Italy: Work and stay

A student permit (permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio) allows subordinate employment for up to 20 hours per week, which may be averaged over 52 weeks, subject to an annual limit of 1,040 hours (art. 14, paragraph 4, DPR 394/1999). Longer work requires converting the permit to a work permit under art. 14 paragraph 6 (before expiry, within entry quotas, with a work contract via the Sportello Unico; for training or internships only after completing the course). Self-employment rules were not checked. After graduating in Italy, a student with a doctorate, university master's, bachelor's, master's or equivalent academic diploma can request a 9-12 month permit to look for work or start a business (art. 39-bis.1 TU 286/1998), subject to the income and insurance requirements cited there.

After graduation: Art. 39-bis.1 of D.Lgs. 286/1998 allows a foreigner who obtained a doctorate, university master, bachelor's, master's or an academic diploma in Italy to request, at the expiry of the study permit, a permit of not less than nine and not more than twelve months to look for work or start a business consistent with the completed course, with conversion to a work permit possible if requirements are met. The applicant must show the income requirements of art. 29(3)(b), the health-cover obligation of art. 34(3), and proof of the title (which may be supplied within 60 days).