Italy is often described as a country short on jobs. That description is outdated. The more accurate truth in 2026 is this: Italy is short on workers, and in some sectors the shortage has become structural rather than temporary.
Unlike countries that publish a single, neat “shortage occupations list,” in Italy, for work visa system works differently. Its labour needs are expressed through government decrees, sector quotas, and collective labour agreements, rather than one unified table. For foreign workers, understanding this system matters more than chasing a headline list.
No single “shortage occupations list”
Italy’s clearest signal of labour shortage comes from the Decreto Flussi, the government programme that regulates how many non-EU workers can legally enter the country for employment.
The current three-year plan (covering 2026–2028) authorises nearly 497,550 new foreign workers. That number alone tells a story: Italy does not expect domestic labour supply to recover on its own.
The decree does not name individual job titles. Instead, it lists sectors where Italian employers are officially permitted — and expected — to recruit from abroad.
Sectors with persistent labour shortages
Based on the decree and long-standing hiring patterns, the following areas represent Italy’s most pressing workforce gaps:
| Sector | Why shortages persist |
| Agriculture & food production | Seasonal intensity, physically demanding work, declining rural workforce |
| Construction | Ageing trades workforce, slow replacement of skilled labour |
| Manufacturing & metalwork | Shortage of machine operators and technical staff |
| Logistics & transport | Growth in warehousing and distribution without matching labour supply |
| Tourism & hospitality | Chronic seasonal and year-round staffing gaps |
| Health & social care | Rapid population ageing, insufficient domestic carers |
These are not short-term vacancies. They reflect demographic reality: Italy is one of the oldest countries in Europe, with fewer young workers entering the labour market each year.
Shortage Occupations in Italy
Belwo are the occupations in demand in Italy; however, it is an unofficial list:
Healthcare and Social Assistance
- Nurses
- Doctors (various specialisations)
- Medical technicians
- Caregivers / social care workers
- Physiotherapists
Engineering and Technical Professions
- Engineers (mechanical, electrical, civil, industrial, automation)
- Technicians (industrial maintenance, automation, mechatronics)
- IT specialists (software developers, systems analysts)
- Technical specialists in manufacturing
Information Technology (ICT)
- Software developers & programmers
- Cybersecurity experts
- Data analysts & data scientists
- ICT specialists in analytics and applications
Logistics and Transport
- Truck drivers / heavy-vehicle drivers
- Warehouse operators & forklift operators
- Supply chain and logistics planners
Construction and Skilled Trades
- Carpenters and woodworkers
- Welders
- Electricians and plumbers
- Machine operators
- Skilled construction labourers
Sales, Retail & Service
- Sales workers and retail specialists
- Hospitality staff (especially in tourism and seasonal hospitality)
Education and Teaching
- Teachers (particularly English teachers and specialised education roles)
Specialist/Professional Services
- Business consultants and managers
- Project managers
- Marketing and creative professionals
- Design professionals
Typical Salary Range by Occupation
Italy does not have a single national minimum wage written into law. Instead, minimum pay levels are set through sector-wide collective labour agreements (Contratti Collettivi Nazionali di Lavoro, or CCNL). These agreements define minimum salaries by industry, job category, and experience level, and they cover the vast majority of employees.
In practical terms, this means:
- There is no universal hourly rate that applies to everyone
- Legal minimum pay varies between sectors such as construction, hospitality, manufacturing, and care work
- Employment contracts must follow the relevant collective agreement to be lawful
Recent political debate has focused on wage protection, but the system remains based on collective bargaining rather than a single statutory figure.
Jobs most commonly accessible to foreign workers
For non-EU nationals, legal entry is usually employer-driven. An Italian employer applies for permission to hire a specific worker from abroad under the authorised quotas.
In practice, foreign workers are most frequently recruited into:
- Seasonal agricultural work (harvesting, farming support)
- Tourism and hospitality roles (hotels, restaurants, resorts)
- Construction and industrial support roles
- Logistics and warehouse operations
- Home and family care work, especially for elderly or disabled people
Family care deserves special mention. The government has reserved a dedicated quota for this category, recognising that Italian households increasingly depend on foreign carers to support an ageing population.
High-skilled workers
Not all foreign workers must compete within the annual quota system. Italy also participates in the EU Blue Card scheme, designed for highly qualified professionals with recognised credentials and a sufficiently high salary offer. This route operates outside the main quota system, making it one of the more predictable legal options for engineers, IT specialists, researchers, and certain professionals.
The required salary threshold is significantly higher than average wages, but for qualified workers, it offers stability and a clearer long-term pathway.
Which Italian cities work best for foreigners?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but patterns are clear. Milan remains the economic capital. It offers the most international job market, the highest concentration of foreign communities, and the strongest demand for skilled labour — at the cost of high rents and living expenses.
Rome combines public-sector employment, tourism, and international organisations, though bureaucracy and housing pressures can frustrate newcomers.
Mid-sized cities often offer a different balance:
- Bologna and Florence attract foreigners seeking quality of life alongside stable employment
- Northern and central cities generally rank higher for services, transport, and day-to-day efficiency
Interestingly, expat surveys consistently show that Italy’s largest cities are not always the most satisfying places to live — despite their economic advantages.