Skip to content The rules applied by Emilia-Romagna on internships in Italy for non-EU citizens follow the guidelines approved in 2014 through the agreement between the Italian Government, the Italian regions and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano (Accordo tra Governo, le Regioni e le Province Autonome di Trento e Bolzano).
After that, each Italian region set different rules for the transposition of these guidelines, which were later approved in 2017 by the “Standing Conference for the relationships between the Italian State, the regions and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano”.
Emilia-Romagna implemented said guidelines in 2020, including some modifications.
Rules to enter Italy for internship from non-EU member states
In order to enter Italy, non-EU citizens who want to do an internship must apply for a study/internship visa at the Italian representation in their country of residence.
To file the application, it is necessary to present the drafting of the training project.
You should keep in mind that the release of the visa is subject to a quota (a set maximum quantity) established by the Italian Government on a three-year basis.
How long does it take to issue an internship visa in Italy?
The visa is issued within maximum 90 days from the date of the request.
What to do once you enter Italy
Once entering Italy with the entry visa, the applicant has 8 days to apply for a study/internship residence permit by going personally to the Immigration Office of the place where the applicant wishes to stay.
Non-EU Applicants for internship in Bologna or Emilia Romagna
Applicants for an internship in Emilia-Romagna must be non-EU citizens who have followed a vocational training or educational course in their home country and wish to complete it by doing an internship in Italy.
This includes also unemployed people.
Internship Italy: Terms of the internship
The internship for non-EU citizens must have a duration of at least 91 days and it must not last more than 12 months, including potential extensions.
The internship must be activated within 8 days from the request for entering Italy (and not within 15 days as provided for in the Italian law).
Is it possible to get a work permit with the internship?
At the end of the internship, the study/internship residence permit may be converted into a work permit in the case in which an employer hires the intern with a valid employment contract. Such a conversion is subject to the number of work permits Italy issues every year according to the so-called decreto flussi (the foreign workers’ quota).
What happens if the internship is interrupted before its normal conclusion?
If an internship is interrupted before the due date, the intern must leave the country within 15 days from the notice of suspension. In this case, the hosting entity must provide for the expenses due for the mandatory repatriation of the intern.
Compensation for an internship in Bologna and Emilia-Romagna
The intern is entitled to receive a compensation of at least €450,00 per month (this amount varies depending on the region in which the internship is activated).
The intern is also provided with board and lodging by the hosting entity.
Tutoring and Certificate of Attendance
During the internship, a tutor from the promoting entity and a tutor from the hosting entity will follow the intern so that he/she can achieve the educational purposes of the internship indicated in the drafting of the training project.
Upon request, the promoting entity may release a certification of attendance at the end of the internship (Attestato di partecipazione), indicating the results achieved by the intern.
Are there any cases of exclusions for the Internship in Italy or Bologna?
Internships involving very simple working activities that do not require a training period are not allowed.