The contratto a tempo determinato (fixed-term contract) is an employment contract with a predetermined end date. Under D.Lgs. 81/2015 as amended by the Decreto Dignità (D.L. 87/2018), fixed-term contracts may not exceed 24 months in total duration between the same employer and employee across all successive renewals. Contracts up to 12 months may be concluded without stating a reason (acausale); beyond 12 months, the parties must identify one of the specific causali (justifying reasons) prescribed by law or by the applicable CCNL.
Renewals are permitted up to a maximum of four extensions within the 24-month ceiling. Each renewal beyond the first requires a justifying reason. When the maximum duration is exceeded or the legal requirements are not met, the contract is automatically converted into a permanent contract. The employee is also entitled to a proportional share of all CCNL entitlements, including TFR accrual, paid leave, and the tredicesima.
Fixed-term workers earn a small additional contribution to their INPS fund (1.4 percent of gross pay), which the employer pays and which serves as an additional source of funding for NASpI unemployment benefits. This surcharge is returned to the employer if the fixed-term contract is converted to a permanent one.