For anyone considering a move to Europe for work, Italy deserves serious attention. It combines a long history, striking cities, an active economy, a varied labour market and a high quality of life, and it has become a popular destination for both study and work. Moving to Italy follows a defined legal route, although non-EU workers should be aware that most work permits are issued within an annual quota set by the government. This article covers the advantages of moving there, how the work visa route operates and which are the highest paying jobs in Italy.
Why move to Italy?
Before we get to the highest paying jobs in Italy, it is worth asking why the country is a good choice at all, and what it offers. An Italian work visa allows free travel across the Schengen area and the European Union, and it opens a route to permanent residence. Working in Italy also brings the following:
- A genuine work-life balance
- Public healthcare through the national health service for workers and their families
- Competitive salaries in specialist and technical occupations
- The chance to work for international companies in larger cities such as Milan and Rome
- Eligibility to apply for permanent residence after 5 years of lawful employment
- Lower living costs than Germany, France or the Netherlands
Conditions for working in Italy
To find work in one of the highest paying jobs in Italy, start with job boards and LinkedIn, identify roles that match your education and experience, and approach employers directly. Non-EU nationals need a work authorisation for any EU country, and in Italy that authorisation (the nulla osta) is only possible with a job offer from a recognised Italian employer. The table below sets out every step of the work visa process for the highest paying jobs in Italy:
| Steps | Details |
|---|---|
| Search for work on job boards | To contact employers |
| Obtain a job offer from an Italian employer | Including job description, salary and duration of employment, e.g. one year or more |
| Prepare the work visa documents | Based on the consulate checklist |
| Book an appointment at the Italian consulate | To submit documents and give biometrics |
| Receive the work visa | Issued for the period stated in the job offer |
| Travel to Italy and start work | Receiving a salary and paying taxes |
| Apply for Italian long-term residence | After 5 years' continuous legal residence, subject to sufficient income, suitable housing and Italian at A2 level - not automatic |
Which are the highest paying jobs in Italy?
With the work visa and permanent residence process covered, it is time to look at the list itself, drawn from statistical data, labour market conditions, the Italian government’s official employment site and published salary data. Medicine tops the list.
Doctors and surgeons
Medicine is one of the highest paying jobs in Italy, as it is worldwide. General practitioners, surgeons, cardiologists, neurologists and dentists in Italy earn between 80,000 and 180,000 EUR a year, which against Italian living costs is a comfortable income.
Practising as a doctor or specialist in Italy requires recognition of your qualification and Italian at B2. With specialist credentials and clinical experience, you can also work in private clinics or teaching institutions.
IT and information technology engineers
As work moves online and administrative processes change, demand for IT engineers and information technology specialists has risen worldwide, and the field has become one of the highest paying jobs in Italy.
Software engineering, programming, data analysis, cybersecurity, web development and artificial intelligence in Italy are all in demand and pay between 50,000 and 120,000 EUR a year. Alongside the chance to work in English at international companies, many of these roles can be done remotely.
Finance and executive managers
Financial management, human resources, project management and senior executive roles (C-level) are among the highest paying jobs in Italy, particularly at larger companies. Managers in these areas earn up to 110,000 EUR a year, and candidates with:
- A management track record
- Familiarity with how European companies are structured
- Command of English and Italian
can apply for these roles.
Industrial, electrical and mechanical engineers
Italy is an industrial country with a heavy focus on manufacturing, renewable energy and exports, so demand for mechanical, industrial and electrical engineers is consistently high, and all three appear on the list of the highest paying jobs in Italy.
Average annual pay in these fields runs from around 65,000 to 80,000 EUR, and engineers with experience in industrial automation, process design, clean energy or related specialisms can approach employers and pursue a job offer.
Legal advisers, lawyers and the judiciary
Legal work is also among the highest paying jobs in Italy, particularly for candidates with solid experience in international, commercial and trade law. Established lawyers in Italy earn between 80,000 and 130,000 EUR a year, although the route into the profession is demanding and requires:
- Study of the differences between legal systems
- Recognition of your qualification
- Professional examinations in some fields
- Full command of Italian
Airline pilots
Flying is the last entry on the list and one of the best-paid specialisms in Italy and across Europe. Commercial pilots, particularly on international routes, normally earn between 70,000 and 150,000 EUR a year, and the figure can go higher or lower depending on the airline, the aircraft type and flight experience.
Entering the profession is far from easy. It requires an EASA licence from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency, a solid command of English and specialist training at a recognised European flight academy, so anyone choosing this route should expect years of study and a long series of examinations.
Moving to Italy with Aval Visa
Italy is a country of real opportunity, culture and industry, with a high quality of life and a different kind of start for people moving from abroad. Whether you are applying for an Italian student visa or planning to arrive on a start-up visa, with the right skills, careful planning and the language, you can build a career in one of the highest paying jobs in Italy.
It is not too late to start, and you can begin now with Aval Visa alongside you. Leave the choice of route and the paperwork to us, and concentrate on your language and your professional skills. Our job is to make the process clear and well organised.
Frequently asked questions
- What qualifications do you need to work in Italy? A recognised academic qualification and relevant work experience. In some fields, such as medicine and law, formal recognition of your qualification is mandatory.
- Can working in Italy lead to permanent residence? Yes. With a work-based residence permit, 5 years of residence and a record of tax payments, you can apply for permanent residence.
- Which Italian cities have the most job opportunities? The best-paid roles are concentrated in industrial and commercial cities such as Milan, Turin, Bologna and Rome.
