Contracts, leave and termination in Italy
How a contract is set up under the collective agreement and what employees are entitled to.
Contracts and the CCNL
Every employment contract is written and sits under a national collective agreement, the CCNL, chosen according to the job and the sector. The CCNL sets the minimum pay for each job level, working hours, overtime rates, leave, probation and notice periods.
The contract states the job title and level, place of work, salary, hours, start date, probation and whether it is permanent or fixed-term. Changes such as a raise, a promotion or a move to part-time are made with a written amendment.
For non-EU nationals, the work permit (nulla osta) must be granted before the employee starts. See visas.
Ending employment follows set rules: a valid reason, the notice period of the CCNL and the payment of TFR and any unused leave in the final payslip.
Leave and absences
- Annual leave: at least 4 weeks a year by law, often more under the CCNL, plus extra paid hours off (ROL) in many agreements.
- Sick leave: the doctor sends the certificate online to INPS; pay during sickness is shared between INPS and the employer according to the CCNL.
- Maternity and paternity: mandatory maternity leave of 5 months and paternity leave of 10 working days, mostly paid through INPS.
- Public holidays: 12 national holidays plus the local patron saint's day.
We track every absence and reflect it in that month's payroll and invoice.