Economic Decree, final approval by the Chamber of Deputies: from the mother's bonus to reduced VAT for artists, here are the novelties
From the disputed health care payback to measures for industrial competitiveness, to tax interventions in the art market and support for women's work, the decree tries to hold together budgetary needs and demands for fairness
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Key points
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The Chamber of Deputies gave the green light to the Economy Decree. There were 160 'yes' votes, 99 'no' votes and 3 abstentions. The text, already approved by the Senate, is now law. The measure intervenes in several areas: medical devices and healthcare payback, support for industrial companies, taxation for the art market and incentives for women's work. The aim of the decree is to address critical situations in some strategic sectors and to introduce accompanying instruments for ongoing economic and social transitions.
Health Care Payback: Modified Expense Recovery Mechanism
The approved text changes the functioning of the healthcare payback mechanism for medical devices. In the event of regional expenditure ceilings being exceeded, the previous system provided for supplier companies to participate in covering deficits. The new legislation introduces a four-year instalment plan for the amounts due, provides for a 10 per cent discount for lump-sum payments, and allows, under certain economic conditions, partial or total exemption for companies with lower turnovers or limited margins. A mechanism for offsetting debts and credits with the public administration is also activated, through a simplified certification process. These changes aim to regulate the financial relations between supplier companies and public administrations, taking into account economic sustainability and health needs.
Industry: Interventions on strategic plants and production transition
In the industrial sector, the decree confirms measures to support production plants considered to be of strategic national interest, with particular reference to the steel sector. Financing and tools are provided to support business continuity and technological reconversion, also with a view to decarbonising industrial processes. The measure also includes regulatory simplifications to facilitate new investments in complex crisis areas and the strengthening of Development Agreements, coordinated by Invitalia, intended to support large business projects. From the employment point of view, measures are planned to support the retraining of workers and the relocation of personnel involved in corporate restructuring processes.
Art and Culture: 5% reduced VAT for artists
A provision on the cultural sector is included in the decree: the 5 % VAT rate will be applied to direct sales of works of art by authors or their heirs. The provision is intended to incentivise the regularisation of the contemporary art market and facilitate the production and circulation of works in the national sphere. According to the technical report, the measure can help improve the traceability of transactions and increase the sector's fiscal competitiveness compared with other European countries.
Female labour: contribution exemption for mothers confirmed
In terms of social and labour policies, the decree confirms for 2025 the total exemption from social security contributions for employed mothers with at least two children. The exemption, provided for a limited period, applies from the second year of age of the youngest child. The aim is to support female employment and facilitate the reconciliation of work and family at a time considered critical for women's return to the labour market.
