Agriculture Jobs in Italy cover much more than seasonal fruit and vegetable picking. Farms, vineyards, olive groves, greenhouses, livestock businesses, nurseries and agricultural companies employ workers for cultivation, harvesting, packing, machinery operation and farm management. The sector can therefore offer opportunities for both entry-level workers and people with practical agricultural experience.
For international applicants, Italy is also an important destination to understand because agricultural seasonal employment is included in the country’s regulated foreign-worker entry system. In 2026, Italy authorized 88,000 seasonal subordinate-work entries, while the wider 2026–2028 programme provides 497,550 entries for non-EU workers across seasonal and non-seasonal employment categories. Agricultural seasonal applications have their own quota and procedure.
Overview
| Job Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Country | Italy |
| Industry | Agriculture, Farming and Horticulture |
| Main Job Types | Farm worker, fruit picker, vegetable picker, vineyard worker, olive picker, greenhouse worker, livestock worker, machinery operator |
| Work Type | Seasonal, temporary and permanent |
| Typical Entry-Level Pay | Around €1,050–€1,400/month |
| Experienced Worker Pay | Around €1,300–€1,800+ |
| Skilled Agricultural Roles | Around €1,400–€2,300+ |
| Education | Often not required for basic farm work |
| Experience | Depends on the position |
| Language | Basic Italian is highly useful |
| Main Work Environment | Farms, fields, orchards, vineyards, greenhouses and livestock facilities |
| Accommodation | Available with some employers |
| Non-EU Workers | Legal work authorization required |
| Italian Job Term | Lavoro agricolo |
Italy’s agricultural workforce includes both permanent and seasonal employees. The 2026–2029 national collective agreement for agricultural and floricultural workers was renewed in May 2026, with wage increases scheduled for workers covered by the agreement.
Different Types of Agriculture Jobs in Italy
The Italian agricultural sector has several different employment categories. Someone without previous experience may start with harvesting or general farm labour, while experienced workers can move into machinery, livestock, greenhouse or supervisory positions.
Fruit Picking Jobs
Fruit harvesting is one of the most recognizable forms of seasonal farm employment.
Workers may pick:
- Apples
- Pears
- Peaches
- Apricots
- Cherries
- Strawberries
- Kiwifruit
- Citrus fruits
- Other locally grown produce
The work can also include sorting, grading and placing harvested fruit into crates.
Vegetable Farm Jobs
Vegetable farms employ workers for planting, harvesting, sorting and packing.
Common crops include:
- Tomatoes
- Potatoes
- Onions
- Lettuce
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Other field and greenhouse vegetables
Greenhouse work can provide employment outside the main open-field harvesting periods.
Vineyard Jobs
Italy’s extensive wine industry creates agricultural jobs around vineyards. Workers may help with harvesting grapes during the vendemmia, as well as pruning, tying vines, maintaining plants and carrying out other vineyard activities.
Some workers also move from vineyards into wineries, where they can help with grape reception, sorting and early processing.
Olive Farm Jobs
Olive harvesting is concentrated mainly in autumn and early winter. Workers may collect olives manually, handle nets, move containers and assist with mechanical harvesting.
Regions such as Puglia, Calabria, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio can have substantial olive-growing activity.
Greenhouse Jobs
Greenhouse agriculture can involve:
- Plant maintenance
- Harvesting
- Irrigation assistance
- Sorting
- Packing
- Cleaning
- Crop monitoring
Because the growing environment is controlled, greenhouse jobs may follow a different work calendar from outdoor farms.
Livestock And Dairy Farm Jobs
Not every agricultural position involves crops.
Livestock farms can employ workers for:
- Feeding animals
- Cleaning animal areas
- General farm maintenance
- Milking assistance
- Handling livestock
- Dairy-related work
- Feed preparation
These positions may provide more continuous employment than highly seasonal harvesting jobs.
Agricultural Machinery Jobs
Workers with experience operating tractors and other agricultural equipment can qualify for more specialized positions.
Potential responsibilities include:
- Tractor operation
- Ploughing
- Seeding
- Harvesting machinery
- Spraying equipment
- Transporting agricultural materials
- Machinery maintenance
Machinery positions generally require more experience than basic farm labour.
Agriculture Jobs Salary in Italy
There is no single salary for agricultural workers because Italian farm employment varies by province, collective agreement, crop, working hours, contract type and skill level.
Current Indeed data puts the average reported salary for an operaio agricolo in Italy at approximately €1,303 per month, based on reported salaries. The figures shown on the salary page range widely depending on location and employer.
The agricultural collective agreement renewed in May 2026 provides wage increases for covered agricultural and floricultural workers. This means applicants should consider the applicable collective agreement and contractual classification rather than relying only on informal salary claims.
