More than 15,000 American expats live in Italy. Many of them are drawn by the region’s famous food and charming cities, while others relocate for professional opportunities and the high standard of living.
United States citizens are most likely to find jobs in Italy in the fields of technology, hospitality and tourism, education, and healthcare. But before you pack your bags and board a flight, it’s wise to do your research. Our guide to the best jobs in Italy for Americans covers everything you need to know, from applying for a work visa to where to find employment.
What Are the Best Jobs in Italy for Americans?
The Italian job market is competitive. Although some employers prefer locals who speak the Italian language, there are plenty of employment opportunities for English-speaking Americans.
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American expats in Italy are most likely to find work in one of the following industries:
- Technology
- Hospitality and tourism
- Education
- Healthcare
Technology
Italy’s tech sector has no shortage of job opportunities. This is particularly true for web developers, software developers, software programmers, and software engineers.
As more and more companies in Italy build their global presence online, there’s an increasing demand for English-speaking content creators and online marketers. Americans can also look for opportunities with U.S. and multinational tech companies like Amazon, IBM, Google, and Apple, all of which have corporate offices in Italy.
Hospitality and Tourism
Tourism accounts for nearly 12% of Italy’s GDP, so there are many English-speaking jobs in the country’s hospitality sector.
Americans often seek opportunities as hotel receptionists, concierges, restaurant servers, and tour guides for foreign visitors. The best places to look for hospitality jobs will be cities that are known for high-traffic tourist seasons, such as Venice, Florence, Rome, and small towns and villages in the Tuscan countryside.
Education
In Italy, English language teachers are always in demand. If you don’t want full-time work, teaching English as a part-time job can provide reliability while giving you a better work-life balance. Note that most English teacher positions in Italy prefer you to hold both a bachelor’s degree and a professional Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) certification.
If you’re a fluent speaker of Italian, you can also find work in Italy as a professional translator. Media companies, publishing houses, and global corporations are the most likely to hire translators.
Healthcare
There’s always a global demand for nurses. However, there is such a high demand for nurses in Italy that the Italian healthcare system is actively working to recruit foreign healthcare professionals in an effort to combat the shortage.
If you’re an American who has a nursing or other healthcare degree, the first step is to apply with the Italian Ministry of Health, which will help you secure recognition of your professional qualifications. Keep in mind that not all nursing and healthcare jobs in Italy will be posted online. Networking on LinkedIn, seeking the assistance of a recruiter based in Italy, and joining professional associations can make it easier to land a healthcare position abroad.
How American Expats Can Work in Italy
If you’re American, you must apply for both a work visa and a work permit before you can work in Italy.
In nearly all cases, that means you’ll need to secure a job in Italy before you move. Work visas must be initiated by an Italian employer, so you’ll need to know where you’re going to work before you can submit your visa application.
An Italian work visa is simply an entrance visa. Once you arrive in Italy, you’ll need to apply for and secure a work permit as well. Even if you’re an outstanding fit for your job and employer, there are no guarantees that you will secure a permit. Thanks to a quota system known as decreto flussi (“flow decree”), permits are limited.
Freelancers and those who wish to open a business in Italy may be able to obtain a self-employment visa. The Italian government caps the number of self-employment visas they issue each year, so these can be difficult to obtain.
If you do freelance work, you can apply for the Italy Freelancer Visa. You can also apply for the Italy Startup Visa if you intend to start a business.
Learn More: Work Visas in Italy: How to Apply
In 2023, Italy capped the number of work permits to 38,705 for non-seasonal workers. Keep in mind that some of the permits are reserved for employees in specific industries, such as tourism, construction, and telecommunications.
Salary Expectations in Italy
Salaries in Italy can vary widely depending on the region (such as northern Italy versus southern Italy), occupation, and level of experience. In 2024, Italian salaries range from 900 EUR per month to 16,300 EUR per month, with the average Italian earning 3,600 EUR per month or 43,900 EUR per year. As in the U.S., the higher your income, the greater amount of taxes you pay.
It’s important to note that Italy is one of the few countries in Europe that doesn’t have a minimum wage. Exploitative situations do exist and some workers earn as little as 500 EUR per month.
See Also: Cost of Living in Italy for Expats
Where to Work in Italy
The city of Rome is a leader in Italy’s hospitality sector. Many jobs for foreigners in Rome are in the tourism industry, from program managers of large tour companies to multilingual hotel clerks. Milan is strong in finance, business, and manufacturing. Meanwhile, the region of Tuscany has a lot of opportunities in agriculture and traditional artisan work.
As of 2022, Italy had the 10th highest GDP in the world but an 8.1% unemployment rate — the highest of any other country in the GDP top 10 list. As of December 2023, Italy’s unemployment rate has dropped to 7.17%.
Unemployment rates are highest in the southern part of the country, where job vacancies are less frequent. However, for American citizens who offer a specialized skill set, it’s possible to find jobs throughout the Italian nation.
The Hardest Jobs for Expats to Obtain in Italy
While expats can and do bring their skills, talent, and experience to a wide variety of positions across Italy, there are some jobs that seem all but impossible for expats and foreigners to obtain.
Take, for instance, the famous Venetian gondolier. There are no requirements that you must be born in Italy to work as a gondolier, but navigating Venice’s canals is more of a family trade. It’s a tight-knit guild that you aren’t likely to break into.
The same can be said of many roles in the agricultural industry. Although Italy’s agriculture sector welcomes many foreign-born laborers for seasonal work, some positions are 100% Italian in nature. One example is the job of the cheese whisperer. Their work requires them to test the quality of Parmigiano-Reggiano in part by tapping the wheel of cheese and judging the product based on the resulting sound. You’re not likely to land this role as an American.
Another example is that of the Modena balsamic vinegar taster. Authentic Modena balsamic vinegar is a serious business in Italy. A panel of official tasters undergoes rigorous training to judge each product on a strict points system. It’s delicious work, but unlikely to be awarded to an expat — even if you have relevant work experience.
Health Insurance for Expats Working in Italy
All Italian citizens and non-citizens who hold an Italian residence permit have access to Italy’s public healthcare system, the Servicio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). The SSN offers low-cost and free healthcare services, but there are some disadvantages.
One disadvantage of using the SSN is that public hospitals in Italy are crowded. Wait times are long, and it can take weeks to schedule treatments, appointments, and procedures. Expats can purchase an international private medical insurance plan, which can give them faster access to higher-quality medical care.
It can also give expats access to private hospitals. You’re more likely to find English-speaking physicians and hospital staff in private hospitals — a must if you don’t speak Italian.
See Also: Italian Healthcare System
If you’re dreaming of leaving the USA and working abroad in Italy, start by looking for job opportunities that require skills you’ve already developed.
Most Italian job openings can be filled with local talent or skilled workers from neighboring European countries. U.S. citizens are more likely to secure positions that are in high demand or require English speakers, as well as jobs for which they’re already highly skilled and trained to do.
Find the Best International Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes and coverage options
- Work with an insurance expert at no additional cost
- Find the best plan for your needs and budget
Related:
- Moving to Italy: A Complete Guide
- The Best Cities in Italy to Live in as a Foreigner or International Citizen
- Safest Places to Live in Italy
- Health Insurance in Italy
