Study in Italy 2026 – Part-Time Jobs for International Students & Salary Guide

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Italy attracts many Indian and other international students because of its public universities, design schools and lower tuition than many other European countries. A common question is whether you can work while studying. This guide on part-time jobs for international students in Italy explains the legal work-hour limit for 2026, typical student jobs and realistic hourly pay in euros.

Students find part-time work in cafés and restaurants, shops, delivery, tutoring and on-campus roles in cities such as Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Turin, Padua and Naples. Pay and availability vary a lot by city, and knowing Italian makes a big difference for most customer-facing jobs.

Keep one point clear from the start: an Italian student visa and residence permit are for study. Work is allowed only as a secondary activity, within limits, and part-time earnings should never be your plan for paying fees or proving funds. This is an independent guide, not an official government or university source.

Study in Italy Part-Time Jobs 2026 – Quick Overview

Detail	Information
Who It Is For	Non-EU international students with an Italian residence permit for study
Country / Locations	Italy – Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Turin, Padua, Naples and other university cities
Work Limit	20 hours per week, up to 1,040 hours per year (EU Immigration Portal)
Job Types	Waiter, barista, kitchen helper, retail assistant, delivery rider, tutor, university part-time collaborator
Indicative Pay	Around €7–12 per hour for most student jobs; tutoring can pay more
Minimum Wage	Italy has no general statutory minimum wage; pay follows collective agreements (CCNL)
Language	Basic to good Italian needed for most local jobs
Permit	Residence permit for study (permesso di soggiorno per studio), applied for within 8 days of arrival
Work Type	Part-time, weekend, evening and seasonal
Official Channels	University career services, regional student-support agencies, public job centres, employer websites
Tax Code	A codice fiscale (Italian tax code) is needed to sign a work contract

About Working While Studying in Italy

The European Commission’s EU Immigration Portal states that students in Italy may work 20 hours per week, with a limit of 1,040 working hours within 52 weeks. You must hold a valid residence permit for study, which needs proof of admission, health insurance, housing and sufficient funds. Renewal also depends on exam progress, so studies must come first.

Italian universities also run paid on-campus “150-hour” student collaborations (collaborazioni studentesche), where students help in libraries, offices and labs for up to 150 hours a year. These are usually advertised once a year through the university or the regional student-support agency and often depend on merit and income criteria.

Types of Part-Time Jobs for International Students in Italy

Waiter / Waitress

Restaurants, pizzerias and hotels hire evening and weekend staff, especially in tourist cities.

Barista / Café Assistant

Serving coffee and snacks in bars and cafés; fast-paced work that needs basic Italian.

Kitchen Helper

Dishwashing, food preparation and cleaning; Italian is less critical in back-of-house roles.

Retail Assistant

Shops in malls and city centres hire for weekends and sale seasons; fashion stores value languages.

Delivery Rider

Food-delivery work on bicycle or scooter; check the contract type carefully, as some riders are self-employed.

Private Tutor

Teaching English, maths or other subjects to school students; strong English is an advantage here.

University 150-Hour Collaborator

On-campus roles in libraries, help desks and departments, paid by the hour.

Hotel Receptionist / Hostel Staff

Front-desk work suits students who speak English plus Italian and other languages.

Italy Part-Time Jobs Salary 2026

Position	Indicative Hourly Pay (EUR)
Kitchen Helper	7 – 9
Waiter / Barista	7 – 11
University 150-Hour Collaborator	7.75 – 9
Delivery Rider	7 – 11 (often variable)
Retail Assistant	8 – 12
Hotel Receptionist	8 – 12
Private English Tutor	15 – 25

These are indicative gross figures. One Italian university (UNIMORE) states that its 150-hour student roles pay €7.75 per hour; other figures come from student-guide surveys and vary by city, with Milan usually highest. At 20 hours a week and €8–10 an hour, monthly gross earnings would be roughly €690–860 before deductions, which helps with daily costs but will not cover tuition and rent in most cities.

Can Indian Students Work in Italy?

Yes, Indian students holding a valid Italian residence permit for study can work within the 20-hours-a-week and 1,040-hours-a-year limit. Your permit, not the job offer, decides what you are allowed to do, so keep your permit valid and your hours within the cap. Working more than allowed can put your permit renewal at risk.

When you apply for the study visa, you must show enough funds from savings, family support or scholarships. Expected part-time income is not a substitute. After graduation, the EU Immigration Portal notes that a study permit can be converted into a permit to look for work for up to one year if conditions are met, which is the more realistic route to full-time employment.

Training and Getting Job-Ready

Student jobs rarely need formal training, but a few steps help.

