The INPS (Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale) is Italy’s national social security institute. It is the main public body that manages pensions, unemployment benefits, maternity leave, sick pay, family allowances, and many other forms of welfare.
👉 For an overview of the bureaucracy landscape, see: Italian Bureaucracy and Everyday Life: A Guide for Foreigners.
A Brief History
- Founded in 1898 as Cassa Nazionale di Previdenza per l’Invalidità e la Vecchiaia degli Operai, it was originally designed to provide pensions for workers.
- Over the decades, INPS absorbed other smaller pension funds and welfare institutions.
- By the 1990s, it became the central authority for almost all welfare-related matters in Italy.
- Today, it is one of the largest social security organizations in Europe.
Why You Might Need to Deal With INPS
Foreigners living or working in Italy will likely interact with INPS in several situations:
- Pensions (pensione di vecchiaia or anticipata): Anyone contributing to the Italian social security system accumulates pension rights through INPS.
- Unemployment benefits (NASPI): If you lose your job, you apply to INPS for unemployment support.
- Maternity and parental leave: Employees and self-employed workers claim allowances via INPS.
- Sickness benefits: INPS manages compensation when workers are unable to work due to illness.
- Family allowances (Assegno Unico): These payments are tied to your ISEE declaration.
- Contributions (contributi): Employers and freelancers pay mandatory social security contributions to INPS, often alongside their Partita IVA obligations.
How to Access INPS Services
- Online: The INPS portal (inps.it) allows you to access almost all services. You’ll need a SPID, CIE, or CNS to log in.
- Via intermediaries: Many people rely on a CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale) or a commercialista to handle applications and filings.
- In person: Local INPS offices exist in most provinces for more complex cases.
✅ Key Takeaways
INPS is the backbone of Italy’s welfare system. Whether you are an employee, a freelancer with a Partita IVA, or even a foreign resident applying for an ISEE declaration, you will likely interact with INPS at some point. Understanding how contributions work, when you are entitled to benefits, and how to access services online with SPID or CIE can save time and avoid costly mistakes. For complex situations, especially if you are self-employed, working with a commercialista or a local CAF office ensures you stay compliant and get the benefits you are entitled to.