Teach English in Italy
A small but genuine government assistantship exists via INDIRE — and the post-Brexit visa system’s “click day” quota mechanic is worth understanding before you commit to the dolce vita.
INDIRE's small assistantship — and the "click day" visa quota system
Italy runs a genuine but small bilateral Language Assistants programme administered by INDIRE (Italy's national education research institute, working with the Ministry of Education) across seven partner countries including the UK — but it's tiny by comparison to France's scheme, with only around 150 placements nationally in 2023–24. UK applicants apply via the British Council's Italy page.
Outside that small assistantship, the honest post-Brexit picture is that UK citizens need an employer-sponsored visa through Italy's Decreto Flussi system — an annual quota allocated via a "click day," where the year's available slots fill within minutes of opening. Most schools won't pursue this route for an entry-level teaching hire, which makes the realistic alternatives the INDIRE assistantship itself, a student visa with work rights, or registering as self-employed/freelance.
- INDIRE Language Assistants: UK nationals eligible via the British Council, but only ~150 placements nationally per year
- Employer-sponsored roles: subject to the Decreto Flussi annual quota system ("click day")
- Student visa or self-employment/freelance registration are the more realistic fallback routes
What you can expect to earn
Private language schools, including franchises like Wall Street English and IH-affiliated centres, form the bulk of the market. Milan's corporate-training scene pays noticeably better on an hourly basis than standard classroom teaching elsewhere in the country.
| Employer type | Local currency | Approx. GBP |
|---|---|---|
| Private language school | €1,000–1,600/mo | £855–£1,365 |
| Private language school (experienced) | €1,800–2,300/mo | £1,535–£1,965 |
| Milan corporate training | €35–55/hr | £30–£47/hr |
Where to find real openings
Which TEFL Global course fits?
With only around 150 INDIRE assistantship placements available nationally each year, most teachers in Italy end up in the private-school market, where our Level 3, 120-Hour TEFL/TESOL Course (£169.50) is the standard credential expected.
Researched July 2026 from official program pages and named recruiters where cited above. Government programs, visa rules and salary bands change — always confirm current details on the official site before applying.
FAQs about teaching in Italy
Yes, but it’s small — the INDIRE Language Assistants programme includes the UK among its seven partner countries, but placed only around 150 assistants nationally in 2023–24.
It’s the Decreto Flussi annual work-visa quota — a fixed number of employer-sponsored slots that open on a specific day and typically fill within minutes, making it an unreliable route for most entry-level teaching hires.
It isn’t required for the INDIRE assistantship, but private language schools — where most teaching jobs actually are — expect one.