A new financial benefit could soon arrive for millions of elderly people living in Italy. Under the government’s proposed 2027 Budget Law, pensioners aged 75 and over could receive a €300 healthcare card to help cover medical expenses.
With approximately 5.5 million potential beneficiaries and €1.645 billion allocated to the initiative, this could become one of Italy’s most significant welfare measures for older people in 2027.
But there is a catch. Not everyone over 75 will qualify, and some pensioners could miss out because of specific age and income requirements.
So, who is eligible? How will the bonus work? And, most importantly, how can you get it?
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What Is Italy’s New €300 Bonus for Over-75s?
The Italian government has proposed a new financial contribution designed to help older pensioners pay for healthcare services and medical products.
The measure is included in Article 53 of the 2027 Budget Bill, submitted to Parliament on October 30, 2026.
Unlike a traditional pension increase, the benefit would be provided through a special healthcare card worth €300, rather than a direct cash payment.
The card is intended to cover qualifying healthcare expenses, particularly goods and services not already provided through Italy’s National Health Service, known as the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN).
The government has allocated €1.645 billion for 2027, with most of the funding reserved for the cards themselves.
However, the proposal has not yet become law. Its final conditions will depend on parliamentary approval and subsequent implementation rules.
The complete legislative proposal can be followed through the Italian Chamber of Deputies’ official Budget Bill page.
Who’s Eligible for the Over-75 Bonus?
The proposed rules identify specific requirements that pensioners must satisfy to qualify for the €300 healthcare card.
According to the current version of the legislation, applicants would need to meet the following conditions:
- Age requirement: Have turned 75 by December 31, 2026.
- Pension limit: Have received no more than €28,000 in total qualifying annual pension benefits during 2025.
- Eligible pension types: Receive one or more pensions from compulsory pension schemes, a social pension or allowance, or qualifying civil disability, blindness or deafness benefits.
- Reference year: Meet the pension-income requirement based on 2025 payments, even though the card would be issued in 2027.
One particularly important detail concerns the age requirement. Someone who turns 75 in December 2026 could potentially qualify. However, a person celebrating their 75th birthday in January 2027 would not meet the current eligibility rules.
The €28,000 threshold also refers to the combined annual amount of qualifying pension benefits. Receiving more than one pension does not mean each payment can be assessed separately.
Another positive aspect is that the proposed legislation does not establish an additional ISEE threshold for accessing this specific benefit.
Furthermore, the €300 assigned through the card would not count as taxable income or increase the beneficiary’s ISEE.
What Healthcare Expenses Will the Bonus Cover?
Healthcare costs represent a growing concern for many elderly people in Italy, especially when medical services are unavailable quickly through the public system.
The proposed card aims to provide additional purchasing power for eligible healthcare goods and services.
Potential uses discussed in connection with the measure include medicines, specialist consultations, diagnostic examinations and dental treatments, particularly where costs are not fully covered by the SSN.
However, the final list of eligible expenses has not been published.
A government implementing decree will determine which services qualify, which healthcare providers can accept the card and how purchases must be processed.
This means pensioners should not assume that every private appointment or medical purchase will automatically be covered.
The proposal comes at a time when healthcare costs are already attracting attention. As explained in our report on increased healthcare costs in Italy, changes to medical tariffs and patient contributions can directly affect household budgets.
For pensioners who regularly require specialist care, even a relatively modest contribution could provide meaningful financial relief.
How to Apply for the €300 Bonus: What You Need to Know
This is probably the most important question for potential beneficiaries.
As of November 4, 2026, applications are not yet open. The benefit remains part of the proposed 2027 Budget Law, and the government has not announced an official application procedure.
It is also unclear whether qualifying pensioners will automatically receive the healthcare card or need to submit a formal request.
Under the current proposal, the implementing regulations should be established within 30 days of the law entering into force.
Those regulations are expected to clarify the distribution process and conditions for using the card.
While waiting for further announcements, pensioners and their families can take a few practical steps:
- Check the date of birth: Confirm that the potential beneficiary turned 75 before the end of 2026.
- Verify pension income: Review the total qualifying pension benefits received during 2025.
- Prepare documentation: Keep identification details and pension certificates accessible.
- Follow official announcements: Monitor INPS communications and updates to the Budget Law.
To check pension payments and annual statements, beneficiaries can use the official INPS pension statement service.
Be cautious of websites or messages claiming that the bonus can already be requested. Until the government announces the official procedure, there is no confirmed application portal or deadline.
Can Foreign Pensioners Living in Italy Receive the Bonus?
For international retirees and expatriates living in Italy, eligibility raises additional questions.
The proposed legislation identifies qualifying pension and social-security benefits but does not expressly introduce an Italian citizenship requirement within the provision establishing the card.
However, this does not automatically guarantee eligibility for every foreign pensioner residing in Italy.
The situation may be particularly complicated for people receiving pensions exclusively from another country or combining Italian and foreign retirement income.
The final implementing regulations will need to clarify how these circumstances are treated.
International retirees should therefore avoid assuming eligibility solely because they satisfy the age requirement.
For more information about cross-border retirement arrangements, read our guide on transferring foreign pensions to Italy.
Understanding pension entitlements and residency rules can help expatriates identify which Italian benefits may apply to their circumstances.
Is €300 Enough to Make a Real Difference?
Although the initiative has been presented as an important welfare measure, its actual financial impact will vary considerably.
A €300 contribution could help cover selected medical examinations, prescription expenses or part of a specialist treatment.
However, for people requiring frequent private appointments, dental procedures or ongoing medical assistance, the amount could be exhausted relatively quickly.
Spread across an entire year, €300 represents just €25 per month.
The initiative therefore provides additional financial assistance rather than comprehensive healthcare coverage or a permanent pension increase.
Its effectiveness will also depend on which services are ultimately eligible and how many providers agree to participate.
For international residents unfamiliar with the public healthcare system, our complete guide to healthcare in Italy for foreigners explains how the SSN works, what it covers and when private care may be necessary.
When Will the Over-75 Bonus Become Available?
The healthcare card is intended to be introduced in 2027, but no official distribution date has been confirmed.
Italy’s 2027 Budget Bill was presented to Parliament on October 30, 2026, and must complete the legislative approval process before its provisions can take effect.
Parliamentary amendments could still modify the eligibility criteria, spending limits or operational arrangements.
Even after approval, the implementing decree will be essential to determine exactly how beneficiaries can obtain and use the card.
Healthcare industry representatives have also highlighted the need for clear operational rules. The Italian National Association of Dentists (ANDI) has welcomed the proposed measure while emphasizing that the approved regulations will determine which healthcare services can actually be covered.
Don’t Miss Out: What Happens Next?
Italy’s proposed €300 healthcare bonus could provide new financial support to millions of pensioners in 2027.
The main requirements are already outlined: beneficiaries would need to have turned 75 by December 31, 2026, and received no more than €28,000 in qualifying pension benefits during 2025.
But the most important details, including the application procedure and accepted medical expenses, have yet to be finalized.
If you or a family member could qualify, now is the time to verify pension records and follow official announcements.
The bonus cannot be claimed yet, but understanding the proposed rules today could help eligible pensioners prepare for its introduction.
