Italy has one of the oldest populations in the world. Millions of elderly Italians want to stay in their own homes rather than move into care facilities, and their families often live far away or work full time. This has created enormous demand for caregivers, known in Italy as badanti, who live with or regularly visit elderly people to help them with daily life.
Caregivers are now an essential part of Italian society. Hundreds of thousands of people, many from Eastern Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia, work as carers in Italian homes. The work is personal and demanding, but it offers steady employment, legal protection under a national contract and, for live-in roles, free accommodation and meals.
This guide explains caregiver jobs in Italy, the difference between live-in and hourly care, duties, contract rules, salaries in euros, rest and leave rights, how non-EU workers can apply, taxes, insurance and how to grow your career in care.
What a Caregiver Does in Italy
A badante supports an elderly or disabled person so they can live safely and comfortably at home. Duties depend on the person’s health and independence, but commonly include:
- Helping with washing, dressing, toileting and personal hygiene.
- Assisting with walking, getting in and out of bed and using wheelchairs.
- Preparing meals and helping with eating.
- Reminding the person to take medicines as prescribed.
- Light housekeeping, laundry and keeping the home clean.
- Accompanying the person to doctor visits, shops or walks.
- Providing company, conversation and emotional support.
- Informing the family or doctor about changes in health.
Caregivers do not perform nursing procedures such as injections or wound care unless they have the appropriate qualifications. Their role is personal support and daily assistance.
Types of Caregiver Jobs
| Job Type | How It Works | Best For |
| Live-In Caregiver | Lives in the family home with room and board | Newcomers wanting to save on housing |
| Live-Out Caregiver | Works set hours, lives elsewhere | Workers with their own home |
| Hourly Caregiver | Paid by the hour, sometimes for several families | Flexible schedules |
| Night Caregiver | Provides overnight presence and help | Extra income alongside other work |
| Weekend Substitute | Covers the main carer’s rest days | Part-time workers |
| Care Home Assistant | Works in residential care facilities | Those with OSS or care training |
Live-in work, called convivente in Italian contracts, is the most common arrangement for elderly people who need continuous help. It also allows the caregiver to save a large part of their salary because housing and food are provided.
The National Contract for Domestic Work
Caregivers employed by families in Italy are covered by the national collective agreement for domestic work. This contract sets the rules for pay, working hours, rest, holidays, sick leave and termination. It applies to caregivers, housekeepers and babysitters employed directly by households.
Job Levels
The contract classifies domestic workers into levels based on skills and responsibilities. Caring for a self-sufficient elderly person is placed at a lower level than caring for a person who is not self-sufficient, such as someone bedridden or with dementia. Caregivers with recognised care training may be placed at a higher level with higher minimum pay.
Minimum Pay Updates
Minimum wages under the domestic work contract are updated every year. Families must pay at least the minimum for the correct level, and many pay more, especially in northern cities or for demanding care situations.
Room and Board
For live-in caregivers, the family provides a room and meals. The contract assigns a value to food and lodging, which matters when calculating holidays and other payments, so it should be clearly recorded.
Working Hours and Rest Rights
Live-in caregivers do not work around the clock. The domestic work contract sets maximum working hours and guarantees rest periods. Live-in workers are entitled to daily rest, including uninterrupted rest at night and a break during the day, and weekly rest that normally includes Sunday plus additional free hours on another day.
Live-out caregivers work agreed daily and weekly hours, with extra pay for overtime, night work and Sundays. If a caregiver must be available at night to assist the person, this should be agreed and paid according to the contract.
Respecting rest periods protects both the caregiver’s health and the quality of care. Many families arrange a weekend substitute so the main carer can enjoy their days off.
