Documents for working in Italy

If you are a non-EU foreign citizen (meaning you come from countries outside the European Union) and you want to work in Italy, you can do it in the following ways:

• If you already are in Italy and you have a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) that allows you to work, or a permit that you can convert into a work permit;
• If you are abroad, you can arrive in Italy through the annual quota set by the decreto flussi.
  To read more about decreto flussi click here.

What are the residence permits that allow you to work in Italy?

There are various residence permits that allow you to work legally in Italy:

WORK PERMITS

• Self-employment residence permit – Permesso di soggiorno per Lavoro Autonomo (entrepreneurs or freelancers)
• Subordinate work residence permit – Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Subordinato (such as domestic workers, caregivers and laborers);
• Residence permit for seasonal employment – Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Stagionale (in the agricultural or tourism sector);
• Study, internships (you can work part time up to 20 hours per week).

OTHER TYPES OF RESIDENCE PERMITS
You are entitled to work even if you have one of these types of permits:

• Residence permit for asylum request – Permesso di Soggiorno per Richiesta Asilo (60 days after sending the modello C3 form);
• Residence permit for special protection – Permesso di Soggiorno per Protezione Speciale;
• Residence permit pending employment – Permesso di Soggiorno in Attesa di Occupazione;
• Residence permit for family reasons – Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Familiari;
• Residence permit for humanitarian reasons – Permesso di soggiorno per motivi umanitari;
• Residence permit for social protection – Permesso di Soggiorno per Protezione Sociale (prostitution, labor exploitation, etc. and can be converted into a permit for work);
• Permit for acts of particular civil value – Permesso di Soggiorno per Atti di particolare Valore Civile (allows you to work and can be converted into a permit for work);
• Residence permit for minors assistance – Permesso di Soggiorno per Assistenza Minori;
• Residence permit for sporting activities – Permesso di Soggiorno per Attività Sportiva;
• Residence permit for artistic work – Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Artistico;
• Residence permit for natural disasters – Permesso di Soggiorno per Calamità Naturali;
• Residence permit for statelessness – Permesso di Soggiorno per Apolidia (who has the “stateless status” that is, is not considered a citizen of any state);
• Residence permit for elective residence – Permesso di Soggiorno per Residenza Elettiva (those who want to live in Italy and have the financial possibility to live even without working).

Can I convert my permit into a work permit?

Converting your residence permit means changing the type of permit you already have and asking for a permit that allows you to work legally in Italy.
The conversion application is made at the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione desk, the procedure may change depending on the type of permit you have and the one you want to apply for. It usually takes a few months for the permit to be converted.
With the new rules introduced by the Italian Government, the following types of permits also can be converted into residence permits for work reasons:

• Residence permit for special protection – Permesso di Soggiorno per Protezione Speciale;
• Residence permit for natural disasters – Permesso di Soggiorno per Calamità Naturali;
• Residence permit for medical treatment – Permesso di Soggiorno per Cure Mediche;
• Residence permit for minors assistance – Permesso di Soggiorno per Assistenza Minori;
• Residence permit for religious reasons – Permesso di Soggiorno per Motivi Religiosi;
• Residence permit for sporting activities – Permesso di Soggiorno per Attività Sportiva;
• Residence permit for artistic work – Permesso di Soggiorno per Lavoro Artistico;
• Residence permit for the acquisition of citizenship or statelessness (except in the cases where the foreigner was previously in possession of an asylum request permit)

Attention: with some residence permits (such as tourism or business) you cannot work.

What other documents do I need to have an employment contract?

To apply for a job, in addition to showing that you legally live in Italy through a residence permit, you may also be required to show one of these documents:

• Identity card – Carta d’Identità
• Tax code – Codice Fiscale

If you do not have a carta d’identità, do not worry. Usually, the residence permit is used as an identification document. Otherwise, you can apply to the Municipality of residence (Comune) to have an identity card.

Attention: if you have an asylum request permit (Permesso per Richiesta Asilo) or a permit while awaiting an appeal outcome (Permesso per Attesa Esito Ricorso), it is no longer possible to register at the registry office. For this reason, you may not get an identity card.
However, remember that you can always use these types of permits, or the renewal receipt, as an identification document in order to have an employment contract.

The Codice Fiscale is a code made up of numbers and letters that you usually find written on the residence permit. If you do not have this number, you can request it from the revenue agency, or Agenzia delle Entrate in italian. Read more information on this page.

You can also go to a union (sindacato) or CAF to ask for information that can help you better understand the regulations in Italy and your rights. You can find some in the links below. Look for the nearest location on the map.