From 1 January 2026, new financial aid will begin for separated or divorced parents with dependent children up to 21 years of age. The contribution, which can reach up to 800 euros per month, will serve to partially cover the costs of renting a new home, supporting those who find themselves in difficulty after the end of cohabitation or marriage.
Concrete help after separation
The end of a marriage or cohabitation often has a double impact: emotional and economic. Those who leave the family home must immediately face the cost of new accommodation, in addition to the expenses for their children. In a period in which rents and the cost of living continue to rise, the Government has decided to intervene with a targeted measure, included in the 2026 Budget Law and financed with 20 million euros.
The objective is to support parents who, although separated, continue to guarantee stability and security for their children, without compromising their well-being.
Who is entitled to the rent bonus?
The contribution will not be for everyone, but reserved for a specific category of beneficiaries:
The measure therefore aims to support the most vulnerable parents, forced to pay new rent and at the same time support their children.
Requirements for dependent children
To access the bonus, children must be tax dependent on the parent who applies. Therefore, just age is not enough: the income limits established by tax legislation also count. The support is designed for those who actually continue to take care of their children’s expenses even after separation.
How to apply
The operating methods will be defined by a ministerial decree issued by the Ministries of Infrastructure and Transport and of Economy and Finance.
The decree will establish:
It will be necessary to submit a formal application, attaching documentation demonstrating separation or divorce, the living situation and the condition of the children.
Useful documents to prepare
Anyone who intends to request the contribution can start collecting:
Preparing in advance can make a difference, as the fund is limited and resources could run out quickly.
How the contribution will be paid
It is not yet clear whether the bonus will be paid as: direct economic contribution (one-off or periodic),
or as a tax break to be applied to taxes.
In any case, the maximum public spending limit will be 20 million euros per year, so the management of applications must be rapid and controlled.
Timings
The bonus will be operational from 1 January 2026, but concrete access will depend on the issuing of the implementing decree, which will define all the technical and bureaucratic details. It is expected to be published in early 2026, giving parents time to prepare and submit applications.
In summary, this new contribution represents an important step to help separated or divorced parents overcome post-separation economic difficulties, guaranteeing greater housing stability for them and their children.
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