Parliament has approved Law No. 26/2026, which extends a series of employment incentives introduced by the so‑called Cohesion Decree. The extension concerns, in particular, the main bonuses aimed at supporting youth employment, female employment, and jobs in Special Economic Zones (ZES).
The Under-35 Bonus has been confirmed, providing a social security contribution exemption for permanent hires of young people entering employment for the first time or with discontinuous work histories, with the goal of fostering a more stable and long-lasting entry into the labor market.
The Women’s Bonus has also been extended. This incentive targets the hiring of female workers who face particular difficulties in finding new employment. The measure aims to reduce the employment gap by supporting companies that invest in increasing female employment through fixed-term, open-ended, or conversion contracts.
The Over-34 ZES Bonus has likewise been confirmed. This incentive applies to hires made within Special Economic Zones, offering a contribution advantage to companies operating in areas with high development potential, with the aim of attracting investment and stimulating new local employment.
Thanks to these extensions, businesses and workers can continue to benefit from tools designed to make the labor market more dynamic and inclusive, while simultaneously promoting job growth and territorial development.