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Rome, Italy – April 14, 2025
The Italian government has launched a new 1,000 euro bonus for newborns in 2025, a one-time payment designed to ease the financial burden of welcoming a child. Dubbed the “Newborn Card,” this initiative targets families with modest incomes, offering relief for expenses like diapers, formula, and cribs. Announced as part of the 2025 Budget Law, the program has stirred hope among parents-to-be, with applications set to open soon via the INPS portal. Here’s everything you need to know about who’s eligible and how to claim it.

What Is the Newborn Bonus?

The Newborn Card provides a 1,000 euro lump sum to eligible parents for children born or adopted from January 1, 2025. Unlike the previous prepaid card format, the funds will now be deposited directly into parents’ bank accounts, streamlining access, per INPS guidelines. The bonus aims to cover initial costs of parenthood, complementing other family support measures like the enhanced nursery school bonus and the single child allowance, which is excluded from ISEE calculations to preserve eligibility for other aid.

Who Is Eligible?

To qualify for the 1,000 euro bonus, families must meet specific criteria:

• Income Threshold: An ISEE (Indicator of Equivalent Economic Situation) of 40,000 euros or less, ensuring aid reaches low- to middle-income households.
• Eligible Children: The bonus applies to children born or adopted (including pre-adoptive foster care) in 2025.
• Residency and Citizenship: Italian citizens, EU citizens, and non-EU citizens with a valid Italian residence permit are eligible, aligning with prior family bonuses like the 2021 Baby Bonus.
• Application Timing: Applications must be filed within 90 days of birth or adoption to receive the full amount from the child’s arrival; later submissions start payments from the application month.

The program prioritizes accessibility, with no upper income cap for large families (four or more children), reflecting Italy’s push to boost its declining birth rate—down to 379,000 births in 2023, per ISTAT.

How to Apply

Claiming the bonus is straightforward but requires careful documentation:

1. Gather Documents: Obtain an updated ISEE certificate (available via INPS or CAF offices) and proof of birth or adoption (e.g., birth certificate or court adoption order).
2. Submit Online: Applications will be processed through INPS’s dedicated online portal, expected to go live by late April 2025, per recent INPS circulars. Alternatively, visit a CAF (Tax Assistance Center) for in-person support.
3. Provide Bank Details: Include an IBAN for direct deposit. Ensure all fields are complete to avoid delays.
4. Deadline: Apply by February 28, 2026, for 2025 births/adoptions, though earlier submission (within 90 days) maximizes benefits.

INPS will verify eligibility, typically within 30 days, and disburse funds to the provided account. “Fill out everything correctly—it’s a simple process if you’re prepared,” advised a CAF consultant quoted on X.

Why Now?

Introduced under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s third budget maneuver, the bonus is part of a 30-billion-euro plan to support families without new taxes, per ANSA. With healthcare funded by bank and insurance contributions and a 50% home renovation bonus extended for first homes, the government aims to ease economic strain. The Newborn Card responds to Italy’s cost-of-living pressures—70% of families report financial stress, per a 2024 Sole 24 Ore survey—while encouraging natality in a country facing demographic decline.

Challenges and Sentiment

While welcomed, the bonus has critics. Some X users argue 1,000 euros “barely covers a stroller,” given rising costs (diapers alone average 500 euros yearly, per Altroconsumo). Others praise its simplicity: “No prepaid card nonsense—just cash in your account,” one parent tweeted. Delays in portal activation worry applicants, with INPS yet to confirm an exact launch date, though posts on X suggest “end of April” based on agency updates.

The Bottom Line

The 1,000 euro Newborn Bonus is a lifeline for Italian families navigating parenthood in 2025. Eligible parents with an ISEE under 40,000 euros can expect direct support, provided they apply promptly with proper documents. As one X user put it, “It’s not a fortune, but it’s a start.” With applications looming, now’s the time to prepare—check your ISEE, gather papers, and watch INPS for the green light.

By Staff Writer, Family Finance Focus
Sources: INPS, ANSA, Sole 24 Ore, Altroconsumo, ISTAT, posts on X