INPS launches 2026 Motherhood Bonus and maternity leave digitalization

The Italian National Institute for Social Security (INPS) has announced two major initiatives regarding maternity support. First, the application process for the 2026 Motherhood Bonus (Bonus Mamme 2026) is now open. This income supplement provides 60 euros per month of work, up to a maximum of 720 euros annually. The benefit is available to employed and self-employed mothers with at least two children (where the youngest is under 10) or three or more children (where the youngest is under 18), provided their annual labor income does not exceed 40,000 euros.

Applications must be submitted electronically via the INPS website, through a patronato, or via the Contact Center by December 31, 2026, with an extension to January 31, 2027, for those qualifying in December. Payments are typically issued in a single installment in December.

Simultaneously, INPS is piloting a new digital model in Bologna to simplify maternity leave access. This proactive system uses existing digital data, such as electronic pregnancy certificates and UniEmens contribution flows, to automatically prepare maternity leave applications. The goal is to eliminate the need for workers to submit manual requests, thereby reducing administrative burdens for both employees and businesses.