Maximizing Maternity Benefits in Italy: A Comprehensive Guide for 2025

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Italy Boosts Financial Aid for new Parents in 2025

Rome, Italy – In a move designed to address the country’s declining birth rate, the Italian government has substantially increased financial assistance for parents this year. New measures and expanded benefits are now available to both employed and self-employed mothers and fathers, aiming to ease the financial burden of raising a family. This comprehensive update details the support available as of September 3, 2025.

Maternity Leave: what New Mothers Can Expect

Employed and self-employed mothers are entitled to a minimum of five months of congedo di maternità, or maternity leave.This leave is typically structured around the pregnancy, with two months taken before the due date and three months following the birth. Though, with a doctor’s note and employer approval, mothers have versatility in how they distribute those five months. The Italian National Institute for Social Security (INPS) funds at least 80 percent of the salary during this period.

Many employers supplement this, providing full pay for all five months of maternity leave, ensuring mothers can focus on recovery and bonding with their newborns.Self-employed individuals with a Partita IVA will claim 80 percent of their average monthly income from the previous tax year directly from INPS. Importantly, self-employed mothers retain the option to continue working while receiving maternity benefits.

Expanded Parental Leave Benefits

Beyond maternity leave, Italy offers up to nine months of paid congedo parentale, or parental leave, available to employees. This leave doesn’t have to be taken immediately after birth, offering parents flexibility to adjust to their new family dynamic. Each parent is guaranteed three months of non-transferable,paid leave,totaling six months between them,with an additional three months that can be divided as desired.

Recent changes to Italy’s 2025 budget law have increased the amount of parental leave paid at 80 percent of salary to three months, up from two months in 2024. The remaining six months of parental leave are compensated at 30 percent of salary. Parents can also take an additional unpaid tenth month, which increases to an eleventh month if the father has utilized at least three months of parental leave. families with lower incomes may receive 30 percent pay for these additional months.

Support for Self-Employed Parents

Self-employed mothers are also eligible for benefits. In addition to the five months of maternity leave at 80 percent of income, they can access three months of parental leave paid at 30 percent. This leave must be taken within the first year of the child’s life, and applicants must demonstrate prior contributions to INPS. Unlike maternity leave, self-employed parents are required to suspend their professional activities during this period.

Universal Child Allowance and Additional Bonuses

Italy has streamlined its child benefit system with the introduction of the assegno unico e universale – a universal monthly allowance. the amount varies depending on household income, as determined by the ISEE rating. This rating assesses a family’s financial situation. In 2025, the allowance ranges from a minimum of €50 per month for higher-income families (ISEE over €40,600) to €201 per month for the lowest-income families (ISEE below €17,227). Payment continues until the child reaches 21 years of age,and can be claimed from the seventh month of pregnancy.

additional bonuses include:

• Newborn Bonus: A one-time payment of €1,000 for families with an ISEE of up to €40,000.
• Mothers’ Bonus: Mothers in permanent employment with at least three children are exempt from pension contributions until the youngest child turns 18. A new benefit extends this to self-employed mothers and those on fixed-term contracts earning under €40,000, providing a monthly credit of €40, perhaps totaling €480 annually.
• Nursery Bonus: A subsidy to offset nursery school fees, ranging from €1,500 to €3,600 per year, depending on family income and the child’s birthdate.

Did you know that Italy is actively trying to combat a meaningful decline in its birth rate, making these benefits increasingly critically important for families?

Understanding the ISEE Rating

The ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) is a crucial factor in determining eligibility and benefit amounts. It’s a standardized measure of a family’s equivalent economic situation, taking into account income, assets, and family size. Obtaining an accurate ISEE rating is essential for accessing many Italian social welfare programs.