Italy’s Universal Child Allowance in 2026: new rules for EU workers and children living in another EU country
Italy’s Universal Child Allowance in 2026: new rules for EU workers and children living in another EU country Since 21 April 2026, Italy’s Universal Child Allowance (Assegno unico e universale) has been governed by new rules that are especially important for mobile European workers and families whose children live in another EU Member State. The reform removes some residence-based restrictions and brings the Italian system more closely into line with EU social-security law. The changes were introduced by Law no. 50 of 20 April 2026, converting Decree-Law no. 19/2026, and were later explained in detail by INPS Circular no. 81 of 24 July 2026. INPS published further practical guidance in September 2026. Children living in another EU country may now be taken into account One of the most important changes concerns children who do not live in Italy. For the purpose of granting the Universal Child Allowance, children resident in another Member State of the European Union may now be c...