Live and work in Italy
Italy is one of the most thrilling countries in the world. It’s known for food like pizza, pasta and gelato. As well as artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Sandro Botticelli. In addition to the food and the people, the nature of Italy is also astonishing. Visit the Amalfi Coast, the beautiful hills in Tuscany or sunny Sicily. Living in Italy can be a great experience. Get to know more about what it’s like to live and work in Italy.
Click below to read more about:
- Latest available jobs in Italy
- What you need to know about living in Italy
- Basic facts about Italy
- What is it like to work in Italy?
- How to find jobs and housing in Italy
- Why should you get a job in Italy?
- Popular cities in Italy
- Speak to one of our recruiters
- Life in Italy
- Cultural experiences; passionate Italians
- Typical food in Italy
- Where to learn Italian?
- Still not convinced about Italy?
- Taxes in Italy
- FAQ
- Find work in other countries nearby
Latest available jobs in Italy
German Junior SEO and Copywriter assistant for Job Squad – fully remote
Do you have a great track record of hiring solid and great employees? Or are you always the one who help and advice your friends on where to look for jobs? Then keep reading!
German B2B Sales, fully remote
We are currently looking for a German employee in sales for a fully remote position. Full-time and part-time positions available.
German Key Account Manager, fully remote
We are currently looking for a German Key Account Manager for a fully remote position. You will be responsible for conducting company meetings and presentations, guiding sales processes from start to finish.
Currency
The Euro (symbol: €, ISO: EUR) is the official currency in Italy
Famous people
Some famous Italians are Andrea Bocelli, Giorgio Armani and Damiano David (frontman Måneskin)
Population
Italy has ~59 million residents, with Rome and Milan being the biggest cities with more than a million residents
Typical food
Pasta, pizza, gelato, risotto, focaccia, tiramisù
Avg. working week
Italy has an average of 36 hour work week, 8 hours daily, 5 days a week
Location
Italy lies in southern Europe, with the Mediterranean Sea on the south of it. France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia are the neighboring countries in the north
Languages
The official language is Italian, and they use the Latin script
Healthcare
High standards, universal healthcare system which provides free or low-cost healthcare to residents
What you need to know about living in Italy
Italy has a rich history and culture. The country offers you amazing food, beautiful landscapes and a relaxed lifestyle. The Italians are known for their hospitality, friendliness, and passion. No one lives life with all its emotions, positive and negative ones, like the people from Italy. Italians value quality time with friends and family and the local community is very important. Drinking coffee together is a standard social activity.
Life in Italy is relaxed. Time is flexible: punctuality is less rigid than in some other European cultures. Long lunches reflect this pace. Food is a symbol of identity for the Italians. Eating quickly isn’t appreciated. Meals are a time to gather, talk and most importantly, relax.
Some of the main activities you could do while living and working in Italy:
- Go skiing/snowboarding (Val Gardena, Livigno)
- Explore art & history (Sistine Chapel, Colosseum)
- Experience Italian cuisine and food (Truffle hunting, making/eating pizza in Naples)
- Go hiking (Dolomites, Cinque Terre National Park)
- Go to the beach or lakes (Sardinia, Lake Como)
- Visit the volcanoes (Etna, Vesuvius)
- Attend operas or classical concerts
Get a job in Italy if you:
- Want to combine working abroad with discovering breathtaking landscapes
- Dream of living and working in beautiful surroundings and great weather
- See yourself indulging in the relaxed, but passionate Italian lifestyle
Basic facts about Italy
- Average working hours per week: 36 hours, plus breaks
- Typical working day: Monday to Friday from 9:00 to 17:00
- Number of Vacation days: 20 days / 4 weeks, plus public holidays
- Commute: Mostly by train, tram, bus or car. There are metro lines in Milan, Rome, Naples and Turin
- Work culture: Workplaces with international colleagues. Italian is the main language, but most people speak English too
- Population: There’s approx. 59 million people in Italy and the country has an area of 302,073 km²
What is it like to work in Italy?
In the Italian working culture, relationships matter. Small talk and social interactions are part of this. In Italy, you don’t just rush into business. You have to build relationships with each other first. Personal time and family life is important. The Italians live by ‘La dolce vita’: work is important, but life is more than just working all the time. It’s another reason why Italian colleagues love to hear about your personal life and family.
Most workplaces have a clear hierarchy, which is respected. Team collaboration however is important, so all members of the team can offer their input. But when it comes to taking decisions, the senior executives are the boss and take the lead. Italian is the main language in most offices, though international companies use English as the main communication language too. Appearance matters in Italy. Fashion is important in the country, and also within the working culture. When you work in Italy, give some thought to your outfit, it will be appreciated.
There is a difference between working in the north of Italy and working in the south. In the north punctuality is important. Meetings start on time and it is expected that you are punctual too. In the south there is a more relaxed tempo. Meetings can start late and lunchbreaks can take a bit longer than expected.
