03 Sep 2026
Choosing where to study in Italy is not only about university rankings. For many Indian students, the city should also offer affordable accommodation, convenient public transport and realistic opportunities to find part-time work.
Milan may have the widest range of jobs, but its higher living costs can reduce the financial benefit of working. Bologna offers a vibrant student environment, while Turin and Padua provide a practical balance between career opportunities and everyday expenses.
Rome and Florence can be suitable for students interested in tourism, hospitality, retail and cultural industries. However, the best city for you will depend on your course, budget, Italian-language ability and career plans.
Indian students holding a valid Italian residence permit for study purposes are generally allowed to work for up to 20 hours per week and a maximum of 1,040 hours per year.
These working limits are explained by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the EU Immigration Portal.
Permission to work does not guarantee employment. Employers may consider your Italian-language ability, previous experience, class schedule and availability for evening or weekend shifts.
Part-time work should therefore be treated as supplementary financial support rather than the main source of funding for your studies.
| City | Best suited to | Common part-time sectors | Cost level | Main consideration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | Business, engineering, fashion, technology and finance | Retail, hospitality, events, customer service and internships | Very high | More job variety, but expensive accommodation |
| Bologna | Students seeking a lively academic environment | Cafés, restaurants, retail, tutoring and university work | High | Strong student culture, but competitive housing |
| Turin | Engineering, automotive, IT, business and architecture | Hospitality, retail, logistics, customer support and technical internships | Moderate | Good balance between career access and living costs |
| Rome | Tourism, media, humanities and international relations | Hospitality, tourism, retail, events and customer service | High | Large job market, but longer commuting times |
| Padua | Science, medicine, engineering and business | University work, tutoring, retail, hospitality and administration | Moderate | Compact student city with access to the Veneto economy |
| Florence | Art, fashion, architecture, culture and tourism | Hotels, restaurants, retail, museums and events | High | Tourism creates jobs, but some work is seasonal |
Milan is Italy’s leading commercial and financial centre. It is particularly suitable for students studying business, finance, engineering, technology, fashion, communication, architecture and design.
The city has multinational companies, start-ups, shopping districts, hotels, restaurants, exhibitions and international events. This creates a wider range of employment opportunities than students may find in smaller Italian cities.
Common part-time jobs in Milan include:
Milan is home to institutions such as Politecnico di Milano, the University of Milan, Bocconi University and Università Cattolica.
The Politecnico di Milano Career Service publishes job and internship opportunities. The University of Milan also offers work-study programmes within its departments and services.
The biggest disadvantage is the cost of accommodation. Rent can be especially expensive near central campuses and well-connected neighbourhoods.
Students should compare likely housing and transport expenses with the limited income they may earn from working up to 20 hours per week.
Milan may be right for you if: you want access to a broad range of industries, value professional networking and have sufficient funding to manage higher initial expenses.
Bologna is known for its strong university culture. Its large student population supports cafés, restaurants, shops, accommodation services, tutoring businesses and other student-focused services.
The city offers an active academic environment without the overwhelming scale of Milan or Rome. Its central location also provides good transport connections to other parts of Italy.
Students may find work in:
The University of Bologna provides an international career guidance service called Work in Italy. It helps international students understand the Italian labour market, prepare suitable CVs and improve their job applications.
The university also publishes selected student collaborations. These opportunities are competitive and usually have specific academic, financial or enrolment requirements.
Bologna’s popularity has increased pressure on student accommodation. Begin searching early and consider neighbourhoods outside the historic centre that have reliable public transport.
Turin is sometimes overlooked by students who immediately choose Milan. However, it can be an excellent option for Indian students studying engineering, automotive technology, aerospace, information technology, business, architecture or industrial design.
Turin is an important centre for automotive, advanced manufacturing, aerospace, logistics and technology. The city also has a substantial hospitality, retail and service economy.
Possible student jobs include:
The University of Turin Job Placement Service connects students with companies and provides support with CV writing, interviews, internships and career planning.
Living expenses in Turin are generally more manageable than in Milan, although actual costs depend on your accommodation and location.
Italian-language ability remains important, particularly when applying to small businesses or customer-facing positions.
Turin may be right for you if: you want exposure to established technical industries while maintaining greater control over your monthly budget.
Rome combines several employment markets. It is Italy’s capital, a major tourism destination and an important centre for media, culture, hospitality, education and international organisations.
For students, the most accessible opportunities are generally found in tourism and the service sector rather than government or institutional work.
Potential part-time roles include:
EURES identifies Rome as an important location for opportunities in communication, reception and catering services.
Students enrolled at Sapienza University of Rome can use its Career Service to explore jobs, internships, recruiting events, career guidance and CV support.
