This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.
Entry requirements
If you’re going to Italy to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.
On the day you travel, you’ll need your passport to both:
- have at least 6 months left
- be less than 10 years old (even if it has 6 months or more left)
If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some work-related things without needing a visa or work permit, such as attend business meetings.
These are usually covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
If you’re going for other types of work you may need a visa, work permit or residence permit.
The Italian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.
You must always check with the Italian government before you travel, to make sure you meet their legal requirements.
If you’re working in more than one country you will need to check the entry rules of each country.
If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.
Visa and permit documents
This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Italy. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.
It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Italian government, or embassy.
You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:
- translated
- ‘legalised’ (apostilised) or notarised
- originals, or if copies are acceptable
- signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
- dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application
Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.
This guide uses the same terms used in Italy, so you know which ones to use when speaking to the Italian authorities.
Check if you need a visa or permit
You do not need a permit or visa if you’re travelling to Italy for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for:
- running or attending job interviews
- going to court as a witness
- attending trade fairs
- board meetings
- meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
- meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
- fact-finding visits
- negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts
- attending, speaking or presenting at a conference if you aren’t being paid
- team building activities
- installing, upgrading and troubleshooting software or machinery where there’s an after-sales contract in place
- taking part in technical training
- consulting
- completing an after-sales service
- leisure travel, such as holidays, or visiting friends or family
Or for the following types of training, as long as it’s for the same company or group:
- receiving and providing classroom-based training
- shadowing someone’s job
These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.
Border checks
At the border, you may be asked to show:
- proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
- health insurance that covers your stay
- proof of accommodation for your entire stay
- enough money for the duration of your trip
- an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip
Check Italy’s exemptions
Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.
All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.
You may not need a visa or permit in Italy if you have an EU intra company transfer (EU ICT) from another country. With this you can work in Italy for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.
Your employer needs to submit a (posted worker) notification online at least 1 day before you start work.
Declare your arrival
You must make a ‘declaration of presence’ (dichiarazione di presenza) to Italy’s immigration authorities even if you don’t need a visa or permit.
If you’re travelling to Italy from outside the Schengen area you do this by getting your passport stamped at the border.
If you’re travelling to Italy from another Schengen country you need to make a declaration within 8 days of arriving by:
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signing a declaration form and giving it to the hotel management, if you’re staying at a hotel
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filing a declaration at the police station, if you’re staying in private accommodation
Further checks
If you’re not sure if you need a visa or permit to travel you can get advice from the Italian embassy.
Applying for a visa and permit
This guide outlines the steps required for each visa or permit, but you’ll need to check the exact rules and processes with the Italian authorities or embassy.
Usually, you need to apply for a D visa first so you can start working. You then apply for a longer-term residence permit when you’re in Italy. If employed, your employer often has to start the application process.
Taking your family
You may be able to apply for dependant permits if you have a family and want them to join you. It depends on the type of work permit you have.
Find out more about taking your family with you.
Long-term visas and permits
Italy doesn’t have any short-term work permits or visas. You need to apply for a long-term visa and permit if you’re in Italy because you’re:
Permits are valid for up to 5 years depending on which type you need.
Transferring to an Italian branch of a UK-based company
You need one of these work permits If your UK employer is transferring you to a branch in Italy:
EU intra company transfer (EU ICT)
You need an intra-company transfer permit (ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Italy to work for:
- up to 3 years
- 1 year if you’re a trainee
To qualify you must:
- have worked for your UK employer for at least 3 months
- be a manager, specialist or trainee
- have specialist knowledge in the field
- have a bachelor’s level degree or at least 3 years’ relevant work experience
- keep your UK employment contract
- stay on UK payroll
An EU ICT can take 2 to 3 months to get. You can’t extend it beyond the 3 years, or 1 year for trainees.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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Your employer applies for your work permit at the Italian immigration office.
