Italy’s wine industry — the world’s largest by volume — employs tens of thousands of seasonal workers each harvest season. The vendemmia (grape harvest) runs from late August through October across Tuscany, Piedmont, Veneto, Sicily, and Puglia, and Italian wineries recruit foreign seasonal workers through the annual Decreto Flussi quota system in 2026.
🍇 What Does a Vineyard / Grape Picker Do?
- Hand-harvesting grape bunches from vines using picking shears
- Transporting harvested grapes in crates and bins to collection points
- Sorting grapes on the sorting table — removing damaged, unripe, or diseased bunches
- Operating mechanical grape harvesting machines (training provided)
- Pruning and tying vines during off-season maintenance
- Applying organic treatments and managing vine canopy
- Assisting in the winery with destemming, pressing, and fermentation monitoring
- Maintaining clean and organized vineyard equipment
🛂 Visa Sponsorship — Italy
Visa Type: Italian Seasonal Work Visa (Visto per Lavoro Stagionale) under Decreto Flussi
Process:
- Employer applies during the annual Decreto Flussi window (typically January–March 2026)
- Authorization issued by the Prefecture (Prefettura)
- Worker applies for a Seasonal Work Visa at the Italian embassy in home country
- Travel to Italy; register at the local Comune within 8 days
- Permesso di Soggiorno Stagionale (Seasonal Residence Permit) issued
Seasonal visa: Valid for up to 9 months within a 12-month period. Workers who return for 2 consecutive seasons may qualify for a multi-year seasonal permit.
⏱️ Processing: 6–12 weeks (Decreto Flussi cycle-dependent)
🌍 Eligible Nationalities
Open to all nationalities within Decreto Flussi quotas. Italy recruits from:
🇲🇦 Morocco | 🇪🇬 Egypt | 🇹🇳 Tunisia | 🇦🇱 Albania | 🇸🇷 Senegal | 🇳🇬 Nigeria | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇮🇳 India | 🇵🇰 Pakistan | 🇧🇩 Bangladesh | 🇵🇭 Philippines | 🇧🇷 Brazil | 🇪🇨 Ecuador | 🇵🇪 Peru | 🇺🇦 Ukraine | 🇲🇩 Moldova | and all other nationalities
💰 Salary & Benefits
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Daily Rate | €80 – €120/day during harvest |
| Monthly Rate | €950 – €1,400/month for full seasonal contracts |
| Accommodation | Farmhouse or on-estate housing (often included) |
| Meals | Typically provided at working estates |
| INPS Social Security | Included for all registered workers |
📌 Apply Now
🔗 InfoJobs Italy — Raccoglitore
🔗 Decreto Flussi Info — Italian Ministry
✅ Tips
- Apply through the Decreto Flussi window in January/February — quotas fill quickly
- Tuscany (Chianti), Piedmont (Barolo), and Veneto (Prosecco) are the premium wine regions with the most employers
- Returning seasonal workers with 2+ seasons in Italy are eligible for a multi-year seasonal permit — making re-entry much faster
- Basic Italian is not required for harvest work but helps significantly with daily life
FAQs
1. When is the grape harvest? Late August–October (varies by region and grape variety). 2. Is experience required? No — harvest work is fully entry-level. 3. Is accommodation provided? Yes — most wine estates provide on-site housing during harvest. 4. How much can I earn? €80–120/day or €950–1,400/month for full seasonal contracts. 5. Can I return the following year? Yes — returning workers may qualify for a multi-year seasonal permit after 2 consecutive seasons.
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