Seasonal work contracts in Italy for foreigners

L'Italy offers opportunities and seasonal employment contracts in sectors such as agriculture, tourism and the hotel industry, to meet the temporary needs of employers. These contracts can be signed with workers of any nationality, including non-residents of the European Union.

Read also:  How to find an employment contract in Canada – The main reasons for Schengen visa refusal and how to avoid them – FLUSSI Italy 2024 program.

Every year, the Italian government awards seasonal work contracts to bring in labor from abroad, including North Africa (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, etc.) and certain African, Latin American and European countries. Italy is an attractive country for foreign workers thanks to its culture, gastronomy and thriving economy.

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This article will tell you what you need to do to benefit from a contract work seasonal in ItalyWe'll also tell you about the documents you need to obtain a seasonal work visa. We'll also introduce you to seasonal job search websites in Italy to help you find a job that's right for you. If you're interested in the idea of working in Italy, you'll find this article useful.

Seasonal work in Italy under Italian law

In Italy, the law on work Seasonal employment contracts are governed by law no. 40 of 2007, as amended by law no. 92 of 2012. This law defines the rules and working conditions applicable to seasonal employment contracts concluded in Italy.

Under this law, seasonal employment contracts can be signed for a period of between three and nine months, depending on the employer's needs. However, the length of the contract can be adapted to suit the type and nature of the work, and the needs of the employer. For example, in the agricultural sector, seasonal employment contracts can be concluded for a period of six months, while in the tourism sector they can be concluded for a period of nine months.

The law also lays down specific provisions to protect seasonal workers against work-related risks. These include the provision of personal protective equipment, occupational health and safety training and emergency procedures in the event of a workplace accident.

As far as remuneration is concerned, the law on seasonal employment contracts stipulates that seasonal workers are entitled to fair remuneration at the same level as other workers in Italy. They are also entitled to the same paid vacations and social benefits, such as sick pay and sick leave.

The law on seasonal employment contracts also stipulates that seasonal workers have the right to protection of privacy and personal data. Employers are obliged to protect the personal data of seasonal workers and not to use it for purposes other than work-related.

How long are seasonal employment contracts in Italy?

Seasonal employment contracts in Italy are short-term, temporary contracts concluded to meet the temporary needs of employers. Depending on the nature and type of work, the duration of a seasonal employment contract can vary from three months to nine months.

The extraction period for seasonal employment contracts in Italy depends on the time required to process contract applications and issue visas to foreign workers. Under Italian law, the employer must submit an application for a seasonal employment contract to the relevant Chamber of Commerce and Industry, providing all the necessary documents. This application must be submitted sufficiently in advance to enable the competent authority to process the request and issue visas to foreign workers before the contract begins.

Once the application for a seasonal work contract has been approved, the contract is extracted and sent to the foreign worker, who can then apply for a work visa at the Italian embassy in his or her country of origin. The period for extracting the seasonal work contract may vary according to the availability of visas and the time required to process applications.

Seasonal employment contracts in Italy are concluded for a specific period and cannot be renewed. If a worker wishes to continue working in Italy after the end of his or her seasonal employment contract, he or she must apply for a new employment contract and obtain a new visa.

Which sectors offer the most seasonal work in Italy?

The sectors that offer the most seasonal work contracts in Italy are generally agriculture, tourism and the hotel industry. These sectors are particularly active in summer, when demand for labor increases to meet the needs of tourists and vacationers. In agriculture, seasonal work contracts are generally offered for fruit and vegetable harvesting and crop maintenance. In the tourism and hospitality sector, seasonal employment contracts are often offered to work in hotels, restaurants and bars.

Note that seasonal work contracts in Italy are open to workers of all nationalities, including non-residents of the European Union. If you are interested in the idea of working in Italy, we recommend that you start looking for job offers from seasonal work online on websites dedicated to seasonal employment in Italy, such as Job&Orienta, InfoJobs and Indeed. You can also contact the Italian embassies and consulates in your home country to find out what seasonal jobs are available.

Decreto Flussi 2023: a new migration policy for Italy

Visit Decreto Flussi is a scheme set up by the Italian government to facilitate the hiring of temporary foreign workers in Italy. The scheme provides for the allocation of quotas for each category of foreign worker, according to the needs of the Italian labor market.

New quotas Decree Flussi for 2023

The Decreto Flussi (Flux Decree) is an annual decree that sets immigration quotas for the current year. The Flussi Decree 2023 was approved by the Italian government in December 2022 and establishes that 82,705 people can enter Italy for professional reasons.

Seasonal workers

For lavoro stagionale (seasonal work), the Decreto Flussi 2023 provides for a total of 44,000 workers for the following countries: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Korea (Republic of Korea), Ivory Coast, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, Japan, India, Kosovo, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldavia, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia and Ukraine. Of these, 22,000 are intended for seasonal agricultural work. Employers can submit quota applications via the following associations: Cia, Coldiretti, Confagricoltura, Copagr, Alleanza delle Cooperative (including Lega Cooperative and Confcooperative). Decreto Flussi 2023 also provides for 1,500 workers for lavoro stagionale pluriennale, which allows a worker to work in Italy for up to three years with a single authorization.

