Complete guide to the rules, eligibility, and application process for the under-35 hiring incentive under the Cohesion Decree
Youth bonus 2025: a golden chance to hire young talents
The Youth Bonus 2025 is an incentive designed to encourage stable youth employment. It provides a 100% exemption on social security contributions for private employers hiring under-35 workers with open-ended contracts. The measure became operational on May 16, 2025, through the INPS portal, following the rules issued by the Ministry of Labor and clarified by INPS circular no. 90/2025.
Who is eligible: employer requirements
To benefit from the incentive, the employer must operate in the private sector and meet the following conditions:
- Valid social security compliance (DURC)
- No sanctions for labor or safety violations
- Full compliance with national labor contracts (CCNL)
- Not be a “firm in difficulty” or subject to recovery of unlawful State aid
Who can be hired: worker eligibility
Eligible workers must:
- Be under 35 years old (up to 34 years and 364 days)
- Never have had an open-ended contract, except for apprenticeships without qualification
- Not have had previous permanent jobs as domestic or on-call workers
Eligible contract types
The Youth Bonus applies to:
- Open-ended contracts (including part-time or agency contracts)
- Conversions from fixed-term to permanent contracts
Excluded:
- Apprenticeship
- On-call contracts
- Domestic and executive staff
Bonus amount and limits
The employer gets a 100% exemption from social security contributions, with monthly caps:
- €500 per worker
- €650 per worker hired in the ZES areas of Southern Italy (e.g., Abruzzo, Campania, Sicily)
Duration and suspensions
The incentive lasts for 24 months.
It can be suspended for mandatory maternity leave and reduced if the worker is relocated outside the ZES area.
Key restrictions and employment growth requirement
The bonus cannot be claimed if:
- A collective or individual layoff occurred in the same unit in the 6 months before or after the subsidized hire
- There’s no net increase in employment, required to access the €650 bonus
How to apply
The application must be submitted via the INPS portal, section “Incentivi Decreto Coesione – Articolo 22 – Giovani”.
Once the request is accepted, the employer has 10 days to sign the contract and notify the job center (UNILAV).
Compatibility and cumulation
The bonus is:
- Not combinable with other employer-side exemptions
- Compatible with contribution reductions for employees and the super-deduction under Legislative Decree 216/2023
Practical cases and examples
- Two part-time open-ended jobs: both employers can benefit if the start date is the same
- Hours increase: incentive cap remains fixed
- Company transfers: the unused bonus can be transferred to the new employer
Conclusion
The under-35 youth bonus is a strategic tool to cut hiring costs and invest in new human capital. But employers must strictly follow the rules to retain the benefit.
Need help checking your eligibility or submitting your application? Leave your question below:
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Who is eligible for the youth bonus 2025?
Private employers hiring under-35 workers with no previous permanent contract.
2. How long does the bonus last?
24 months from the date of hiring.
3. Can the bonus be combined with other incentives?
Only with worker-side contribution relief.
4. Is INPS authorization mandatory?
Yes, INPS must confirm resource availability.
5. What if the worker is transferred from a ZES to another region?
The bonus drops from €650 to €500.
6. Can the bonus apply to a permanent conversion?
Yes.
7. Is it valid for part-time contracts?
Yes, the bonus is reduced proportionally.
8. Is apprenticeship eligible?
No, it is excluded.
9. What happens in case of layoffs?
The bonus is revoked and must be refunded.
10. What if I forget the UNILAV communication?
The incentive for the period before notification is lost.
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