Italy is world-renowned as a center of culture and cuisine. From the Sistine Chapel to the Duomo di Firenze, from Pizza in Naples to Cacio e Pepe in Rome, there’s no place like it. Increasingly, it’s a prime place to find international talent, too.
The reason is clear: Italy is home to employees skilled in industries like IT and design. But the process of navigating local labor laws can be complex.
One of the most effective ways to guarantee compliant hiring in Italy — from onboarding to administering employee benefits — is partnering with an Employer of Record (EOR).
But how can you be sure which EOR will be the best fit?
Key takeaways:
- An EOR that works with partners whose local expertise can offer your business the most adaptable, cost-effective expertise.
- Hidden fees can increase the costs of Employer of Record services, leading to sticker shock when the bill arrives.
- HR integrations can be helpful but can also make a service difficult to use when they aren't seamless.
Best Italian Employer of Record Quick View
It’s Easy to See the Beauty of Hiring In Italy
Why look for remote talent in Italy? The country is an ideal market for sourcing top-tier professionals who bring a unique blend of creativity, technical prowess, and a strong sense of focus to their work.
Plus, a growing acceptance of remote and hybrid work models across Italy makes it easier for businesses to tap into a motivated workforce eager for flexible opportunities.
RemoFirst
RemoFirst stands out as a budget-friendly and efficient solution for businesses looking to expand globally, especially startups and small businesses.
We offer transparent rates and zero hidden fees, so you'll always know your total costs upfront. RemoFirst’s pricing starts at $199 per full-time employee per month and $25 per month for contractors, making us one of the most affordable EOR providers on the market.
Our user-friendly platform allows you to easily manage both employees and independent contractors. We offer a fast onboarding process, often taking as little as one to three days, a dedicated account manager, and 24/5 customer support.
We work closely with our local partners in Italy, ensuring that your company will always be in full legal compliance with local employment laws, including those governing:
- Working hours
- Minimum wage
- Social Security contributions
- Healthcare
- Public holidays and annual leave
- Parental leave
- Sick leave
- Severance pay
Beyond administering global payroll and ensuring compliance, RemoFirst provides a wide range of services, including:
- Assistance with immigration paperwork, such as visas and work permits
- Managing benefits, including localized private health insurance through RemoHealth and RemoHealth Local
- Shipping equipment like laptops and monitors to new hires
Investing in new tools and services to make managing international teams even easier for our clients is one of our top priorities.
TL;DR: RemoFirst is often the best choice for companies seeking an affordable, efficient, and comprehensive global hiring platform.
Oyster
Beyond the standard EOR functions, such as payroll processing and benefits administration, Oyster also offers perks like Oyster Academy, an online learning platform designed for remote professionals.
The Oyster platform is generally user-friendly, offering integrations with tools like QuickBooks and Slack. This makes it a practical solution for organizations with remote Italian employees aiming to streamline their HR operations.
However, it’s worth noting that Oyster's services can be expensive, at approximately $699 per employee per month. And that’s just to start. Once you factor in fees and optional features, Oyster is one of the more expensive EOR options in the Italian market, making it a better fit for enterprise-level companies with bigger budgets.
Reviews of the platform occasionally mention slower-than-desired customer service response times and delays in processing employee reimbursements.
For a more in-depth look at how RemoFirst compares to Oyster, check out our RemoFirst vs. Oyster page and Oyster’s G2 profile.
Deel
Deel owns legal entities in the majority of countries where it operates. While this gives the company direct control over operations, it also means Deel is on the hook for all operational expenses associated with maintaining its entities. As a result, its pricing can be on the high side compared to some of its competitors.
Pricing for full-time employees begins at $599 per month, with contractor management starting at $49 per month. And keep in mind those base costs might not cover everything. Extra fees, like offboarding charges, can add up quickly.
On the plus side, Deel integrates with over 20 popular HR tools, such as Slack, QuickBooks, and Dropbox, making it a good fit for companies seeking an EOR with integration capabilities.
Some Deel users have noted a steep learning curve with the platform's interface, making adoption challenging. This is complicated by reportedly slow customer support response times during periods of high demand.
For a more in-depth comparison of how RemoFirst compares to Deel, check out the RemoFirst vs. Deel page, and check out their G2 profile for more customer reviews.
Remote
Like Deel, Remote often owns local entities in the countries it serves. The company is known for its user-friendly platform and API integration system that allows companies to embed EOR functionalities, like Workday, into their workflows.
Remote also offers added protection for clients' intellectual property through its proprietary IP Guard feature — a priority for companies in tech, R&D, or any industry where safeguarding IP is critical.
While Remote aims for a streamlined experience, some users have stated that the platform's analytics capabilities can be limited. Some customer reviews also mention instances of payment delays or overcharges.
Remote's services start at $599 per employee per month. For contractors, the monthly cost starts at $29 per person.
If you’re looking for a more in-depth comparison of how RemoFirst compares to Remote, check out the RemoFirst vs. Remote page, or visit Remote’s G2 profile for more insight directly from customers.
Velocity Global
Velocity Global offers an EOR solution for businesses that want to establish or expand their presence in Italy. The company emphasizes compliance, leveraging in-country legal, HR, and payroll management specialists to navigate the intricacies of Italian labor laws.
Beyond core EOR services, Velocity Global provides tailored benefits packages and can assist with the immigration process in Italy if necessary. It also integrates with most major HRIS systems like HiBob, Greenhouse, and Workable.
Velocity Global's pricing is not public, so potential customers must reach out directly to get a quote.
While the service does not charge termination fees, a 30-day notice period is required to offboard an employee, making scaling difficult.
For more insight into Velocity Global, check out their G2 profile.
Globalization Partners (G-P)
Globalization Partners (G-P) often positions itself as an EOR solution appropriate for larger enterprises that employ global talent, and it provides extensive risk management solutions.
G-P's platform includes an intuitive dashboard for navigating employee information. They also offer an AI-powered assistant designed to help with tasks such as identifying potential misclassification risks, suggesting interview questions, and drafting employment contracts tailored to Italian laws.
However, prospective clients should be aware of G-P's pricing structure. Their EOR services start at $699 per employee per month, typically with a 12-month minimum contract. Contractor pricing starts at $39 per person per month.
Users also report additional charges that can significantly increase the total cost, including country setup fees, wire transfer fees, and employee offboarding charges.
This less-than-transparent pricing model and the potential for accumulating extra costs can make G-P an expensive choice. Check out our RemoFirst vs. G-P page and G-P’s G2 profile for customer insight.
Compliant and Cost-Effective Hiring in Italy with RemoFirst
While there are several EOR options to choose from when hiring Italian remote employees, RemoFirst offers some of the most flexibility, as well as budget-friendly pricing with absolutely no hidden fees.
We can take care of the entire HR cycle, including:
- Background checks
- Drafting contracts compliant with Italian law
- Onboarding
- Shipping equipment, if needed
- Global payroll
- Management of time off, equity, bonuses, and more
- Assistance with visas and work permits
- Private health insurance
Ready to learn more about how we can help you build your team in Italy? Schedule a demo today to explore how RemoFirst makes it easier to hire employees in 185+ countries across the globe, including Italy.