Caregiver Salaries in Italy
| Type of Work | Typical Pay (EUR) |
| Live-In, Self-Sufficient Person | 950 to 1,200 monthly plus room and board |
| Live-In, Non-Self-Sufficient Person | 1,100 to 1,500 monthly plus room and board |
| Hourly Caregiver | 8 to 11 per hour |
| Night Assistance | Set nightly rate under contract |
| Weekend Substitute | Daily or hourly rate |
| Care Home Assistant or OSS | 1,400 to 1,800 monthly |
Pay varies by region, care level, language skills and experience. Northern cities such as Milan, Turin and Bologna tend to pay more than southern areas. Caregivers also receive a thirteenth monthly salary, paid holidays and severance pay, known as TFR, when the job ends.
Why Live-In Work Can Be Financially Strong
Because live-in caregivers do not pay rent, utilities or most food costs, they often save more than workers with higher salaries in other jobs. A live-in carer who manages money carefully can send a large share of earnings home each month.
Holidays, Sick Leave and Severance
- Paid Holidays: Domestic workers receive paid annual leave as set by the contract, often taken in summer when families can arrange cover.
- Public Holidays: Workers are entitled to national holidays or extra pay if they work them.
- Sick Leave: Paid sick days are covered by the employer for a limited period, with the job protected for a set time.
- Thirteenth Salary: An extra monthly payment, usually in December.
- Severance Pay: TFR accumulates throughout employment and is paid at the end.
- Notice Period: Both sides must give notice when ending the contract, except in serious cases.
If the elderly person passes away, the contract ends, but the worker is still entitled to notice pay, holidays not taken, the proportional thirteenth salary and TFR. Live-in workers are usually given a short period to leave the home.
Skills Families Look For
- Patience and Kindness: Elderly people may be confused, anxious or in pain.
- Basic Italian: Essential for communication with the person, family and doctors.
- Care Experience: Previous work with elderly or disabled people.
- Cooking Skills: Preparing simple, healthy Italian meals is often expected.
- Physical Strength: Helping with lifting and transfers safely.
- Reliability and Honesty: Families trust caregivers with their loved ones and homes.
- Dementia Awareness: Understanding how to support people with memory loss.
Short care courses, first aid training and the OSS qualification all increase job opportunities and pay. Many regions and charities offer free or low-cost training for domestic caregivers.
A Day in the Life of a Live-In Carer
The day often begins around 7:00. The caregiver helps the elderly person get up, wash and dress, then prepares breakfast and gives morning medicines as prescribed. After tidying the house, they may take a short walk together or go to the market.
Lunch is a central part of Italian daily life, so the caregiver prepares a home-cooked meal and eats with the person, offering company and conversation. In the afternoon, the person may rest, giving the caregiver their daily break. Later, they might watch television together, receive family visits or go to a medical appointment.
In the evening, the caregiver prepares dinner, helps with personal care and settles the person into bed. Night rest begins, although in some cases the carer may need to help briefly at night, which should be considered in the contract. On weekly rest days, the caregiver is free to leave the home and enjoy personal time.
Supporting People With Dementia
Many elderly people who need live-in care have Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They may forget recent events, repeat questions, become restless in the evening or feel confused about where they are. Caregivers who stay calm, keep daily routines predictable, speak simply and gently redirect attention handle these situations far better. Learning basic dementia care techniques through short courses makes the work less stressful and is highly valued by families.
Looking After Yourself
Caregiving can be emotionally demanding. Living far from your own family, spending most of the day with one person and watching their health decline can lead to loneliness and burnout. Use your rest days to meet friends, attend community or religious gatherings and stay in contact with loved ones. Keep a regular sleep pattern where possible, eat well and take short walks during breaks. If the workload becomes too heavy, talk openly with the family about extra help or a substitute carer. A healthy caregiver gives better care.
How to Find Caregiver Jobs
Word of Mouth
Many caregiver jobs are found through personal recommendations from other carers, churches, community groups and families. A good reputation spreads quickly.
Domestic Work Agencies
Licensed agencies and cooperatives match carers with families and sometimes handle contracts and payroll. Check that the agency is legitimate and does not charge illegal fees to workers.
