We Americans take it for granted that wherever we go, it'll be easy to find a job. Sure, it might take a few months to find the right opportunity, but there's work to be had everywhere, right?
Wrong.
If you're planning to move to Italy, I want to be real with you: you're not guaranteed to find work here. Have a plan for how you'll support yourself before you move.
The Work Situation in Italy
The unemployment rate in Italy in 2023 was 7.6%. And while that's nearly double the rate in the U.S., it still doesn't tell the full story, because the rates vary wildly from one part of the country to another.
For example, where I live in Calabria, it's 15.9%. That's why so many people from the south flock to Milan and other cities up north to find work. There simply isn't any down south.
I know people who are well-educated, who decided to stay in Calabria, who don't have careers in what they studied. Some piece together simple work, like manual labor and substitute teaching, just to stay afloat.
You as an Expat Looking for a Job in Italy
So imagine. You show up with your shiny new Italian visa, expecting to get hired. What about the thousands of Italians who are in line ahead of you? Who likely speak the language better and definitely understand the culture better than you?
Finding a job in Italy is hard, particularly in the south.
So How Can I Move to Italy If I Can't Get a Job?
I'm not saying it's impossible to find work. I regularly look on LinkedIn for freelance writing opportunities, and I see work for marketers who speak English in larger cities.
But you'll have the best success if you come here already having a source of income. Italy launched the digital nomad visa in an effort to attract people who already had work online, so if that's you, you should be fine.
People ask me constantly what I do for work, with a worried expression on their face. I tell them I work remotely for American clients, and the relief is palpable.
Yes, I'm one of the lucky ones. I have steady work, and I get paid in American money, at American rates.
And speaking of salary, know that the average salary nationwide is about €40.000 a year. In the south, it's much lower. So take that into consideration when figuring out how you'll work in Italy.
I by no means want to scare you out of moving to Italy. But I want you to understand the reality here. Underneath the shiny patina of Aperol Spritz is real life, and that's what you'll be living!
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