How to Write a CV for Italy in 2026
Italy uses the Europass CV format widely. Here is what you need to know about structure, photos, language, and what Italian recruiters actually look for.
The Europass CV in Italy
Italy is one of the strongest adopters of the Europass CV format — an EU-standardised template widely used across Southern and Eastern Europe. While not mandatory, it is familiar to Italian recruiters and is a safe default choice. You can create your Europass CV at europass.europa.eu.
Photo and personal details
A professional photo is standard practice in Italy and is expected by most Italian employers. Include your date of birth, address, phone number, email, and nationality. The Europass format includes a dedicated photo field.
Structure and format
- Length: Two to three pages is common in Italy — more generous than Northern European markets.
- Layout: Clean and professional. The Europass template is widely accepted. Avoid overly creative designs.
- Work experience: Reverse chronological. Include company, role, dates, and detailed descriptions of responsibilities.
- Education: Italian employers value academic credentials highly, especially from recognised Italian universities.
- Languages: Italian is essential for most roles. English is valuable, particularly in Milan's international business community.
The cover letter (lettera di presentazione)
A cover letter is generally expected in Italy. It should be formal, in Italian for Italian companies, and demonstrate knowledge of the company. Italian business culture is relationship-oriented — showing genuine interest in the company and team is valued.
Regional differences
Italy's job market is geographically diverse. Milan is Italy's financial and fashion capital with a more international, corporate atmosphere. Rome is dominated by government, public sector, and international organisations. Naples and Sicily have smaller but growing job markets. For tech roles, Milan and Rome have the largest concentrations of international employers.
Common mistakes
- Omitting a photo (expected in most Italian contexts)
- Sending a CV in English to an Italian-language company
- Using a CV format clearly designed for the UK or US market
- Not including your date of birth (standard in Italy)
- Underselling your academic qualifications
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