The average salary in Italy varies by industry, but professionals earn €35K-€45K EUR annually. Employers must withhold and pay both their own and the employee’s share of the total social security contribution. Approximately 33% of the employee’s gross salary is allocated to pension contributions.
Work in Milan
Italy has got one of the strongest economies in the EU. The key industries in Italy are: manufacturing, tourism, agriculture and food and services. The tourism sector contributes approximately 10.5% of GDP, with job opportunities in travel, customer service and hospitality.
In cities like Milan, there is always a need for people who speak English, but also other languages like Danish, Norwegian, Finnish, German, Dutch and more. At Job Squad you will find a lot of offers for multiple languages available, check them out here!
Read more about getting a job and living in Milan, Italy
How to find jobs and housing in Italy
Allying yourself with an international recruitment agency can be smart when you want to find a job in Italy. At Job Squad, we have supported thousands of others to find their dream job abroad. You can read their stories here. With a recruitment agency behind you, you’ll get help finding the right job positions. Agencies typically have contacts in a number of companies that are looking for candidates like you.
When applying for a job in Italy, focus more on work experience and achievements than on skills. Your CV should be kept short, with the focus on your former working experience. Cover letters should be short, direct, and relevant. In formal language, tell the employer why you are interested in the job and their company. Don’t include every detail: in Italy information comes across better when in verbal form.
The best ways to find housing and rentals depends on the area/city you want to live in. Finding housing in the big cities can be competitive. The northern, bigger cities Milan can be expensive. The same goes for Rome. A lot of people look for housing in these cities. Further south, in Naples, it is a bit easier to find housing. In Catania there is a lower demand, which makes the average housing price cheaper. You can look for housing through these popular websites:
- https://www.idealista.it/: most popular website for finding rental housing
- https://www.immobiliare.it/: offers apartments and houses all across the country
- https://www.casa.it/: mostly agency listings
- https://www.subito.it/: private rentals
Why should you get a job in Italy?
Italy offers many reasons why you should start working here. If you enjoy the best coffee and food, it’s the place to be. The country also has a great history, with lots of remains from the Roman Empire. Visit the modern, yet historical cities like Rome, Milan and Naples, or experience the natural beauty of the Dolomites, Lake Como or Gran Paradiso National Park.
You will also find a very passionate working culture where teamwork and personal values are very important. Remember La Dolce Vita (The Sweet Life): work is important, but your life is so much more than that. Adapt to this lifestyle and you will enjoy the interpersonal relationships and the long lunch breaks in Italy.
Popular cities in Italy
Speak to one of our recruiters
Life in Italy
Italy will be the perfect destination for you, if you like eating pizza, history, stunning architecture and beach life.
With a long coastline with approximately 3.300 kilometers of beaches, there will always be a spot for you to enjoy the water. Especially the islands of Italy offer lots of beautiful beaches like La Pelosa in Sardinia and Favignana in Sicily.
You will find a diverse and multinational environment, tourists ranging from backpackers to history seekers and people on work visa.
Cultural experiences; passionate Italians
Italians are known for their passion in everything they do. The Italians are raised to be very expressive, being encouraged to show their emotions. Communication goes with tone and lots of gestures. Strong opinions and emotional expression are culturally accepted in the country. You experience this best during sporting events. The passion you find inside an Italian football stadium is thrilling, with lots of emotion and loud chanting. Italians eat, sleep and breathe football. If you want to connect with strangers in Italy, talking about Calcio (football) is a great starting point.
Italians love celebrating, and they obviously do this with passion. You can celebrate Ferragosto (Assumption Day) on the 15th of August. On this day, everyone is free from working and celebrates with family and friends by organising big meals, barbecues or picnics. Musical festivals, concerts and fireworks are common. For many Italians, this day also is the start of their summer holidays.
- Visit the Vatican; the smallest country in the world. Visit the churches, museums and explore St. Peter’s Square
- Colosseum in Rome; built nearly 2000 years ago, it was used for gladiator fights and events for the Roman citizens.
- Volcanic city of Pompeii; see the fully intact old Roman ruins in the volcano covered city
- Michelangelo’s masterpieces; be amazed by the Sistine Chapel and The Last Judgement
- Wine-tasting or olive oil tasting in Toscany
- Opera at Arena di Verona or La Scala (Milan); nobody can do opera shows like the Italians
- Gondola in Venice; visit the famous city of Venice and explore the canals
- Infiorata flower festivals; enjoy the decorated streets and parties
Italy has a great arts and music culture with museums, galleries, as well as live music. History plays a key role in the Italians’ identity. The country’s attitude towards work-life balance, focus on tradition and warm social environment make it a popular destination for visiting and living.
Typical food in Italy
Italian food is often seen as one of the best in the world. Some of Italy’s most famous foods and drinks are:
- Pizza: one of the most popular foods in the world. Pizza originated in Naples and the Neapolitean pizza style is simple but holy. The making process of this pizza is included on UNESCO’s list of intangible cultural heritage.
