Maternity allowances, parental leave and the birth rate fund: here are the three family-related measures in the budget bill

Measures to support parenting and work-life balance have been strengthened. The measures contained in the family support package focus on three main areas due to be introduced with the Budget Bill, following approval by the Council of Ministers. It begins with the expansion (made permanent) of the so-called mums’ bonus for those with at least two children and an annual income from employment not exceeding 40,000 euros, confirming the extension of eligibility to include self-employed and fixed-term contract workers.

Next comes the ‘Fondo Valore nuovi nati’ (Newborns’ Value Fund), a state grant of 100 euros per year starting in 2027, to support them until they reach the age of 18 (amounting to a total public contribution of 1,800 euros for each newborn). Under the budget, it is planned to entrust the INPS with the management of this savings scheme, to which family members will also be able to contribute through voluntary payments. The INPS will be responsible for collecting contributions and managing the scheme’s operations, whilst the financial management of the scheme will be the responsibility of Cassa Depositi e Prestiti, in accordance with prudent investment criteria.

Tax relief is available for contributions made by parents or close family members: the draft budget bill submitted to the Council of Ministers provides that such contributions are deductible from total income up to a limit of 2,000 euros per year for each contributor and up to a total limit of 5,000 euros per year for each beneficiary. ‘The money in this savings account will not be taxable,’ explained Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni at a press conference, ‘it cannot be seized, and it cannot be accessed until the child reaches the age of 18, unless it is for an extraordinary emergency – in which case authorisation from a guardianship judge would be required.’

On reaching the age of 18, you will be able to withdraw the accumulated sum and use it to cover school or university fees, to set up a business, or to contribute to a supplementary pension scheme. In this case, upon transfer, INPS will certify the amount of contributions made to the supplementary pension scheme.

Paid parental leave, at 80 per cent of salary and available until the child reaches the age of six, is extended from three to four months: it rises to five months for the second child and to six months from the third child onwards. To take account of the needs of self-employed workers, a voucher of up to 500 euros per month, for a maximum of three months, is being introduced for self-employed parents to cover the cost of babysitting and early years education services.