The INAIL (Istituto Nazionale per l’Assicurazione contro gli Infortuni sul Lavoro) is one of Italy’s main public welfare institutions. It plays a fundamental role in protecting workers who suffer injuries, illnesses, or disabilities caused by their job. Understanding what INAIL does helps anyone working or living in Italy, especially if you are an employee, freelancer, or foreign worker.
👉 Related: read more about the Italian Welfare System.
What Is INAIL?
INAIL is Italy’s National Institute for Insurance Against Workplace Accidents. Established in 1933, it was created to provide mandatory insurance coverage for workers exposed to risks at work. Every company or employer operating in Italy must register its employees with INAIL, ensuring that they receive protection in case of injury or occupational disease.
The institute’s purpose is twofold:
- To compensate workers who are injured or fall ill because of their job.
- To promote prevention and workplace safety through training and research.
INAIL operates under the supervision of the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies, making it a public entity financed by employer contributions and managed according to national labor laws.
INAIL vs. INPS
Many newcomers to Italy confuse INAIL with INPS, but they serve different roles.
- INPS handles pensions, unemployment benefits, and family allowances.
- INAIL, instead, focuses exclusively on accident insurance and rehabilitation.
Both institutions are part of Italy’s extensive welfare system, which offers wide protection compared to many other countries, even though it has been gradually reduced in recent years due to funding cuts and political changes.
👉 For more on how these two institutions connect, see our guide: INPS in Italy Explained.
What INAIL Covers
INAIL provides assistance in cases of:
- Workplace accidents: injuries that occur while performing professional duties or commuting (in itinere).
- Occupational diseases: illnesses linked to prolonged exposure to harmful materials, repetitive movements, or stressful environments.
- Permanent disability or death: compensation to the worker or their family in severe cases.
Coverage includes not only financial compensation but also medical care, rehabilitation, and support for reintegration into the workforce. INAIL may also provide prosthetic devices, physiotherapy, or job retraining if the worker can no longer perform their previous duties.
Reporting an Accident
When an accident happens, the process must follow specific steps:
- The worker informs the employer immediately.
- The doctor who provides initial treatment issues a medical certificate describing the injury.
- The employer reports the accident to INAIL, usually within two days.
- INAIL verifies the claim and may request further documentation or medical evaluations.
Delays in reporting can slow down compensation, so it’s important to act quickly. INAIL has streamlined much of this process through its online platform, allowing both companies and employees to submit documents digitally.
INAIL’s Role in Prevention and Safety
INAIL does not only handle accidents after they happen — it also plays a major role in preventing them. The institute conducts research, funds training programs, and collaborates with companies to reduce risks in workplaces.
In recent years, INAIL has invested heavily in digital tools and data-driven safety campaigns, helping employers identify the most common causes of accidents. It also supports innovation through grants for safety technologies and workplace redesign.
By law, INAIL publishes an annual statistical report showing national trends in injuries and occupational diseases. These reports provide transparency and guide policymaking in Italy’s ongoing efforts to improve labor conditions.
Support for Foreign Workers
Foreign workers — both EU and non-EU — are fully covered by INAIL as long as they have a legal employment contract. The insurance applies regardless of nationality or language, and in many cases INAIL offices offer multilingual assistance.
If you are an independent contractor or freelancer, you may still be required to register and pay contributions to INAIL, depending on the nature of your activity. This ensures that you, too, are protected in case of an accident.
Relationship with Trade Unions
Trade unions, or sindacati, often collaborate with INAIL to assist workers who have trouble filing claims or appealing decisions. They provide legal advice, help interpret medical evaluations, and can represent the worker in administrative procedures.
👉 You can read more about unions in our guide: Sindacati in Italy Explained.
Digitalization and Modernization
In the past decade, INAIL has modernized its services with online portals, certified email systems (PEC), and digital identity access (SPID). These allow users to download certificates, track claims, and communicate directly with officials without visiting a local office.
Employers can manage contributions and reports entirely online, reducing bureaucracy and improving transparency — an important step in Italy’s broader digital transformation of the public sector.
The Role of INAIL
INAIL represents one of the pillars of Italy’s social safety net. Despite bureaucracy and funding challenges, it remains essential for maintaining fair labor standards and worker dignity.
Whether you are an Italian citizen, an expat, or a seasonal worker, understanding your rights with INAIL ensures that you are protected in one of the most comprehensive welfare systems in Europe.
Key Takeaways
- INAIL provides insurance for workplace accidents and occupational diseases.
- Every employer in Italy must register employees with INAIL.
- INAIL offers compensation, medical support, and rehabilitation.
- It also funds research and training to prevent accidents.
- Foreign workers are fully covered if legally employed in Italy.
- Digital tools like SPID and online platforms simplify procedures.