Salaried and self-employed workers

For lavoro subordinato non stagionale (non-seasonal salaried work) and lavoro autonomo (self-employment), the Decreto Flussi 2023 provides for a total of 30,105 workers. Of these, 24,105 workers are destined for the following countries: Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Korea (Republic of Korea), Ivory Coast, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Philippines, Gambia, Ghana, Japan, India, Kosovo, Mali, Morocco, Mauritius, Moldavia, Montenegro, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Republic of North Macedonia, Senegal, Serbia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Tunisia and Ukraine. A further 6,000 workers will be able to enter Italy from third countries with which Italy will sign cooperation agreements in 2023. 1,000 people who have completed training and education programs approved by the Ministry of Labor and Education will also be able to work in Italy. 500 workers will be able to practice lavoro autonomo (self-employment) in Italy.

To find out more about the Flussi 2023 law - read this article.

How can I find seasonal work contracts or summer jobs in Italy?

Start by finding out about seasonal work opportunities from the Italian embassies and consulates in your home country. Online via the internet, there are several websites where you can search for seasonal employment opportunities in Italy. Here are a few examples of sites that might be useful to you:

• Linkedin The "job board": an online professional network that enables employers and candidates to connect and find job opportunities.
• Indeed This is a job search site that lists thousands of job offers in Italy, including seasonal jobs.
• Monster This is an international job search site that offers jobs in Italy, including seasonal positions.
• Agenzie per il Lavoro These are recruitment agencies in Italy that offer job vacancies, including seasonal positions.
• Unione Italiana del Lavoro (UIL) This is a trade union in Italy that offers information and advice on seasonal jobs and work opportunities in Italy.
• Jobrapido This is a job search site that offers jobs in Italy, including seasonal positions.
• Kijiji This is an online classifieds site that also offers jobs in Italy, including seasonal positions.
• Workaway The site puts travelers in touch with B&B owners who are looking for help in exchange for accommodation and meals. This can be a great opportunity to find a seasonal job in Italy, particularly in the hotel and catering sector.
• Euraxess This is an information portal on work and training opportunities in Italy, including seasonal jobs.

We advise you to check the requirements of each seasonal job before applying, and to make sure you have all the necessary documents and training.

Procedure for seasonal employment in Italy

To apply for a seasonal work contract in Italy, you generally need to follow these steps:

1. Check that you meet the criteria for working in Italy as a non-resident, including visa and residence permit requirements.
2. Find out which companies or sectors are recruiting seasonal workers in Italy. You can use online advertisements, recruitment agencies or professional organizations to find work opportunities.
3. Prepare your application by gathering the necessary documents, such as your CV, covering letter and proof of your training and professional experience.
4. Submit your application by sending your CV and your letter of motivation to the companies or recruitment agencies that interest you. You can also be contacted directly by employers looking to hire seasonal workers.
5. If your application is successful, you will be invited to a job interview. This may be by telephone or in person, as the case may be.
6. If you are selected for the position, you will be required to sign a seasonal employment contract that will specify the conditions of your work, including contract duration, salary and working hours.
7. To obtain a seasonal work visa, you will need to present the following documents to the Italian embassy in your home country: a copy and original of your work contract, a completed visa application form, a copy and original of your valid identity card, a valid passport and a copy of the first three pages, a personal photo.
8. If your visa application is accepted, you will be called for a personal interview at the Italian embassy. After the interview, you will receive your seasonal work visa, valid for three, six or nine months, depending on the duration of your work contract.
9. Once you've obtained your visa and work contract, you can start working in Italy for the duration of your contract.

What documents are required to apply for a seasonal work visa?

To obtain a seasonal work visa in Italy, you will need to provide the following documents:

• A copy and original of your seasonal employment contract
• A completed and signed visa application form
• A copy and original of your valid identity card or passport
• A copy of the first three pages of your passport
• A recent passport photo

The validity period of your seasonal work visa in Italy depends on the duration of your work contract. If your seasonal work contract is for three months, your visa will be valid for three months. If your seasonal work contract is for six months, your visa will be valid for six months, and so on.

Once you've prepared all these documents, you'll need to present them to the Italian embassy in your home country. If your visa application is accepted, you will receive your seasonal work visa and will be able to travel to Italy to work for the duration of your seasonal work contract. We recommend that you start preparing your application for a seasonal work visa in Italy as soon as possible, so that you have time to gather the following information

When is a seasonal contract application rejected?

An application for a seasonal work contract in Italy can be rejected for a number of reasons. Below are a few examples:

• If the applicant has a criminal record or is suspected of committing a crime
• If the applicant's proof of identity or passport is incomplete or expired
• If the applicant does not meet the qualification requirements for working in Italy
• If the employer has not paid taxes and has been deprived of the right to employ foreign workers
• If the applicant has been sentenced to imprisonment in Italy or another country
• If the applicant has already worked in Italy without authorization or in violation of the terms of his/her previous visa
• If the candidate has been exposed to fraud and has received a false employment contract.

The Italian authorities may reject an application for a seasonal work contract for other reasons not mentioned above. If your application for a seasonal work contract is rejected, you will have to wait until the following year to reapply.

In short, seasonal work contracts in Italy are an attractive option for foreign workers wishing to discover a new country and put their professional skills to good use. To apply for a seasonal work contract in Italy, it is important to follow the appropriate procedures and provide the necessary documents. As a seasonal worker in Italy, it's important to respect current laws and regulations, and to work responsibly to maximize your chances of success and career advancement.