Mario was born in Germany to parents emigrated from Southern Italy. After finishing high school in Salerno, he began working in Lombardy, Northern Italy, between Brescia and Bergamo. His career has been a steady progression shaped by experience: he started as factory worker and, step by step, he moved into a Sales Manager role in the last Italian company where he worked for until October.

Today he lives in Spain, having joined a highly international company where he hopes -and he expects- to keep growing. Outside of work, three hobbies help him stay grounded: music, sports, and reading.

Background, hobbies, and professional growth

“I was born in Germany to parents emigrated from the Southern Italy…after the schools in Salerno, I started working in Lombardy.” Mario describes a path shaped by hands-on learning and changing perspectives. He entered the workforce in an operational role, learned on the job, and took on different challenges over time-building commercial and relationship skills until he became manager. That experience is proving useful today: joining a new, international environment means starting fresh, but with solid foundations.

“I hope to grow up even further.”

Deciding to work abroad: why in Spain

“The opportunity came a bit by chance… but I had thought about it more than once.” At some point, the idea of moving abroad stops being a recurring thought and becomes a plan. Spain, in particular, felt familiar to Mario: something he had stepped into years ago, as if it had been left unfinished. “I had already come close to Spain back in 2009: maybe it was destiny.”

How EURES TMS entered the picture

After the first exchanges with the Spanish company, Mario looked for guidance to better understand the process and make informed decisions. “I searched for help online and luckily I talked with the EURES adviser Marco Dirani, first by email, then by phone.” Early on, EURES TMS became part of the story: not as an “extra step,” but as a structured support that helped Mario in turning a big decision into a manageable set of actions.

The adviser’s role: explanations, instructions, and practical support

“The first conversations were essential to clear up how the program worked… Marco was precise, punctual, very helpful, and patient.” What mattered most to Mario was having both clarity (understanding how the program works) and practical help (advice that applies to real situations): these two elements reduce stress and help you stay focused, at the moment of relocation.

From application to mobility: practical steps and financial considerations

“For the application, it was important to understand how to handle the financial side, given different taxation between countries.” One of the biggest challenges was navigating economic and tax differences. Mario explains that his arrival -and the steps to access different forms of support- were followed consistently together with his adviser, so each part could be addressed calmly and in the right order.

“The arrival and how to use the various supports were followed with constant help.”

EURES TMS benefits used

“So far, the mobility support has worked well and it’s been an important help.” Mario has already benefited from mobility support, which helped during the relocation phase. At the same time, he is also moving forward with additional tools that can strengthen his integration and growth: “We’re also in progress with the language course benefit and the training programme benefit.” His experience highlights something useful: benefits don’t have to come “all at once”, they can support different phases, from moving and settling in, to building language and skills over time.

Life in Spain: work, adaptation, and local identity

“Work is  going well: now I am starting to become operational after a few months of onboarding and (still ongoing) training.” After the initial months of onboarding and training, Mario is stepping into day-to-day operations. On a personal level, the cultural impact that stood out most is related to Catalonia, especially language and regional identity. “What struck me was the Catalan language… and how strongly the region’s autonomy is felt.”

A memorable moment: the quiet of the “first apartment”

Looking back, Mario shares an unexpectedly intense moment: at the beginning, he moved alone. No common routines, no shared living space, just him in a new apartment. “At the start, it felt very strange to find myself alone in an apartment…” It’s the kind of experience that makes the change real: not just a career move, but a new everyday life.

Advice for those thinking about taking the leap

Mario’s message is encouraging but realistic: go for it, but prepare well, especially on logistics. “If you can, look deeply into the practical/logistical aspects in the new country… what you read online is not the same as what you will actually live.” Mobility is not only about the job. It is about housing, transport, language, services, and life pace. The more you are aware of these details beforehand, the smoother your landing will be and the more energy you will have for the opportunity itself.

If you can, look deeply into the practical/logistical aspects in the new country… what you read online is not the same as what you will actually live.