Finding Seasonal Work in Italy

If you have a job that is not expected to last more than three months you do not need to apply for a Pemzesso di Soggiomo. This also applies to workers who return to their home country at least once a week. However, you should get a statement from your employer declaring the length of your employment.

Most opportunities for short-term employment arise during the summer months. Tourism is one of the main employers, with vacancies becoming available in hotels and restaurants in the tourist resorts.

To find a job, first obtain a list of hotels from the tourist office in the region of Italy in which you are interested in working. Then write a letter of application stating your date and place of birth, your work experience, your level of education, your knowledge of foreign languages, your interests, references and a photograph of yourself. Send it off early in the year.

Summer vacancies are also available in holiday villages. However, the conditions usually require someone with training in sports and other skills such as music or drama.

During harvest time you may be able to find temporary work on a farm. To find out addresses of farms and agricultural cooperatives where you can apply for work, contact the Centri Znfomzione Giovani (Youth Information Centres) in the region you are interested in. The main harvests take place as follows, although you should note that there is no great recruitment of foreign workers as in some Mediterranean countries.

• May-August: strawberries, cherries, peaches and plums in Emila Romagna
• September-October: apples and pears in Emilia Romagna, Piedmont and Trentino
• September-October: grapes in Ernilia Romagna, Lazio, Piedmont, Puglia, Trentino, Veneto, Tuscany and Marches
• November-December: olives in Puglia, Trentino, Veneto, Tuscany, Marches, Liguria, Calabria and Sicily
• November-December: flowers in Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and Puglia
• November-December: tobacco in Umbria, Puglia and Carnpania.