Temporary work can be a great way to live overseas for short periods of time. By working on a temporary basis in Italy, you can enjoy la dolce vita and develop contacts that could help propel your international career. But is it really possible to secure temporary work in a European Union member country?

Learn More Additional Resources Three of Italy's largest temporary employment agencies are Adecco Lavoro Temporaneo, Ali Temporaneo and Manpower.it. These Web sites are all in Italian, although Adecco and Manpower also have international sites.

In theory, a working holiday in Italy is possible; though in practice it could be riddled with challenges. Temporary employment agencies in Italy are much like their American counterparts. They usually seek a variety of workers, including clerks, electricians, bartenders, waiters, information technologists, receptionists, system administrators, tech support, engineers and others.

Maria Rita Meucci, spokesperson for the temp agency Ali Temporaneo, says that about 25 percent of Ali's temporary assignments lead to full-time jobs. Manpower, another temporary employment agency, boasts a similar figure. Most assignments last from three to six months, and they can range from very short periods to as long as two years.

Is It Possible to Obtain a Position Online Without Interviewing in Italy?

Meucci asserts that her agency often hires temporary workers directly from the Internet. If you have tech skills, which are in great demand, you stand a better chance at being hired online.

The catch, however, is that in order to work in a temporary position, you need a permesso di soggiorno, or permit of stay for reasons of work, which can only be obtained in Italy. Unless you already have the paperwork together, it is unlikely you will be able to get hired this way. However, Meucci insists, if you have tech skills, they will help you with the paperwork.

What Can Temporary Work Do for Italy?

Temporary employment is becoming more and more popular in Italy. According to Meucci, there were 250,000 temporary workers in Italy. She expects this figure to rise above one million.

Meucci conceives of temporary employment in Italy as a way for the country to develop in certain areas. Italy has one of the highest unemployment rates in Europe, and temporary work could help more Italians enter the workforce.

In addition, temporary work could help reduce Italy's problem of illegal under-the-table or work. According to Meucci, "Temporary agencies stringently follow regulations and complete all necessary paperwork. This means temporary workers have access to healthcare and pension plans from the moment they are hired."

What Can Temporary Work in Italy Do for You?

If you decide to pursue a working sabbatical in Italy, you will be in good company. Franz Kafka temped at Italian insurance company Assicurazioni Generali. But more importantly, you will embark on a rewarding experience and forge connections that could help you launch an international career.