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WORKING IN ITALY

Reader question: What jobs can I do in Italy if I don’t speak Italian?

Moving to Italy and looking for work at the same time can be daunting, especially if your language skills are not yet up to par. But there are jobs out there for English speakers.

Published: 6 November 2023 10:13 CET
Reader question: What jobs can I do in Italy if I don't speak Italian?
Tour guiding and language teaching are two popular employment options for English speakers moving to Italy, but you'll need to check the required qualifications and paperwork. (Photo by Filippo MONTEFORTE / AFP)

Question: ‘I’m planning to move to Italy in future and I’ll need to find a job. I’m an EU national with the right to work in Italy, but I’ve only recently started studying Italian. Are there many options for me, or will I need to speak Italian fluently?”

You may be ready to pack your bags and move to Italy and start your new life, having heard wonderful things from people who live there already or through the various Instagram accounts and Facebook pages you follow.

READ ALSO: Nine of the best websites to search for jobs in Italy

There’s no doubt Italy is a beautiful place to be. But when it comes to finding work, there are a few hurdles even if you don’t face Italy’s complex visa and work permit requirements.

As you might already know, Italy has a chronic problem with high unemployment: the the figure stood at eight percent as of February 2023 against an EU average of around six percent.

If you don’t speak Italian, finding a job is going to be even trickier. Italians also have one of the lowest average levels of English language proficiency out of all 27 EU countries, and this is one reason why many international residents say it can be a difficult country to settle in.

READ ALSO: Why doesn’t Italy have a minimum wage?

But, while you won’t have the sort of choices or salary level you might find in some European countries, people who want to move to Italy do have options. And there may be plentiful opportunities for those who specialise in certain in-demand fields, even without fluency in Italian.

English teacher

This one seems like a no-brainer. English teaching is a perfect way to acclimatise to Italy and its culture without speaking the language to start with – though be aware that not just every native speaker can turn up and bag a job: you will need to be qualified, at least to work legally for a reputable school which treats its staff well.

For those who have a TEFL or CELTA certificate, English teaching jobs are in abundance (though they’re not necessarily highly paid).

You’ll find all types of private English schools catering to all types of levels and ages and even state schools looking for mother-tongue English speakers for conversation lessons.

READ ALSO: ‘It’s crazy’: What to expect when you work for an Italian company

Make sure you read through your Italian employment contract thoroughly before signing (and perhaps have it translated beforehand) to make sure your rights are protected. And, of course, check out the school first before applying. Reputable companies such as the British Council are a safe bet.

Tour guide

A lot of tour operators seek out English-speaking guides especially in peak season for cities such as Rome or Florence where there’s history in abundance – and plenty of visitors willing to pay tour guide fees

Each tour operator has their own set of requirements, but most trustworthy ones would want you to at least have some prior experience or a relevant qualification.

READ ALSO: Why Italy can’t fill its summer tourism jobs

Nevertheless, getting free access to gorgeous landmarks doesn’t sound like a bad way to begin your new life in Italy.

Software programmer

As programming has various different languages itself (Python,Java, C++) a lot of companies view knowledge of these languages as being sufficient enough to bag a job. Software engineers and other technology professionals are among those in high demand in Italy.

Of course, basic Italian knowledge would be ideal to communicate with colleagues, but if you are working remotely, you can always translate your emails to start with.

READ ALSO: Italian work permits: Who needs one and how do you get it?

A few programming agencies in Italy outsource their work to people in other countries too, meaning the field is a highly global one. Of course, as with any job, you’d need to be qualified to do it in the first place.

The majority of work permits in Italy are usually reserved for seasonal workers in sectors like agriculture or tourism. (Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP)

Agricultural work

If you’re looking for seasonal work outdoors, Italy has plenty of jobs available in agriculture, such as fruit picking or helping with the grape harvest.

It’s hard work, but if you’ve had jobs working on farms before agricultural work in Italy could be a good option to start out.

There’s no shortage of olive oil groves or vineyards that need labourers. However, as with teaching, make sure you read and double-check your contract before signing.

Global companies

This is perhaps the best method for professionals, particularly those working at management level. Applying with global companies gives you the option of speaking English, getting a decent salary, and moving up in your career all whilst exploring a new country. 

For example, in Veneto, there’s eyewear company Luxottica; in Rome there are three United Nations headquarters (IFAD, WFP and FAO); and then there are the fashion houses and banking corporations in Milan.

