For 2025, the Region of Sardinia has strengthened its anti-depopulation measures, making available, among other initiatives, a monthly payment of €600 for each child born, adopted or fostered in small towns with up to 5,000 inhabitants. The bonus, already in place in previous years, is governed by Resolution 30/52 of 5 June 2025.
In addition, to help counter the decline of small towns, the Region has introduced further incentives for the purchase and renovation of homes, and to support local businesses, which will also benefit from a tax credit. Here is what the Sardinia depopulation bonuses for 2025 include, who is eligible, and how to apply.
- What incentives are in place to encourage repopulation in Sardinia?
- What is the €600 newborn bonus in Sardinia?
- Sardinia depopulation scheme: housing incentives
- Where to find Sardinia Regional Council calls for applications
- Non-repayable grants for businesses in Sardinia in 2025
- Tax credit for new businesses in Sardinia: how to apply
What incentives are in place to encourage repopulation in Sardinia?
The abandonment of small towns and inland areas is particularly pronounced in Sardinia, to the extent that, as early as 2022, the Region introduced measures to counter the exodus from municipalities with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. In 2025, Sardinia’s anti-depopulation bonus has been reintroduced and expanded, now including towns with slightly larger populations of up to 5,000 inhabitants.
This expansion has widened the eligibility for incentives across various aspects of life in small towns, with the main aim of preventing them from being abandoned. In this regard, the Region has introduced measures designed to:
- provide financial support to families for newborns;
- facilitate the renovation or purchase of a first home, with grants of up to €15,000;
- invest in businesses, which will also benefit from a tax credit for their activities.
It is worth noting that most of the schemes for bonuses to counter depopulation in Sardinia are currently active, and applications will be accepted for a few more months.
What is the €600 newborn bonus in Sardinia?
In detail, the resolution passed by the Regional Council of Sardinia on 5 June 2025 approved updates to the grant provided to families for each child born, adopted or fostered, enhancing the anti-depopulation bonus in line with the measures already in place in 2024.
The towns eligible for the incentives are those with up to 5,000 inhabitants, based on ISTAT census data as of 31 December 2022. Therefore, the small-town eligibility threshold has changed as follows:
- In 2022, the child had to be born, adopted or fostered within a family residing in a town with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants;
- From 2024, the threshold increased to 5,000 inhabitants.
The bonus amounts to €600 per month for the first child born and is granted for a period of five years. For each subsequent child, families are entitled to an additional €400 per month.
When will the €600 Sardinia bonus be paid?
Before applying for the Sardinia anti-depopulation bonus, families must ensure they meet the requirements set out in the regional resolution. The document specifies that parents must either already reside in the eligible small towns or move there from a town with a larger population.
It is important to maintain residence in the at-risk town for at least five consecutive years, which coincides with the bonus payment period. At least one parent must reside with the child in the property, must not be occupying the property illegally, and must be the legal owner or holder of the residential property.
Applications should be submitted directly to the local council of residence or intended residence. Previous beneficiaries must also respond to the public notices issued by the relevant councils participating in the anti-depopulation incentives.
Sardinia depopulation scheme: housing incentives
The resolution from the Region of Sardinia also includes housing incentives, particularly for the renovation or purchase of a primary residence. These measures complement initiatives in some towns to sell homes for €1 in Sardinia. Again, the property eligible for the bonus must be located in a town at risk of depopulation. For 2025, the Council has allocated €15 million for this purpose.
These funds allow residents or those moving to small towns to benefit from a non-repayable grant of up to €15,000, covering up to 50% of the costs incurred for renovation work or the purchase of the property.
To ensure a successful application, the anti-depopulation scheme requires applicants to either already reside or commit to moving into the property being purchased or renovated before the grant is paid.
Where to find Sardinia Regional Council calls for applications
Beneficiaries must commit to maintaining residence for five years. For detailed information on the anti-depopulation scheme, you can consult the dedicated section on the Sardinia Region’s website by following:
Home > Topics > Special Topics > Anti-depopulation measures > Purchase and renovation (Home > Argomenti > Argomenti speciali > Misure anti spopolamento > Acquisto e ristrutturazione.)
Non-repayable grants for businesses in Sardinia in 2025
As part of the anti-exodus measures, Sardinia has also introduced non-repayable grants for businesses located in towns with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants. This is the third call for incentives aimed at supporting the establishment of new businesses in small towns, managed by the regional Chambers of Commerce.
The scheme offers non-repayable grants to businesses and self-employed professionals for opening or relocating a business in a town that had fewer than 3,000 inhabitants as of 31 December 2020. The grant amounts are:
- €15,000 for opening or relocating a business;
- €20,000 if the business opening or relocation leads to job creation in the ways specified in the scheme.
When to apply for business incentives
Applications had to be submitted via the “Restart” platform between 30 January and 20 April 2025. However, it is advisable to continue monitoring the notices from the Region and the Chambers of Commerce in case additional funds become available. Relevant sections to check include calls for contributions for businesses and professionals.
Tax credit for new businesses in Sardinia: how to apply
Finally, among the Sardinia anti-depopulation measures is a scheme providing a tax credit to businesses operating in towns with fewer than 3,000 inhabitants.
This incentive depends on a resolution issued by the Italian Revenue Agency, specifying the tax codes to use and the procedures for applying.
Applications for the tax credit must be submitted via the SIPES online portal by 5:00 pm on 8 August 2025.
