Italy Labor Law Guide 🇮🇹
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave per year under Legislative Decree 66/2003. Many CCNL agreements provide additional days.
Italy Labor Law Guide
Employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave per year under Legislative Decree 66/2003. Many CCNL agreements provide additional days.
Primary Legislation
Civil Code & Legislative Decree 66/2003
Secondary Legislation
Civil Code & Legislative Decree 66/2003
View Italy Holiday Calendar
See all public holidays for Italy in 2025
View the complete holiday calendar →Ensure Compliance Automatically
Leavo keeps your leave policies aligned with local labor laws, so you never have to worry about regulatory changes.
Start Free TrialGeneral Statutory Framework
Essential compliance data regarding minimum entitlement and standard work hours in Italy.
Ref: Legislative Decree 66/2003Employees are entitled to a minimum of 4 weeks (20 working days) of paid annual leave per year under Legislative Decree 66/2003. Many CCNL agreements provide additional days.
Accrual
Accrues monthly. At least 2 weeks must be taken consecutively during the year earned, with remaining days usable within 18 months.
Carry Over
Generally must be used within 18 months of accrual. Specific rules vary by CCNL.
Standard Week
40 hours
Max Weekly
48 hours
Max Daily
13 hours
Rest Period
11 consecutive hours of rest between working days.
Employment Contract & Termination
Notice Period
Notice period depends on role, seniority, and CCNL. Ranges from 15 days for short tenure to 4 months for senior positions.
CCNL / Civil Code Art. 2118Probation Period
Typically 3-6 months depending on the role and CCNL. During probation, either party can terminate with shorter notice.
Civil Code Art. 2096Core Labor Obligations
Operational rules regarding leave requests, sick pay, and public holiday work that every HR manager must know.
Ref: Civil Code Art. 2109Leave Requests
Employer must provide reasonable notice of holiday periods. Employees typically request leave in advance per company policy.
Sick Pay
INPS (National Social Security) covers sick leave. Employers often supplement to reach full or partial pay under CCNL terms.
Holiday Work
Work on public holidays requires additional compensation (typically 100% premium) as specified by CCNL.
Part-Time Calculation
Pro-rata entitlements based on hours worked, ensuring proportional leave and benefits.
Parental & Family Leave
Maternity Leave
5 months total (2 months before and 3 months after birth, or flexible arrangements). Paid at 80% by INPS.
D.Lgs. 151/2001Paternity/Partner Leave
10 days of mandatory paid paternity leave at 100% pay, to be taken within 5 months of birth.
D.Lgs. 105/2022Sick Pay & Compensation
Sick Pay
Employees can receive sick pay for up to 180 days per year. INPS pays a percentage (50-66%), with employers often supplementing under CCNL.
Source: INPS / CCNLSpecific Laws & Regulations
Unique regulations and legal concepts that distinguish the Italy labor market from others.
TFR Severance Pay
All employees accrue TFR (Trattamento di Fine Rapporto), a mandatory end-of-service severance payment calculated as approximately 7% of annual salary, paid upon termination.
CCNL System
National Collective Labor Agreements (CCNL) govern terms by sector (e.g., commerce, industry, services), often providing benefits beyond legal minimums.
Just Cause Termination
Termination without notice is permitted only for 'just cause' (giusta causa) such as serious misconduct. Otherwise, notice and severance apply.
13th & 14th Month Salary
Most CCNL agreements require payment of a 13th month salary (Christmas bonus). Some sectors also provide a 14th month (summer bonus).
Centralize Your Global Compliance
Relying on local counsel or static wikis for labor law compliance leaves you vulnerable. Leavo provides a single system of record that monitors statutory changes and updates your policies automatically.
- Single source of truth for legal data
- Full compliance tracking & audit logs
- Real-time statutory updates
Frequently Asked Questions
Are public holidays paid days off in Italy?
Yes, public holidays are paid non-working days for employees. If work is required, premium pay applies per CCNL.
What happens if a public holiday falls on a weekend?
The holiday is generally lost with no substitute day, unless the applicable CCNL provides otherwise.
Can annual leave be carried over to the next year?
Yes, but it must generally be used within 18 months of accrual. At least 2 weeks must be taken in the year earned.
Looking for the holiday calendar?
View the official Italy public holiday list for 2025.
Legal Guides by Country
Select a jurisdiction to view detailed labor law requirements.
Disclaimer: This information is provided for general guidance only and does not constitute legal advice. Always consult official government sources and legal counsel for compliance matters.
Automate Compliance Checks
Ensure your Italy team's leave policies align with statutory requirements automatically.