
EU/EEA citizens can work in Italy without any permit, also while studying.
Students from outside the EU/EEA with a valid residence permit for study can work up to 20 hours a week, with a maximum of 1,040 hours a year. You can work more hours in some weeks – for example when there are no classes – as long as you stay within the annual limit. If you want to work more than that, you have to convert your permit into a work permit.
Many universities offer paid part-time jobs on campus (collaborazioni studentesche) – for example in the library or administration. Off campus, jobs are easiest to find in tourism and hospitality, but it will be hard without Italian. Visit your university's careers office (job placement).
Sources: European Commission – Study in Europe (education.ec.europa.eu/study-in-europe), Eurostat, official national study and residence portals and authorities, Eurodesk, enic-naric.net, studentnews.eu. As of September 2026.