Employee Work Permit in Italy

The number of non-EU citizens moving to Italy for work purposes has increased a lot in the last few years. While some of them come as highly skilled migrants, others relocate here based on temporary employment permits.

No matter the type of employment contract signed by a foreign citizen and an Italian company, the employee work permit is mandatory. Most of the times, this type of permit must be obtained by the employer.

Below, our immigration lawyers in Italy explain the requirements related to obtaining an employee work permit. We can assist foreign citizens interested in immigration to Italy with the procedures of obtaining work and residence permits.

Types of employee work permit in Italy

There are several types of work permits which can be obtained in Italy. Some of them are issued for temporary assignments, while others grant the right to residence in Italy.

The applicant can choose the type of employee work permit to apply for based on their necessities. However, one is required to find an employer to match his or her expectations.

The following types of employee work permits are available in Italy:

  1. employee work permits for subordinate workers which are issued based on an annual quota imposed by the authorities;
  2. employee work permits for autonomous employees which are issued for those seeking to practice a profession;
  3. employee work permits for assigned employees who are detached to work for an Italian company for a determined period of time;
  4. employee work permits for a service agreement assignment, if a foreign employee cannot be detached;
  5. ICT employee work permits for highly skilled persons who come to take on management roles in Italian companies as employees transferred from a parent company.

Most Italian employee work permits are issued for a minimum period of 3 months, while the maximum duration of such a work permit is 2 years. The work permit can be renewed.

If you want to immigrate to Italy based on an employee work permit, our lawyers can support you during the application procedure.


The seasonal work permit in Italy

The seasonal work permit is available in two domains of activities: agriculture and tourism. This means that an Italian company working in one of these two industries can hire foreign personnel based on a seasonal employment visa. In order to do that, the company must file an application with the Ministry of Interior based on which it will obtain the clearance for the foreign workers it wants to bring into Italy.

It is very important to know that the seasonal work permit has a validity period which ranges between 20 days and 3 months, which makes it one of the least employed types of permits.

The long-term employment or residence permit in Italy

Opposed to the seasonal work permit is the residence permit which grants an undefined period of staying, but also working in Italy. The residence permit is one of the most popular types of visas among non-EU citizens. Persons who have lived and worked in Italy based on temporary work permits can apply for the long-term permit after 5 years.

The greatest advantage of the long-term permit is that if the foreign citizen leaves Italy, he or she can re-enter the country without having to apply for a visa.

The subordinate work permit in Italy

The subordinate employment visa must be obtained by the employer on behalf of the foreign citizen it intends to bring to Italy. For this purpose, the company is required to obtain clearance (nulla osta) from the Immigration Department.

Even if the procedure is the same when applying for a seasonal work permit, in this case, the employer will need to comply with more requirements, among which we remind the following:

  • the employer must secure a fixed-term or indefinite work contract for the employee;
  • the employer must also secure accommodation for the foreign worker;
  • the employer must cover the expenses of the foreign worker’s leave once the employment contract has ended;
  • the validity of a subordinate employment permit is of maximum 2 years.

Our lawyers in Italy can offer more information on the subordinate employment permit which is very common in this country.

The self-employment visa in Italy

Foreign entrepreneurs who want to move to Italy can apply for a self-employment permit which will grant them the right to complete various types of works. The subordinate work permit can also allow the foreign citizen to be self-employed as long as the employment contract has been signed for an indefinite period of time.

This type of Italian work permit is issued for a maximum period of 2 years.

The steps for obtaining an Italian employee work permit

Non-EU citizens who want to obtain employee work permits in Italy must go through specific steps. These usually imply:

  • find a job with an Italian company (as the employer will start the work visa application procedure);
  • obtain the authorization request for employment (nulla osta al lavoro) from the Italian immigration authorities;
  • the applicant will also file an application with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in his or her home country once the authorization has been issued;
  • an entry visa for Italy will be issued based on the documents filed by the applicant and the Italian employer;
  • the applicant will also need to find a suitable place to live and have sufficient funds for self-sustenance.

The procedure for obtaining an employee work permit in Italy is not complicated if a work contract is in place. It is also good to know that refugees and students can also convert their visas into work permits in Italy if they find jobs.

Our immigration lawyers in Italy can advise foreign citizens who want to move to this country based on employee work permits.

