Posted workers from and to Italy. Facts and figures

This report analyses recent trends in the posting of workers to and from Italy within the European Union, drawing on administrative datasets from the Italian public administration (2022–2024), European Commission annual reports on Portable Documents (PDs) A1, and inspection records. The findings show that posting involving Italy has expanded markedly, reflecting changes in sending and receiving countries, sectoral labour demand, and strengthened regulatory oversight. Incoming postings to Italy increased steadily between 2022 and 2024, accompanied by a concomitant growth in the number of postings, posted workers, and posting employers. Romania, Germany, and Poland remain the main sending countries, while Eastern European Member States have gained increasing importance. The phenomenon exhibits a marked gender disparity, with males predominating due to the concentration of postings in construction, manufacturing, and transport. However, female incoming postings from a limited number of countries are comparatively higher in service and healthcare sectors. Posting durations are generally short, though notable cross-country differences persist. Despite representing a small share of total employment, posted work has significant localised impacts, especially in construction, logistics, transport, and high-skill services. Outgoing postings from Italy have grown sharply over the past decade, positioning Italy as the third-largest sending country in Europe by 2023, with France, Switzerland, and Germany as key destinations. Finally, inspection data indicate strengthened enforcement, with rising numbers of workers receiving protection by labour inspectorates and detected violations, highlighting both the expansion of posting activities and enhanced cooperation between national and European authorities.