From 7 June 2026, new pay transparency rules apply in Italy. Employers are now required
to provide candidates with clear salary information earlier in the recruitment process,
including the initial salary or salary range for a position. Here’s what the new rules mean
for people looking for work in Trentino, and how we are adapting our policies to reflect them.
What is the EU Pay Transparency Directive? And what changes for candidates looking for work in Italy?
The EU Pay Transparency Directive is a piece of European legislation designed to give candidates clearer information about pay before they invest time in a recruitment process. Italy’s implementation came into force on 7 June 2026.
The core principle is straightforward: you should know (or be able to find out) what a job pays before you reach the interview stage.
What changes for candidates looking for work in Italy? Under the new rules:
- Employers must provide the initial salary or salary range for a position, either in the job posting or before the first interview.
- Employers cannot ask candidates about their current or previous salary. This is important because salary history can carry inequality from one employer to the next.
In practice, this means candidates should be able to gauge the pay level of a role at the beginning of the hiring process, rather than finding out in a final-round negotiation.
Why this is important for candidates and companies alike
Finding a job is already a significant undertaking. Finding one in a new country is a different challenge entirely. In this context, salary information is everything but a peripheral detail for international candidates. It can determine whether:
- relocation is financially realistic;
- a partner or family member can afford to join;
- the role is worth the disruption of moving.
A published salary range means candidates from abroad can make that calculation before
submitting an application, rather than discovering a mismatch after several rounds of interviews.
This salary transparency is also positive for employers in Trentino looking to attract international profiles. It reduces applications from candidates who are misaligned on expectations and builds trust from the first touchpoint.
What is Move to Trentino doing?
We have updated our publishing standards to reflect the new rules and our commitment to a more accessible job market.
Vacancies submitted directly to Move to Trentino must include the initial salary or salary range before they can be published.
From August 2026, we give visibility only to job advertisements that clearly state the initial salary or salary range. Where available, we will also include relevant information such as the applicable CCNL, employment level and contract type, helping candidates understand the complete employment offer.
We believe salary transparency is an important part of making the job market more accessible, especially for people considering relocation, who need clear information to assess whether a position is financially and practically realistic.
Note: This article is intended as a practical overview for candidates and employers, not as legal advice.
