Italy's Seasonal Visa Quota Covers Garden Work
Italy issues seasonal work visas through its triennial Decreto Flussi programme, which allocated 88,000 seasonal worker quotas for 2026. Landscaping and garden-maintenance roles sit within that quota, spanning private estates, hotel and resort grounds, public parks, and nurseries across Northern, Central, and Southern Italy.
Quick Overview
The basics of the role at a glance.
| Detail | Summary |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Sector | Landscaping & garden maintenance |
| Visa route | Decreto Flussi seasonal work visa (Type D, via Nulla Osta) |
| Visa duration | 6 – 9 months per year |
| Salary | Approximately €1,400 – €2,400 gross per month, plus allowances and overtime |
| Target regions | Lombardy, Veneto, Piedmont; Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio; Sicily, Puglia, Campania |
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Salary by Role
Pay varies by setting — resort and estate work tends to pay more than public-park maintenance.
| Role | Monthly Salary (Gross) | Net Take-Home |
|---|---|---|
| Junior Garden Cleaner | €1,400 – €1,650 | €1,150 – €1,350 |
| Greenhouse & Nursery Cleaner | €1,500 – €1,750 | €1,200 – €1,400 |
| Public Park Maintenance Helper | €1,550 – €1,800 | €1,250 – €1,450 |
| Estate Groundskeeper Assistant | €1,600 – €1,850 | €1,300 – €1,500 |
| Resort/Hotel Landscape Cleaner | €1,700 – €1,950 | €1,350 – €1,600 |
| Senior Garden Maintenance Worker | €2,000 – €2,400 | €1,600 – €1,900 |
What the Job Involves
Daily tasks combine hands-on outdoor work with basic equipment operation.
- Debris cleaning and general grounds upkeep
- Lawn care assistance using landscaping machinery
- Operating and checking irrigation systems
- Sorting waste and recyclable garden material
- Weed removal and clearing invasive plants
- Raking, cleaning outdoor furniture, and washing patios
- Hedge and bush trimming support
- Tool maintenance, storage, and safety-hazard reporting
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Overtime, Premiums, and Allowances
Extra hours and seasonal bonuses can meaningfully lift take-home pay.
- Weekday overtime: 15 – 25% extra per hour
- Weekend overtime: 30 – 50% premium
- Public holidays: 50 – 65% wage premium
- Night shifts (10 PM – 6 AM): 20 – 30% additional bonus
- Weather-conditions allowance: €50 – €100 monthly
- Thirteenth-month bonus in December, and a fourteenth-month bonus in June in Northern Italy
- Family allowance available for dependent children
Eligibility Requirements
Requirements are relatively accessible compared with skilled-trade visas.
- Age 18 – 50 preferred, with candidates up to 55 accepted if physically fit
- A high-school diploma or basic secondary-school completion certificate is enough
- No mandatory prior experience, though 6 – 12 months of landscaping or farming experience is a plus
- Basic conversational English required; Italian phrases are helpful but not mandatory
Documents You'll Need
Have these ready before applying to keep the Nulla Osta process moving.
- Valid international passport (6 – 12 months' validity)
- 4 recent passport-sized colour photographs
- Police clearance certificate
- Medical fitness certificate from a licensed doctor
- Professional resume in Europass format
- Formal work-contract offer from a sponsoring employer
- Signed clean-record declaration form
What's Included
Seasonal contracts typically bundle housing and food support on top of salary.
- Free visa sponsorship, including Nulla Osta processing
- Free accommodation in an apartment or dormitory
- Food provisions or grocery vouchers worth €150 – €200 monthly
- Free company shuttle transport
- Comprehensive medical insurance via the national health service
- 2 – 2.5 paid vacation days accrued per month worked
How to Apply
The process runs through several defined stages and typically takes two to four months in total.
- Prepare a CV in Europass format
- Submit applications through Italian job portals
- Complete an online video interview
- Employer secures your Nulla Osta from the Italian government
- Collect your Type D National Work Visa from the nearest Italian embassy
A Word on Fraud Prevention
Legitimate employers never charge fees to place you in a job. Before accepting any offer, verify the hiring company through Italy's official Business Chamber registry (Visura Camerale) — this single check filters out the majority of fraudulent seasonal-work postings.