The social security, welfare and health protection of workers is guaranteed even when they work abroad. This is done through the European Union regulations and the international conventions that Italy has concluded with certain third countries, or in their absence, through the national legislation set out in Law No 398/1987.
Working in the European Union
As an EU citizen, you have the right to work for an employer or as a self-employed person in any EU country without the need for a work permit.
Frontier workers
If you work in one EU country and live in another country and return every day, or at least once a week, you are considered a cross-border commuter according to EU (or border) legislation.
Financial benefits will be paid to you by the institution of the country where you work.
Benefits in kind may also be provided in your country of residence.
Seafarers workers
If you are employed or self-employed on board a vessel flying the flag of a Member State, you are subject to the legislation of that State.
If you pursue an activity on a ship flying the flag of a Member State, but you are paid for your activity by an undertaking established in a Member State other than that of the ship flying the flag, you will be insured in the State where the undertaking is established if you are resident in that State.
Benefits for migrant workers
- The benefits in cash to migrant workers within the European Union are paid by the National Institute for Insurance against Accidents at Work (INAIL), as the competent institution for workers insured with the Authority (unless agreements or conventions have been concluded that impose other regulations).
- Benefits in kind will be provided:
- a. by the institution of the Member State in which the worker resides or stays. Therefore, if the worker is insured with INAIL, statutory medical examinations and health benefits (such as prostheses, orthopaedic aids and other special devices) will be provided by the Institute as the competent institution;
- b. by the institution of the Member State in which the worker resides or stays on behalf of the competent institution, if the worker resides or stays in a State other than that with which he or she is insured.
Migrant workers in Italy insured in another Member State
Workers who stay and reside in Italy for work reasons and are insured in another Member State, or who reside in Italy but receive benefits in cash for accidents at work or occupational diseases from the competent institution of another State within the European Union, receive the benefits in kind to which they are entitled, on submission of form PD DA1 or form SED DA001 drawn up by the institution of the European Union country of origin.
References to accident insurance services and rules
Additional information on the website of MISSOC, ‘Mutual Information System on Social Protection’:
European Commission — Italy, benefits in case of accidents at work or occupational diseases
Requests via form PD DA1: form relating to the right to receive benefits in kind.
EESSI Access Point: System of communication between Member States, institutions and liaison bodies of the European Union for the electronic exchange of social security information.
Regulation (EU) No 465/2012: amending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004
European Community Regulation 1231/2010: extending Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 and Regulation (EC) No 987/2009 to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by these Regulations solely on the grounds of their nationality
Regulation No 859 of 2003: extending the provisions of Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 and Regulation (EEC) No 574/72 to nationals of third countries who are not already covered by those provisions solely on the grounds of their nationality
European Community Regulation 988/2009: on the coordination of social security systems
European Community Regulation 987/2009: laying down the procedure for implementing Regulation (EC) No 883/2004 on the coordination of social security systems
European Community Regulation 883/2004: on the coordination of social security systems
European Community Regulation 574/1972: fixing the procedure for implementing Regulation (EEC) No 1408/71 on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community in force only in respect of annuities for mixed risk-sharing fibrotic pneumoconiosis
European Community Regulation 1408/1971: on the application of social security schemes to employed persons and their families moving within the Community in force only in respect of annuities for mixed risk-sharing fibrotic pneumoconiosis