In this page:
Legal Forms of Companies |
The Active Population in Figures |
Working Conditions |
The Cost of Labour |
Management of Human Resources
Legal Forms of Companies
- Società a responsabilita limitata (SRL): Limited Liability Company
-
Number of partners: Minimum 1 shareholder.
Capital (max/min): No minimum but some constraints if the capital is less than EUR 10,000.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
- Società per azioni (SpA): Public Limited Company
-
Number of partners: There are no limitations on the number of partners.
Capital (max/min): Minimum of EUR 50,000, of which 25% has to be paid-up.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited to the amount of capital contributed.
- Società in nome Collettivo (SNC): General Partnership
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Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners, no maximum.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirement.
Shareholders and liability: Liability is joint and indefinite.
- Società in Accomandita Semplice (SAS): Limited Joint-Stock Partnership
-
Number of partners: Minimum 2 partners, no maximum.
There are two types of partners, the active partners and the silent partners.
Capital (max/min): No minimum capital requirement.
Shareholders and liability: Liability of the active partners is unlimited.
- Società Cooperativa (SC): Cooperative Society
-
Number of partners: Minimum 3 partners, no maximum.
9 partners if one of them is a legal entity.
Capital (max/min): Minimum EUR 25 per partner
Shareholders and liability: Liability is limited or unlimited according to the Articles of Association.
Business Setup Procedures
Setting Up a Company |
Italy |
OECD |
Procedures (number) |
7.00 |
5.21 |
Time (days) |
11.00 |
9.47 |
Source: Doing Business - Latest available data.
- For Further Information
-
Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Italy
Infocamere
- The Competent Organisation
-
Administrative procedures must be analyzed by a legal affairs office of the Ministry of Justice.
The activity of the company is subject to abilitazioni (certificate of professional aptitude), to autorizzazioni o licenze (licenses) and to the denuncia di inizio attività (declaration of beginning of activity).
Recovery Procedures
- Principle
-
It depends on the type of company.
The Tribunal appoints a single judge for the bankrupt company, whereas more may be appointed for the creditors. The assets of the bankrupt company must be distinct according to the share of each of the members. After five years, the bankrupt company may be re-formed.
For further information, click here.
The Active Population in Figures
|
2018 | 2019 | 2020 |
Labour Force |
26,032,169 | 25,787,158 | 25,080,671 |
Source:
International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database
|
2017 | 2018 | 2019 |
Total activity rate |
65.49% | 65.71% | 65.82% |
Men activity rate |
75.07% | 75.23% | 75.14% |
Women activity rate |
55.97% | 56.23% | 56.53% |
Source:
International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database
Employed Persons, by Occupation (% of Total Labour Force) |
2015 |
Manufacturing |
18.3% |
Wholesale and retail trade; repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles |
14.2% |
Human health and social work activities |
8.0% |
Education |
6.7% |
Construction |
6.5% |
Professional, scientific and technical activities |
6.3% |
Accommodation and food service activities |
5.9% |
Public administration and defence; compulsory social security |
5.8% |
Transportation and storage |
4.6% |
Administrative and support service activities |
4.3% |
Agriculture, forestry and fishing |
3.8% |
Financial and insurance activities |
2.9% |
Information and communication |
2.5% |
Arts, entertainment and recreation |
1.3% |
Water supply; sewerage, waste management and remediation activities |
1.1% |
Real estate activities |
0.6% |
Electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply |
0.5% |
Mining and quarrying |
0.2% |
Working Conditions
- Opening Hours
-
-
- 40 hours
-
- 10 hours a day and 52 hours a week.
-
- From 10 pm to 5 am.
- Working Rest Day
- One or two days a week.
- Paid Annual Vacation
- The minimum is one week a year; but it depends on the type of contract and responsibilities.
- Retirement Age
- 65, with a minimum of 25 years' contribution
- Child Labour and Minimum Age For Employment
- 15
- Informal Labour Market
- Undeclared work is increasing. In 2007, a rise of 44% was registered from 2006's figures. The unofficial economy in Italy represents 14 million EUR and about 2,951 irregular workers.
The Cost of Labour
Pay
- Minimum Wage
- There is not a statutory minimum wage. Yet most Italian workers (nearly 80%) are actually covered by a minimum wage agreement, established through sectoral collective bargaining.
- Average Wage
- Average annual wage: $ 39,189 (source: OECD, 2019 - latest available data).
Social Security Costs
- The Areas Covered
-
Old age, disability and survivors, sickness and maternity, work injury for qualifying professions, unemployment and family benefits.
- Contributions
-
Contributions Paid By the Employer: 23.81% of income for disability, old age and survivings spouses and up to 6% of additional contributions : sickness and maternity (2.68%), unemployement (1.61%), family benefits.
Generally speaking, contributions are subject to variations depending on the professional branch, the risks, the number of employees and their professional qualifications.
Contributions Paid By the Employee: Employees are subject to a 9.19% withholding tax on income, and destinated for disability, old age and surviving spouses. Self-employed individuals are taxed at 25.72%. Additional voluntary and variable contributions are also allowed.
- Competent Organization
-
Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS) - Italian National Social Security Institute
Management of Human Resources
Recruitment
- Method of Recruitment
-
More and more, recruitment is being carried out via the Internet. If their CV is selected, candidates are invited for interviews with the management of the company concerned.
- Recruitment Agencies
-
There are public or private recruitment agencies. Recruitment can be carried out via their services or directly by the company concerned.
- Recruitment Websites
-
Infojob.it
Indeed
Lavoro e Carriere
The Contract
- Type of Contract
- Labour contracts are governed by legal provisions and, to a lesser extent, by collective agreements. Conditions of hiring and dismissal are quite strict.
There are open-ended contracts, fixed term contracts or contracts for specific tasks/occasional services.
Breach of Contracts
-
- It may be agreed and voluntary. You have to give at least one month's notice.
-
- There are no restrictions, except in the case of a pregnant woman or illness.
- Labour Laws
-
Doing Business: Italy, to obtain a summary of labour regulations that apply to local entreprises
Learn more about Operating a Business in Italy on Globaltrade.net, the Directory for International Trade Service Providers.
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Latest Update: June 2022