Hiring employees in Italy

Download our guide to employing staff in Italy

Our team of international HR, payroll, compensation & benefits experts have compiled everything you need to know when employing in Italy so that you can meet your global expansion objectives.

The guide covers the fundamentals you need to be on top of, including Collective Bargaining Agreements and the four main categorisations for workers.

For example, to employ a foreign national, an employer must apply to the authority for a work permit. Once issued, the foreign national must then apply to the relevant Italian embassy abroad for a visa.

This guidance will enable you to navigate the industry-wide rules and regulations within Italy, so you can confidently bring on employees within your sector and avoid claims from Italy’s employment courts.

The full contents of the detailed guide to employing staff in Italy are as follows: 

• Employment of foreigners
• Employment contracts
• Probation
• Remuneration
• Working hours and time off
• Leave
• Social security coverage
• Workers’ compensation insurance  
• Supplemental benefits
• Termination of employment
• Discrimination
• Industrial relations
• Data protection

This country guide is intended to be a summary of the major areas of employment law & HR practice and does not constitute legal or HR advice. The guidance was correct at the time of publishing and professional advice should always be sought as specific needs arise.