Freelancing in Italy offers the flexibility to choose from a wide range of professions, allowing you to earn a steady income while working on your own terms. But which freelance roles are genuinely lucrative, which listings are scams, and, most importantly, which jobs pay the most? Here’s a detailed analysis from Truffe.net.
Top three best-paid freelance jobs in Italy
Truffe.net, a leading site for fact-checking and online scam analysis, looked into the most in-demand and best-paid digital freelance roles in Italy. By analysing data from a major freelance platform, the team calculated average earnings for various jobs across the country, highlighting which roles are most popular and potentially most profitable.
Key insights include:
- The most popular digital freelance jobs in Italy are translation, illustration (23% of listings), and logo design (10%).
- Web development ranks as the highest-paying freelance job in Italy, with a base rate of €330 per project and annual earnings of up to €82,841.
- On average, working online as a freelancer in Italy can bring in an extra €20,344 per year.
The most in-demand freelance jobs
A closer look shows that one in five Italian freelancers (20%) on major marketplaces offers translation services, making it the most sought-after freelance job. This reflects strong, sustained demand for language skills.
Illustration comes next, confirming that creative work is among the most popular online, with consistent demand from brands and professionals. Other in-demand roles include logo design (10%), voice-over work (9%), video editing (8%), and article or blog writing (5%).
However, fraud is common across these sectors, so it’s vital to adopt a critical approach. Checking genuine demand and the reliability of platforms helps freelancers avoid scams and focus on opportunities that actually pay.
The best-paid freelance job in Italy
Web development tops the list of the most profitable freelance jobs in Italy, with an average rate of €330 per project. The technical complexity involved, from coding to managing functionalities, explains the higher pay, making it one of the most popular and sought-after online roles.
Other high-paying freelance roles include web design (€280 per project), social media management (€164), and NFT art (€162). Illustration, despite being the most in-demand role, ranks seventh with an average rate of €100.
Freelance earnings in Italy
Assuming a freelancer works every available day, annual earnings from a side activity can reach €82,841 (web development). Web design and social media management follow, with annual earnings of up to €70,364 and €41,131 respectively.
Lower-paid but still viable options include CV writing (€19,904), video editing (€19,275), and life coaching (€19,139). These roles remain useful for those seeking part-time income. The key is to stick to reliable platforms and clear listings: earnings are only guaranteed when the work is in genuine demand and performed professionally. Suspicious offers promising easy money without skills should be avoided.
How to spot real freelance jobs from scams
So how can you tell if a freelance listing is genuine or a scam? Eli Carosi, editor and fact-checker at Truffe.net, shares her advice on recognising suspicious offers and avoiding promises of easy money.
“In recent years, we’ve seen a significant rise in online job offers that aren’t transparent and promise quick earnings without real skills,” Carosi explains. “To separate genuine opportunities from scams, watch out for red flags such as unrealistic pay promises, upfront payment requests, or unclear information about the client or platform. Always check the reputation of the platform and employer, read reviews from other freelancers, and be wary of vague listings that just ask you to click links or sign up to sites. Legitimate roles like web development, web design, or professional social media management have real demand and clear rates. Well-paid offers in these areas are far less risky than generic or unregulated roles.”