Working in Florence: How to Land Your Dream Job

Discover the job opportunities in Florence. Get tips on where to start your search and how to land a job even without speaking Italian!

Jale

5 minute read

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Updated on 17 Aug 2023

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Working

Like in other expat-friendly cities in Italy, it’s possible to land an English-speaking job in Florence. But this can take a lot of patience and effort as most jobs require knowledge of Italian or Italian and English.

The best way to land a job in Florence and get a good offer is to know: Which industries and companies offer job opportunities for English speakers How much you should earn depending on your position How to find these job opportunities

Ready? Let’s get started!

As the capital and most populated city in the Tuscan region, Florence makes the largest contribution to Tuscany’s economy. This creates many job opportunities. Most internationals find a job in one of Florence’s prominent industries:

1. Tourism and service sector: With roughly 13 million visitors per year, the tourism and service sectors make up 70% of the employment in Florence. Hotels, restaurants, spas, travel agencies, etc., are perfect places for internationals to be hired for their multicultural knowledge and language skills.
2. Manufacturing: Florence is a major production center in Italy. Florentine companies produce and export all sorts of goods like furniture, ceramics, clothing, jewelry, leather, chemicals, basic materials and machinery, and much more.
3. Wine production: Many of Italy’s most important vineyards are located close to the city in the Chianti region. From producing to selling, vineyards employ many foreign, especially bilingual internationals.
4. Art: Florence is the art capital of Italy. As a result, producing and consuming art is the backbone of Florence’s economy. Many internationals work in art exhibitions, cultural festivals, fashion shows, art galleries, and cultural tourism sites.

With the right past experiences, language skills, and educational background, most internationals can feel confident when applying for jobs in Florence. But the biggest challenge that non-EU residents face when finding a job in Florence is the visa requirement.

To increase your chance of landing a job in Florence as an international, apply as a highly skilled migrant. This is especially important for non-EU nationals because Italy offers a limited number of work visas per year. Since sponsoring non-EU nationals to work in Italy costs money and involves complicated regulations and documentation, most companies do not offer visas for low-paid positions.

Finding a job in Florence can also be slightly easier than finding a job in other big and small Italian cities. Florence might not have as many international companies as popular cities like Milan and Rome. But you can turn this to your advantage as the job market in Florence is less competitive and the unemployment rate is (3.2%) lower than the national average of (7.8%).

In Florence, finding a job without speaking Italian is difficult. But with relevant experience, your chance to be hired is greater. It becomes easier for Italian companies to successfully apply for an Italian work permit if you’ve skills that locals do not have. For some types of jobs or in certain departments, you might not even need to know Italian fluently. In this case, it’s your experience that counts.

Florence also has a reputation as a hub of creativity. So, if you’re someone with an art degree and background, you’ll have plenty of options in galleries, studios, and cultural, touristic sites.

Hear what Mike has to say about studying art in Florence in our podcast.

If you’re experienced in fashion and textiles, you’re in luck. Top Italian designers use the textile factories in Florence, creating many opportunities for textile engineers, designers, sales agents, etc.

Alternatively, you can apply to teach or work as an admin staff in one of the 9 universities in Florence. Plus, they usually offer a budget for Italian classes, which you can benefit from in the future when applying for other jobs.

If you have no experience and don’t know Italian, your chances of finding an English-speaking job are lower. Your best chance of landing a job in Florence is to look for work in the tourism and service sector, the biggest industries in Florence. Particularly in high seasons (April to September), you’ll find many jobs at hotels, restaurants, spas, bars, and travel agencies.

If you don’t want to work in the tourism or service sector, many internships are available in vineyards where you can learn to master winemaking. You’ll also have other options like working as an English teacher, driver, nanny, and delivery driver.

With a monthly salary of €2,944, Florence has a higher average salary than the national average salary of (€2,583). But the actual salary you receive will, of course, also depend on the industry you’re in, your level of experience, and your education.

Below you can find a list of popular professions with their average salaries. When you apply for a job, negotiate your salary with these reference points.

Job hunting is exhausting, but knowing where to start always helps. You can find a job in Florence in 4 ways:

1. Apply directly to the employer: Employers post job openings on their websites. Regularly check if they have available vacancies suitable for you.

2. Through online networking websites: LinkedIn, Glassdoor, Indeed.com, and Ticonsiglio.com are popular websites in Italy where employers post job openings and hire.

3. Contact directly: Email them your skills and competencies and let them know you’re willing to work for them. This way, even if they’re not hiring now, they’ll have your CV and motivation letter for any future suitable vacancies.

4. Social media: Check the Instagram page of the gallery or the hotel you’re interested in and inform them about yourself. If you want to work in creative industries or the service sector, reaching out through social media can open many doors.

No matter how you’re applying, make sure you always send them an updated CV with all your relevant qualifications and background. Show your dedication and desire to work with them by preparing a personalized cover letter for each position. Don’t forget to proofread; typos and grammatical errors undermine your credibility and qualifications.

Now that you know how to look for your dream job in Florence, it’s time to start applying. Once you find job, make sure you book your apartment on time, find out the commuting options from your new neighborhood to your office, and how to open an Italian bank account to receive your salary. Buona fortuna!

Once you have found a job, don't forget to search for housing in Florence, Italy!

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