From 2025, Italy will be obliged to extend the single check also to resident immigrant foreigners, following a European Union directive. However, this expansion of the audience of beneficiaries could lead to a reduction in the amounts paid to Italians, due to the high costs that the measure would entail for the State. In this article, we analyze the planned changes and the possible solutions that the government is considering to manage this
situation.
Table of Contents:
Extension of the single check to foreigners in 2025
Starting from 2025, all immigrant foreigners residing in Italy will be able to access the single check, regardless of their length of residence or the presence of their children on Italian territory. This change is the result of an infringement procedure initiated by the European Union against Italy, which considers the current legislation discriminatory
.
In fact, according to the rules in force until 2024, foreigners can benefit from a single check only if they have resided in Italy for at least two years and have dependent children. From 2025, these restrictions will be eliminated, making the subsidy accessible to a wider audience
of people.
The current rules and how they will change in 2025
Until the end of 2024, in order to receive the single check, foreign beneficiaries must meet the following requirements:
- Have dependent children up to 21 years old, or no age limit if disabled.
- Have resided or been domiciled in Italy for at least two years.
- Be Italian citizens, of a member state of the European Union or of a non-EU country with a long-term residence permit.
- Be subject to the payment of income taxes in Italy.
From 2025, these restrictions will be eliminated, allowing all foreigners resident in Italy, even for less than two years, to access the single check, regardless of the presence of their children on the national territory.
Concerns about financial resources
The expansion of the audience of beneficiaries will result in increased costs for the State, making support more difficult to maintain in its current terms. The Italian government, led by Giorgia Meloni, has expressed concerns about the sustainability of the single check with these new rules imposed by the EU. According to estimates, the measure currently costs around 20 billion euros a year, covering more than 6.2 million families and almost 10 million
children.
With the introduction of the new rules, the risk is that the financial burden will become unsustainable, leading to a reduction in the amounts disbursed, especially for Italian citizens. The government is therefore considering possible solutions to reduce costs, including a possible cut in amounts or a redefinition of
the ISEE criteria.
When will the changes take effect
The changes in the single check will take effect as of January 1, 2025, with the approval of the new budget law. The so-called ‘new single check’ could provide for lower amounts, more stringent limits based on the ISEE and the elimination of the citizenship requirement for beneficiaries
.
Conclusions
The extension of the single check to immigrant foreigners represents a significant change for the Italian welfare system. Although this expansion is a response to European directives, it involves important challenges for the financial sustainability of the measure. In the coming months, the government will have to find a balance between the obligation to comply with EU regulations and the need to guarantee adequate support to Italian citizens
.
