Part-Time Work in Italy: What Indian Students Can Expect in 2025

Studying abroad can come with substantial expenses. Part-time work is usually considered “de rigueur” (the norm) for several Indian students abroad, especially in countries such as the USA and the UK. Many rely on these jobs to pay off part of their student loans and contribute to living expenses.

Indian students are increasingly choosing affordable study destinations to offset the rising global cost-of-living and inflation in traditional top-4 countries (USA, UK, Canada and Australia). Over 12,000 Indians were studying in Italy, which was a dramatic increase from just 250 a decade ago. While Italy is one of the cheapest European countries, with significantly lower tuition and cost of living, international students may still need extra money for rent, food and travel. 

On average, students budget about €700–€1,200 (INR 56,000– INR 1,00,000) per month for rent, food, utilities, and transportation. Major metropolitan cities like Milan and Rome are more expensive, while smaller cities are more affordable. That is why many turn to part-time work in Italy.

Overview of part-time work opportunities for students in Italy

Italian law lets non-EU students work up to 20 hours each week, or 1,040 hours a year, while classes run.  With no minimum wage for part-time jobs in Italy, typical wages start around €7–€9 per hour and can rise if you tutor English or pick up specialised roles. 

Because Italy’s cost of living is lower than many Western European countries, these earnings can cover a fair share of monthly expenses in student cities such as Bologna or Turin. 

Students usually find work in four areas:

• Hospitality and tourism 
• Teaching and tutoring
• Retail and customer service 
• University on-campus roles 

Here is an overview of part-time work opportunities in Italy.

Overall, part-time jobs in Italy for students offer real financial relief. It can reduce the loan amounts and help reduce stress on your family. 

Rules and regulations for student work permits in Italy

Like most countries, Italy has separate work rights and part-time rules for international students on study visas. Work-hour limits apply to all students with a Type D (long-term) student visa and residence permit.

• During term time, the maximum allowed limit is 20 hours per week and 1,040 hours per year. 
• During official university breaks, you can work up to 40 hours a week if the employer offers a separate full-time contract. 

You can undertake both subordinate (employee) and self-employed part-time work in Italy. 

Contracts, Rights and Pay

Most part-time roles in Italy use fixed-term (“tempo determinato”) contracts that list hours, gross wage and INPS social-security deductions.

Italy does not yet have a single nationwide minimum wage, but lawmakers continue to debate a €9 gross hourly floor. Many sector agreements already pay that or more. For example, a university part‑time (150‑hour) job salary in Italy for international students is around €8–€9 per hour and includes accident insurance.

In addition, income from occasional work is tax‑free up to €5,500 per calendar year; above this, employers withhold IRPEF income tax on a sliding scale. INPS social‑security contributions are also deducted from your salary (9.19% on income up to €55,448).

Moreover, INPS social security contributions are deducted from your salary. They also build credits that may help you later if you switch to a regular work visa. The standard INPS rate for employees is 9.19% on income up to €55,448.

By default, PhD students and scholarship holders are subject to separate social‑security rules. This means that if you receive a scholarship or research grant, you will already be required to register with INPS under the “Gestione Separata” scheme.

Types of part-time jobs available for students in Italy

Below is a list of popular part‑time jobs in Italy for international students.

1. Hospitality & delivery – cafés, restaurants, hotels and food-delivery apps keep large student rosters. Roles such as waiter or delivery rider usually pay €7–€10 an hour and offer evening shifts that fit around lectures.  These sectors hire year-round, especially in big cities and tourist hubs.
2. Retail & customer service – clothing stores, supermarkets, high-street chains and call-centres hire international students. They offer cashier, sales-advisor and help-desk posts at €10–€15 an hour, depending on the collective agreement in force.
3. Teaching & tutoring – private English classes are some of the best part-time jobs for students in Italy. These roles rarely need advanced Italian. Many private language schools advertise €16–€32 an hour and one-to-one lessons can reach €22–€35. 
4. University “150-hour” collaborations – every public university reserves on-campus roles in libraries, labs and admin offices for enrolled students. The contracts run for up to 150 paid hours per academic year and typically sit around €8–€9 an hour. 
5. Remote & freelance gigs – writing and social‑media marketing are popular remote options. Part‑time coding, design and customer‑support roles are also widely posted online; these pay €10–€20 and often allow flexible hours.
6. Seasonal work— outdoor jobs such as hiking guide positions are also popular. Part‑time instructor for skills related to your hobbies, such as yoga or dance, is another option for part-time work in Italy.

