Italy

>Would it be a relatively straight forward process securing work there?

It was very straightforward indeed when the UK was in the EU but after December.....even if you're already working...you'll need an Italian work visa or permit. Potential employers will be aware of this and may be unwilling to employ UK citizens even during the remaining transition period because of the paperwork hassle from Jan 1st onwards.

Some, however, may be willing to offer short-term contracts so this site may be of interest: https://www.bestskijobs.co.uk/italy.php

[ Edit: Edited on 05-Aug-2020, 08:33 GMT by leics2 ]

Quoting AndyF

Quoting TheFatFox

So after long debating the idea of travelling to NZ, given the current pandemic and my age (29), it doesn't look like it will be an option.

Hi Grant

Going back to your original comment, I believe you can commence a NZ working holiday up until right before your 31st birthday. As you're 29 that gives you upwards of a year for things to get back to normal - so I wouldn't write off the WHV as it's a marvellous idea if you can swing it.

Andy

Hi Andy,

I wasn't aware of that, thank you. So guess NZ could still be on the cards then, thanks!

Grant

Quoting leics2

>Would it be a relatively straight forward process securing work there?

It was very straightforward indeed when the UK was in the EU but after December.....even if you're already working...you'll need an Italian work visa or permit. Potential employers will be aware of this and may be unwilling to employ UK citizens even during the remaining transition period because of the paperwork hassle from Jan 1st onwards.

Some, however, may be willing to offer short-term contracts so this site may be of interest: https://www.bestskijobs.co.uk/italy.php

Ah another fantastic outcome from leaving the EU!!

Brilliant, thank you, I will take a look

Grant

>another fantastic outcome from leaving the EU!!

Exactly so.

[ Edit: Edited on 05-Aug-2020, 10:00 GMT by leics2 ]

Quoting leics2

I must disagree with Photobob about language. English is widely spoken in all visitor-popular parts of Italy...and in all major cities....and amonst the under-30s....

When I first arrived in London I was working in Bond Street and often ate at a greasy spoon cafe in a side street nearby. I would eat there whenever I was in the area for years after. They employed an Italian waiter who was very good at taking orders in English. After knowing him as a waiter for over 7 years I discovered that he did not speak English. He couldn't even use the telephone.

Many waiting staff across Europe have English to the same extent. Some also know French, German, Japanese and now Chinese. Enough to take your order in a restaurant but little more. English is spoken by university graduates who are rarely to be found waiting in cafes.

At one time in my career I used Italian printers to print books I published. One very large print company in a town just outside Verona had no English speaking staff and would bring an interpreter from the head office in Milan when I was there.

We'll just have to agree to differ. :-)

Quoting leics2

>another fantastic outcome from leaving the EU!!

Exactly so.

Freedom carries a price, so no complaints here.

Quoting TheFatFox

So guess NZ could still be on the cards then, thanks!

Grant

It might still be on the cards but you'll have to hope that Covid-19 is sorted out, one way or another. At the moment, the only people allowed into New Zealand are citizens and permanent residents and it doesn't look like that's going to change any time soon. The talk of a travel bubble with Australia has hit an enormous speed-bump with the second wave of infections in Victoria and New South Wales. The Pacific Islands are crying out for the tourist dollar but the NZ govt is being very cagey about whether or not we'll be able to travel freely to anywhere soon - even the Cook Islands isn't a possible destination for us yet.

We went hard into lockdown towards the end of March and we came through in mid-May with zero cases and less than twenty-five deaths. The border policy, with a 14-day mandatory quarantine (presently paid for by our government) has helped keep the community infections at zero although there have been several close calls [idiots breaking hotel windows to escape 4-star quarantine hotels before they've even been tested]. Nobody here wants any live cases so, even though I'm itching to get away, I and the majority of New Zealanders still support this closed border. Apart from the border, life here is very much 'back to normal' - sports matches have crowds, schools, shops, medical centres, bars and restaurants are all open as usual and only a handful of people feel the necessity to wear a face-mask.

I really do hope I'm wrong but please don't bank on visiting NZ before your 31st birthday.

As an additional thought, you mention not speaking Italian - have you considered learning some? My husband has used a well-known online language learning programme (trying to not to post a commercial ) and found it very clear. If like many Brits you have a smattering of school French you would perhaps find Italian not too difficult, at least to pick up a few basics. If you did manage to get both a work visa and work, it would be very useful, and even if not it could come in handy in the future!