If you’re an expat living in Italy with children, you may be eligible for the Assegno Unico Universale (Universal Child Allowance). This monthly benefit helps families with the cost of raising children under 21. The great news? Even if you don’t file an ISEE (the Italian income declaration), you can still claim the minimum amount of the benefit—and it’s entirely tax-free.
This guide walks you through how to claim the minimum Assegno Unico Universale, step-by-step. It’s designed especially for expats who may not want to go through the ISEE process. You’ll also find an estimate of how much you can expect to receive based on how many children you have.
What Is the Assegno Unico Universale?
The Assegno Unico Universale (AUU) is a monthly payment from the Italian government meant to help families with the costs of raising children. Introduced in 2022, it consolidated several older family welfare programs and is now a universal benefit available to all families with dependent children, regardless of income.
If you submit an ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente), you may receive more money. However, it’s not mandatory. Even without an ISEE, you are entitled to a guaranteed minimum amount per child.
Who Can Apply?
To be eligible for the AUU, you must live in Italy and have dependent children under 21, or older if severely disabled. You must be legally residing in the country, which for non-EU citizens means holding a valid permesso di soggiorno. You and your children must be registered with the Italian healthcare system (SSN), and you must have a codice fiscale for both parents and children. If your children attend school in Italy or are registered with a pediatrician, you likely meet these criteria.
Why You Don’t Need to File an ISEE
The ISEE is used to assess your household’s income and assets to calculate means-tested benefits. Filing it can increase your AUU amount, but you can skip it entirely and still receive the benefit at the base level. For many expats—especially those who recently moved to Italy, exceed the ISEE income limits, or just want to avoid paperwork—this is the most convenient option. It’s legal, common, and straightforward.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for the Minimum AUU
First, gather your documents. You will need your digital identity (SPID, CIE, or CNS) to access the INPS portal, the codice fiscale for each parent and each child, and a valid IBAN in your name (or jointly held) for the payment. If you’re a non-EU citizen, you will also need a valid permesso di soggiorno.
Then, visit the official INPS website at www.inps.it. Click on “Entra in MyINPS” and log in with your digital identity. Use the search bar to look for “Assegno Unico Universale,” find the correct service page, and click “Presenta domanda,” which means “Submit application.”
Once inside the application, follow the on-screen instructions to enter the personal details of the parents and children, including names, codice fiscale, and relationship. Choose whether one parent will receive the full amount or request a 50/50 split. Enter the IBAN where you want the payment to go. When prompted about ISEE, leave that section blank or indicate that you are applying without it.
Double-check all the information before you submit. Once submitted, save or print the confirmation receipt. INPS will review your application and, if all is in order, begin payments from the next calendar month.
How Much Will You Receive Without ISEE?
If you do not file an ISEE, you will receive the minimum benefit. As of 2024, the base rate is €57.50 per child per month. If the child is under one year old, you receive an extra €28.75. For the third child and any additional children beyond that, you receive an additional €17.20 per child.
For example, a family with one five-year-old child will receive €57.50 per month. A family with two children, aged five and two, will receive €115 per month. A family with three children, ages five, three, and one, would receive €57.50 for the first child, €57.50 for the second, and €57.50 plus €28.75 (for being under one) plus €17.20 (for being the third child) for the youngest, for a total of €218.45 per month. A family with four children—ages seven, five, three, and one—would receive €292.15 per month, based on similar calculations.
Extra Tips for Expats
If both parents are included in the application and live with the children, you can request a 50/50 split of the payments. The benefit is automatically renewed each year, so you do not need to reapply unless your family circumstances change—such as the birth of another child or a change in custody. You can apply at any time, but if you want to receive payments backdated to March, you must apply by June 30 of that year.
Is the AUU Taxable?
The Assegno Unico Universale is completely tax-free. It does not count as income, and you do not need to include it in your tax return. INPS may include the total amount in your Certificazione Unica (CU) under exempt income, but this is for informational purposes only.
Need Assistance?
If you prefer not to apply online, you can visit any CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale) or Patronato office, where staff can help you file the application at no cost. You can also call INPS directly at 803 164 from landlines or 06 164 164 from mobile phones. For the most current updates and services, visit www.inps.it.
By following these steps, you can confidently apply for the Assegno Unico Universale as an expat without needing to file an ISEE. It’s a simple and guaranteed form of support for families living in Italy.
