Italy expands 2026 parental leave eligibility and online application

The 2026 budget law introduced significant changes to Italy’s parental‑leave system. All employed parents can now request parental leave online through the INPS portal using SPID, CIE or CNS credentials. The application window for children has been extended – employees may claim leave until the child reaches 12 years (or 12 years after adoption or foster placement), while self‑employed workers have a shorter window of three years.

The reform also raises the maximum age for parental‑leave use to 14 years, allowing families to spread up to ten months of leave (potentially eleven months if the father takes at least three months) over the child’s early years. The first three months of leave are compensated at 80 % of salary, with any additional months paid at 30 %.

Procedurally, requests must be submitted before the leave starts; late submissions are compensated only for days after the filing date, except for technical delays during the portal update in early January 2026. Assistance is available via the INPS contact centre and patronage organisations.