SERVICES
Incentives
Youth Bonus 2026: Incentives of Up to €650 Per Month Cleared for New Hirings
INPS
INPS has provided the first operational guidance on the new Youth Bonus 2026, a measure designed to promote stable employment for workers under 35 who are in a situation of disadvantage or particular difficulty in finding work. The relief applies to open-ended hirings made between 1 January and 31 December 2026.
The benefit consists of a 100% exemption from employer social security contributions, excluding INAIL premiums. The standard amount may reach up to €500 per month per worker hired. For hirings at premises or productive units located in the regions of the single Special Economic Zone (ZES), the ceiling rises to €650 per month.
The duration of the incentive varies depending on the category of worker hired: in some cases the exemption may be granted for up to 24 months, while for other categories of disadvantaged workers the duration is limited to 12 months.
The circular also clarifies that the benefit is subject to specific conditions: a net increase in employment, contribution regularity, compliance with employment legislation, and adherence to the general principles governing hiring incentives. Interested companies should therefore carefully verify the applicable requirements before accessing the measure.