Germany remains the top destination for Italian emigration, particularly for skilled workers, 70 years after the first recruitment agreement between the two countries. This trend is driven by professional opportunities, but also potentially by the enduring memories of the first “guest workers” who made the journey decades ago.
A Familiar Pursuit of Opportunity
At a Goethe-Institut German language course in Rome, students practice everyday phrases – “Hamburger, Käse, Salat, Kaffee.” Among them is Livia, a 26-year-old recent engineering graduate seeking employment in Germany. While Berlin is her first choice, Hamburg or Munich would also be acceptable. Livia’s previous experiences with an Erasmus program in Oslo and a short stint working in Germany have shown her the potential for better financial prospects and career advancement.
“Here in Italy, you finish university and then start an internship for less than 1,000 euros a month,” Livia explains. “When I looked abroad, I realized you can actually earn a normal salary for entry-level positions.” She’s now focused on improving her German, recognizing it as a key requirement for securing a position.
According to a report by the Fondazione Migrantes, an organization affiliated with the Italian Bishops’ Conference, Germany was the number one destination for Italian emigrants in the past year. In fact, 2024 saw the highest number of Italians emigrate in the last 20 years.
First Candidates, Hand-Picked
This pattern of Italian emigration to Germany is not new. In the 1950s and 60s, West Germany’s booming economy created a labor shortage, while Italy faced high unemployment. The first recruitment agreement was signed with Italy on December 20, 1955.
The first “guest workers” arrived in April 1956. A German commission selected candidates from applicants in emigration centers in Verona and Naples. Later, Italians could apply directly for jobs in Germany.
Initially, these workers were intended to be temporary, returning to their home countries after a period of time. However, many brought their families and settled permanently in Germany.
Recent data from the German Federal Statistical Office shows that in 2024, 67,000 former guest workers from Italy who immigrated between 1955 and 1973 – when the recruitment phase ended – still resided in Germany. Others have since returned home.
“It Was Enough for Food and Sometimes the Cinema”
The story echoes through generations, as seen in the experience of 88-year-old Agostino de Stefano. He now lives in Corviale, a large housing complex on the outskirts of Rome. In the 1960s, he worked near Stuttgart, first in construction and later as an auto mechanic.
Unable to find work in Campania to support his wife and young son, he sought opportunity in Germany. The beginning was difficult, he recalls, with limited funds for travel back home. “The little I earned from my job, I sent to my wife. And I lived on what I earned on the side. It was enough for food and sometimes the cinema.”
Initially unable to speak German, he faced insults, but learned the language through immersion. He eventually became a foreman, earning the respect of his German colleagues.
Though he envisioned a modest life in Germany – a small rented apartment – his wife’s illness forced him to return to Italy after four and a half years. However, finding work back home proved challenging.
A Trust in Return
The parallels between Agostino’s story and Livia’s are striking, despite the decades separating their experiences. Both were driven by the search for economic opportunity, and both considered Germany a viable option.
Livia acknowledges a sense of being a “guest worker,” but believes her situation is more privileged due to family support. “If things don’t work out in Germany, I can return to Italy and look for another job abroad. The guest workers back then didn’t have that option.”
She hopes for more opportunities for young people in Italy, allowing them to freely choose whether to emigrate or stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the first recruitment agreement between Germany and Italy?
The first recruitment agreement between Germany and Italy was signed on December 20, 1955, to address labor shortages in West Germany and unemployment in Italy.
How many former Italian guest workers still live in Germany?
As of 2024, 67,000 former guest workers from Italy who immigrated between 1955 and 1973 still reside in Germany, according to the German Federal Statistical Office.
What is driving the current wave of Italian emigration to Germany?
The primary drivers are better job opportunities and higher salaries in Germany, particularly for skilled workers like engineers.
Given the ongoing economic disparities between Italy and Germany, what factors might influence future emigration patterns between the two countries?
