Working in Italy: the complete guide for French speakers

Working in Italy: what you need to know before you go

Italy is the third-largest economy in the eurozone. Between its dynamic major cities such as Milan, Rome and Turin, and its fast-growing regions, the Italian job market offers real opportunities for well-prepared international candidates. Whether you are looking for a job in Italy in tech, tourism, healthcare or engineering, this guide gives you all the keys to succeed.

Visa and work permits: who can work in Italy?

As a citizen of the European Union, you can work in Italy without a visa or work permit. The free movement of persons guaranteed by European treaties allows you to enter, reside and carry out professional activities in Italy just as you would in your home country.

However, nationals of third countries (outside the EU/EEA) must obtain a work permit (permesso di soggiorno per lavoro) before taking up employment. The process goes through the decreto flussi, an annual quota set by the Italian government for the entry of non-European workers.

The Italian job market: understanding how it works

The Italian economy is dominated by SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises), which account for more than 90% of the country's businesses. These absorb the vast majority of job openings, across sectors as varied as food and agriculture, textiles, mechanical engineering, design and tourism.

The sectors with the highest recruitment in 2026 are:

• Information technology (IT) and digital: developers, data scientists and cybersecurity experts are in high demand, particularly in Milan.
• Engineering and industry: northern Italy (Lombardy, Piedmont, Emilia-Romagna) is home to numerous industrial and manufacturing companies.
• Tourism and hospitality: with more than 65 million tourists per year, Italy has a constant need for qualified staff, and French is often an asset.
• Healthcare and personal services: the ageing of the Italian population is creating strong demand for doctors, nurses and care assistants.
• Finance and business services: Milan is the country's primary financial centre, with many opportunities for qualified profiles.

Salaries in Italy: what to expect?

The average salary in Italy is approximately €2,582 gross per month, but this average conceals very significant regional and sectoral disparities. The north of the country (Milan, Turin, Bologna) offers considerably higher remuneration than the south. In the IT sector, an experienced developer can expect €40,000–60,000 gross annually in Milan, while tourism and catering tends to remain below an annual average of €20,000.

Italy does not have a single statutory minimum wage (salario minimo) as found in some other countries. Minimum wage floors are set sector by sector through national collective agreements (contratti collettivi nazionali di lavoro, CCNL), negotiated between trade unions and employer organisations. It is therefore essential to research the CCNL applicable to your sector before accepting an offer.

For more information, consult our detailed guide on salaries in Italy.

How to look for a job in Italy from abroad?

Looking for work in Italy from abroad requires a multi-channel approach. Here are the main resources to use:

1. Online job platforms

Several websites allow you to search for a job in Italy directly online:

• LinkedIn: essential for qualified profiles and major Italian companies. Remember to indicate your availability to relocate to Italy in your profile.
• Indeed Italy (it.indeed.com): the most widely used job search engine in Italy.
• InfoJobs, Monster.it, Subito.it: very popular platforms among Italian companies, particularly for local positions.
• Welcome to the Jungle: features listings from European companies recruiting in Italy, with detailed company profiles.
• Meteojob and Jooble: aggregators listing thousands of job offers in Italy.

2. The Italian public employment service

Once in Italy, the Centri per l'impiego (CPI) are the Italian equivalent of public employment services. By registering with them, you can access local job offers, personalised support and training. The national portal Cliclavoro (cliclavoro.gov.it) centralises job listings across the entire country and provides information on workers' rights, contract types and available assistance. Access to certain online services requires a SPID, the Italian digital identity credential.

3. Recruitment agencies

Major international staffing and recruitment agencies are well established in Italy: Adecco, Manpower, Randstad and their Italian counterparts offer temporary assignments, permanent contracts and specialist placements. Italy has approximately 700 private agencies accredited by the Ministry of Labour. This is an excellent entry point for profiles who want to explore the market before committing long-term.

4. The French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Italy

For French-speaking candidates, the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Italy is a valuable resource. Its portal job-chambre.it publishes job offers specifically targeted at bilingual or French-speaking profiles, particularly in major Italian cities. It is also an excellent network for meeting French companies established in Italy.

5. The VIE (International Business Volunteer Programme)

If you are between 18 and 28 years old, the Volontariat International en Entreprise (VIE), managed by Business France, is an ideal scheme for a first professional experience in Italy. You are seconded to a French company abroad for a period of 6 to 24 months, with a secure status and a net remuneration exempt from income tax.

6. Networking

In Italy, word of mouth (passaparola) remains one of the most effective channels for finding a job. Join expatriate communities (Facebook groups, forums, associations), attend professional events and do not hesitate to reach out directly to professionals in your sector via LinkedIn.

Language: a central issue for working in Italy

The language question is often the first concern for those wishing to work in Italy. The reality is nuanced: Italian is virtually essential for the vast majority of jobs, particularly in SMEs, public administration, healthcare, education and local commerce.

However, some work environments operate primarily in English or explicitly value French: multinationals, French-speaking call centres, luxury tourism companies and certain roles in major cities. On Italian job platforms, search for the keywords « francese », « madrelingua francese » or « French speaker » to identify these opportunities.

Investing in learning Italian before your departure always pays off: a B1/B2 level is sufficient for most positions and will make a very strong impression during your job interviews.

Adapting your CV to the Italian market

The Italian-style CV (curriculum vitae) differs from other models on several points. It is generally more concise (1 page for junior profiles, 2 pages maximum for experienced candidates), written in Italian and structured according to the Europass format or a similar layout. A photo is usually included. The cover letter (lettera di presentazione) is less systematic than in some countries but is appreciated for qualified positions.

Make sure to follow the application instructions specified in each job posting: online application via the company's website (under the « Lavora con noi » section), submission by e-mail, or via job platforms.

Practical guide: steps to find a job in Italy

Organising your job search in Italy effectively requires a structured approach. Here are the key steps to follow to maximise your chances of success.

Working in Italy as a self-employed person or entrepreneur

Italy also offers interesting opportunities for those who wish to set up on their own. The partita IVA status (VAT number / equivalent of a sole trader registration number) allows you to carry out independent professional activities. The flat-rate scheme (regime forfettario) is particularly advantageous for self-employed individuals: a reduced tax rate of 15% (5% for the first 5 years under certain conditions) applies to income, up to a ceiling of €85,000 in annual turnover.

For entrepreneur or freelance profiles, our team offers a specialist support service to help you structure your relocation to Italy under the best possible tax and administrative conditions.

Taxation for workers in Italy: key advantages to know

Italy has introduced several attractive tax regimes to draw in skilled foreign workers:

• Inpatriate regime (regime impatriati): workers who transfer their tax residence to Italy may benefit from a 50% exemption (70% in southern Italy) on their employment income for 5 years, subject to conditions.
• Flat tax for retirees: foreign retirees who settle in a municipality of fewer than 20,000 inhabitants in southern Italy benefit from a flat tax rate of 7% on their foreign income for 10 years.
• Flat-rate scheme for the self-employed: tax rate of 15% (5% for the first 5 years) up to €85,000 in annual turnover.

To find out more about taxation, consult our comprehensive guide on taxation in Italy or discover the Italian flat tax regime.