The notification of employment relationships is strictly regulated in Italy. As a general rule, every employer must electronically notify the competent labour authorities of the commencement of a new employment relationship before the start of the employment activity. This so-called UniLav notification (Mandatory Employment Communication – Comunicazione Obbligatoria di Assunzione) contains all essential information regarding the employment relationship and serves, in particular, to combat undeclared work.
If the prior notification is not properly completed, significant penalties may be imposed for undeclared employment.
For actual emergencies in which the timely transmission of the UniLav notification before the start of work is objectively impossible, the Italian notification system provides for an exception: the UniUrg notification (Unificato Urgente).
UniUrg is a simplified urgent notification that allows an employer to notify a new employment relationship at short notice and before the start of work if the regular UniLav notification cannot be submitted on time due to an unforeseeable situation.
However, UniUrg does not replace the complete hiring notification; it only represents a temporary emergency notification.
The notification contains only the essential minimum information:
The use of the UniUrg notification is permitted only in exceptional cases. It may not be used as a simplified procedure for ordinary hires, but exclusively when a timely UniLav notification is objectively impossible.
Typical cases may include:
The UniUrg notification is not permitted if the delayed notification is due to poor organisation or deliberately late planning of the hiring process.
Important: UniUrg may only be used for new hires. Changes or terminations of existing employment relationships cannot be processed through this notification.
The UniUrg notification can be submitted by the employer itself (using a digital identity) or electronically by an authorised payroll office or employment law consultant.
Depending on the situation, the submission is made through the relevant online portal of the Ministry of Labour (for tourism companies, a different online portal must be used). After logging in via SPID, CIE or CNS, the required minimum information is entered:
After successful submission, a confirmation receipt is generated. This receipt must be retained by the employer or the appointed service provider, as it serves as proof of timely compliance with the notification obligation and must be indicated in the subsequent UniLav notification.
UniUrg does not replace the complete notification. The regular notification (UniLav) must be completed no later than the following working day, and in any case within 5 days.
UniUrg is an emergency instrument, not a standard procedure.
Companies should consider:
The UniUrg notification allows, in exceptional cases, the immediate commencement of work without a prior UniLav notification. Due to its exceptional nature, it should only be used in genuine emergencies, as improper use may lead to objections and sanctions.