The best way to apply for a job at any such company is to check their websites directly, see what they have available and what their requirements are.

Freelancing

If you can’t find anything in Italy that is suitable for non-Italian speakers and suits your skill set, you might want to consider going freelance in your current field.

It’s not cheap to be a registered freelancer in Italy: most pay at least 30 percent of their income in social security contributions and taxes in their first five years, which goes up to around 40 percent or higher after that.

READ ALSO:

However, it does give you freedom and autonomy, without having to give up your existing career. See some pros and cons here .

Overall, whilst getting a job as a non-Italian speaker is possible in Italy, it isn’t easy and you’ll definitely need Italian when it comes to related bureaucracy such as contracts.

Talk to international residents before you come or whilst you’re here to get their stories and search on The Local’s jobs board for suitable roles.

Our advice: be prepared and look at all the options.

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For members

TAXES

‘How we moved to Italy and only pay tax on 50 percent of our income’

Italy’s impatriate tax scheme appeals to many foreigners planning to relocate to Italy, but how exactly does it work? One British couple who used it tell reporter Silvia Marchetti about their experience.

Published: 8 March 2024 16:02 CET
Updated: 14 March 2024 15:06 CET
'How we moved to Italy and only pay tax on 50 percent of our income'

Thanks to Italy’s appealing impatriate tax scheme, John and Linda Baker, both 42, from Brighton, now pay tax on just 50 percent of their income – which is about as low as any Italian could ever dream of.

Both remote workers, John is a web designer working for UK clients, while Linda is a freelance copywriter.

In November they rented out their house in Brighton and moved to the Italian seaside resort of Amantea, in Calabria, where they bought a two-bedroom cottage in the countryside, far from the touristy coast, for €59,000.

“We applied for the impatriate tax scheme as soon as we realised we wanted to change life, quit the rat race and move to a sunny place where life was slower-paced,” John tells The Local. 

“It sounded like a great deal, paying tax on just half our income means we get to save a significant amount of money we would never have in the UK.”

This special tax regime for those moving to Italy was approved in 2019 and is available to people who move to any part of the country. Aimed at qualified and skilled foreign workers, it’s for both employed and self-employed people who become fiscal residents and reside in Italy at least 183 days per year.

READ ALSO: What is Italy’s impatriate tax rule and how is it changing?

The 50-percent tax relief on income applies for a maximum of five years and can be extended for another five.

The benefit is capped at an annual salary of €600,000, while no relief is in place for earnings over this amount. The exempt portion of income rises to 60 percent for a worker with at least one child under 18. 

The scheme has been amended over the past few years, and though it has become somewhat less appealing, it still gets plenty of interest. Italians living abroad can also apply and benefit from it. 

Italy’s government introduced the scheme mainly to lure back qualified Italian workers and researchers who had moved abroad. But those taking advantage of it are often foreigners longing to live in Italy.

The Bakers got help from an immigration legal expert in Rome, who sorted out the paperwork for them and filed their application to the Italian authorities. 

READ ALSO: If you want quality of life, choose Italy’s sunny south over the efficient north

“We could have applied directly from the UK but we thought it was better to hire an Italian professional on the ground, with deep knowledge of Italian bureaucracy and the required skills to navigate through procedures,” says Linda. 

The lowest tax band rate in Italy is 23 percent, while the highest is 43 percent. While the Bakers prefer not to disclose how much each one of them earns, they say they will be saving a lot of money, considering income tax in the UK hovers around 40 percent. The couple is confident that the two of them together could save up to €30,000 in taxes per year. 

With the extra money, the Bakers would like to buy another holiday home in Naples, so as to be closer to Rome.

READ ALSO: ‘Research and more research’: How do you choose the right part of Italy to move to?

They decided to ditch the UK due to soaring living costs, and because they wanted to live the Italian dream before they retired, while they were still actively working. 

“Usually when couples retire they start looking for a fresh start, but we did not feel like waiting until we were 60 or 70 to make the big leap and relocate to Italy,” says John. 

Amantea is relatively cheap. Dinner for two people is €35, while utility bills are among the lowest in Italy, adds Linda.

“There are also premium foods like Tropea’s red onions, Calabria’s famous chili peppers, and delicious pasta dishes which we could never even dream of back in the UK”, says John. 

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