For general planning, salaries can be considered approximately as follows:
| Agriculture Job | Indicative Monthly Earnings |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level Farm Worker | €1,050–€1,300 |
| Seasonal Harvest Worker | €1,050–€1,400 |
| Fruit Picker | €1,050–€1,450 |
| Vegetable Picker | €1,050–€1,450 |
| Vineyard Worker | €1,100–€1,500 |
| Olive Harvest Worker | €1,100–€1,500 |
| Greenhouse Worker | €1,100–€1,550 |
| Livestock Worker | €1,200–€1,650 |
| Experienced Farm Worker | €1,300–€1,800+ |
| Agricultural Machinery Operator | €1,400–€2,000+ |
| Skilled Agricultural Worker | €1,400–€2,100+ |
| Farm Team Leader | €1,600–€2,300+ |
| Farm Supervisor | €1,800–€2,500+ |
These figures are indicative planning ranges, not guaranteed wages. Actual earnings may be calculated hourly or daily for seasonal work.
Workers should also establish whether the advertised salary is gross or net and whether accommodation, meals, transportation or other costs are deducted.
How Seasonal Agricultural Work Changes During The Year
One of the most important characteristics of Italian agriculture is that employment follows the crop calendar.
A worker who wants to remain employed throughout the year may need to move between different agricultural activities.
| Period | Possible Agricultural Work |
|---|---|
| January–February | Greenhouses, livestock, pruning and selected winter crops |
| March–April | Planting, greenhouse work and orchard preparation |
| May–June | Vegetables, strawberries, cherries and other early crops |
| July–August | Fruit, vegetables, vineyards and farm maintenance |
| September–October | Grapes, apples, vegetables and other harvests |
| November–December | Olives, citrus, late crops and post-harvest work |
This is only a broad guide. Weather, altitude, crop variety and regional agricultural practices can change the actual harvesting period.
Trentino’s agricultural employment programme, for example, has included seasonal work involving fruit harvesting, grape harvesting and other agricultural activities, with employment opportunities running across the agricultural season.
Where Are Agriculture Jobs Available In Italy?
Agricultural employment exists throughout Italy, but different regions are associated with different crops and farming systems.
Puglia
Puglia is one of the most important agricultural regions for olives, vegetables, vineyards and other crops.
Seasonal workers may find opportunities in:
- Olive harvesting
- Vegetable production
- Vineyard work
- Fruit and agricultural packing
- General farm labour
Sicily
Sicily has a broad agricultural sector involving citrus, vegetables, fruit, vineyards and olives.
The island’s warmer climate allows some agricultural activities to continue during periods when northern regions have fewer outdoor opportunities.
Campania
Campania has agricultural production involving vegetables, fruit and other crops. Farm jobs can also connect with the region’s food-processing industry.
Calabria
Calabria is relevant for olives, citrus, fruit and other agricultural activities. Seasonal workers may be employed directly on farms or through agricultural recruitment organizations.
Emilia-Romagna
Emilia-Romagna has extensive agricultural and food-production activity. Fruit growing, vegetables, vineyards and agricultural processing all contribute to employment.
Veneto
Veneto combines agriculture with major wine-producing areas and fruit-growing districts. Workers may find jobs in vineyards, orchards, vegetables and agricultural handling.
Trentino-Alto Adige
This region is particularly relevant for fruit growing and vineyards. The provincial employment service has actively promoted seasonal agricultural recruitment and notes that many agricultural businesses provide accommodation for workers.
Tuscany
Tuscany is associated with vineyards, olives, fruit and other agricultural activities. Seasonal harvesting can be particularly important during the grape and olive seasons.
Lazio
Agricultural employment in Lazio includes crop production, olive growing, livestock and other farm activities. Some public-sector and private agricultural vacancies are also advertised through regional employment services.
What Does A General Farm Worker Do?
A general farm worker may perform several different tasks rather than specializing in one crop.
A typical working day can involve:
- Preparing fields
- Planting crops
- Removing weeds
- Harvesting
- Sorting produce
- Loading agricultural containers
- Cleaning work areas
- Maintaining fences
- Assisting with irrigation
- Feeding animals
- Supporting machinery operators
- Preparing produce for transportation
The exact duties depend heavily on the farm.
Someone hired as a general agricultural worker should therefore expect some variation in daily responsibilities.
Do You Need Qualifications?
Basic farm jobs generally do not require a university degree.
For entry-level positions, employers are more likely to consider:
- Physical fitness
- Reliability
- Availability
- Ability to work outdoors
- Teamwork
- Previous manual work
- Willingness to learn
- Ability to follow instructions
Formal qualifications become more important when the position involves machinery, livestock management, technical crop care or supervision.
For example, an agricultural machinery operator may need appropriate practical experience and, depending on the machinery and duties, relevant training or authorization.
