Unemployment benefits for border workers in Italy

Context

In short

• NASpI is the Italian unemployment benefit.
• It is reserved for workers who have lost their jobs involuntarily.
• The maximum amount and duration depend on the contributions paid.
• The application must be submitted to INPS.

Key facts

• What: NASpI allowance for Italian cross-border workers.
• When: Available after involuntary job loss.
• Where: Managed by INPS in Italy.
• Who: Former Italian border workers.
• Amount: Variable based on contributions paid.

The NASpI unemployment benefit (New Social Insurance for Employment) represents a fundamental support for Italian cross-border workers who lose their job in Switzerland for reasons beyond their control. This tool provides temporary economic support, allowing those interested to face the period of unemployment with greater serenity. The NASpI is an economic aid in lieu of salary, provided by the INPS (National Institute of Social Security), for the benefit of those who meet certain contribution and involuntary unemployment requirements. It is important to be informed about the requirements to access this measure and how the amount due is calculated.

Operational details

Requirements to access NASpI

To benefit from the NASpI, former Italian cross-border workers must comply with some fundamental requirements. First of all, it is necessary to have lost your job involuntarily, for example due to dismissal for reasons beyond your control. Furthermore, the worker must have accumulated at least 13 weeks of contributions in the four years preceding the termination of the employment relationship, also counting the periods of work in Switzerland certified by the U1 portable document. The requirement of 30 days of actual work in the previous 12 months no longer applies to unemployment events from 1 January 2022. It is important to underline that the NASpI is not accessible to those who resign voluntarily, except in exceptional cases such as resignation for just cause.

Calculation of the amount and duration

The amount of NASpI is calculated on the basis of the average salary of the last four working years. In 2026 the allowance is equal to 75% of the average monthly salary up to €1,456.72, plus 25% of the part that exceeds this threshold. The maximum amount that can be paid is subject to a maximum ceiling established annually: €1,584.70 per month in 2026. From the sixth month of use, the allowance is reduced by 3% each month; for those aged 55 or over on the date of application the reduction starts from the eighth month. The duration of the allowance, however, is equal to half of the contribution weeks paid in the last four years, with a maximum limit of 24 months. This means that, for example, a worker with 36 months of accrued contributions will be able to receive the NASpI for a period of 18 months.

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Key points

Procedure for requesting NASpI

Access to the NASpI requires a specific procedure, which must be followed carefully to ensure correct disbursement of the subsidy. Former cross-border workers must submit the application directly to INPS within 68 days of termination of the employment relationship. The necessary documentation includes the U1 form, issued by the competent office in Switzerland, and other personal and work documents required by INPS.

Differences with unemployment in Switzerland

Unlike what happens in Switzerland, where the unemployment system is managed at cantonal level and provides for contributions paid directly in the country, for the cross-border worker resident in Italy who remains completely unemployed, the NASpI is paid by the INPS as the State of residence (art. 65 of Regulation (EC) 883/2004): the INPS counts the Swiss work periods certified by the U1 document and calculates the amount on the salary received in Switzerland. It is therefore essential that cross-border workers are aware of the differences between the two systems in order to better manage their working future.

For more information on how to manage your work and social security situation in Switzerland, consult our calcolatore stipendio for a detailed analysis of your contractual and tax rights and obligations between Italy and Switzerland.

Sources: Legislative Decree 4 March 2015, n. 22, articles. 3-6 (https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2015-03-04;22); Ministry of Labour, NASpI sheet (https://www.lavoro.gov.it/temi-e-priorita/ammortizzatori-sociali/focus-on/indennita-disoccupazione/naspi/pagine/naspi); INPS, circular no. 2 of 4 January 2022 (https://www.inps.it/it/it/inps-comunica/atti/circolari-messaggi-e-normativa/dettaglio.circolari-e-messaggi.2022.01.circolare-numero-2-del-04-01-2022_13665.html); INPS, circular no. 4 of 28 January 2026, 2026 amounts (https://www.inps.it/it/it/inps-comunica/atti/circolari-messaggi-e-normativa/dettaglio.circolari-e-messaggi.2026.01.circolare-numero-4-del-28-01-2026_15147.html); INPS, fact sheet on unemployment compensation for cross-border workers (https://www.inps.it/it/it/dettaglio-scheda.it.schede-servizio-strumento.schede-servizi.50188.Indennit--di-disoccupazione-lavoratori-frontalieri-e-diversi-dai-frontalieri%2C-prevista-dai-Regolamenti-UE-di-sicurezza-sociale.html); regulation (EC) no. 883/2004, articles. 61, 62 and 65 (https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal-content/IT/TXT/?uri=CELEX:02004R0883-20190731).