Redemption of periods of employment abroad

It is an option that allows to redeem periods of employment completed abroad, not covered by social insurance recognised by Italian legislation.

The right of redemption can be exercised by workers who have Italian citizenship at the time of submitting the claim even if they had foreign citizenship during the employment periods to be redeemed. Furthermore, this right to redemption is granted to survivors, whatever their citizenship, of workers who passed away after 30 April 1969, who, at the time of death, were Italian citizens.

On the other hand, employers are not allowed to redeem any periods, even if they are Italian companies or administrations.

Employment periods abroad can be redeemed:

• for countries that have not stipulated social security agreements with Italy;
• for countries that have stipulated social insurance agreements with Italy, in relation to periods which are not covered by agreement and which, therefore, cannot be evaluated under the conventional regime for the purposes of completing the right to a pension.

The employment period can be redeemed in whole or in part (for instance only the weeks necessary to complete the pension requirements).

Contributions can be credited only after a retroactive payment of contribution charge and can be used concerning the right and the amount of all pensions.

Requirements

Proof on the existence and duration of the employment relationship must be provided for acceptance of the claim for redemption.

The existence of the employment relationship must be proven by original documentation, relevant and dating back to the same work or even subsequent periods, but in any case early with respect to the claim for redemption (pay slips, workbooks, letters of hire, dismissal, employment letters, and similar). Employment-related declarations issued by foreign public institutes certifying the employment relationship and its duration, duly translated, are considered valid. The declarations lacking the aforementioned characteristics and issued ex post facto by the employer must be validated by the consular authorities with regard to the content thereof, and are therefore based on appropriate checks and verifications relating to the actual completion of the employment relationship.

The other elements of the employment relationship such as the duration, the compensation, the qualification can be proven by other means, also verbally.

If these documents were prepared in a foreign language, a translation must be produced and validated by the diplomatic or consular authority of the country from which the documents originate, or by legally authorised translators. If the applicant resides abroad, the translation must be validated by the Italian consular or diplomatic authority of the country of residence or of the country in whose language the documents have been drawn up.

When can I claim?

The claim for redemption of work abroad can be submitted at any time, even after pension payments have been granted.

How can I claim?

The claim must be submitted online to INPS via the dedicated service.

Alternatively, the claim can be submitted:

• by phoning the contact centre at 803 164 (free from Italian landlines) or 06 164164 from mobile phones;
• by telematics services offered by patronage institutes and intermediaries thereof.

For further information or clarification, please refer to INPS Circular no. 46 of 22 March 2021.