- Pasta: another food that is holy in Italian cuisine. Italy has hundreds of pasta shapes and recipes. The dishes emphasize on few, but high-quality ingredients. Recipes are often passed down through generations. Pasta dishes like spaghetti carbonara and pesto alla Genovese.
- Bread & Antipasti: Focaccia and bruschetta, mostly prepared with delicious olive oil.
- Italian seafood: Along the long coastline you can find the most delicious seafood, like mixed fried seafood and spaghetti with clams
- Gelato: Ice cream, made with more milk, less cream and less air. It’s made with fresh ingredients and tastes more dense and creamy than ‘regular’ ice cream
- Espresso: Drinking espresso is a daily routine for almost everyone in Italy. Drinking it together is seen as a social ritual and a moment to pause and relax
- Wine: Italy is one of the oldest wine-producing countries in the world. Italians are proud of their wines, which they drink at almost every social event. They drink wine slowly and really focus on enjoying the taste.
Italians eat dinner quite late, compared to other European countries. Eating between 8:30-10:30 pm is regular. Italians also love long dinners, lasting 2-3 hours sometimes.
Where to learn Italian?
There are always benefits when learning another language: you have the possibility to blend in a new culture. Italians are famous for their hospitality and help you, even more, when they realise you’re learning the language. You can check HERE for Italian courses with immersive experiences for you to learn the actual culture behind the language.
Still not convinced about Italy?
Living in Italy will be very exciting. You will not be bored, because the country offers so much to do and see. Italy offers you culture and history that you can’t find anywhere else. From the ruins in Rome to the canals in Venice. Dive into the food culture of the Italians. The Italians put lots of effort and love into their pizza, pasta and espressos. The social culture of the Italians is also infectious. Start living life in the fast lane, like the real Italians do. Visit a football match and step onto the rollercoaster of emotions.
Italy also offers great healthcare and excellent public transport. Use this transport to visit multiple cities. Visit stunning landscapes, from the Amalfi Coast to the hills in Tuscany. Go on a winter sports vacation in the Alps or on a beach holiday in Sardinia or Sicily. Italy has it all.
The work-life balance is a plus, with generous vacation days and a family and freedom focussed attitude that helps you truly enjoy your time outside of work too. The job market is open to EU-citizens, with big companies looking for international people all the time. There are a lot of career opportunities across different industries like IT, retail and healthcare. The average salary makes sure you can save enough to do some fun activities within Italy too. It is the perfect place to develop as a professional and as a person.
The Italian social safety nets are great and the public Medicare systems make healthcare accessible and affordable. The country is generally safe and prosperous. Locals are generally ready to welcome you, as long as you are willing to adapt to their culture too.
Click here to see the latest jobs in Italy
Taxes in Italy
Italy has a progressive tax system, which means that the more you earn, the higher your rate of tax will be. Tax brackets (for residents) range from 23% (up to €15.00) to 43% (above €75.000). The tax-free threshold is €8.000 annually, which means that you don’t have to pay tax if you earn below this amount.
FAQ
No, you do not need a work permit if you are an EU/EEA citizen, but if you are staying for longer than three months you will need to get a Certificate of Residence.
In the bigger cities most people speak relatively good English. You can talk in English in restaurants and shops. Younger Italians are also quite good at English, making it easier for you to communicate. It is however smart to start learning some Italian, as it makes acclimatising easier for you.
It depends on the region where you live. In Northern Italy (Milan), winters are cold with lots of snow, especially in the Alps. Summers are nice, with temperatures ranging from mid-20s to low 30s °C.
Central Italy (Rome) has mild and rainy winters (5-15 °C), with hot and dry summers (28-35 °C). Snow is very rare in the winters. In the summer, especially the nights are warm and pleasant.
Southern Italy winters are mild and quite pleasant (10-15 °C) and the summers are hot and dry, with temperatures from mid to high 30 °C. In the spring the landscape blooms beautifully.
The transportation system in Italy is well-developed:
- Public transport: The big cities offer trains, trams and buses. In seven cities there are metros, including Milan, Naples, Rome and Turin. You can use contactless payment or buy tickets for the public transport in Italy.
- Domestic Flights: If you want to travel from one Italian city to another, you could book domestic flights. Italy has 37 airports, with every big city having at least one.
- Driving: Renting a car is a great way to explore different parts of Italy. The country is big, but not too big for exploring every spot by car. The roads are generally well-maintained.
- Taxis & Ride-Sharing: Uber and other ride-sharing services are widely available in the big Italian cities.
- Bicycles: It depends on the city. Milan is one of the most bike-friendly cities of Italy, but in Rome and Naples cycling is more challenging and not that usual.
- Trains: Intercity trains are one of the best options for travelling through Italy. It’s not the quickest way of travel, but it gets you to where you want to be. For example from Rome to Naples (~1 hour, 15 minutes) or from Milan to Rome (~3 hours).