2026 Nursery Bonus: Requirements and How to Apply?
The 2026 Nursery Bonus is financial aid for nursery fees or home care, available to residents in Italy, with amounts varying up to €3,600 based on ISEE.
In short: What is the 2026 Nursery Bonus?
The 2026 Nursery Bonus is a financial contribution provided by INPS to cover nursery fees public or authorized private nurseries and for support at home for children unable to attend due to serious health conditions. For the year 2026, the bonus is available to all parents including single parents who meet the residency and citizenship requirements, regardless of income, although the total amount is adjusted based on the current Minor's ISEE.
Key Requirements and Documentation Needed in 2026
To access the benefit in 2026, the applying parent must meet the following requirements: Citizenship: Italian, EU, or long-term residence permit for non-EU citizens. Residency: Residence in Italy. Enrollment: The child must be enrolled in a public or authorized private nursery. Co-habitation: For the home support contribution, the applying parent must live with the child. The amount is paid monthly and varies based on the fees paid: it is important to keep all nursery fee payment receipts from 2026. To learn more about managing these expenses as a single parent, consult our guide to tax breaks/blog/agevolazioni-fiscale-genitore-solo.
2026 Amounts and ISEE Brackets
The bonus amount for 2026 is calculated based on ISEE brackets: 1. ISEE up to €25,000: Maximum contribution of €3,000 per year approx. €272 per month. 2. ISEE between €25,001 and €40,000: Maximum contribution of €2,500 per year approx. €227 per month. 3. ISEE over €40,000 or absent: Contribution of €1,500 per year approx. €136 per month. 2026 News for Large Families: If a second child is born in 2026 in a family that already has a child under 10 years old and an ISEE below €40,000, the bonus can reach up to €3,600. If you have questions about filling out your indicator, read our FAQ on Minor's ISEE/faq/isee-minorenni-spiegazione.
How to Submit the INPS Application in 2026
The application must be submitted exclusively online through the INPS portal or via assistance centers. Remember that you need to indicate the months of nursery attendance during 2026. It is crucial that the parent who actually incurs the expense is the one submitting the application. If you are in the process of separation and manage expenses independently, this benefit is fundamental support. You can find more tips on managing your family budget in our 2026 guide/guide/assegno-unico-2026-guida.