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Italy’s €500 ‘Dedicata a Te’ Food Card Goes Live for 1.16 Million Families

Automatic top-ups alongside retailer discounts speed support to low-income households.

Overview

  • INPS has released final beneficiary lists to municipalities, putting the 2025–2026 round into operation as of 30 October 2025.
  • Coverage reaches 1,157,179 families, with 70% receiving an automatic recharge and 30% new beneficiaries collecting cards at post offices after municipal SMS or email.
  • A first purchase of at least €1 must be made by 16 December 2025 to keep the benefit, and the full €500 must be spent by 28 February 2026.
  • Eligibility targets households with ISEE up to €15,000 with priority for larger families, while recipients of Assegno di inclusione, NASpI and similar subsidies are excluded.
  • Cards can be used for specified food items at participating retailers that offer an additional 15% discount, and reporting differs on 2025 financing (€581.79 million vs €500 million) for a program confirmed as structural through 2027.