Travel to Italy for work

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Check if you need a visa or permit to work in Italy and how to get one if you do.

This guide is for British citizens travelling for business or other work purposes. It explains what employers, employees, or the self-employed need to do if they need a visa or permit.

This information is provided as a guide only. You must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Italian government, or embassy.

Entry requirements

If you’re going to Italy to work (or any other EU country, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein) you must make sure you meet passport and other travel requirements.

Italy is in the Schengen area. If you’re travelling for business for up to 90 days in a 180-day period, you may be able to do some business-related activities without needing a visa or permit, such as attend business meetings. It does not matter how many countries you visit in the Schengen area. Your total stay must be no more than 90 days in every 180 days. The 180-day period keeps ‘rolling’.

If you’re staying for longer, or for other types of work, you may need a visa or permit.

The Italian authorities are responsible for setting and enforcing entry rules. They decide which activities need a visa or permit, or which may be exempt.

If you’re working in more than one country, you need to check the entry rules of each country.

If you need a passport, visa or permit, you should apply well in advance of travel.

Visa and permit documents

This guide explains the general application process for some of the visa or permit types available in Italy. It includes a checklist of documents that you’ll usually need to include when applying.

It may not cover all scenarios so you must always check the exact application process and document requirements with the Italian government, or embassy.

You must also check what format the documents should be presented in, including if they must be:

• translated
• ‘legalised’ (with an apostille) or notarised
• originals, or if copies are acceptable
• signed in ink (a wet signature), or if they can be signed electronically (an e-signature)
• dated within a certain period of time, such as 30 days before you submit your application

Countries often use the terms visa, work permit and residence permit differently. For example, some may refer to a work permit as a visa.

This guide uses the same terms used in Italy, so you know which ones to use when speaking to the Italian authorities.

Check if you need a visa or permit

You do not need a visa or permit if you’re travelling to Italy for up to 90 days in a 180-day period for specific business-related activities. These activities can include:

• running or attending job interviews
• going to court as a witness
• attending trade fairs
• board meetings
• meeting clients or customers (including entertainment like eating at a restaurant)
• meeting colleagues, contractors or sellers
• fact-finding visits
• negotiating, signing and executing deals or contracts
• attending, speaking or presenting at a conference if you aren’t being paid
• team building activities
• installing, upgrading and troubleshooting software or machinery where there’s an after-sales contract in place
• taking part in technical training
• consulting
• completing an after-sales service
• leisure travel, such as holidays, or visiting friends or family

Or for the following types of training, as long as it’s for the same company or group:

• receiving and providing classroom-based training
• shadowing someone’s job

These activities are covered by the Schengen visa waiver.

Border checks

At the border, you may be asked to show:

• proof of return travel, such as plane or train tickets
• health insurance that covers your stay
• proof of accommodation for your entire stay
• enough money for the duration of your trip
• an invitation letter from your employer explaining your trip

Check Italy’s exemptions

Certain types of work and activities do not require a visa or permit because they’re exempt.

All countries have their own exemptions. What may be exempt in one country may not be in another. You should always check with the country’s authorities.

You may not need a visa or permit in Italy if you have an EU intra company transfer (EU ICT) from another country. With this you can work in Italy for up to 90 days in a 180-day period.

Declare your arrival

You must make a ‘declaration of presence’ (dichiarazione di presenza) to Italy’s immigration authorities even if you don’t need a visa or permit.

If you’re travelling to Italy from outside the Schengen area you do this by getting your passport stamped at the border upon entry and exit. This acts as your declaration of presence.

If you’re travelling to Italy from another Schengen country you need to make a declaration by:

• completing a declaration form at your hotel or B&B and giving it to the management (within 24 hours of arrival), if you’re staying at a hotel or B&B
• filing a declaration at the police station (within 8 days of arrival), if you’re staying in private accommodation

You should be given a copy of the declaration of presence form, which you can then show to any authority on request.

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