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You apply for a visa at the Italian consulate.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code. If applying for a year or more you also need to sign an integration agreement.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- proof of accommodation, owned or rented, with a signed contract
- degree or qualification certificate
- CV
- signed assignment agreement with your UK employer
- copy of passport for the Italian company’s legal representative
- copy of passport for the UK employer’s legal representative
- organisational charts or documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and the Italian company, such as an annual report
- recent annual tax return for the Italian company
- proof that the Italian company has paid social security (DM10 and F24 forms)
- Chamber of Commerce certificate for the Italian company
- proof of the Italian company’s registration with the Italian Workers Compensation Authority (INAIL) and the Italian social security authority (INPS)
- annual financial statement for the UK company
- social security cover certificate or confirmation that the Italian company will comply with Italian social security regulations
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Intra-company transfer (ICT)
You need an intra-company transfer permit (ICT) if your UK-based company moves you to a branch in Italy to work for up to 5 years.
You can also apply for this if you’re providing services to a client in Italy for up to 4 years.
To qualify you must:
- have worked for the company abroad for at least 6 months
- be a manager or specialist
- have specialist knowledge in the relevant field
- have a bachelor’s level degree or at least 3 years’ relevant work experience
- keep your UK employment contract
- stay on UK payroll
An ICT can take 3 to 6 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it:
- 5 years if transferring branch
- 4 years if providing services to a client in Italy
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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Your employer applies for your ICT at the Italian immigration office.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code. If applying for a year or more you also need to sign an integration agreement.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and local police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and any dependants valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- proof of accommodation, owned or rented, with a signed contract
- degree or qualification certificate
- CV
- signed employment contract with your UK employer
- signed assignment agreement with your UK employer
- passport copy of the Italian company’s legal representative
- passport copy of the UK employer’s legal representative
- documents showing the relationship between your UK employer and the Italian company if moving to an Italian branch, such as an annual report
- service agreement between your UK employer and the client in Italy, if providing a service
- Italian company’s recent annual tax return
- proof that the Italian company has paid social security (DM10 and F24 forms)
- Italian company’s Chamber of Commerce certificate
- proof of the Italian company’s registration with the Italian workers compensation authority (INAIL) and the Italian social security authority (INPS)
- UK employer’s annual financial statement
- social security cover certificate or confirmation that the Italian company will comply with Italian social security regulations
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Providing services to a client in Italy
If you’re providing services to a client in Italy for up to 4 years you need an ICT.
An ICT can take 3 to 6 months to get. It’s valid up to 2 years and you can extend it to 4 years.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
Working for an Italian company on an Italian employment contract
You need one of these permits if you are highly skilled and have an offer of employment with a company in Italy:
EU Blue Card
To qualify for an EU Blue Card you must:
- have an offer of employment from an Italian company for at least 1 year
- be on Italian payroll
- meet income requirements – check with the Italian authorities as this may change over time
- have a role that’s in level 1, 2 or 3 of the Istat occupation list
- have at least 3 years’ education at bachelor’s degree level
An EU Blue Card takes 2 to 5 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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Your employer applies for your work permit at the Italian immigration office.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate or visa centre.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code. If applying for a year or more you also need to sign an integration agreement.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- proof of accommodation, owned or rented, with a signed contract
- degree or qualification certificate, which must be acknowledged as a professional qualification by the relevant Italian educational authorities
- degree transcripts
- CV
- employment contract with your Italian employer
- Italian company’s certificate of registration
- proof that the Italian company has paid social security (DM10 and F24 forms)
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Local hire work permit
To qualify for a local hire (quota) work permit you must:
- have an offer of employment from an Italian company for at least 2 years
- be on Italian payroll
- earn an annual gross salary that complies with the National Collective bargaining agreement
- have at least 3 years’ education at bachelor’s degree level
A local hire work permit takes 4 to 6 months to get. It’s valid for 2 years and you can extend it. This permit type can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you on a local hire permit.
There are only a limited number of local hire permits available to workers who are not from the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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Your employer applies for your work permit at the Italian immigration office.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate or visa centre.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code. If applying for a year or more you also need to sign an integration agreement.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office within 8 days of arriving in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and any dependants valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- proof of accommodation, owned or rented, with a signed contract
- degree or qualification certificate acknowledged as a professional qualification by the relevant Italian educational authorities
- degree transcripts
- CV
- employment contract with your Italian employer
- Italian company’s certificate of registration
- proof that the Italian company has paid social security (DM10 and F24 forms)
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Self-employed work
If you want to work in Italy as a freelancer or carry out other self-employed work you need a self-employment visa (work permit).
You also qualify if all of the following apply:
- you’re a highly qualified artist, actor or musician
- you have a contract in place with an Italian institution
- you’re paid a high salary (considered on a case-by-case basis)
There are only a limited number of self-employment visas available each year.