Rome’s size can create practical challenges. A job may appear suitable but become difficult to manage if the workplace is far from your accommodation or university.
Always check commuting time, evening transport and shift timings before accepting a position.
Padua offers a different experience from Italy’s largest cities. It is compact, strongly influenced by its university and well connected to the wider Veneto region.
Veneto has an extensive network of small and medium-sized businesses. Its economy includes manufacturing, tourism, commerce, export industries and professional services.
Students in Padua may explore opportunities in:
The University of Padua offers part-time student collaborations of up to 200 hours to eligible students through a competitive selection process.
Its Job Placement Service also provides job listings, career events and opportunities to meet employers
University positions are limited and eligibility conditions apply. International students should not assume that they will automatically receive a campus job.
Florence is a natural choice for students studying art, architecture, fashion, history, tourism, hospitality or museum studies.
Its international visitor economy supports numerous hotels, restaurants, shops, cultural attractions and event businesses.
Common opportunities may include:
The University of Florence Career Guidance and Placement Service supports students and graduates as they prepare for employment and connect with organisations.
Tourism-related employment can be seasonal. Many customer-facing roles also require conversational Italian, even when knowledge of English or another language is valued.
Accommodation in popular central areas can be expensive. Students should compare room costs in different neighbourhoods before making their decision.
Your preferred city should reflect your academic and personal priorities.
Part-time employment should not be the only reason for choosing a city. Course quality, tuition fees, housing, scholarships and long-term career opportunities are more important considerations.
Restaurants, cafés, hotels and catering companies may employ students for serving, kitchen assistance, cleaning or guest-support work.
Evening and weekend shifts can fit around university classes. However, most customer-facing positions require at least basic conversational Italian.
Shops and supermarkets recruit part-time employees for stocking shelves, assisting customers, preparing orders and operating checkouts.
Italian is normally important because students must communicate with customers and colleagues.
Some universities offer paid collaborations in libraries, laboratories, offices, orientation services and other campus departments.
These opportunities usually have application deadlines and eligibility conditions. Selection may depend on academic progress, financial circumstances or relevant skills.
Students with strong subject knowledge may provide tutoring in mathematics, computing, science or English.
Opportunities can come through university networks, local families, learning centres or tutoring platforms.
Cities such as Milan, Rome, Bologna and Florence host exhibitions, conferences, fairs and cultural events.
Short-term roles may include registration, visitor assistance, basic administration, venue support and event logistics.
An internship related to your degree can sometimes be more valuable than an unrelated casual job. It can provide industry experience, professional contacts and practical skills.
Before applying, check whether the internship is curricular or extracurricular, whether it is paid and how the schedule will affect your studies.
Check the university career portal, international student office and student noticeboard. Career services may also offer CV reviews, interview preparation and employer events.
Keep your CV concise and adapt it to each role. Include:
Be honest about your Italian level. If you need an Italian CV, ask a fluent speaker or university adviser to review it.
Students can explore the official EURES job portal, university career platforms and recognised employment websites.
Verify the employer before sending copies of passports, residence documents or other personal information.
Small hotels, restaurants, cafés and shops may advertise vacancies on their websites, social pages or premises.
A polite in-person enquiry can help, especially when you can introduce yourself in Italian.
University career fairs, employer presentations, workshops and student association events can help you meet organisations and understand local recruitment practices.
Prepare your CV and research the market before travelling. Once your enrolment and employment documents are in order, start applying consistently.
Finding suitable work may take several weeks or longer, particularly if you do not speak Italian.
Be cautious if an employer:
Lawful employment helps protect your immigration status and your right to receive the agreed salary.
In most cases, students should not expect part-time work to cover all their tuition fees and living costs.
Working hours are limited, employment is not guaranteed and available shifts may change throughout the year. Rent can also consume a large portion of a student’s monthly budget.
A safer financial plan should combine:
Indian students can explore official financial-support information through the Universitaly scholarship portal. Eligibility requirements and deadlines vary between programmes.
Milan is a strong choice for overall job variety, while Bologna stands out for its student environment. Turin offers an attractive balance between career opportunities and living costs. Rome and Florence are suitable for tourism and hospitality, while Padua combines a compact academic setting with access to the wider Veneto economy.
The best city is not necessarily the one with the most vacancies. It is the city where your academic programme, financial situation, language ability and long-term career goals fit together.
Before applying, compare universities, estimate your complete living costs and begin learning Italian. Our Italy education consultants can help you identify suitable universities and cities based on your qualifications, budget and future plans.
Ravneet Kaur is an education and study-abroad content specialist with a strong focus on higher education in Italy. Through in-depth research and practical insights, she helps Indian students understand Italian universities, admission requirements, scholarships, student visas, tuition fees, courses, and life in Italy.
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