Italian Work Permit for artists, actors and film crews

Aug 28, 2024

Italian Work Permit for artists, actors and film crews: How can NON-EU artists enter Italy to perform?

To enter Italy for work as a foreign artist, certain categories, including circus workers, theatre performers, and musicians, can apply at any time outside the annual quota system.

Foreign artists who can enter Italy outside of immigration quotas include:

1. Circus Workers or Traveling Show Employees (Art. 27, c. 1, l of Italian Immigration law).
2. Artistic and Technical Staff for opera, theatre, concerts, or ballet (Art. 27, c. 1, m of Italian Immigration law).
3. Dancers, Artists, and Musicians to be employed in entertainment venues (Art. 27, c. 1, n of Italian Immigration law).
4. Artists to be employed by Theatres, Cinemas, Radio/TV Stations, or Public Entities for cultural events (Art. 27, c. 1, o of Italian Immigration law).

Circular letter No. 34/2016 describes the process for entertainment workers to obtain authorization to perform in Italy as subordinate workers.

Stays under 90 days

Circular letter No. 34/2016 states that for entertainment workers entering for periods of less than three months, the work authorization can also be requested after they have entered Italy. This implies that for less than 3 months, a work permit is required but visa requirement can be waived if not necessary to enter the country (in case of visa waiver nationals https://www.esteri.it/en/servizi-consolari-e-visti/ingressosoggiornoinitalia/visto_ingresso/paesi_esenti_visto/)

Performing in Italy always requires work authorization. Entry for business activities is allowed only if the individual travels to Italy for business meetings and orientation tours, site search etc.

Stays over 90 days

In order to perform in Italy for over 90 days, foreign artists are required to obtain a work permit, visa and a residence permit.

The work permit application is filed with a specific office within the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy. The crew/artists/staff/entertainers must be sponsored by an Italian entity/co-producer, even if they remain employees of the foreign company. In this case, the Italian entity/co-producer must be previously appointed by the foreign employer by means of a notarized “contract of agency” or “Representation Mandate” (Mandato di rappresentanza). It is vital that the sponsor/host entity in Italy provides evidence of compliance with fiscal and social security obligations. Artists, even if remaining hired above, must comply with the relevant social security obligations in Italy, unless otherwise established by bilateral social security agreements. The work authorization is issued for an initial period not exceeding twelve months. An extension is possible under specific conditions. Once the work permit is issued and no later than 120 days from the date of issuance, applicants must obtain the relevant visa from the Italian consulate having jurisdiction over their place of residency abroad, then travel to Italy and apply for the residence permit within 8 days from arrival.

Work permit process

• Prepare application documents (in Italy and in the foreign country where the artists are employed)
• Submit the original documents to the relevant office in Rome – Agenzia Nazionale per le Politiche Attive del Lavoro – Via Fornovo 8 – 00192 Roma – Uff. Spettacolo
• The office in charge reviews the documents and perform background checks (Police checks on the individuals, checks on tax social security payments compliancy of the company filing the application). Processing time 1-3 months
• The work permits are issued and must be collected in original from the relevant office.

It is important to note that – even in case of workers who remain employed abroad while working in Italy – the work permit application must be filed by a representative in Italy of the foreign employer, legally residing in Italy (for instance a co-production company)

Work permit application documents:

• Work permit application form 
• Power of attorney: if the application is filed by a third party other than the legal representative/owner of the Italian company (for instance, if a service provider is appointed), the third party must be appointed by means of a power of attorney
• Copy of the ID document of the person legally representing the Italian entity
• “Contract of agency” / “Representation Mandate” (Mandato di Rappresentanza): notarized and then legalized by apostille, along with certified translation into Italian
• Declaration by the foreign employer, duly apostilled and translated, whereby it is confirmed that the worker is employed and paid abroad, the activities that will be performed in Italy and for how long. It is important also to specify how and where the social security contributions will be paid.
• Declaration from employer regarding staff members
• For technical staff it is necessary to submit the certificate confirming the professional qualification– duly legalised and translated into Italian.
• Italian company Chamber of Commerce registration certificate
• Latest Italian entity tax return and up-to-date actual economic and financial situation (if the entity/company is newly established, only the actual economic and financial situation is required)

Visa

Within 120 days of the work permit issuance the artists/crew will need to file the visa application at the relevant Italian Consulate. The Italian Consulate where the visa can be applied for is where the applicant has legal residence or that of home country. Processing time is between 7 to 15 working days. Visa applications cannot be lodged earlier than 90 days from the intended date of entry.

Residence permit

Once the visa is obtained applicants travel to Italy and apply for a residence permit through authorised post offices. Applications are submitted to the local Questura (Police) using a postal kit.

Is it possible to convert a residence permit issued for artistic work into a residence permit for “regular” work, in order to remain in Italy and work in any sector?

Yes, residence permit issued for artistic work can be converted into a permit for regular employment, provided certain conditions are met. The conversion applies to permits issued for artistic reasons under Article 27, paragraph 1, letters m, n, and o. However, this does not apply to those employed by circuses or traveling shows, whose permits cannot be converted. Applications for conversion are submitted to the local Questura (Police) using a postal kit.

Self-employment visa and residence permit for artists

A self-employment visa is granted within the quotas set by the “decreto flussi” only to foreign artists of clear fame, high and recognized professional qualifications, or those engaged by renowned theatres, RAI (Italian public TV), well-known private TV stations, or significant public entities.

Requirements include:

• A signed contract guaranteeing compensation above the national standard.
• A formal responsibility statement from the employer, confirming no subordinate employment relationship.
• A provisional entry clearance from the Italian Police.
• Proof of suitable accommodation.

Giuditta Petreni

Giuditta Petreni has over 10 years of experience in assisting companies and business investors with relocation of managers and staff to Italy. Giuditta has extensive experience advising corporate and private clients on a full range of Italian immigration categories. She is fluent in Italian and English.

Related posts:

Can international students (with permit of stay) work in Italy? New category of “no quota” work permit in Italy Italian Permit of Stay for Awaiting Citizenship FAQs about the new work visa for seafarers