The self-employment visa can take 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for up to 2 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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You apply for a self-employment visa at the Italian immigration office.
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You register your business with the Italian Chamber of Commerce and get the official certification required to work in your profession.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) and an integration agreement at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office within 8 days of arriving in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months from your departure date
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- proof you have enough money to support yourself and your family, such as bank statements
- proof that your proposed salary meets minimum requirements – check with the Italian authorities as this amount may change over time
- proof your income from the previous year met minimum requirements – check with the Italian authorities as this amount may change over time
- proof of accommodation in Italy
- Chamber of Commerce certificate for your Italian business
- certificate from the Italian association for your profession confirming you have the necessary licences and approval to start your business
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Setting up an innovative start-up
If you want to set up an innovative business in Italy you can apply for the Italia startup visa (work permit).
To qualify you must have:
- an innovative business idea for Italy
- enough money to support yourself
The Italia startup visa takes 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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You apply for an Italia startup visa with the Italian Ministry of Economic Development. You can also apply via a certified start-up incubator.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) and an integration agreement at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code.
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You apply for a residence permit at the local post office within 8 days of arriving in Italy.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed start-up application form
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and any dependants, valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- CV
- degree or qualification certificates, if you have any
- business plan detailing cost and revenue
- presentation introducing your business and explaining why it’s innovative
- proof your financial resources (from personal funds or a funding organisation) meet minimum requirements
- passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
- proof of accommodation in Italy such as a lease agreement or hotel reservation
- proof your income from the previous financial year met minimum requirements – check with the Italian authorities as this amount may change over time
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Investing in Italy
To qualify for an Investor Visa for Italy (work permit) you need to invest a certain amount of money in Italy in one of the following:
- Italian government bonds
- an Italian company
- an Italian innovative start-up company
- a charitable project
The investor visa for Italy takes 3 to 4 months to get. It’s valid up to 2 years and you can extend it. It can lead to permanent residence if you meet the criteria.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
You:
- apply online for an investor visa to the Investor Visa for Italy Committee
- apply for a visa at the Italian consulate or visa centre
- you sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) and an integration agreement at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code
- apply for a residence permit at the local post office within 8 days of arriving in Italy
- register your address at the town hall and local police station
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- passport for you and any dependants valid for 3 months after the requested end date of the visa, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- CV
- proof of your financial resources for the investment
- description of the investment or donation and consent from the intended recipients
- declaration of commitment to use the funds for the specified investment or donation
- proof of accommodation in Italy
- police clearance certificate
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Research work
You need a residence permit for researchers if you want to carry out research in Italy.
To qualify:
- you need a signed hosting agreement with an authorised research organisation
- the institution should cover your travel expenses and health insurance costs
- you must have either a PhD or a qualification that will allow you to start PhD study
A residence permit for research can take 2 to 4 months to get. It’s valid for 1 year and you can extend it.
If you have a family they can join you with this permit type.
How it works
You need to check with the Italian authorities on the exact process. This is a rough guide to help you prepare.
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The research institution applies for your permit at the Italian immigration office.
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You apply for a D visa at the Italian consulate or visa centre.
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You sign a ‘contract of stay’ (contratto di soggiorno) and an integration agreement at the local immigration office within 8 days of arriving in Italy and are given an Italian tax code.
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You apply for your residence permit at the local post office in Italy.
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You register your address at the local town hall and police station.
Application documents
Italian authorities may request different documents at different stages of the process. Usually, they need:
- completed visa application form
- passport for you and your dependents valid for 3 months longer than that of the visa requested, with at least 2 blank pages
- marriage certificate, if married
- birth certificates of any children
- evidence of termination of any previous marriages
- a passport-standard photo taken within 6 months of applying
- signed hosting agreement with an authorised research organisation
degree certificates - proof of enough money to support yourself
- health insurance to cover your stay in Italy
- proof of accommodation in Italy
Any documents issued outside of Italy must be legalised (apostilled).
They must be in English or Italian. Translations need to be legalised by the Italian consulate.
Italian government guidance
Read official Italian government information on working in Italy.
Check for travel changes
European governments may update or change their rules without notice.
You should always check general travel advice for Italy, for updates on issues, such as safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings before travelling, or planning to travel.
