Italy's INPS delays Bonus for Young Self‑Employed, payments expected in September

The Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS) has announced that the review of applications for the "Bonus under 35" – a €500 monthly contribution for young self‑employed workers – will be completed by the end of August, with payments slated for September. Hundreds of applicants whose requests were initially rejected for alleged errors in INPS databases have been waiting around 50 days for a decision.

A collective request from about 50 claimants was presented to INPS, prompting a parliamentary question by Senator Orfeo Mazzella to Labour Minister Marina Elvira Calderone, urging faster processing. The bonus, introduced in 2024 with a €1 billion fund, was extended in January 2026 to include freelancers with an active VAT registration, provided they meet criteria such as unemployment before starting the activity, a suitable ATECO code, and compliance with contribution obligations.