Italy’s largest labour federation, CGIL, has called a 24-hour general strike for Friday, 12 December 2025, in protest against the government’s 2026 budget bill. The walk-out affects virtually all public and private sectors but the biggest operational impact will be on ground transport: urban buses, trams, metro services and most regional and inter-city trains. Airlines are excluded this time—Italy’s air-traffic controllers already have a separate strike set for 17 December—yet rail-to-air connections and last-mile links to airports will not be spared.
Under Italian law, ‘fasce di garanzia’ (protected service windows) must be provided locally, but timings vary widely. For example, Milan’s ATM network will run only before 08:45 and between 15:00-18:00; Rome’s ATAC staff are not participating, while Florence, Naples and Bologna each have split shifts with long service gaps in mid-day and late evening. Freight rail is also expected to slow, causing potential delays for just-in-time supply chains.
Deputy-Prime-Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini labelled the strike “irresponsible,” arguing it will cost the economy millions on a busy pre-Christmas Friday. CGIL leader Maurizio Landini countered that wage stagnation and budget cuts leave workers no alternative. Tensions escalated after Salvini mocked the union for scheduling 17 of its last 24 general strikes on Fridays, implying the action creates convenient long weekends; Landini replied that Friday strikes maximise participation without paralysing Monday production.
![Nation-wide CGIL strike on 12 December to halt buses and trains—business travellers urged to revise itineraries]()
If the disruption forces foreign travellers to change plans or overstay, VisaHQ can help by fast-tracking Italian visa applications or extensions and clarifying Schengen requirements. Their portal—https://www.visahq.com/italy/—offers step-by-step guidance for dozens of nationalities, ensuring paperwork doesn’t become another travel headache during the strike period.
Practical advice for mobility managers: issue travel alerts to employees, allow remote work where feasible and encourage travellers to pre-book taxi or ride-hailing services well outside peak hours. High-speed rail operator Italo says it will guarantee ‘minimum connections’ but warns of last-minute cancellations. Clients holding Trenitalia tickets for affected trains can rebook within 48 hours or obtain a refund.
Although business aviation and scheduled flights will operate normally, crowding at Rome Termini, Milan Centrale and Florence SMN stations is likely on Thursday night as travellers try to beat the disruption. Companies with critical cargo should reroute through maritime corridors or postpone shipment until after the weekend.
Under Italian law, ‘fasce di garanzia’ (protected service windows) must be provided locally, but timings vary widely. For example, Milan’s ATM network will run only before 08:45 and between 15:00-18:00; Rome’s ATAC staff are not participating, while Florence, Naples and Bologna each have split shifts with long service gaps in mid-day and late evening. Freight rail is also expected to slow, causing potential delays for just-in-time supply chains.
Deputy-Prime-Minister and Transport Minister Matteo Salvini labelled the strike “irresponsible,” arguing it will cost the economy millions on a busy pre-Christmas Friday. CGIL leader Maurizio Landini countered that wage stagnation and budget cuts leave workers no alternative. Tensions escalated after Salvini mocked the union for scheduling 17 of its last 24 general strikes on Fridays, implying the action creates convenient long weekends; Landini replied that Friday strikes maximise participation without paralysing Monday production.
If the disruption forces foreign travellers to change plans or overstay, VisaHQ can help by fast-tracking Italian visa applications or extensions and clarifying Schengen requirements. Their portal—https://www.visahq.com/italy/—offers step-by-step guidance for dozens of nationalities, ensuring paperwork doesn’t become another travel headache during the strike period.
Practical advice for mobility managers: issue travel alerts to employees, allow remote work where feasible and encourage travellers to pre-book taxi or ride-hailing services well outside peak hours. High-speed rail operator Italo says it will guarantee ‘minimum connections’ but warns of last-minute cancellations. Clients holding Trenitalia tickets for affected trains can rebook within 48 hours or obtain a refund.
Although business aviation and scheduled flights will operate normally, crowding at Rome Termini, Milan Centrale and Florence SMN stations is likely on Thursday night as travellers try to beat the disruption. Companies with critical cargo should reroute through maritime corridors or postpone shipment until after the weekend.
