Paternity Leave in Italy
Employed fathers in Italy get 10 compulsory working days of paternity leave at 100% pay. Plan your dates and see the rules.
Last updated: 13 November 2026
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Italy paternity leave at a glance
An employed father receives 10 compulsory paid working days around the birth, doubled for a multiple birth.
- Leave length
- 10 working days; 20 working days for multiple births.
- When to take it
- From 2 months before the expected birth until 5 months after the birth.
- Pay
- INPS pays a daily benefit equal to 100% of your reference pay, normally advanced by your employer.
- Who qualifies
- Private- or public-sector employee fathers, including adoptive and foster fathers. It does not depend on the mother's maternity leave.
- Self-employed fathers
- Self-employed fathers are not covered by this compulsory leave.
Parental leave on top of paternity leave
Employee parents can share up to 10 months of parental leave (11 if the father takes at least 3 months). From 1 January 2026 the window runs until the child is 14.
Good to know
- Days can be split up but not divided into hours.
- Give your employer written notice at least 5 days beforehand where possible.
- The calculator converts 10 working days to 14 calendar days.
Legal entitlement vs employer benefits
The rules above are the legal minimum in Italy. Many employers offer extra paid days or top up statutory pay. Add any employer leave in the calculator above to see your real return-to-work date, and confirm the details with your HR team. To compare pay over the weeks you take off, try the paternity pay calculator.
Other European guides
Frequently asked questions
Editorial note: we summarise official government guidance and link to it. Laws change — always confirm your entitlement with your employer or the relevant authority. This page is not legal advice.