Work permits and visas in Italy: An employer’s guide

Hiring in Italy? Whether you’re bringing on a new team member or relocating someone from your existing workforce, you’ll need to follow the country’s immigration and work permit rules.

Understanding which type of visa or permit applies is key, since every worker needs the right documentation before they can legally work in Italy. Add in local laws around immigration, tax, and employment, and things can get complicated quickly.

That’s why we’ve put together this guide. Here, you’ll find a comprehensive breakdown of work visas in Italy, from the different options available to practical tips. So let’s jump straight in.

Why is it important to obtain the right work visa in Italy?

If you’re hiring or relocating employees in Italy, it’s important to stay compliant with the country’s work permit, visa, and residence permit rules. Failing to do so can expose your business to financial penalties, legal risks, and even reputational damage.

To avoid complications, it's crucial to make sure that every team member has the right legal status to live and work in the country before they start, and that you seek professional advice where necessary.

See also: The complete employer’s guide to hiring in Italy

Who needs a work visa in Italy?

The following groups of people do not need a work visa in Italy:

• Italian citizens (even if they currently live abroad)
• Permanent residents
• Citizens of European Union (EU) countries
• Citizens of Norway, Switzerland, Iceland, and Liechtenstein

Note that EU/EEA/Swiss workers must still obtain an EU Registration Certificate within three months of entering Italy.

All other foreign nationals must obtain a type D visa and a residence permit to work legally in Italy.

Remote’s Relocation service can help advise on whether your employee is eligible to work in Italy, and provide tailored guidance on visa and immigration requirements. Learn more.

How does the visa process work in Italy?

Before your employee can apply for an Italian work visa, they first need a work permit (nulla osta al lavoro subordinato), also known as a work authorization. To obtain this, you — the employer — will have to submit a work authorization request through the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione (the One Stop Shop for Immigration, or SUI).

This can be a complex process for several reasons.

Firstly, you can only submit the request within a specified time window, known as a Flow Decree (Decreto Flussi). New Flow Decrees usually occur each year, but they are ultimately based on the needs of the Italian labor market and are opened and closed at the discretion of the Italian government.

Secondly, the number of work permits issued is subject to a strict quota, and many of these are often reserved for seasonal work.

How do you obtain the work permit?

Before you can submit your request, you must verify with the National Agency for Active Labour Market Policies (Agenzia Nazionale per le Politiche Attive del Lavoro, or ANPAL) that no Italian, EU, or EEA citizen is suitable and willing to fulfill the role.

The application itself can be made online through the SUI portal.

Your application should be processed within 30 to 60 days. If it is successful, you will be notified, and the work permit will be automatically forwarded to the Italian consulate or embassy in your employee’s country.

Once you have managed to acquire a work permit for your employee, you can then apply for a work visa.

What types of work visas are available in Italy?

Italy offers several types of work visas, such as:

Employee work visa

The employee work visa (lavoro subordinato) is the standard visa for foreign nationals hired by an Italian employer (under a regular employment contract).

As the employer, you must apply for the work permit through the Department for Civil Liberties and Immigration (Dipartimento per le Libertà civili e l'Immigrazione). Once approved, your employee then applies for the actual visa at the Italian consulate in their country.

Note that this visa is tied to the specific employer and role. If the employee leaves your company or their role changes significantly, they must acquire a new visa to stay in Italy.

Your employee must also obtain a residence permit after they arrive in Italy.

Seasonal work visa

As the name suggests, the seasonal work visa (lavoro stagionale) is designed for seasonal workers in industries such as agriculture or tourism.

Seasonal visas are typically valid for between six and nine months, and employers must demonstrate compliance with labour rules (and, in some cases, provide accommodation).

EU Blue Card

The European Union Blue Card is a residence permit that enables highly skilled professionals from outside the EU to live and work in most of the 27 member states. 

The EU Blue Card is also valid Italian work permit, and holders can live and work in Italy without requiring additional visas or permits.

