WORKING IN ITALY
Your overseas move can be a great opportunity to experience Italy's great artistic and cultural heritage, learn a new language, and enjoy amazing travel adventures around Europe. However, while living in Italy presents many opportunities, working in Italy presents some challenges. The best employment options for most US citizens are with the US Government on the installation. For more employment information, please refer to the Employment Readiness Handbook Guide and the guide below.
STATUS OF FORCES AGREEMENT (SOFA)
U.S. military members, government civilian employees, contractors, and their dependents in Italy live here pursuant to the NATO Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA). U.S. military members on orders do not need a passport or a visa to enter and remain in Italy. However, U.S. Government civilian employees and all dependents who are not European Union citizens are required to have a Missione Visa and Soggiorno Permit. The Italian government gives these documents to those individuals who are here solely for the purpose of the U.S. military mission and, therefore, have “SOFA protected” status.
With a Missione Visa and Missione Soggiorno Permit, you are eligible for employment on base with the U.S. Forces. To be employed in Italy by someone other than the U.S. Forces (U.S. Forces would include GS, NAF, and U.S. Government contracted positions) requires an Italian Work Visa and Work Permit. This is true for both Italian businesses and other European-based corporations as well. If you choose to obtain an Italian Work Visa and Work Permit, you are declaring to the Italian government that you desire to be considered an ordinary resident of Italy. Dependents in Italy with a Missione Visa and Soggiorno Permit that wish to telework to U.S. employers should visit our Telework FAQ for additional information.
If you get a job on the Italian economy as an ordinary resident, you will be responsible for all the additional expenses that ordinary Italian residents incur, such as Italian income taxes on all sources of income, contributions to the Italian social security system, and maintaining Italian medical insurance. Perhaps most importantly, ordinary residents cannot avail themselves of foreign criminal jurisdictional assertion or waiver rights under Article VII of the NATO SOFA – this means that if you are accused of committing a crime in Italy, you’re on your own within the Italian legal system.
Home-based activities such as baking cakes or coloring hair would not be considered a "profitable enterprise" so long as any reimbursement is limited to the cost of supplies. It is important to note that any payment for your time, labor, or expertise would be considered profit and would require a valid Italian Work Visa and permit. Italian law mandates that you have a valid Italian Work Visa and permit if you generate profit from home-based businesses (e.g. MaryKay, Scentsy, Pampered Chef, etc.). Furthermore, using the APO for home-based businesses is not allowed.
If you have questions, please contact the Legal Assistance Office on post.
