On Tuesday 25 June, the European Commission announced that it had approved changes to an existing Italian scheme designed to support businesses operating in southern Italy. The plan in question was initially approved in June 2022, then amended in December 2022 and December 2023.
The aid under this measure takes the form of a 30% reduction in social security contributions payable by private employers operating in the regions of southern Italy (Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Molise, Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily) affected by the socio-economic consequences of the war in Ukraine.
Italy has notified the Commission of a €2.9 billion increase in the budget for the measure. The measure’s overall budget will therefore increase from €11.4 billion to €14.3 billion.
Italy has also notified an extension of the application period for the reduction in social security contributions to 31 December 2024. (Original version in French by Émilie Vanderhulst)