to regard women as housewives and mothers. And such things as employment in large companies, career growth, or a leadership position are almost unattainable for a woman. This is especially evident in the southern regions of Italy.

Slow career growth

Even if back home you were a specialist with a high level of skills, extensive experience, and solid achievements, in Italy you have to start from the ashes. Young people will not be hired for leadership positions here either. On the other hand, there is no prejudice against changing the sphere of work in late adulthood.

Buzz marketing

Italy is a country of small family businesses, where you can get a job only through personal acquaintance and friendship. Therefore, when looking for it, extra acquaintances always pay. If you are already in Italy, the best way to get a job is to personally bring your CV to the companies. If you are lucky and the employer likes you, he will immediately conduct an interview or advise colleagues who need employees.

Recruitment agencies

Their services are only available to those who have already received a temporary residence permit (TRP). Yet you shouldn't rely on them much: the average waiting time for a suitable offer is six months (if there is one at all).

Employment Fraud

Due to the limited number of real vacancies in the market, there are a wide number of agencies and individuals offering non-existent vacancies or reselling options offered by real employers. Due to the lack of regulation, there is a risk of paying money for a job opportunity and being left with nothing.

Demanded professions

Most often, foreign specialists are required in the field of IT and construction (highly qualified programmers, engineers, and metallurgical workers). Despite alternative energy sources development, experienced engineers and electricians working in this direction will also find a good option.

Private and public higher education institutions are actively looking for teachers who are native speakers of foreign languages. Italy also lacks certified translators, especially those who work with medicine and law and can translate into unpopular languages ​​- Korean, Japanese, Greek, etc. Additionally language proficiency (in several preferably), you can find vacancies in tourism.

There are also high prospects for specialists in the beauty industry, as the level of services provided among Italian pros is much lower, and prices are high. Representatives of the visual sphere (photographers, animators, artists, designers, and content makers) will find jobs too. Although it will be easier for them to launch a business as a sole trader rather than trying to contract with a local firm.

Options that do not require a diploma of higher education are masons, builders, repairmen, carpenters, plumbers, and mechanics. Also, nannies and carers in the family are often required.

For seasonal job seekers, trips with accommodation on the farm during the fruit and vegetable harvest period are widely offered. According to the decree on labor flows, only citizens of countries that have signed a bilateral agreement on labor immigration can be employed in seasonal or domestic work.

What about the prospects?

According to the forecast of the European Centre for the Development of Vocational Training (CEDEFOP), the highest demand for foreign specialists will be in the field of:

• business and administration;
• teaching and professorial activities in schools and universities;
• construction.

By the way: if you were able to get a residence permit in Italy, you will have many benefits and opportunities available to citizens of the country. In particular, the possibility of free upgrades and advanced vocational training. Moreover, you can study not only within the framework of your main specialty but also expand your areas of knowledge. For example, improve your public speaking skills, get a certificate as a beautician, or learn how to drive a boat.

Obtaining a work visa

Regardless of the basis of a long-term stay in Italy, a national visa type D must be obtained. In the case of employment, it requires:

• work permit, which is issued by the employer and must be included in the number of quotas;
• accommodation (rent) agreement signed by the employer;
• bank statement of financial solvency (which must correspond to the number of funds that a foreigner will need to leave the country if necessary).

Depending on the type of employment, the pack of the required documents, the level of quotas, and the specifics of stay in the country will change like this:

Seasonal work

The visa is issued for up to 9 months. It allows the possibility of changing the place of work, but not the type of activity. If the visa is re-opened, the candidate has priority over others in quotas. An employee who is invited by the same employer for seasonal work for 2 years in a row is entitled to a long-term residence permit for up to 3 years.

Employment

After obtaining a visa for employment, a foreigner must apply for a temporary residence permit (TRP) within 8 days of arriving in Italy. To obtain a visa, it is necessary to provide the consulate with plans for the employee's further development within the company he or she is going to work.

Employment for highly qualified professionals

The so-called blue card of the EU is issued by the police commissioner in the province where the specialist lives. To confirm the level of qualification, the candidate is required to provide a nostrified diploma of education, certificates of advanced training, and language level proficiency, as well as recommendations from previous employers.

Visa for an individual entrepreneur

A visa on such grounds can be obtained by entrepreneurs whose activities are not fixed at the legislative level for citizens of Italy or other EU countries. In this case, the work permit is issued not by the employer, but by the employee himself or herself. An employee also submits documents confirming that he or she has enough finances and opportunities to live in the country and do business.

Outside of quotas, translators, teachers of foreign languages ​​at universities, as well as professors or candidates for a scientific degree who come to teach and conduct scientific activities can find a job in Italy.