Teach English in Italy

Yes, you can teach English in Italy, and demand is steady at private language schools, in business English and at summer camps. A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the usual requirement. EU citizens, including Irish passport holders, can simply start work. For UK, US and other non EU teachers, the legal routes are narrower: government assistant programmes, working holiday visas for some nationalities, or a sponsored work permit.

Teaching English in Italy at a glance

Who can legally teach English in Italy?

EU, EEA and Swiss citizens, including Irish passport holders. You can live and work in Italy without a permit. Register your residence and get an Italian tax code, the codice fiscale, which you need for any contract.

UK, US, Canadian and Australian citizens. You can visit Italy without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180, but visitor status does not allow you to work. The realistic legal routes are:

• Government language assistant programmes. UK applicants can apply through the British Council’s English Language Assistants scheme, which places assistants in Italian schools. US graduates can apply for Fulbright English Teaching Assistant awards.
• Working holiday visas. Italy has working holiday agreements with several countries, including Canada, Australia and New Zealand, which allow younger applicants to work for up to a year.
• Sponsored work permits. An employer can apply for a work authorisation, the nulla osta, but these are limited by annual quotas and are rarely available to language schools hiring a first time teacher.

Working informally on visitor status is not legal and risks fines and a ban on returning. Our guide to teaching English in Italy: visa and requirements explains each route in detail.

How much do English teachers earn in Italy?

Italy pays moderately by Western European standards, and pay varies a great deal by city and contract. Language schools commonly pay around €15 to €25 an hour, often on a part time or freelance contract, while full time school contracts and business English roles in Milan pay the most. Private lessons commonly bring €20 to €35 an hour. Because Italy has no single national minimum wage, read your contract carefully and check how many paid hours it guarantees. For pay city by city, see our guide to teaching English in Italy’s top 10 cities, and compare countries on the TEFL Salary Index.

Where are the English teaching jobs in Italy?

Milan has the strongest business English market and the highest pay, as well as the highest rents. Rome has a large market of language schools and private students. Turin, Bologna and Florence offer steady demand and a good quality of life, and the south, including Naples and Sicily, has lower costs and less competition. Summer camps run across the country from June to August and are a common way to start.

The main employers are private language schools teaching children, teenagers and adults, often in the afternoon and evening; business English providers placing teachers in companies; summer camp organisers; international schools, which usually want qualified schoolteachers; and private students. State school English is taught by Italian qualified teachers, so permanent state posts are not a realistic route for most TEFL teachers.

What qualifications do you need?

A TEFL certificate of at least 120 hours is the practical minimum, alongside native or near native English. A degree is not always required by language schools, but it helps with better jobs and with assistant programmes and visas. Business English, young learners and Cambridge exam preparation are all valued specialisms.

Our 120 Hour Advanced TEFL Course meets the standard requirement, and the Ofqual-regulated Level 5 TEFL course is a regulated qualification employers can verify on the Ofqual register. For a full comparison, read the best TEFL certification for Italy, and if you do not have a degree, teaching English in Italy without a degree. If you want to train in Italy itself, see our TEFL courses in Milan.

What does it cost to live in Italy?

Rent is the biggest cost and varies hugely. A room in a shared flat commonly costs around €600 to €900 a month in Milan, €500 to €750 in Rome, and €300 to €500 in many southern and smaller cities. Food, coffee and public transport are reasonably priced, especially if you eat and shop like a local. Because many teaching contracts do not pay over the summer, budget for July and August or line up summer camp work.

What is it like teaching in an Italian classroom?

Italian learners are typically sociable, expressive and keen to talk, which makes speaking lessons lively. Adults often want English for work and travel, and many teenagers prepare for Cambridge exams. Relationships and personal contact matter in finding work, so meeting schools in person helps. Dress smartly, learn some Italian for daily life, and expect bureaucracy to take patience.

Last updated: 1 October 2026. Pay and living costs are approximate typical ranges, not quotes. Immigration rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Italian consulate before you travel.