Italy Crew Rates Guide: 2026 Labor Rules & Regulations

QUICK SPECS (Italy/Milan Rules):

• Courage Production Standard Budgeted Day: 10+1 Hours.
• Legal Hard Cap: 11+1 Hours (Force Majeure only).
• Travel Logic: Door-to-Door (Milan Ring > 40km).
• Cancellation Policy: 100% Fee if <72 Hours.
• Regulations Next Review: Scheduled Q2 2026.

Understanding the Italian labor structure is critical for budgeting your Production Service in Italy.

The CPA/APMAL agreement (the standard for Milan-based productions) defines specific limits, but "Base Days" vary by department.

The "Base Day" (8+1): For most technical departments (Camera, Grip, Electric, Sound), the standard daily rate covers 8 hours of work + 1 hour of break.

Producer's Note: International schedules typically require 10+1 hours. We automatically budget 2 hours of pre-planned Overtime (OT) daily to align with global standards.

The "Flat Day" Departments (11+1): Specific key roles have a daily rate that already includes the extended day up to 11 hours of work + 1 hour of break. These roles do not accrue overtime until the 12th hour.

• Who: Production Dept (UPM, Coord), Direction Dept (1st AD, 2nd AD), Location Managers, Set Designers, Wardrobe/Styling, Hair & Makeup (Glam teams).

The Legal Hard Cap (D.Lgs 66/2003): The 11+1 limit is not just an industry guideline; it is mathematically tied to Italian National Law (D.Lgs 66/2003), which mandates 11 consecutive hours of rest every 24 hours.

• The Math: If a crew works 14 hours + 1 hour travel + 1 hour break = 16 hours engaged. This leaves only 8 hours for rest.
• The Risk: Operating beyond the 11+1 cap is not just expensive, it is technically illegal under national safety regulations. In case of an accident, the producer bears full liability for violating mandatory rest periods.

Production schedules often require flexibility. However, Italian labor laws impose triggers based on the "Call Time".

The "Continuous Day" (Orario Continuato): Ideal for fast-paced shoots without a lunch break interruption.

• Structure: 7 hours of continuous work (including a 15-minute snack break).
• The Trigger: Mandatory if Call Time is between 10:00 and 15:30. (Optional for starts between 05:00 - 09:30).
• Extension Costs: If the shoot exceeds 7 hours, a 1-hour break must be granted immediately. Work can then resume for a maximum of 2 additional hours (Total 9+1), but these hours are billed as Double Overtime.

The "Night Shift" (Notturno Ordinario): Applies when the Call Time falls between 16:00 and 22:30.

• Reduced Base: The standard Base Day is reduced by 1 hour (e.g., Technical crew works 7+1 instead of 8+1 for the standard rate).
• Overtime: OT starts one hour earlier. The 1st and 2nd hours of OT are "Simple", while the 3rd and 4th hours become "Double Overtime".

For productions managed by our Milan Service Team, shooting outside the standard "Milan Ring" (40km from the production office), travel time is regulated and compensated.

The 13-Hour Safety Cap: If the crew travels to a location >40km away, the total combined day (Work + Break + Travel) must not exceed 13 hours.

Travel Pay: Travel time outside the 40km zone is compensated as "Simple Overtime".

Recommendation: For shoots in locations like Liguria or Tuscany, budgeting for local accommodation is often more cost-effective than paying daily travel OT.

Flexibility has been removed from the contract to protect freelance workers.

The Rule: Canceling or shifting a confirmed crew member within 72 hours of the call time (excluding Sundays/Holidays) incurs a 100% Cancellation Fee.

Budget Warning: "Weather Days" or last-minute creative shifts must be carefully planned, as crew waivers are no longer standard practice.

Producers budgeting for late 2026 must be aware of the upcoming economic review.

Base Rate Reference: Current reference rates are subject to a mandatory inflationary review scheduled for the first 4 months of 2026.

Advisory: We recommend consulting with a local line producer to get the most up-to-date rate cards before locking budgets for Q3/Q4 2026.

Q: What is the standard working day for technical crew in Italy?

A: Under the Milan CPA agreement, technical roles (e.g., Gaffers, Grips, ACs) have a "Base Day" of 8 hours work + 1 hour break. Overtime applies immediately after the 8th working hour. The legal maximum is 11 hours work + 1 hour break (11+1), or 12+1 if travel to the location is involved (subject to the 13h Door-to-Door cap).

Q: Is there a premium fee for shooting on Sundays?

A: Yes. Sunday is not considered a standard working day. The labor agreement requires a 100% Premium Fee (Double Daily Rate) for any work performed on Sundays or National Holidays. This applies to all technical crew departments.

Q: How does the "Night Shift" impact the budget?

A: If Call Time is between 16:00 and 22:30, the "Base Day" is reduced by one hour (7 hours work + 1 hour break). This means Overtime costs trigger earlier than on a standard day.

Q: Can we shoot without a lunch break ("Continuous Day")?

A: Yes, this is the "Orario Continuato" (7 hours straight). It is mandatory for call times between 10:00 AM and 3:30 PM. However, extending beyond the 7th hour is expensive, as subsequent hours are billed immediately as Double Overtime.

NEED A BUDGET CHECK? Don't let logistics surprise your bottom line. Send us your schedule for a "Stress Test" against Italian Labor Laws. 

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