Italy’s nursery school bonus (Bonus Asilo Nido) is a government benefit. It helps families with the cost of childcare. The system is changing to make applying easier. But the real simplification will take effect only next year.
The bonus supports parents paying for public and private nursery schools and similar services for young children. The aim is to reduce the financial burden on families with children under three years old.
Recent updates from the Italian social security institute, INPS, introduce an important rule change about the application process. These changes are designed to cut red tape and help families get support more smoothly.
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What the Bonus Is and Who It Helps
The nursery school bonus is a cash contribution given to families to cover all or part of their childcare fees. The amount you receive depends on your family’s financial situation, measured by ISEE, the Italian means-testing system. The lower your ISEE, the higher the support you can get.
This benefit helps pay nursery fees for children up to 36 months old. It also now includes:
- Micronidi (small childcare centres).
- Sezioni primavera (early preschool sections).
- Certain approved play spaces and home education services.
The bonus can cover up to 11 monthly fees per year, but only if you show proof of payment or, in some cases, proof of enrollment.
The Big Change: One Application Covers Multiple Years
The most important update is about how the application works. Starting January 1, 2026, once you submit your application and it is accepted, it will remain valid for future years until the child turns three. This means you will no longer need to fill out a brand-new full application every year.
Instead, you only need to submit proof of the child’s attendance each year, confirm that your ISEE and eligibility stay the same, and reserve the months for which you want the bonus paid out.
This change aims to reduce paperwork and administrative burden for parents. At its core, the policy shift is about simplicity: one application can last the entire period up to age three, as long as requirements hold.
Why 2026 Is Still a Transitional Year
Even though the new system started in 2026, this year is seen as transitional, not fully implemented. Families still have to submit their applications in the usual way for the current cycle. This means you may need separate submissions for different parts of the year, because the system still runs on the calendar year rather than the school year.
In practice, if you want support that covers both the end of one year and the beginning of the next, you might need two separate submissions in 2026. The new unified application process will be fully standard only from 2027 onward.
INPS usually opens the online portal for applications in late winter, often February or March, but the exact dates can vary and are announced by the institute each year.
How Much You Can Get
The amount you are eligible for depends on your ISEE.
- Families with lower ISEE figures can receive up to 3,000 euro per year for each child.
- For children born from January 2024 onward, the bonus can go up to 3,600 euro per year for families with ISEE under 40,000 euro.
To qualify, you must show proof of at least one payment for the nursery fees or enrollment with future payments.
What You Need to Do
To apply, you must be legally residing in Italy, have an ISEE declaration ready, access the INPS website with SPID, CIE, or other approved digital identity, and upload proof of payment or enrollment.
You can also get help from a tax assistance centre, known as a CAF, or from a patronato.
