There are a lot of overseas Filipino workers living in Italy. It’s not surprising that most Filipinos in Europe live in Italy (more than 150,000). Italy’s labor laws are very strict, so abuse is rare (although, for sure, there are minimal cases). If employers break the law, foreign workers can sue them. Paid time off lets you travel the whole country.
Searching for jobs in Italy online is daunting. This article offers guidance on how you can make a good plan for looking for a job abroad in Italy as a Filipino. This article provides pointers on what you need to know.
Table of Contents
Requirements
Please click this link Requirements to learn more about the basic documentary requirements for applying for a job in Italy.
Qualifications
A candidate must be at least 21 years old, a high school graduate, and have a basic understanding of English. To work, he or she must be both physically and mentally fit.
Important Steps
This section contains a step-by-step guide in searching and applying for jobs in Italy for Filipinos.
I. Job Search
Finding a new job can be frustrating and time-consuming. Luckily, searching online is getting easier as more websites are popping up with resources for finding jobs. This collection of online job portals will give you an understanding of what companies in Italy are hiring and where to find a job there.
LinkedIn is the largest network for professionals in the world. By telling your professional story on your LinkedIn profile, you can get in touch with people who can help you. You can use LinkedIn to find the right job or internship, improve your professional relationships, and learn the skills you need to do well in your career.
You may follow the steps below to search for jobs in Italy.
1. Click the link above. This is the website’s interface.
2. Enter the job that you are searching for in the first search bar and the country on the second search bar. I use ‘Bartender’ and ‘Italy’. Hit ‘Search Jobs’ to continue.
3. Then, the search results will appear. You may click the job posts and see if it is suitable for you.
Glassdoor
https://www.glassdoor.com/Job/
The goal of Glassdoor is to help everyone find a job and company that they love. This mission runs through the whole company, from the top to the bottom.
To search using this website, you may refer to the steps below.
1. Click the link above to view the website.
2. Enter the job and the location on the two search bars above. I entered ‘Waiter’ on the job titles and ‘Italy’ on the location.
3. Search results will appear after you hit the green search icon.
DMW Website
https://www.dmw.gov.ph/approved-job-orders
This website is made available for Filipinos by the Philippine government which will help them look for jobs abroad.
To search for jobs using this website, please read the steps below.
1. Click the link above to lead you to the site.
2. Scroll down until you see a search bar. On the search bar enter ‘Italy’.
3. Search results will appear based on the country listed.
Note: Before searching for jobs on any website or platform, you should create an account first for you to contact the agency that posted the job offers. Try and try until you secure a job offer. After securing a job offer, take a look at this link 11 Steps for OFW to know the processes a Filipino worker must undergo to be an OFW.
II. Getting a Work Visa
In Italy, a work visa is called a Long-Stay visa, which is also sometimes called a National or D-Visa. It’s important to remember that the Italian work visa just lets workers into the country. They will need to get a residence permit when they get to Italy if they want to stay there.
Requirements for Getting a Work Visa
Before applying for an Italian work visa, people from countries outside of the EU and EEA will need to have a job in Italy. They’ll also need a work permit, which must be applied for by the employer using the employee’s documents as proof.
You will need the following documents to apply for a work visa in Italy along with your application:
- A duplicate of the signed employment contract
- Nulla Osta original and a copy
- A passport with at least two blank pages that will still be valid for at least three months after the expiration of the visa
- Passport photos
- A completed form of Italian long-stay visa application
- Evidence of sufficient financial resources, housing in Italy, and payment of the visa fee
- Diplomas and other qualifying documents
Process of Obtaining a Work Visa
The first step in getting a Nulla Osta is getting a job offer in Italy. Here are the steps you need to take to get a work visa:
- The employer goes to the immigration office in their Italian province to ask for a work permit.
- Once the work permit is approved, the employer will send it to the worker and let the Italian embassy or consulate know. The worker will then apply for a work visa at the embassy or consulate.
- The employee will download and fill out the Italy Visa Application Form, gather all the necessary documents, and take the form to the Italian embassy or consulate in person.
- If the Italian government says yes, the worker will have six months to get the visa and enter the country.
- The worker must apply for a new permit to stay within eight days of arriving in Italy. This permit is called a “permesso di soggiorno,” which means “permit to stay (residence permit).” You can get the application at any post office in Italy.
III. Preparation for Going to Italy
Filipinos live in Italy in places like Rome, Milan, Lazio, Florence, and Bologna. Most of the Filipino migrant workers who went to Italy on tourist visas got jobs there. Around 250,000 Filipinos are thought to have moved to Italy by conservative estimates.
To prepare for living in Italy, you should know this information.
Cost of living
Italy is a great place to live, but the cost of living there is high. Compared to the countries around it in Southern Europe, it is a much more expensive place to live. The cost of living, on the other hand, would depend a lot on where you live and how you live. Cities like Milan, Rome, and Florence that get a lot of tourists tend to be more expensive than smaller towns.
Getting a place to stay in Italy
Finding a place to live is one of the challenges you must overcome before settling in Italy, whatever your reason for doing so.
The age of the building
Italy is a beautiful country with beautiful old buildings and architecture, so you might be tempted to choose one for its endearing beauty. These apartments can be quite problematic, so you must exercise caution. They frequently have outdated plumbing, outdated windows, faulty electricity, and no elevators. To avoid dealing with these problems, check to see if the apartment has been renovated and if you still prefer to live in a lovely old building.
Weather
The climate in Italy varies according to the season and location. The region of Northern Italy is typically quite cold because it contains some of the highest mountain peaks in Europe. Mountain ranges, volcanoes, and dry sierras define the south, which is typically hotter and drier. Italy is a fantastic country to visit at any time of the year, despite its seasonal changes.
You must know the do’s and don’ts in Italy to make sure you will be safe.
