Domestic work, click day starts tomorrow: 13,600 places for disabled or elderly care in 2026

Tomorrow kicks off the click day for domestic workers, a key step for applications to enter the family care sector. The appointment is part of a flow planning that allocates to the sector 13,600 quotas in 2026, 14,000 in 2027 and 14,200 in 2028, in addition to the 'out-of-quota' of 10,000 units per year for the care of the disabled or elderly, confirming a demand for care that is now structural.

"The click day is an important step in responding to the care needs of families, but on its own it is not enough to strengthen a sector that has become a pillar of the care economy," said Alfredo Savia, president of Nuova Collaborazione, the national association of domestic work employers. 'The real challenge is to encourage regular work and continuity over time. Regularisation is not just an administrative requirement: it means protecting workers, guaranteeing security for families, and giving stability to a sector that has social and economic value for the country. Without simplifications and adequate support for domestic employers, the risk is to weaken this balance. For this reason, we need lasting structural interventions and policies that accompany families in their choice of legality'.

Domestic work represents a significant component of the care economy: in 2024 the sector generated an estimated value of around EUR 17 billion, with an incidence close to 1% of national GDP. This is a significant contribution that confirms the economic weight of the sector, despite signs of a progressive downsizing, due to the reduction in household expenditure on domestic services and the increase in costs. The slowdown in regular employment is also part of this context. According to the latest Inps data, in 2024 there were 817,403 domestic workers with at least one contribution paid, a decrease for the third consecutive year (-3%). Domestic work remains heavily dominated by foreigners, accounting for 68.6% of the employed, down from 2022. Between 2022 and 2024, the foreign component fell by 18%, compared with a smaller contraction among Italians (-13%). In the last year, the change was -3% for foreigners and -2.1% for Italians. By area of origin, workers from Eastern Europe prevailed (34.8%), followed by Italians (31.4%), South American workers (8.5%) and East Asian workers (5.8%).

In this context, Nuova Collaborazione notes, the issue of irregularity remains central. "Undeclared work deprives workers of protection, reduces revenue for the state and leaves both families and workers without adequate guarantees. Promoting regularity therefore means protecting those involved, giving stability to employment relationships and strengthening a sector that has social and economic value for the country. In this context, the click day is a useful tool to respond to the demand for family assistance, but on its own it is not enough to strengthen the sector. Without administrative simplifications and support measures for domestic employers, the risk is to weaken a sector that directly affects employment, legality and welfare sustainability'.