I work for myself — I am a freelancer.
'Proprio' = PRO-pryo — three syllables. 'Professionista' = pro-fes-syo-NEES-ta — six syllables. A mouthful — practice it separately.
Use when explaining self-employment in Italian professional contexts. The concept of the 'libero professionista' is legally specific in Italy — a recognized professional category with its own tax regime.
'Lavorare in proprio' = 'to work for oneself.' 'Libero professionista' is the Italian legal and social term for a self-employed professional — not an employee. The Italian tax authority has specific regulations for this category (Partita IVA).
Ho la mia Partita IVA.
I have my own VAT number.
'Partita IVA' = Italian VAT/tax ID number — the fundamental marker of self-employment in Italy.
Lavoro come consulente freelance.
I work as a freelance consultant.
'Consulente' (consultant) + 'freelance' — common modern professional identity.
Gestisco la mia attività in proprio.
I run my own business.
'Gestire' (to manage/run) — used for running a business or activity.
Italy has a large self-employed professional class. The 'Partita IVA' is the cornerstone of self-employment — getting one is a rite of passage. Italian bureaucracy around freelancing is notoriously complex, a topic discussed with universal understanding.