🇮🇹 Job offer letter in Italy: what to include
Updated July 2026 · General information, not legal advice
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In Italy, many employment terms come not from the individual contract but from the applicable national collective agreement (CCNL) for the sector and job category. An Italian offer should therefore name the CCNL and be checked against it — it sets probation length, notice, extra pay and often a 13th and 14th month.
Quick facts
- Probation (periodo di prova)
- Set by the CCNL; maximum 6 months (Civil Code)
- Annual leave (ferie)
- 4 weeks statutory; CCNL often 26–28 days
- 13th / 14th month
- 13th (tredicesima) is standard; many CCNLs add a 14th
- Notice (preavviso)
- Civil Code floor 15/30 days; CCNL sets the real periods
- Governing terms
- The sector CCNL usually overrides the Civil Code minimums
What to include in an Italian offer letter
A typical offer for an Italy-based hire covers:
- Position and category (livello/qualifica) under the applicable CCNL
- Gross annual salary and whether it is paid in 13 or 14 instalments
- Contract type (indefinite is the default; fixed-term needs a ground)
- Periodo di prova consistent with the CCNL and category
- Ferie (minimum 4 weeks) and weekly working hours
- The applicable CCNL
The CCNL sets the key numbers
The national collective agreement (CCNL) fixes probation length, notice periods, minimum pay for each category and usually a 13th and often a 14th month. The Civil Code provides only floors — probation may not exceed six months, and employer notice is at least 15 days under six months of service and 30 days beyond — but the CCNL almost always sets more. Name the CCNL in the offer.
13th and 14th month, and leave
Italian salaries are usually described across 13 instalments — the 13th (tredicesima) paid at Christmas — and many CCNLs add a 14th (quattordicesima) in summer. Always clarify whether a quoted annual figure is across 12, 13 or 14 months. Statutory leave is four weeks, but most CCNLs grant 26–28 working days.
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Create a free offer →Frequently asked questions
How long can probation be in Italy?
It is set by the applicable CCNL and job category; the Civil Code caps it at six months. Always match the offer to the CCNL.
What does '13th / 14th month' mean in an Italian offer?
Extra monthly instalments: the 13th (tredicesima) at Christmas is standard, and many CCNLs add a 14th in summer. Clarify how many instalments a quoted annual salary covers.
How much holiday do Italian employees get?
A statutory minimum of four weeks, though most CCNLs grant 26–28 working days.
Official sources
Related guides
This guide is general information for employers, not legal advice. Employment rules change and collective agreements may set different terms — confirm the specifics with local counsel before sending an offer.