Italy’s public sector is entering a season of raises, new rights, and a more modern way of working. The latest national contract delivers higher salaries and new flexibility. It also makes clear who benefits and how these increases compare with recent inflation.
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Who Gets the Raise?
The salary increase applies to employees in this secors of public administration:
- all staff in ministerial departments;
- employees of the Agenzia delle Entrate (Revenue Agency) and other fiscal bodies;
- clerks from on-economic public bodies such as INPS and INAIL;
- high-level professionals and managers.
In total, about 193,000 workers fall under this umbrella.
A Clear Salary Bump
The 2022–2024 contract adds an average of €165.85 gross per month, equal to roughly a 6% raise for many workers. Employees also receive nearly €1,000 in arrears. Part of that sum already arrived through a temporary allowance in late 2023, and the rest will follow as payroll systems update.
How This Compares to Inflation
The raise may look generous, but inflation tells a more complex story. Italy faced 8.1% inflation in 2022, followed by 5.7% in 2023, before dropping to around 1% in 2024.
This means salaries did not fully keep up during the high-inflation years, especially 2022. Still, with inflation easing sharply in 2024, the new raise helps workers, just a little, to recover real purchasing power. But it doesn’t completely close the gap from the previous spike in prices.
Different Roles, Different Numbers
The raise changes depending on the job:
- operators, +€121.40 per month;
- assistants, +€127.70;
- officials, +€155.10;
- highly specialized professionals, up to +€193.90.
The new salary amounts take effect from January 2025, and the back pay arrives soon after.
New Rules for Work and Flexibility
The contract also updates how people work. The boldest change is the optional four-day workweek. Employees can compress 36 weekly hours into four days. It’s voluntary but offers a major boost in flexibility.
Remote work gains new recognition too. Employees working from home now receive meal vouchers, something they didn’t get under the previous rules. The contract also grants more paid hours for medical visits and specialist exams. All these changes support a healthier balance between work and everyday life.
Looking Ahead: More Raises on the Horizon
Negotiations for the next contract (2025–2027) have already started. The initial proposal includes another €158 monthly increase, introduced in stages over three years. Unions appreciate the approach but still argue that wages need to grow faster to match the cost of living.
This contract does more than raise salaries. It shows a push to modernize the public sector, offer better work conditions, and rebuild purchasing power after years of inflation.
And while central-function employees move forward, several other public-sector categories still wait for their turn. The healthcare sector has gone the longest without a full contract update or meaningful salary reform.