What are the documents related to obtaining Italian employee work permits?

When it comes to the documents to be filed when applying for an employee work permit in Italy, the list is shorter than when applying for a residence permit. However, both the Italian employer and the future employee must prepare sets of documents which will be filed with the Italian authorities and the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the home country of the applicant.

The Italian company hiring a foreign employee will need the personal details of the overseas worker and the employment contract. On the other hand, the foreign worker will also need to find a place stay, case in which the rental contract will be required and to submit proof of the money for self-sustenance during the stay in Italy.

Once arrived in Italy, the foreign employee will also need to register with the local police station.

If you want to immigrate to Italy and need assistance, our lawyers who specialize in such matters can guide you.

Special types of employee work permit in Italy

Foreign entrepreneurs can also obtain employee work permits in Italy, however, they can also relocate here based on self-employment residence permits in accordance with their qualifications and professions. The main advantage of such permits is that they allow for foreigners to have their own small businesses in Italy.

What are the 5 most important reasons for obtaining an Italy work visa?

Foreign citizens interested in immigrating to Italy for work purposes will usually look for countries with good economic performance. Italy is one of those countries, but there are other reasons why one can choose to immigrate here based on a work visa. Among the top 5 reasons to obtain an Italy work visa, we mention the following:

  1. Italy offers access to the entire European Union labor market and most of the jobs target professionals and have good salaries;
  2. Italian companies offer well-paid jobs, with an average salary of 3,600 euros per month;
  3. immigrating to Italy based on a work visa is simpler and faster than in any other way;
  4. non-EU citizens can obtain a residence permit based on an Italy work visa and thus can relocate here permanently;
  5. the Italian work permit will also attract the freedom or traveling to other EU states and in the Schengen area.

If you are interested in applying for a work visa and need assistance, our immigration lawyers in Italy can guide you.

1. An Italian work visa offers access to the EU labor market

Foreign citizens from non-EU countries can come to Italy based on a work visa and thus enter one of the largest and most important employment markets in the world. The Italy work visa requirements are also quite permissive, considering the Ministry of Foreign Affairs which is in charge of the issuance of entry permits, provides for the issuance of various types of work visas. There are the temporary work visas, the Italy work visa for professionals and the self-employment visa, to name just a few.

Based on these types of Italy work visa, a foreign citizen has access to many job offers within Italian companies which offer high salaries.

If you need assistance in choosing the right type of work permit based on your skills and experience, you can discuss your options with our Italian lawyers.

2. Italy has good salary prospects

As mentioned above, the average gross monthly salary in Italy at the level of 2019 is approximately 3,700 euros which is higher than the EU average salary. This makes Italy very appealing for foreign citizens who have the necessary qualifications to apply for an Italy work visa.

3. Moving to Italy based on a work visa is simpler

Immigration to Italy is not complicated, however, when relocating here based on an Italy work visa the procedure is simpler because the company hiring the foreign employee will be in charge with the visa procedure. This will further decrease the relocation costs, as some companies offer accommodation for various periods of time.

4. The Italy work visa can lead to permanent residency

There are two main ways in which one can immigrate to Italy: by applying for an Italy work visa or a residence permit, however, it is simpler to immigrate based on the work visa considering the high level of confidence an Italian employer will guarantee.

It is good to know that after living and working in Italy for 5 years, one can obtain a permanent residence permit.

5. The Italian work visa guarantees the freedom to travel within the EU

The Italy work visa provides for the same rights as a residence permit, which means that the holder of a work permit will also obtain the right to freely move in other EU and Schengen countries without being asked for additional visas.

Our immigration lawyers in Italy can help you prepare the documents related to obtaining a work permit.

Employment statistics in Italy

Foreign citizens tempted to apply for an Italy work visa should know that according to Istat, the National Statistics Office:

  • in April 2019, employment increased by 0.3% compared to March 2019;
  • in May 2019, the employment rate increased once again to 59%, up by 0.1% compared to April;
  • on a quarterly basis, the second quarter of 2019 brought a growth of 0.5% compared to the previous quarter;
  • on a yearly basis, the employment rate rose by 6.9% between May 2018 and May 2019.

If you are interested in applying for an Italian employee work permit and need assistance, please contact our immigration lawyers for customized services.