Learn Basic Italian

Many universities offer free or low-cost Italian courses for international students. Even A2 level helps in cafés and shops.

Food Hygiene Certificate

Hospitality employers may ask for a food-safety (HACCP) course, often short and online.

University Career Services

Career offices run CV workshops and share internship and part-time listings.

Eligibility

Enrolled in a recognised Italian university or higher-education course
Valid residence permit for study (or receipt of application)
Codice fiscale (tax code)
Working hours within 20 per week and 1,040 per year
Italian bank account or payment method as the employer requires
Basic Italian for most customer-facing roles

Education Qualification

Student jobs have few formal requirements, but these help:

Current university enrolment
Good academic standing (important for 150-hour roles)
Language certificates in Italian or English
Subject strength for tutoring roles
Short hospitality or retail courses

Selection Process

Prepare an Italian-style CV (curriculum vitae) with a photo if the employer expects it
Search university boards, career portals and job sites
Visit cafés and shops in person with printed CVs
Short interview with the manager
Trial shift in hospitality (should be paid or clearly agreed)
Share your permit and codice fiscale for the contract
Sign a written contract stating hours and pay
Track your hours to stay within the legal limit

Working Hours and Shifts

Maximum 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year
Hospitality shifts are often evenings, weekends and holidays
Retail needs extra staff during sales periods
150-hour university roles fit around class timetables

Plan your shifts around lectures and exam sessions.

Benefits

Extra income for daily expenses
Better Italian language skills
Local work experience for your CV
Contacts for internships after graduation
Meals on shift in some hospitality jobs, where the employer offers it
Social security contributions on regular contracts

Always ask for a written contract; informal work offers no protection.

Career Growth

Part-Time Student Job → Internship (tirocinio) → Job-Search Permit After Graduation → Full-Time Work Permit

Internships linked to your degree count more than unrelated jobs
Strong Italian improves full-time job chances
University career fairs connect students with employers
Employers in Milan and the north hire many graduates in engineering, design and business

Skills That Can Improve Your Chances

Italian language (A2–B1 or higher)
Fluent English
Customer service
Coffee and bar skills
Cash handling
Food hygiene knowledge
Teaching or tutoring
Time management between study and work
Basic computer skills

Documents Required

Passport with study visa
Residence permit for study or application receipt
Codice fiscale
University enrolment certificate
Italian CV
Bank account details
HACCP certificate for food jobs, if required

Keep copies of your permit and contract at work.

How to Apply Online

Step 1

Confirm your residence permit for study is valid or applied for.

Step 2

Get your codice fiscale and open a bank account.

Step 3

Write a one-page Italian CV and a short English version.

Step 4

Check your university’s career service and the 150-hour collaboration call.

Step 5

Search job sites and employer websites for part-time roles in your city.

Step 6

Apply online and follow up with in-person visits for cafés and shops.

Step 7

Attend the interview and ask for a written contract.

Step 8

Record your weekly hours so you never exceed the legal limit.

Beware of Fake Job Offers

Students are frequent targets of job and visa scams.

Never pay anyone to “arrange” a part-time job in Italy
Be wary of agents promising guaranteed jobs with a study visa
Avoid cash-in-hand jobs without contracts
Check any Indian recruiting or overseas placement agent’s licence on the MEA eMigrate portal
Report online fraud in India at cybercrime.gov.in

Study in Italy Part-Time Jobs 2026 – FAQs

How many hours can international students work in Italy?

20 hours per week, up to 1,040 hours per year, according to the EU Immigration Portal.

What is the average hourly pay for students?

Most student jobs pay about €7–12 per hour; tutoring can pay more.

Does Italy have a minimum wage?

There is no general statutory minimum wage. Pay is set by sector collective agreements.

Do I need Italian to get a job?

For most customer-facing jobs, yes. Kitchen, delivery and tutoring roles may need less.

Can part-time income count as proof of funds?

No. You must show funds for the visa independently.

What is a 150-hour collaboration?

A paid on-campus student role of up to 150 hours a year, offered by many Italian universities.

Can I stay in Italy after graduation to find work?

A study permit can be converted into a job-search permit of up to one year if conditions are met.

Do I need a codice fiscale to work?

Yes, employers need it to register your contract and pay.

Final Words

Part-time work can make student life in Italy easier, but it is a support, not a funding plan. Keep your permit valid, stay within 20 hours a week, learn some Italian early, and use your student years to build skills and contacts for a real career after graduation.

Disclaimer: Salary figures are indicative and may differ from actual offers. This is an independent informational guide not affiliated with the Italian government, any Italian university or the European Commission. No job, visa or salary is guaranteed. Verify all openings on the official careers portal and never pay any fee to anyone for a job.