Italy Vacation Law Overview
Complete guide to Italian vacation law (ferie). Understand your legal rights, employer obligations, and how the Italian system protects workers' time off.
Legal Framework
Italian vacation law is governed by the Civil Code (Article 2109), Legislative Decree 66/2003, and enhanced by national collective labor agreements (CCNL). The Constitution also protects the right to rest.
Minimum Entitlements
All workers are entitled to at least 4 weeks (20 days) of paid annual leave. This cannot be waived or monetized during employment. Collective agreements typically provide more.
Use Requirements
2 weeks must be taken consecutively within the calendar year. The remaining 2 weeks must be taken within 18 months of the end of the accrual year.
Employer Obligations
Employers must ensure workers take their leave and cannot pay out vacation instead of granting time off. They may face penalties for unused leave beyond deadlines.