Working While Studying in Italy: An Overview
For many international students, part-time employment is a vital means of supporting their living expenses while gaining professional experience in the Italian labor market. Under Italian law, students enrolled in recognized educational institutions are permitted to work, though the specific regulations vary significantly based on the student's nationality and the type of residence permit held.
As of 2025 and 2026, the Italian legislative framework maintains a balance between allowing students to integrate into the economy and ensuring that employment remains secondary to their primary objective: education.
Regulations for EU and EEA Nationals
Students who are citizens of European Union (EU) member states, European Economic Area (EEA) countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway), or Switzerland enjoy the principle of free movement of labor. This means they have the same rights as Italian citizens regarding employment.
- Work Permit: Not required.
- Hour Limits: There are no specific legal restrictions on the number of hours an EU student can work, provided they maintain their academic standing.
- Administrative Requirements: EU students staying longer than three months must register with the local Anagrafe (Registry Office) at the Municipality (Comune) where they reside.
Regulations for Non-EU Students
Non-EU students residing in Italy on a Permesso di Soggiorno per motivi di studio (Residence Permit for Study Purposes) are subject to specific limitations set by the Italian Immigration Act (Legislative Decree 286/98).
The 20-Hour Rule
Non-EU students are legally permitted to engage in "subordinate" work (employment under a contract). However, the law imposes a strict limit on working hours to ensure that employment does not interfere with academic progress. The limits are as follows:
- Weekly Limit: A maximum of 20 hours per week.
- Annual Limit: A cumulative maximum of 1,040 hours per 52-week period.
These hours can be distributed flexibly throughout the year (for example, working more hours during semester breaks and fewer during exams), provided the annual total of 1,040 hours is not exceeded.
Internships and Traineeships (Tirocini)
Internships are categorized differently than standard employment. In Italy, there are two main types:
- Curricular Internships (Tirocini Curriculari): These are part of the academic degree program and yield university credits (CFU). They are not subject to the 20-hour weekly work limit.
- Extracurricular Internships (Tirocini Extracurriculari): These are aimed at providing professional experience and are generally paid via a "participation allowance." The minimum allowance varies by region but typically ranges from 300 EUR ($315 USD, Jan 2026) to 800 EUR ($840 USD, Jan 2026) per month.
Administrative Requirements for Employment
Before beginning any form of employment in Italy, students must ensure they possess the necessary documentation to be hired legally.
Tax Code (Codice Fiscale)
The Codice Fiscale is an alphanumeric identifier required for all legal contracts, opening a bank account, and receiving a salary. It is issued by the Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Agency). There is no cost to obtain this code.
Social Security (INPS)
Every employee in Italy must be registered with INPS (National Institute for Social Security). Employers are responsible for registering their workers. A portion of the student's gross salary will be deducted for social security contributions, which provides insurance against workplace accidents and contributes to future pension rights.
Self-Employment and Freelancing
Engaging in freelance work (Lavoro Autonomo) on a study permit is more complex than subordinate work. While the law allows for a residence permit for study to be used for work, if a student wishes to open a Partita IVA (VAT number) and work as a freelancer, they must ensure their permit is valid for such activity.
Note: Converting a study permit into a self-employment permit is often required if the freelance activity becomes the primary source of income or exceeds the scope of occasional collaboration.
Converting a Study Permit to a Work Permit
Upon completion of an undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral degree in Italy, students have the right to convert their study permit into a work permit (subordinate or self-employed). Under current 2025 regulations, students who graduate in Italy are no longer subject to the "Flow Decree" (Decreto Flussi) quotas for this conversion.
If a student has not yet graduated but has a job offer, they may still apply for conversion, but this process may be subject to the annual quotas set by the Italian government. More information can be found on the official Portale Immigrazione.
Summary Checklist for Students
- Ensure your Permesso di Soggiorno is valid and not expired.
- Verify that your Codice Fiscale is correctly registered.
- Confirm your contract does not exceed 20 hours per week (for non-EU).
- Ensure your employer provides a UNILAV (Mandatory Communication of Employment) to the authorities.