Can my husband (who is American) work legally in the EU (Italy to be exact)
under MY British Passport? I was born in U.K. and currently hold both
my British and American passports (as we live in USA).  Is the fact
that I still have my British passport considered enough to make him elgible
to work in Italy instantly? (without having to apply for documents?)
and/or what documents would him (or I) need to apply for to make him
elgible to work in Italy?

Hi catriona610-ga

From your question, I can't tell whether your husband has a job yet. 
If he did, choice #2 below is the way to go.   Unfortunately there are
no instant solutions.  All require some documentation.

There are two ways for your husband to work legally in Italy.

1.  Get a work permit from the Italian government:

From the US embassy in Italy:

American citizens who have a job offer in Italy, or wish to work in
Italy, either temporarily or permanently, must be provided with a work
permit obtained by the prospective employer, and must obtain a work
visa from the Italian Consular authorities BEFORE coming to Italy.

http://www.usembassy.it/acs/general-visiting.asp  (scroll to bottom of page)

2.  Become a naturalized British citizen (not an instant process)
thereby obtaining an EU passport.

From the British Embassy"

   "* You must have been living in the United Kingdom at the beginning
of the three- year period; and
    * On the date that your application is received in the Home
Office, you must have permanent residence/ ILR in the UK; and
    * During the three-year period you must not have been outside the
UK for more than 270 days (approximately 9 months); and
    * During the last 12 months of the five-year period you must not
have been outside the UK for more than 90 days; and
    * You must not have been in breach of any UK immigration rules at
any time during this three-year period of residence in the UK."

http://www.workpermit.com/uk/naturalisation.htm


There is also a way of staying in Italy legally (while, perhaps, looking for work)

From the US Embassy in Italy:

"Americans staying or traveling within Italy for no longer than three
(3) months are considered non-residents. This includes persons on
vacation, those taking professional trips, students registered at an
authorized school, or persons performing research or independent
study."

"All of the above persons must obtain permission to stay in Italy, a
Permesso di Soggiorno. To do so, one must go within eight (8) days of
arriving to the Questura, or police station in smaller towns, to
apply."

http://www.usembassy.it/acs/general-visiting.asp

There is no option to work under a spouse's passport.  As I said
above, when your husband becomes naturalized as a British citizen he
would get an EU passport and could be eligibile for work in any EU
country

I'd suggest that you also contact the British consulate in the city
nearest your home.  They could possibly give you some advice on the
matter.
I know from long residency in Rome that obtaining a Permesso di
Soggiorno is not difficult, if that is the route you choose.

I wish you good luck.

alanna-ga

Thank you very much! That is such a great help! Catriona

I doubt it.

Suggest you ask this question to the Italian counselette or embassy.

Ah, those sweet and savvy Italian counselettes!

But yes, sooner or later you will have to talk to a consulate or the embassy.
No, your husband will not have any automatic eligibility.

Here is what the US Embassy advices:
http://www.usembassy.it/acs/general-visiting.asp

Here is another useful site:
http://www.expatica.com/source/site_article.asp?subchannel_id=156&story_id=10132&name=Italy

These sites explain that you as a UK citizen will have no problem moving to Italy:
http://www.shelteroffshore.com/index.php/living/more/finding_jobs_in_italy/
http://www.euroinfo.unito.it/mobility_portal/working_1.htm

And this is the official information.  Click through the windows to
find the appropriate situation for your husband  - perhaps
accompanying or joining a family member:
http://www.esteri.it/visti/index_eng.asp

It also has all the embassies and consulates.

Good luck!

To: myoarin-ga
Thank you very much for your advice and websites.. as I have made
attempts in the past to reach the Italian Consulate General for my
area, it's almost impossible to get "through" to them for specific
information.  Thank you for your time.  Catriona