Italian social welfare and family support measures

Italy is implementing various regional and national welfare measures aimed at supporting families, caregivers, and specific demographic groups.

In late August 2026, regional initiatives were introduced to assist female entrepreneurs and families. The Varese Chamber of Commerce launched a 45,000 euro fund providing grants of up to 5,000 euros to women managing professional and family duties, specifically those caring for children under 14 or family members with disabilities. Simultaneously, Liguria allocated 7 million euros for family welfare bonuses, including monthly payments for babysitters and family assistants.

Following these regional updates, the Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport finalized regulations for a national 60 million euro housing support fund. This fund, to be distributed in annual installments of 20 million euros between 2026 and 2028, aims to cover 50% of rental costs—up to 6,000 euros annually—for separated or divorced parents with dependent children and limited income. Other fiscal updates include tax deductions for university students living away from home and upcoming changes to residential renovation tax credits.

Recent data highlights significant divergence in the housing and credit markets. The university rental market shows high price volatility; while single rooms in Potenza start at 150 euros, premium student housing in Rome can reach 1,000 euros, with some double rooms costing up to 1,500 euros. A housing shortage persists in Cagliari, where regional residences meet only a fraction of demand. Meanwhile, mortgage trends vary by region: Puglia saw a 7.5% increase in family mortgage disbursements in the first quarter of 2026, whereas areas like Lecco in Lombardy experienced a 0.9% decrease.