However, the requirements for obtaining an EU Blue Card are strict. Learn more about EU Blue Cards.

Intra-company transfer

If you are a multinational company transferring a staff member to your Italian entity, you may use the intra-company transfer (ICT) route, which is aligned with EU directives.

To be eligible for this visa, your employee must either be:

(a) a manager or subject-matter expert with specific expertise, skills, and experience; or

(b) locating in order to develop specific professional competencies.

Note that if you opt for this route, you will still need to obtain a work permit, as well as provide proof of the transfer and compliance with Italian labor laws.

Other visa types

Italy also has tailored routes for researchers, professors, healthcare professionals, and artists. These visas require additional documentation, such as invitations from Italian institutions or proof of specialised qualifications, but follow the same general process of permit approval and visa application.

Does Italy offer a digital nomad visa?

Yes, since April 2024, Italy has offered a dedicated digital nomad visa for remote workers of foreign employers (or freelancers with foreign clients). This visa provides up to 12 months of residency, with the possibility for annual renewal if eligibility requirements continue to be met 

To qualify, applicants must be:

• Non‑EU citizens
• Proficient in highly skilled remote work
• Backed by a university degree or three-plus years of experience
• Have at least six months of prior remote work experience 
• Earn at least three times’ the Italian minimum wage

Applicants must also provide health insurance, proof of accommodation in Italy, and a clean criminal record, especially regarding immigration‑related offences in the past five years 

Family members (spouse and minors) can accompany the applicant and apply for family reunification permits after the main applicant secures residence

See also: Which other countries offer digital nomad visas?

What about the Schengen Visa?

The Schengen Visa is simply a travel authorization for those who wish to stay in a member state of the Schengen Area (such as Italy) for up to 90 days (within a 180-day period). By itself, it does not give holders legal permission to work in Italy.

What are the visa requirements in Italy?

Although each type of visa has its own individual requirements, your employee will generally need to provide:

• A valid passport with at least six months’ validity beyond the intended stay
• Passport photographs
• A completed visa application form
• Proof of accommodation in Italy
• Proof of sufficient financial means to support themselves
• Health insurance covering their stay
• A signed employment contract
• Proof of education, such as diplomas or qualifications (if required)
• A clean criminal record certificate

These documents may also need to be legalised and translated into Italian if required.

What does the work visa application process look like in Italy?

As mentioned, you must first acquire a work permit (nulla osta) from the SUI. This is a prerequisite for any non-EU/EEA employee you intend to hire. Once approved, the work permit is electronically transmitted to the relevant Italian consulate abroad, where your employee can then submit their visa application (along with the supporting documents listed above).

Once the application process is complete, the consulate issues the relevant type D visa, and your employee can travel to Italy.

Note that, on arrival, your employee must also apply for a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) within eight days. This is done at the local police immigration office (Questura). This residence permit, valid for the duration of the work contract, is what grants the legal right to live and work in Italy.

Remember, too, that you remain responsible for ensuring compliance with labor laws, renewing permits on time, and reporting any changes to the employment relationship. 

How can Remote help?

To hire or relocate employees to Italy, you’ll need to have your own local entity there. This is a process that can be complex, lengthy, and expensive.

You also need to comply with relevant immigration laws and regulations to avoid potential penalties, as well as handle payroll, benefits, and all other HR requirements.

This is where Remote’s employer of record (EOR) service can be invaluable. We act as the legal employer in Italy on your company’s behalf, and handle onboarding, payroll, and benefits. We help ensure that you are fully compliant with all local employment and payroll tax laws, and can onboard your employee in a matter of days, too, saving you time, money, and resources.

Alternatively, if you already have an entity in Italy, we can assist in international employee relocation with case-by-case immigration assessments, and guidance on the visa process.

To learn more about the processes involved in relocating international employees, download Remote's Relocation Guide, or contact our Relocation team today.