The temporary agency work contract is a specific form of employment relationship characterized by a triangular structure involving three parties:

• The employment agency
• The user company
• The temporary agency worker

In Italy, this type of contract is governed by Legislative Decree No. 81/2015, which replaced the previous framework set out in Legislative Decree No. 276/2003 (the so-called “Biagi Law”).

Recently, the Italian Supreme Court, in Judgment No. 29577 of 2025, established time limits for fixed-term agency work with the same user company.

This ruling has had significant practical repercussions, affecting companies, employment agencies, and temporary workers alike.

According to the judgment, exceeding the 24-month limit of temporary agency work with the same user company renders the contract null and void, involving all three parties to the relationship (the agency, the user company, and the worker).

In such cases, the worker acquires the right to request the establishment of a direct employment relationship with the user company.

This provision aims to ensure greater protection for workers by preventing forms of abuse in long-term temporary assignments and promoting employment stability.

Consequently, companies and employment agencies must pay particular attention to compliance with this regulation in order to avoid the legal consequences arising from exceeding the prescribed limit.

The Law firm remains available for any further clarification.