Regione Autonoma della Sardegna

Welcome to Sardinia!

Island region off the western coast of Italy — rich in history, nature, culture, and opportunity.

Key Facts & Geography

• One of Italy’s two large islands; autonomous region with special status.
• Population: ~ 1,578,146 inhabitants.
• Beautiful and varied landscape: sandy beaches, rugged coastline, mountains, rural hinterland.
• Strategic Mediterranean location; tourism and connections to mainland Italy and Europe.

Main Cities

Cagliari (capital)

Over 150,000 in the city; major administrative, cultural, trade, university hub.

Sassari

~ 90-100,000; second largest city, northern Sardinia.

Nuoro, Oristano, Olbia, Alghero

Medium size coastal and internal centres, with strong tourism or mixed economy.

Economy & Labour Market

• In 2024, Sardinia’s GDP growth was +0.9%, slightly above the national average. Employment growth +2.6%.
• Key sectors:
  • Tourism & hospitality — major driver, especially seasonal. 
  • Agriculture / agribusiness — including local products, food & wine. 
  • Public services and administration big employer. 
  • Some industry, mining, chemical etc., but these are less dominant. 
  • Renewable energy is emerging. 

Labour stats:
• Unemployment rate ~ 8.3%.

Strengths & Lifestyle Perks

• Amazing quality of life: nature, sea, relaxed pace, culture, food.
• Lower cost housing, especially outside of the major tourist areas.
• Less congestion than big cities; many places combine rural calm with access to good amenities (especially coastal towns).
• Great potential for remote work, tourism-entrepreneurship, green & renewable sectors.

Strong regional identity; local culture, festivals, unique landscape.

Regional Public Employment Services in Sardinia (ASPAL)

Organizational Structure: 

ASPAL operates as the regional public agency for active labor market policies in Sardinia.

• Headquarters in Cagliari with about 40 local Public Employment Centres (Centri per l’Impiego) spread across the island.

Services are decentralized to ensure territorial coverage matching the island’s diverse geographical and economic zones.

Key Services Provided for Jobseekers and Employers (All Free of Charge)

• Ordinary Placement (Collocamento Ordinario) welcoming all workers seeking jobs.
• Targeted Placement (Collocamento Mirato) for vulnerable groups and persons with disabilities.
• Service for Employers (Servizio alle Imprese), handling recruitment support, training incentives, and direct employer engagement.
• Career guidance and counseling to assist jobseekers with career path planning and labor market integration.
• Skills assessment and professional training opportunities, including upskilling and reskilling programs tailored to regional economic needs.
• Access to job offers, apprenticeships, traineeships, and tailored placement services.
• Hiring incentives and pre-selection support for recruitment.
• Organisation and participation in job fairs, labor market workshops, and European mobility programs.
• Active engagement in international networks and cooperation for accessing EU funds and mobility services.

Sardinia gives you the chance to live where most others vacation — stunning beaches, rugged interior, breath-taking nature — with a cost of living that, in many places, is far lower than mainland Italy’s hotspots. The island is growing in tourism and services, and though wages are lower, there are opportunities especially for people bringing skills, language ability, or entrepreneurial ideas.

“Move to Sardinia: work with the waves, live with the skies — where life costs less, but moments matter more.”