Fixed-Term Employment Contract
Plain English
It's a fixed-term employment contract with a start and an end date. Italian law sets limits on how long it can last and how many times it can be renewed before it must convert to a permanent contract.
Why it matters
Many first jobs in Italy start with a tempo determinato. It still counts as a real CCNL contract with INPS contributions, holidays, and TFR. The end date matters a lot for things like mortgage applications.
Real example
"Vera signed a 12-month tempo determinato at a publishing house in Pescara, then a 6-month renewal, after which her contract converted to permanent. Each step was registered with INPS."
Common confusion
There are legal caps on how many fixed-term contracts you can stack in a row with the same employer. After those caps, the contract should convert to permanent.
Official source
Ministero del Lavoro