Italy is famous for its delicious food, beautiful places like Tuscany and the Amalfi Coast, and friendly people. Right now, hotels, restaurants, and cafés in Italy (we call this the HORECA sector) have a big problem: they do not have enough workers. This is a great chance for people from outside the European Union (non-EU citizens) to get a job in Italy. You can work as a waiter (cameriere), kitchen helper (aiuto cucina), dishwasher (lavapiatti), or in other simple jobs in tourism.
But Italy has strict rules. The only legal way for non-EU people to come and work in these normal jobs is through a special program called Decreto Flussi. This guide uses very simple English to explain everything step by step so you can understand how to get a job and work visa in Italy.
The Gateway: Understanding the Decreto Flussi Quota
The Decreto Flussi (Flows Decree) is the only door for non-EU workers who want normal jobs in Italy (not high-skill jobs). Without this decree, you cannot come to work as a waiter, kitchen helper, or in seasonal tourism jobs.
Annual Quotas and “Click Days”
Every year the Italian government decides how many foreign workers can come. For 2025, they opened a big number of places. More than 110,000 spots are only for seasonal jobs in tourism and agriculture. Many of these spots are for hotels and restaurants.
- The system works first-come, first-served.
- The employer must send the application online on special days called “Click Days”.
- On Click Day, the website opens at 9:00 in the morning, and all places can finish in just a few minutes. It is very fast and very competitive!
The Nulla Osta al Lavoro (Work Permit)
The Nulla Osta al Lavoro is the most important paper. It is the official permission from the Italian government that says “Yes, this person can come and work”.
Your future boss (the employer) must do these things:
- Give you a real job contract (usually fixed-term contract).
- Prove that no Italian or EU person wants this job.
- Send the application on Click Day to the office called Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (SUI).
Good news for seasonal jobs: the SUI must answer in maximum 20 days. When they say yes, the Nulla Osta is sent directly to the Italian Embassy in your country.
Salary and Location: What to Expect
Italy does not have one national minimum wage for everyone. In hotels and restaurants, the salary follows a special agreement called CCNL Turismo (National Collective Agreement for Tourism).
Average Hospitality Salary in Italy
Here are the minimum gross (before tax) monthly salaries in 2025 according to the CCNL:
| Role (Job) | Level | Minimum Gross Monthly Salary | Average Yearly Gross (13-14 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen Helper (Aiuto Cucina) | Level 7 | around €1,293 | €16,800 – €21,000 |
| Waiter / Bartender (Cameriere/Barista) | Level 5-6 | around €1,470 | €21,000 – €24,000 |
| Dishwasher (Lavapiatti) | Level 7 | around €1,293 | €16,800 – €21,000 |
Important points:
- These are gross salaries. The government takes tax (IRPEF) and social contributions (about 9-10% from your part).
- In tourist cities you can earn a lot of extra money from tips (mance). In places like Rome, Venice, or Amalfi Coast, tips can add €500–€1,500 per month in high season.
Targeting Key Regions/Cities
The best places to find a job and good tips are:
- Rome (Roma) and Milan (Milano) – jobs all year, higher cost of living, but steady work in big hotels and restaurants.
- Florence (Firenze) and Tuscany – very busy from April to October, many seasonal jobs.
- Venice (Venezia) – super busy in summer, employers often give free accommodation.
- Amalfi Coast, Sorrento, Capri – high season jobs, excellent tips, beautiful places to live in summer.
Post-Arrival: Visa and Documentation
When your employer gets the Nulla Osta, you still need to finish some steps.
The Visa and Entry Permit Process
- Apply for the work visa at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. You have 6 months to do this after the Nulla Osta is ready. You need:
- Valid passport
- Visa application form
- Copy of Nulla Osta
- Proof that you have a place to sleep in Italy (your employer usually gives this paper – Dichiarazione di Ospitalità)
- Enter Italy – when you arrive, you have only 8 working days to go to the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione (SUI) office. There you sign the Contratto di Soggiorno (Stay Contract).
- Get the Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno)
- You receive a yellow kit from the post office.
- Fill it and send it.
- Later you go to the Police Headquarters (Questura) to give fingerprints and get the real plastic residence card.
Very important: As soon as you arrive, you must get your Codice Fiscale (Italian tax number). You cannot work or open a bank account without it. Your employer usually helps you get it in the first days.
Call to Action
The Decreto Flussi window is very short, but the opportunity is real. Thousands of restaurants and hotels in Italy are waiting for workers like you right now.
Start today:
- Look for Italian employers who sponsor visas (many hotels in Rome, Florence, Venice, and the Amalfi Coast do).
- Prepare your passport, CV, and any certificates.
- Be ready for the next Click Day (usually announced a few weeks before).
Italy needs you, and a job in the Italian HORECA sector can change your life.
Dynamic Disclaimer
This article is only for information and education. Rules for Decreto Flussi, Nulla Osta, and visas can change every year. Always check the newest information on official websites: