by Are you looking for a fast, accessible, and realistic way to move to Europe and earn in Euros (€)? Cleaning staff and janitorial roles are among the most common and easiest entry-level jobs for foreign workers in Italy.
Because these positions require little to no formal education and minimal language skills at the entry level, they serve as a fantastic stepping stone for international workers. Whether it is a luxury hotel in Milan, a bustling corporate office in Rome, or an international airport, the demand for reliable sanitation and cleaning staff is massive in 2026.
Here is everything you need to know about securing a cleaning or janitorial job in Italy, including salaries, visa pathways, and the top companies hiring right now. 🌍✨
🧽 Types of Cleaning & Janitorial Jobs in Italy
The facility management and cleaning sector is incredibly diverse. Foreign workers typically find stable employment in the following categories:
- 🏨 Hotel Cleaners (Housekeeping): Cleaning guest rooms, changing linens, sanitizing bathrooms, and maintaining 5-star hygiene standards in resorts and hotels.
- 🏢 Office Cleaners & Janitors: Working in corporate buildings. Duties include emptying trash, vacuuming, mopping floors, and restocking restrooms. This often involves evening or early morning shifts.
- ✈️ Airport Cleaners: High-demand roles in major hubs like Rome Fiumicino or Milan Malpensa. Requires continuous sweeping, sanitizing heavy-traffic areas, and waste disposal.
- 🏥 Hospital Sanitation Workers: A critical role that requires strict adherence to hygiene protocols. Involves sterilizing patient rooms, operating theaters, and safe bio-waste disposal.
- 🏡 Domestic / Airbnb Cleaners: With Italy’s booming tourism, independent cleaners are highly sought after to prepare Airbnb apartments and private villas between guest stays.
- 🏭 Industrial Cleaning Staff: Heavy-duty cleaning in factories, warehouses, or laboratories. This may involve operating large cleaning machinery.
🏢 Top Companies Actively Hiring in Italy (2026)
Instead of applying randomly, it is best to target major facility management companies and specialized tourism support businesses. Here are real, prominent companies actively hiring foreign cleaners in Italy:
1. ISS Facility Services 🌍
- Role: Office Cleaners & Corporate Janitors (Locations like Rome & Milan)
- Details: One of the world’s largest facility management companies. They handle entire building sanitation.
- Salary Insight: Offers both full-time and part-time roles (€489 – €1,000+ for part-time).
2. HostClean Service 🛏️
- Role: Airbnb & Short-Term Rental Cleaners (Milan, Florence, Venice)
- Details: Specializes in rapid turnover cleaning for tourist apartments.
- Salary Insight: Highly flexible shifts paying between €10 – €30 per hour, depending on the speed and quality of work.
3. Indie Campers 🚐
- Role: Cleaning Support Staff (Catania, Rome, Turin)
- Details: Europe’s largest campervan rental company. Staff is needed to deeply clean and sanitize RVs and campervans between rentals. Highly entry-level friendly.
4. roadsurfer 🚙
- Role: Vehicle & Car Cleaners (Turin, Milan)
- Details: Similar to camper rentals, preparing vehicles for road-tripping customers. Fast-paced but easy to learn.
5. Thermo Fisher Scientific 🔬
- Role: Laboratory Cleaning & Sanitation Support
- Details: A global science company that occasionally hires specialized cleaning staff to maintain sterile environments in their Italian labs.
(Note: On average, there are 300 to 800+ cleaning jobs actively listed online in Italy on any given day!)
💶 Salary of Cleaning Staff in Italy
Cleaning jobs offer a stable and honest living. While they may not pay as high as specialized medical or IT roles, they often come with opportunities for overtime.
- Average Annual Salary: €23,000 – €24,000 per year
- Average Hourly Rate: ≈ €12 per hour
- Entry-Level Salary: €18,000 per year (≈ €1,200 per month)
- Experienced / Specialized Salary: Up to €26,000 per year (≈ €1,800+ per month)
📊 Quick Salary Breakdown:
| Experience Level | Estimated Monthly Salary (€) | Estimated Yearly Salary (€) |
| Entry-Level (No Experience) | €1,200 – €1,300 | €18,000 |
| Mid-Level (Standard Average) | €1,400 – €1,600 | €23,000 – €24,000 |
| Highly Experienced / Night Shifts | €1,700 – €1,800+ | €26,000+ |
Tip: Part-time workers will earn less, but jobs in airports, hospitals, or night-shift office cleaning often provide lucrative overtime pay and shift bonuses.
📋 Requirements for Foreign Workers
The beauty of the cleaning industry is its accessibility. However, there are a few non-negotiable requirements:
- 🛂 Valid Work Visa / Permit: You must have the legal right to work in Italy (via employer sponsorship or a dependent visa).
- 🗣️ Basic Italian Language Skills: While you don’t need to be fluent, basic Italian is highly important to understand instructions, safety protocols, and read chemical labels.
- 💪 Physical Fitness: The job requires standing for long hours, lifting supplies, and constant movement.
- ⏱️ Reliability & Punctuality: Employers value staff who show up on time for their shifts.
- (Experience is helpful but not strictly required for most entry-level positions!)
🛂 Visas & Work Permits (Decreto Flussi)
How do you legally get to Italy for a cleaning job? Most foreign workers utilize these pathways:
- Decreto Flussi (Annual Quota System): The Italian government releases an annual immigration quota for non-EU workers. Many cleaning roles fall under seasonal tourism support or general subordinate work.
- Employer Sponsorship: Large facility management companies or international hotel chains can sometimes sponsor your visa directly if they are facing severe local labor shortages.
- Seasonal Work Permits: Very common for hotel housekeeping roles in beach resorts during the summer or ski lodges in the winter.
🚀 How to Apply (Step-by-Step Guide)
Ready to start your journey? Follow these simple steps:
Step 1: Prepare Your CV 📄
Keep it simple (1–2 pages maximum). Use the standard Europass format. Highlight any past physical labor, cleaning, or customer service experience.
Step 2: Search for Jobs 💻
Use top Italian job portals:
- Indeed Italia (Search: Addetto alle pulizie)
- Glassdoor
- InfoJobs.it
- Direct company career pages (e.g., ISS Facility Services)
Step 3: Apply Online 📤
Submit your CV and a brief cover letter. For some domestic or smaller company roles, applications are even accepted via WhatsApp or direct email.
Step 4: The Interview 🤝
Interviews are usually straightforward. Employers will ask about your availability, your physical capability to do the work, and your visa status. Sometimes, a short practical test is required.
Step 5: Get the Job Offer & Visa 🏆
Once you secure the contract, the employer will initiate the Nulla Osta (Work Clearance) process in Italy, allowing you to apply for your work visa at the Italian embassy in your home country.
⚠️ Reality Check (What You Need to Know)
Before packing your bags, keep these realistic factors in mind:
- It is Physically Demanding: Sweeping, mopping, and carrying equipment for 8 hours a day requires stamina.
- The Pay is Moderate: It is entry-level pay. You will live comfortably, but you won’t get rich quickly.
- Tough Schedules: Office and industrial cleaning often require working night shifts, very early mornings, or weekends.
- Language is Power: Your chances of getting hired and promoted multiply rapidly if you can speak conversational Italian.
Cleaning and janitorial jobs are a brilliant, practical way to get your foot in the door in Europe. With major companies hiring year-round, your European dream is highly achievable! 🇮🇹✨
