The new 5.0 bonus is finally here after a long wait

The history of economic relief packages is littered with delays, bureaucratic hurdles, complications, announcements and postponements. A prime example is undoubtedly the new business incentive scheme known as Transition 5.0, which provides for the possibility of applying a super-amortisation scheme to investments in capital goods for technological and digital transformation and in assets for self-generation from renewable energy sources.

The measure was due to come into effect at the start of the year, but it was only in the last few days that the implementing decree from the Ministry of Enterprise and the Ministry of the Economy was finalised, following approval by the Court of Auditors. Following on from this, the directorate decree setting the opening date for applications has also been issued, with the deadline starting at 12 noon on 12 June. Businesses will be able to start submitting preliminary notifications regarding investment projects, specifying the type and amount of the planned expenditure. This can be done by accessing the Energy Services Manager’s website, in the Customer Area section, via SPID. The forms and instructions available on the website must be used.

This is, however, only the first step in a rather complex process. A subsequent measure, also issued by the Director-General for Industrial Policy at the Ministry of Enterprise, will set the dates for the launch of the online platform for the second phase, relating to advance payment and completion notifications.

So, here we go. After a wait that began with the measure being set out in the last Budget Law, almost six months ago. To recap, the incentive applies to investments made between 1 January 2026 and 30 September 2028 and allows for a tax increase in the cost of assets for the purposes of deducting depreciation or lease payments. The percentages vary according to the value of the investment: 180% for the portion up to €2.5 million, 100% for amounts over €2.5 million and up to €10 million, and 50% for amounts over €10 million and up to a maximum of €20 million.

During its tortuous implementation process, the measure has undergone more than one change. The ‘Made in Europe’ clause, which would have restricted the range of eligible goods to those produced in the EU or in European Economic Area countries, proved highly controversial from the outset. The Ministry of Enterprise itself had made no secret of its reservations, and in the end the requirement was scrapped.