School Decree Delays Book Bonus to 2027 and Expands ISEE
Book bonus delayed to 2027 with annual funding of €20 million; eligible audience expanded to families with ISEE up to €40,000. 2026 funds redirected to municipalities.
The government has delayed the payment of the book bonus planned in the budget law to 2027 and expanded the benefit, raising the ISEE ceiling from 30,000 to 40,000 euros; funds for 2026 were reallocated to municipalities, according to ANSA.
What changed in the Decreto scuola — postponement of the book bonus and funding
The so-called Decreto scuola moved the implementation of the book bonus from 2026 to 2027, while keeping the annual allocation at €20 million. The change was announced this Friday and detailed by press outlets; according to ANSA, the measure is part of a broader reorganization of the school package approved by the government in 2026.
The change affects the schedule for delivering the benefit and the way it is financed: the amountForeseen remains €20 million/year, but the budget line earmarked for 2026 was redistributed to other local support purposes (see section on municipalities).
Who becomes eligible — ISEE 40,000 and school levels
The main eligibility update is the increase of the ISEE ceiling: the maximum limit to receive the bonus rises from 30,000 to 40,000 euros. Thus, families with an ISEE declaration up to 40,000 now form part of the potential beneficiary pool.
The benefit is specifically aimed at families with children enrolled in the following grade levels:
- 1st grade of the secondaria di primo grado (equivalent to the early years of lower secondary education);
- 1st and 3rd grades of the secondaria di secondo grado (upper secondary education).
The list of eligible grades makes clear the objective of supporting the purchase of books at key moments in the student journey, according to ANSA.
Destination of 2026 resources — municipalities and free books
The funds originally planned for the book bonus in 2026 were redirected to the municipal fund. The decree provides that these resources be used for local measures of free textbooks integrated into social benefits managed by the local authority (services and benefits with discounts or free provisions).
The 2026 funds are transferred to municipalities for use within the framework of free textbooks in the social benefits area.
In practice, this means that in 2026 local administrations will be the main channel for distributing material or financial support related to textbooks and educational materials, in line with local criteria and compatible with national rules. According to ANSA, the measure aims to ensure that the budget allocation is not lost in the year the national bonus was delayed.
Relevance for Brazilians and descendants — who lives in or has family in Italy
The change directly affects Brazilian descendants of Italians residing in Italy or having relatives there, especially those who rely on local school benefits. Key points:
- Timeline: the direct payment of the national bonus will not begin until 2027; in 2026 assistance depends on the municipalities.
- Income criterion: raising the ceiling to ISEE 40,000 broadens the eligible base, potentially including middle-income households that were previously out.
- How to access: in 2026 rules and implementation will be managed by municipalities, which will decide how to integrate these funds into their free textbooks policies.
Brazilians with an interest in education benefits in Italy should monitor notices from their own comuni and local schools, in addition to updates on official pages, because local management may vary. For news and updates on policies in Italy, readers can consult our Italy News section and, for aspects involving status and rights of descendants, the Citizenship page. For practical information on living in the country, see Life in Italy.
What to expect next
Municipalities will play a central role in 2026: they are expected to publish criteria and calendars for distributing aid tied to the free textbook program. From 2027, when the national bonus comes into force, access should be regulated according to the new ISEE 40,000 ceiling and the indicated school levels. Centralization or decentralization of management at the local level may create variations in how quickly and in what way families receive support.
Conclusion: the Decreto scuola postponed the start of the national book bonus to 2027, kept the annual €20 million allocation, and expanded the eligible audience by raising the ISEE to €40,000; in 2026 resources will be managed by municipalities for local free textbook policies, according to ANSA.
Source: ANSA
