Am I entitled to NASPI at the end of a fixed-term contract?

Yes, if you have at least 13 weeks of contributions in the last 4 years and have worked at least 30 days in the last 12 months. The end of a non-renewed fixed-term contract is considered involuntary unemployment: you can apply for NASPI within 68 days of termination.

Can the employer terminate a fixed-term contract before it expires?

Only for just cause (serious worker misconduct) or by mutual agreement. There is no dismissal for objective justified reason during a fixed-term contract. If the employer unlawfully terminates the contract, you are entitled to compensation equal to the wages you would have received until the expiry date.

Do annual leave and 13th month salary accrue normally with a fixed-term contract?

Yes. Fixed-term workers have the same rights as permanent workers: annual leave (minimum 4 weeks/year pro rata), 13th month salary, TFR severance pay, ROL and leave as per the CCNL. At the end of the contract, unused leave and accrued TFR are paid out.

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Fixed-term contract: rights, renewals and conversion to open-ended

Fixed-term employment contracts are governed by Legislative Decree 81/2015 and subsequent amendments by the 2023 Labour Decree (D.L. 48/2023). They have a maximum total duration of 24 months with the same employer. Above that threshold, or if rules on stated reasons and renewals are violated, the contract automatically converts to an open-ended one.

Authority

Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro (INL)

Time

15 min

Updated

May 2026

What you need

✓Copy of signed employment contract
✓Payslips (for checking extensions and renewals)
✓Applicable CCNL documentation (indicated in the contract)

Step-by-step procedure

Check the stated reason and duration of the contract

A fixed-term contract can be made without a stated reason (acausal) only for the first 12 months. From 12 to 24 months, a reason is required: substitution of an absent worker, technical/production/organisational needs specified in the CCNL, or transitory and occasional needs. After a total of 24 months (including multiple contracts or extensions) the contract becomes open-ended.

Some categories are excluded from the limits: seasonal contracts, maternity cover, innovative start-ups.

Check extensions and renewals

The fixed-term contract can be extended up to 4 times within the 24-month period (each extension must be communicated before the current contract expires). An extension prolongs the same contract; a renewal is a new contract after the previous one expires (requires minimum gaps: 10 days for contracts ≤6 months, 20 days for contracts >6 months). Exceeding 4 renewals converts the contract.

If conversion conditions are met, claim your rights

If the contract exceeds 24 months, mandatory reasons are missing or rules on extensions/renewals are violated, the contract automatically converts to open-ended from the date of the violation. You can enforce your right through a trade union, a patronato or the National Labour Inspectorate (INL). If spontaneous conversion does not occur, you can file a claim with the labour court within 180 days of termination.

You are entitled to the same economic and regulatory treatment as a permanent worker for the entire duration of the fixed-term contract.

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Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro

Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro (INL)

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Frequently asked questions

Responsible authority

Authority

Ispettorato Nazionale del Lavoro (INL)

Phone

1500

Certified email

Website

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The information in this guide is for orientation only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Always verify on the official portal of the responsible authority.