Skills That Can Increase Your Earnings
A worker who remains at basic harvesting level may have fewer opportunities outside the relevant season.
Learning additional agricultural skills can make a significant difference.
Useful Technical Skills
- Tractor operation
- Irrigation
- Pruning
- Greenhouse systems
- Agricultural machinery
- Crop maintenance
- Pest-control procedures
- Livestock handling
- Produce grading
- Packing operations
Workplace Skills
- Basic Italian
- Team leadership
- Safety awareness
- Time management
- Reliable attendance
- Careful equipment handling
An experienced worker who can perform several tasks can be more useful to an employer than someone available only for manual harvesting.
Italian Language For Agricultural Workers
Italian is not necessarily required at an advanced level for every entry-level farm position, especially where international seasonal workers are employed.
However, basic Italian can make daily work considerably easier.
| Italian Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Agricoltura | Agriculture |
| Agricoltore | Farmer |
| Operaio agricolo | Agricultural worker |
| Campo | Field |
| Serra | Greenhouse |
| Raccolta | Harvest / collection |
| Frutta | Fruit |
| Verdura | Vegetables |
| Vigneto | Vineyard |
| Oliveto | Olive grove |
| Allevamento | Livestock farming |
| Trattore | Tractor |
| Cassetta | Crate |
| Attrezzi | Tools |
| Lavoro stagionale | Seasonal work |
Learning common instructions can help a new worker understand what to collect, where to work and how to handle equipment.
Accommodation For Farm Workers
Accommodation is particularly important because many farms are located outside major cities.
Some agricultural employers provide accommodation, but this is not universal.
Trentino’s agricultural recruitment information specifically notes that accommodation is provided by numerous agricultural businesses, demonstrating that housing can form part of some seasonal employment arrangements.
Before accepting an offer, ask:
- Is accommodation provided?
- Is it free?
- Is rent deducted from wages?
- Is the room shared?
- Are meals included?
- Are utilities included?
- Is transport to the farm provided?
- How far is the accommodation from the workplace?
A salary should always be considered alongside living costs.
Working Hours And Conditions
Agricultural work can start early, particularly during harvest periods or hot weather.
Depending on the farm, workers may work:
- Morning shifts
- Full-day shifts
- Seasonal full-time schedules
- Additional hours during peak harvest
- Weather-dependent schedules
Outdoor agriculture can be physically demanding. Workers may spend many hours walking, standing, bending, lifting and working in direct sunlight.
Conditions can also differ significantly between a greenhouse, vineyard, orchard and livestock farm.
Applicants should therefore ask for the working schedule before accepting the position.
Can Indian Workers Get Agriculture Jobs In Italy?
Indian citizens can be eligible for Italy’s regulated seasonal agricultural employment route.
For 2026, Italy authorized 88,000 seasonal subordinate-work entries, and the official 2026 information provides a specific procedure for seasonal employment. The agricultural seasonal click day was scheduled for January 12, 2026.
The wider 2026–2028 programme provides:
- 164,850 entries in 2026
- 165,850 entries in 2027
- 166,850 entries in 2028
for a combined total of 497,550 non-EU workers across the relevant employment categories.
However, a quota does not mean that every applicant receives a job or visa.
For an overseas agricultural worker, the process generally depends on a genuine employer, an eligible employment position, the applicable quota and the required authorization before lawful employment can begin.
Agriculture Jobs For Indian Workers
For applicants from India, some of the more realistic entry-level agricultural categories include:
- Fruit picking
- Vegetable picking
- Grape harvesting
- Olive harvesting
- Farm labour
- Greenhouse work
- Agricultural packing
- Nursery work
- Livestock assistance
Applicants with previous agricultural experience can also look for:
- Tractor operator
- Farm machinery worker
- Vineyard worker
- Orchard worker
- Irrigation worker
- Livestock technician
- Agricultural supervisor
A person with no farming background should generally target entry-level positions rather than claiming experience with machinery or specialist agricultural operations.
How To Search For Agriculture Jobs In Italy
Using Italian search terms can substantially improve job-search results.
Useful keywords include:
- Lavoro agricolo
- Operaio agricolo
- Bracciante agricolo
- Lavoro agricolo stagionale
- Lavoro in agricoltura
- Addetto raccolta
- Raccolta frutta
- Raccolta ortaggi
- Raccolta uva
- Raccolta olive
- Operaio agricolo serra
- Agricoltore
- Olivicoltore
- Vignaiolo
- Addetto azienda agricola
Adding a region can make the search more specific.
For example:
“operaio agricolo Puglia”
“lavoro agricolo stagionale Toscana”
“raccolta frutta Trentino”
“operaio agricolo Emilia-Romagna”
“lavoro serra Sicilia”
How To Prepare A CV For Italian Farm Jobs
A farming CV should focus on practical experience.
