Italy launches 20 million euro annual rent subsidy platform for separated parents

Application window and funding framework

Italy's Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport opened an online platform on 7 October 2026 at 12:00 to accept applications for a new housing rental subsidy designed for separated and divorced parents. The application window will run until 12:00 on 28 October 2026. Established under the 2026 Budget Law, the measure provides 20 million euros annually, with total government funding reaching 60 million euros across the 2026–2028 period. The initiative targets parents who have left the owned family home following a separation or divorce and who have dependent children up to 21 years of age.

Matteo Salvini presented the initiative on television ahead of the platform's launch.

This is a rent subsidy of up to 6,000 euros per year for separated or divorced parents who, after a difficult breakup or divorce, lose the home where they lived.

Income thresholds and eligibility rules

The subsidy covers up to 50% of the annual rent, with a maximum monthly ceiling of 500 euros and an annual limit of 6,000 euros. For instance, an applicant paying 700 euros per month in rent can receive up to 4,200 euros in annual assistance, while monthly rents of 1,000 euros or more reach the maximum annual cap. To qualify, an applicant must have an individual declared income not exceeding 35,000 euros gross on their latest Irpef tax return. The scheme does not use the standard household ISEE parameter, focusing instead on individual income to evaluate personal financial capacity after separation.

Applicants must hold a registered rental contract in their own name and remain fully compliant with child maintenance and care obligations. Additionally, applicants must not own any other residential property within the same municipality as the family home or within a 50-kilometer radius, aside from their share in the former family residence. Individuals who live in public housing or who receive other public housing assistance are excluded from the programme.

Scoring criteria and regional allocation

The allocation of funds does not operate on a first-come, first-served basis. The digital platform will formulate regional ranking lists based on specific vulnerability criteria. Higher priority points will be assigned to applicants with multiple dependent children under 21, individuals with disabilities or disabled children, those experiencing involuntary unemployment, and residents of municipalities designated as having high housing tension.

Those entitled to this assistance will receive support of up to 500 euros per month to cover 50 percent of the rent.

National funds will be distributed among regions using three indicators: the local concentration of separated or divorced parents, average regional income levels, and the proportion of high housing tension municipalities. Under these criteria, Lombardy, Lazio, and Campania are projected to receive the largest regional shares. The ministry estimates that at least 5,000 beneficiaries will receive assistance during the initial phase.

Digital filing procedure and verification

Applicants must submit their claims exclusively through the ministry's dedicated online portal using digital identity credentials, including Spid, the electronic identity card (CIE), or the national services card (CNS). The filing process requires entering legal details of the separation or divorce, information regarding the previous family home, registered lease documentation, declared income figures rounded to the nearest euro, child dependency records, and a personal IBAN.

Once submitted, applications cannot be edited, and users receive an identification code alongside a downloadable PDF confirmation. The Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport will conduct sample checks on submitted documentation before completing disbursements.