Rome, Italy – Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni announced the Italian Council of Ministers’ approval of the 2026 budget law, worth €18.7 billion.
She emphasized that it represents a “serious, balanced, and responsible budget,” placing at the top of its priorities support for families, job creation, strengthening business performance, and improving Italy’s healthcare sector.
Meloni said in an official post on the X platform: “With the Council of Ministers’ approval of the 2026 budget law, we are taking an important step towards continuing to build Italy’s future.”
Direct support to families and stimulating population growth
The budget includes an additional €1.6 billion for families, with a focus on boosting birth rates through direct support for families and measures to protect first homes.
In an attempt to ease the burden of living and encourage young people to start families in Italy.
Wage support and employment promotion
Regarding the labor market, the government has allocated nearly €5 billion to support jobs and increase wages.
These benefits include reductions in personal income tax, particularly for the middle class, measures to boost additional wages, and support for working mothers in Italy.
Encouraging the renewal of collective contracts to improve working conditions in the public and private sectors.
Strategic investments in the productive sector
Meloni announced that nearly €8 billion will be allocated to support businesses and stimulate investment in the productive system, with the aim of enhancing competitiveness and economic growth in the face of growing global challenges, thus contributing to Italy’s future.
Boosting healthcare spending
On the healthcare front, the Prime Minister highlighted that the government has decided to add €2.4 billion to the funding already allocated, bringing the total additional support for the healthcare sector to €7.4 billion since the beginning of the current budget cycle.
In a move aimed at addressing the pressures facing hospitals and health services in Italy.
Meloni: “Italy’s future is our priority”
Concluding her statement, Meloni emphasized that this budget comes amid a complex economic context that requires balanced and courageous decisions.
Stressing her government’s commitment to “focusing resources on what truly matters to Italians,” while maintaining fiscal discipline.
She added, “I thank the majority for their unity, and I thank everyone who contributed to this result. We continue to work hard and resolutely to support families, workers, and businesses, and to strengthen our nation in Italy.”
This budget is the most important for the Meloni government since it took office, and comes at a time when Italy is facing a series of economic challenges, including slowing growth, declining birth rates, and rising public debt, in addition to European pressures regarding fiscal discipline.