If you have previous agricultural experience, mention:
- Type of farm
- Crops handled
- Harvesting experience
- Machinery operated
- Greenhouse experience
- Livestock experience
- Packing and sorting
- Irrigation
- Pruning
- Length of employment
For applicants without farming experience, previous work in construction, warehouses, factories, cleaning or other physically demanding jobs can still demonstrate useful transferable skills.
A CV should not claim qualifications or machinery experience that the applicant does not actually possess.
Permanent Agriculture Jobs vs Seasonal Work
Not every agriculture job in Italy is seasonal.
| Job Type | Typical Duration | Experience Level |
|---|---|---|
| Fruit Picker | Short seasonal period | Entry-level |
| Vegetable Picker | Seasonal / repeated crop cycles | Entry-level |
| Grape Picker | Harvest season | Entry-level to moderate |
| Olive Picker | Autumn/winter | Entry-level |
| Greenhouse Worker | Can be longer-term | Entry-level to moderate |
| Livestock Worker | Often longer-term | Moderate |
| Machinery Operator | Longer-term possible | Skilled |
| Farm Supervisor | Permanent possible | Experienced |
| Agricultural Technician | Permanent | Qualified |
Someone who wants year-round employment should look beyond harvesting and consider greenhouse production, livestock, machinery, irrigation, farm maintenance or supervisory positions.
Career Growth In Agriculture
Agriculture can provide a progression route for workers who continue developing practical skills.
A possible path is:
Farm Worker → Experienced Agricultural Worker → Skilled Crop Worker → Machinery/Technical Worker → Team Leader → Farm Supervisor
Another route may be:
Seasonal Picker → Packing Worker → Greenhouse Worker → Crop Specialist → Farm Supervisor
Workers who learn Italian and gain experience across multiple agricultural tasks can improve their ability to communicate with employers and take on additional responsibilities.
How To Avoid Fake Agriculture Job Offers
Agricultural recruitment can attract fraudulent agents because overseas workers may be willing to pay for a promised job and visa.
Be careful with offers that claim:
- Guaranteed Italian visa
- Guaranteed job without an employer
- Tourist visa employment
- No contract required
- Immediate work permit after payment
- Very high salary for simple farm work
- Large upfront payment before employer details are provided
Before accepting an offer, verify:
- Employer name
- Farm location
- Job duties
- Contract duration
- Working hours
- Salary
- Accommodation
- Transportation
- Work authorization procedure
Italy’s official immigration system uses an employer-based application process for foreign workers, and the 2026–2028 programme specifies quotas and application procedures rather than providing an automatic visa to anyone who applies.
Agriculture Jobs vs Other Entry-Level Jobs
Agriculture can be attractive to workers who prefer practical work, but it has different advantages and disadvantages from factory or warehouse employment.
| Job Type | Seasonality | Physical Work | Experience Needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Farm Worker | High | High | Low |
| Fruit Picker | Very high | High | Low |
| Vegetable Worker | High | High | Low |
| Greenhouse Worker | Medium | Moderate–high | Low–moderate |
| Warehouse Worker | Lower | Moderate–high | Low–moderate |
| Factory Worker | Lower | Moderate | Low–moderate |
| Livestock Worker | Lower | High | Moderate |
| Machinery Operator | Medium | Moderate–high | High |
People who want a short-term overseas job may find seasonal agriculture suitable, while those looking for stable year-round employment should consider positions with longer contracts.
Documents And Preparation For Overseas Applicants
Before travelling for an agricultural job, an international applicant should have the relevant employment and immigration documentation in place.
Depending on the situation, this can involve:
- Valid passport
- Employment documentation
- Employer information
- Work authorization
- Appropriate Italian visa
- Contract details
- Accommodation information
- Travel documents
The exact requirements depend on the immigration route and the worker’s circumstances.
A worker should never travel with the assumption that a tourist or visitor status automatically permits agricultural employment.
Is Agriculture A Good Career Option In Italy?
Agriculture Jobs in Italy can be a practical option for people who are comfortable with physical work and are interested in farming, harvesting, greenhouse production, livestock or agricultural machinery. Entry-level harvesting positions can be accessible without a university qualification, while experienced workers can move toward technical and supervisory roles.
The strongest opportunity for overseas workers is to treat agriculture as more than a single seasonal picking job. Developing Italian language skills, learning machinery or greenhouse operations, gaining experience with different crops and understanding Italian employment contracts can make it easier to progress toward better-skilled agricultural positions. For non-EU applicants, the key requirement remains a genuine employer and the correct legal work-authorization process; Italy’s 2026–2028 foreign-worker programme provides a regulated route but does not guarantee employment or a visa to every applicant.