Do’s
Here are some of the things you should do in Italy.
- Take care of the things you own. Like in any other country, there are a lot of bad people, like pickpockets and con artists. Pickpockets are among the most skilled people at what they do. Make sure your important things are safe. Don’t put your wallets in your back pockets because that makes it easy for thieves to take them. Just to be safe, if you could, put them in your jacket pocket and zip them up. Make copies of the things you need. You will have copies of your important documents ready just in case you are chosen. You can put them in the safe in your room or give them to the hotel concierge. Push when you come in and pull when you leave.
- Push when you come in and pull when you leave. Don’t do the opposite, because most doors only work one way. Always remember this tip to avoid being embarrassed. There are automatic doors, but keep in mind that you’re in Italy, where almost all buildings are historic and haven’t been changed to fit technology.
- Be aware of restaurants. The food is always good, but some may find the service lacking. Some restaurants and cafes differ. Some require payment and a receipt before completing the order. Some allow ordering before payment.
- Try to learn some simple words and phrases. Some locals will like it, especially if you use it when ordering in cafes. Try to learn the right way to say the words, though, or you’ll just make things harder for yourself. You can get by with simple phrases. As you get used to the language, you’ll start to understand how it works.
- Dress decently. Dress modestly even if you are not going to a cathedral. Being overly exposed will undoubtedly draw unwanted attention to you. Wearing clothing that exposes too much midriff, cleavage, or shoulders is not advised. Avoid wearing skimpy skirts or very tiny shorts. Stilettos are for the runway, not the cobblestone streets, so please wear comfy shoes.
- Enjoy eating. You’ll find out why Italian food is known all over the world. Their food is delicious and made with the freshest ingredients from the area.
- Behave properly in public. Although smoking is generally prohibited close to historic sites, there are some places where it is permitted. Alcohol consumption in public is frowned upon, and if you do it, the police may be waiting to take you away.
- Bring tissues, please. Try to bring some tissues or sanitary wipes with you when using public restrooms for your hygienic convenience.
- Please bring cash. Although most of the neighborhood stores lack credit card terminals, credit cards are accepted. Just to avoid being too inconvenienced, bring some cash and change.
Don’ts
Here are some things you should not do in Italy.
- Don’t get confused by the date and time formats. They operate on a 24-hour system, so 1 p.m. is 13 o’clock, 2 p.m. is 14 o’clock, and so on. The format of the date is date-month-year.
- Don’t be late for breakfast, lunch, or dinner.
- Different restaurants have different customs, so try to pay attention to when food is served. Generally, eat when the people who live there do. You’ll get the hang of it in no time. If you don’t do this, you might end up with food that was made early in the day and isn’t as good or fresh.
- Don’t feel like you must tip a lot. You can always leave a tip for the waiters and waitresses, but it won’t be between 15% and 20% like you’re used to in other places. You don’t have to leave tips, but they’d appreciate it if you did.
- Don’t lose yourself in the planning. Most days, banks are open from 9:00 in the morning to 1:00 the afternoon. During the afternoon, shops and restaurants close for a short time. These places open and close at different times, so if you’re out and about, keep an eye on their hours.
- Don’t use your bare hands to touch the fresh produce. The shop owners and employees are very firm about this rule. You should only touch them if you are wearing plastic gloves. And don’t tell them which items to put in your bag. Let them figure it out on their own. The food is always fresh, which is something that Italians are very proud of.
- Don’t call a cab, find it! Taxis usually wait for people where they are supposed to. On the road, you won’t be able to flag down cabs because they’ve already picked up a customer.
IV. Arrival in Italy
If you are coming from a country outside of the European Union, you can bring in purchases worth up to €430 in your luggage without having to pay customs duties, as long as they are not commercial imports. If you go over the limit, you must pay customs duties on the goods. On the agency’s website, people can fill out, check, change, and print the currency declaration that must be given to Customs when moving amounts equal to or more than 10,000 Euros. If you don’t declare, you will be breaking both national and EU currency laws.
Open an Italian Bank Account
As long as you have the necessary documentation, it’s easy to fill out an application. Opening an Italian bank account is free, but some banks may charge extra for account maintenance, transfers, and withdrawals. Most international banks have high transaction fees and markups on exchange rates.
Healthcare System
If you are moving to Italy for the first time, you might not be eligible for public health care right away. To get a tessera sanitaria, or Italian health insurance card, you need to be an Italian resident and have an Italian ID card.
Video: magkano ang sahod sa italy at ano ng mga trabaho ang maari mong pasukan
In this video, Rex OFW ITaly reveals the jobs available for Filipinos in Italy as well as the salary.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can you get a job in Italy if you only speak English?
Most Italians don’t speak English well, so it’s unlikely you’ll find work if you don’t learn the language. On the other hand, people will really value your ability to speak English, especially in tourism and teaching. Because of this, there are lots of jobs teaching English to people who don’t speak it.
2. What is the minimum salary for Filipinos working in Italy?
First, everyone gets paid well in Italy, even those who work in household services. The starting pay is 800 Euros, but it could go up to 2,000 Euros (or even more).
3. What are the legal implications of working in Italy without a work visa?
You will be fined, sent to jail, or deported if you work illegally.
5. How do I get Italian citizenship as a Filipino?
By residency: Non-EU citizens can get Italian citizenship after ten years of living legally in Italy.
6. Can I study or have schooling while working?
You can take up courses or subjects that are offered in the schools but you will have to take night classes because most of your time will be spent working and you will be tired at the end of the day.
Summary
Job opportunities in Italy are indeed abundant, but you should be mentally prepared to face challenges in your job search. After all, any new career is challenging at the beginning. However, if you choose Italy as the destination for your new life, it will surely make your journey more remarkable and rewarding.