Job Portals and Notices
Online job portals, local classified sites and notice boards in pharmacies, churches and community centres often list caregiver vacancies.
Associations and Patronati
Family and domestic worker associations, along with patronati and union offices, often help with job matching, contracts and paperwork.
When you meet a family for the first time, expect an informal interview at their home. They will ask about your experience, cooking, Italian skills and how you would handle situations such as a fall or a refusal to take medicine. Ask questions too: what care the person needs, your exact hours and rest days, and where you will sleep. A short trial period is common before the contract is confirmed.
Work Permits for Non-EU Caregivers
EU citizens can work freely as caregivers. Non-EU workers living abroad usually need a family employer to apply for a work authorisation. Italy’s Decreto Flussi has included quotas specifically for domestic and family care workers, and recent rules have added extra places for carers of elderly or disabled people because of strong demand.
- The family or employer applies for the work authorisation during the official window.
- The immigration office checks the employer’s income and issues a nulla osta if approved.
- The worker applies for a work visa at the Italian consulate.
- After arrival, the worker and employer sign the residence contract.
- The worker applies for a permesso di soggiorno within eight days.
- The employer registers the employment relationship with INPS.
Employers must show they can afford to pay a caregiver, which is why the family’s income is checked during the application.
Taxes, Contributions and Insurance
Family employers pay social security contributions to INPS for their domestic workers, usually every three months, with a small share deducted from the worker’s pay. These contributions build pension rights and provide access to benefits such as maternity and unemployment support.
Unlike most employees, domestic workers usually receive their pay without income tax being deducted by the family. This means caregivers whose annual income exceeds the tax threshold must file their own tax return and pay IRPEF directly. Many carers use tax assistance centres, called CAF, to file returns correctly and claim deductions.
Families should also insure against accidents at home. Caregivers benefit from INAIL coverage through their registered contract, and many choose a personal accident policy and private health insurance for extra security. Legal residents can also register with the national health service and choose a family doctor.
Protecting Yourself as a Caregiver
- Always ask for a written contract and INPS registration.
- Keep copies of your contract, payslips and payment records.
- Never give your passport to an employer or agency to hold.
- Insist on your weekly rest and daily breaks.
- Avoid informal, undeclared work, which removes your rights and pension.
- Seek help from unions or patronati if you face unfair treatment.
Avoiding Fake Caregiver Offers
Caregiver jobs are often used in scams targeting people abroad. Be cautious of anyone who asks for large fees for visas or jobs, promises unrealistic salaries or guarantees permits without a real family employer. Genuine work authorisations come through Italy’s immigration system and are checked during the visa process.
Growing Your Career in Care
Caregiving can lead to a long-term career. Experienced badanti can complete OSS training and work in hospitals, care homes and home care services with higher pay and more regular hours. Some go on to study nursing or open care agencies or cooperatives. Language skills, training certificates and strong references from families are key to progression.
Managing Your Money
Open an Italian bank account so your salary can be paid by transfer and your income is properly documented. Compare money transfer services when sending money home, as fees and exchange rates vary. Build an emergency fund for gaps between jobs, avoid high-interest loans and consider a savings or pension plan for your future.
Conclusion
Caregiver jobs in Italy offer steady work, legal protection under the domestic work contract and, for live-in roles, free accommodation and meals. Demand continues to grow as Italy’s population ages, creating opportunities for kind, reliable and hardworking people.
Learn Italian, gain care skills, insist on a regular contract and follow the legal permit process if you are a non-EU citizen. With patience and dedication, caregiving can become a meaningful and secure career in Italy.
FAQs
How much does a live-in caregiver earn in Italy?
Usually around 950 to 1,500 euros monthly plus room and board.
Do caregivers in Italy get days off?
Yes, the domestic work contract guarantees daily and weekly rest.
Do I need Italian to work as a caregiver?
Yes, basic Italian is essential for communicating with the person and family.