Average salary for part-time jobs in Italy

The average part-time job salary in Italy is about €8-12 per hour. Accordingly, you can earn up to €160–€240 a week and about €700–€1,000 a month in euro zone’s third largest economy. Here are some examples:

Jobs that face Italian customers (hospitality, retail) normally expect at least basic Italian. However, tutoring and many tech or on-campus roles accept English. Part-time job salary in Italy for students above €11–€12 is common only in larger cities or for language and tech skills.

Moreover, during summer and the long winter break, the same employers may extend contracts to full-time (40 hours per week). This lets you earn more without breaking visa rules. 

Best cities for student jobs in Italy

As the financial capital of Italy, Milan offers some of the highest-paying part-time jobs for international students. Roles in finance, tech, and international companies can pay up to €15–€18 per hour in the city. Administrative assistant and sales advisor roles also offer €12–€15 per hour.
The table below summarises typical hourly wages and living costs across major Italian cities.

Despite a slight uptick to 6 % unemployment in March 2025, Italy added 450,000 jobs compared with 2024, which keeps openings for students healthy. 

How Indian students can find part-time jobs in Italy

Most part-time jobs for college students are advertised online. Finding these roles is easiest through:

InfoJobs is one of Italy’s largest job portals that lets you filter by “part-time” and “student” tags. Other platforms include Glassdoor, Indeed and Subito.it. Company websites of major employers like McDonald’s, H&M, Decathlon and Deloitte, also list vacancies for student roles.

You can also find part-time work on:

• Campus career offices and noticeboards.
• Facebook and WhatsApp groups run by Indian student associations.

Here are some tips to increase your chances of landing a job.

• Keep two CV versions, a one-page Europass in English and a short Italian version highlighting basic language skills. Recruiters value clear, bullet-point layouts. 
• Apply early for tourist-season jobs; Glassdoor showed 239 “work-student” posts in May 2025, most starting in June.
• If you cannot speak much Italian yet, filter for keywords like English, remote, internship, or call center.
• Also, improve Italian. Even A2-B1 proficiency unlocks cashier or receptionist roles that start at €10–€12 per hour. 

Balancing study and part-time work in Italy

You can maximize your earnings while studying in Italy by following a structured routine. Italian universities run two long exam blocks, between January/February and June/July. Shorter sessions in March and October are also common. For exam preparations, plan heavier work shifts when classes pause and dial back during exam weeks.

• It is best to create a balanced schedule. You can map lectures, study slots and shifts in one calendar to see clashes early. 
• A daily list of urgent deadlines, first and lower-value tasks towards the end, can also help you prioritize and complete tasks. 

Remember, your residence permit depends on satisfactory academic progress. Do not let work hours jeopardize exams. You can set realistic limits about how many hours you can work without affecting your academic performance and avoid overcommitting to your employer.

In summary, finding flexible work in Italy is achievable when you know where to search, respect the 20-hour rule and practise solid time management. With mindful planning, you can fund daily life, grow new skills, and still graduate on time.

You can also convert your residence permit after completion of the program from study to work. Work permits for students in Italy no longer require annual quotas or restrictions, since the Cutro Decree in 2023. Moreover, non-EU professionals who earn at least about €28,000 a year can apply for Italy’s new Digital Nomad visa and live anywhere in the country while working online. This is worth considering once you complete your degree.

FAQs

1. What is the average part-time salary for international students in Italy?

International students typically earn €7–€12 gross per hour. However, after tax and INPS deductions, take-home pay is roughly €6–€10, or €560–€800 monthly at 20 hours.

2. How many hours can students legally work in Italy?

The legal working hours for students in Italy are up to 20 hours weekly during the term. The hours are also capped at 1,040 hours yearly, and up to 40 hours weekly in official university vacation periods.

3. What are the best part-time jobs for Indian students in Italy?

Highest-value part-time jobs for international students in Italy include private English tutoring, university ‘150-hour’ campus jobs, front-desk hotel work, delivery driving, retail cashiering, and remote freelance tasks like coding or customer support.

4. How can I find a part-time job while studying in Italy?

Start with InfoJobs, LinkedIn, and EURES filters and watch your university’s 150-hour calls. You can also join Indian student Facebook groups, attend career-office fairs, and hand CVs to local cafés.

5. Is it easy for international students to get part-time jobs in Italy?

Finding part-time work in Italy is feasible in major cities and knowing Italian can increase opportunities. Expect competition and paperwork, but most students secure a job within two to three months of active searching.