Can I do an internship in Italy with a student permit?

Feb 28, 2023

Internship in Italy: student permit and vocational training

Good news for international students in Italy that are interested in participating in an internship program!

Italian labour authorities confirmed that holders of a valid student permit or vocational training permit are allowed to take part in both “curricular” and “extra-curricular” internships, without the limits imposed by the law to study permit holders regarding maximum hours of work allowed (20 hours per week). In fact, it has been clarified that internships do not constitute an employment relationship, therefore the working limits do not apply.

FAQs about doing an Internship in Italy

1. Can I do an internship in Italy with a student permit?
   Yes. If you hold a student permit or a vocational training permit, you can participate in curricular or extra curricular internship programs in Italy.
   
2. I hold a student permit (or a vocational training permit), do I have to go through any particular process in order to participate in the internship program in Italy?
   If you are participating in a mere “internship program”, there is no particular immigration process that you have to do. However, the company or organization where you will be working as an “intern”, will have to comply with some administrative rules at a national and regional level.
   
3. I hold a student permit, and I am interested in working (instead of doing an internship). Can I work in Italy?
   Yes, but some limitation applies. In case you hold a student permit and you are interested in working (instead of participating in an internship program), please check the following links:

• Can international students (with a permit of stay) work in Italy?
• Convert residence permit from study to work purpose: FAQs

---

For more information regarding this update, please check: https://integrazionemigranti.gov.it/it-it/Ricerca-news/Dettaglio-news/id/3071/Si-ai-tirocini-per-chi-ha-un-permesso-di-soggiorno-per-studio-o-formazione