You can also autonomously work for a client, natural or legal person.
To be entitled to the social security protection provided for self-employed workers, it is necessary to register with one of the administrative managements established at INPS: small businesses, commercial activities, self-employed agricultural workers, separate management.
If you are carrying out business activities, you must apply for registration by means of the Single Notification (ComUnica) in the Business Register managed by Unioncamere.
The Single Company Start-up Notification enables, by means of a single electronic submission, the administrative requirements for registration in the Business Register to be unified with those laid down for social security, welfare and tax purposes. Tasks such as declaration of commencement of activities, changes in data (e.g. change in activity, change in name, change of registered office and/or operational offices), cessation of activities may be carried out through the ComUnica. This mailing system can be used by accessing the website of the Business Register, which represents the unified IT interface of the CCIAA (Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Crafts and Agriculture), in which Italian, foreign, established or local entities in Italy and other entities engaged in an economic activity directed at third parties are required to register. The registration of artisans (Law No 463 of 1959), of the operators of commercial activities (Law No 613 of 1966), of self-employed agricultural workers (Law No 9 of 1963) in the special INPS management takes place through the Single Notification (ComUnica), as required by Article 9 of Legislative Decree No 7 of 31 January 2007, converted by Law No 40 of 2 April 2007 and subsequent amendments.
Companies that cooperate with family members must submit an application by means of a Single Notification (ComUnica) to the Business Register, including for the registration of family workers (workers or helpers). For the Management of Small Businesses, the following are considered family members: spouse and second- and third-degree relatives. For the management of commercial activities, in addition to spouses and third-degree relatives, similar persons are considered to be third-degree family members. In the case of a direct agricultural management business, in addition to their spouse and fourth-degree relatives, also fourth-degree related persons shall be treated as family members of the holder.
If you belong to the following categories of workers: midwives, landlords, third- and fourth-party insurance producers, you must register with the Business Management. You can register via the INPS 'Craftsmen and Traders' service, using the management registration service described in the INPS procedures section.
If you are a dependent self-employed worker, you must register with the separately managed scheme, in accordance with Article 2(26) of Law No 335 of 8 August 1995. The following shall be considered to be dependent self-employed workers:
- entities with coordinated and continuous forms of cooperation (co.co);
- home sellers with an income exceeding EUR 5,000;
- company directors and corporate office holders;
- non-dependent customs agents;
- the recipients of research grants;
- recipients of scholarships for taking part in PhD courses;
- local administrators;
- casual self-employed persons with an income above EUR 5,000;
- doctors with specialist training contracts;
- occasional ancillary workers.
As a dependent self-employed worker, you can register using the service for dependent self-employed and occasional workers, ‘Subscription to the separately managed scheme, described in the INPS procedures section.
If you are a self-employed independent professional, you can contact the Revenue Agency for information on how to open the VAT number.
If your activity does not have a social security fund (e.g. INARCASSA for architects and engineers, ENPAM for doctors, etc.) or if, at the same time as your professional activity, you also perform another activity covered by contributions, you must register with the separately managed scheme, using the INPS service for the registration of independent professionals, 'Registration with separately managed scheme' described in the INPS procedures section.
INPS Procedures Section
Name of the procedure: Dependent self-employed workers — Registration with separately managed scheme
- Links: https://www.inps.it/NuovoportaleINPS/default.aspx?iiDServizio=2501
- Authority responsible for the INPS procedure
- INPS – National Social Security Institution – Via Ciro il grande 21
- Steps of the procedure
- Authentication, Acquisition of Request and Issuance of Protocol Number
- Means of authentication, identification, signature accepted for the procedure
- SPID, CIE, CNS, INPS PIN
- Type and format of documentary evidence
- At the end of the procedure the protocol is generated and received
- Estimated deadlines and timescales
- The part-time worker is required to register with the separately managed scheme within 30 days from the start of the activity
- Any additional languages in which the procedure can be carried out.
- German
Name of the procedure: Independent professional – Registration with separately managed scheme
Links: https://www.inps.it/NuovoportaleINPS/default.aspx?iiDServizio=2501
- Authority responsible for the INPS procedure
- INPS – National Social Security Institution – Via Ciro il grande 21
- Steps of the procedure
- Authentication, Acquisition of Request and Issuance of Protocol Number
- Authentication, Identification, Signature Accepted for the procedure
- SPID, CIE, CNS and INPS PIN
- Type and format of documentary evidence
- At the end of the procedure a protocol number is generated and the receipt issued
- Estimated deadlines and timescales
- Independent professionals are required to register with the separately managed scheme within 30 days from the start of any activity
- Any additional languages in which the procedure can be carried out.
- German
Names of registration procedures for craftsmen, traders and other special categories
Business Single Communication — ComUnica— Head of Unioncamere.
Registration for the management of workers engaged in commercial activities shall be carried out using the available Business Single Communication, for which Unioncamere is responsible.
Links: https://www.registroimprese.it/impresa-individuale
Small Businesses and Trades> registration request Trades Management – INPS (National Institute for Social Security) Manager.
If you belong to a particular category (midwives, landlords, third and fourth group insurance producers) for whom registration in the Business Register is not mandatory, you can register for the management of commercial activities directly through an application handled by the INPS. The information below relates only to the INPS service.
Links: https://www.inps.it/NuovoportaleINPS/default.aspx?iiDServizio=2471
- Competent authority responsible for the procedure, including contact details (email address and telephone);
- INPS – National Social Security Institution – Via Ciro il grande 21
- Steps of the procedure
- Authentication, compilation of the registration application form, issue of the receipt containing the protocol number concerned; Management of applications with eventual request for documentation; Acceptance of the application; Notification of the outcome of the application.
- Login details, identification, and signature required by the procedure
- SPID, CIE, CNS, INPS PIN
- Authorised intermediaries (employment consultants, trade associations) may also have access to these services
- Type and format of documentary evidence
- If the application is accepted, a registered letter with the registration details shall be sent to the certified email address or address indicated in the application.
- Means of redress or appeal
- A single administrative appeal to be submitted within 30 days to the Management Committee for the Administration of Social Security Contributions and Benefits of Business Operators.The appeal must be sent electronically only using the procedure available under the 'Online Services' procedure on the website www.inps.it
If, on the other hand, you want to work as self-employed in a profession for which registration is required in the appropriate register (e.g. surveyors, doctors, architects), you must contact the respective social security funds to find out how to register, which is essential for receiving the corresponding social security cover