The €500 Carta Dedicata a Te scheme for 2026-2027 will disburse 500 euros annually for food shopping to more than 1.1 million Italian households with an ISEE below €15,000, starting on 4 November 2026 and continuing into 2027.

Italy launches the Carta Dedicata a Te for 2026 on 4 November, providing 500 euros per year in grocery spending to over 1.177 million households with ISEE under €15,000, with a similar edition planned for 2027 beginning in April.

The €500 Carta Dedicata a Te scheme will exclude fuel purchases in 2026 and 2027, focusing solely on food shopping amid rising fuel prices.

Minister Francesco Lollobrigida notes significant implications for Italian food supply chains and explains the decision to exclude fuel purchases in the 2026 and 2027 editions amid rising fuel prices.

Implementation involves collaboration among the Economy, Labour and Social Policies, and Agriculture ministries, with INPS identifying beneficiaries, ANCI localizing the scheme, Poste Italiane distributing cards, and Federdistribuzione offering an additional 15% discount for cardholders.

The program emphasizes supporting Made in Italy supply chains, with about 90% of beneficiaries purchasing Made in Italy products, boosting value creation and employment in the sector.

The Indigent Fund supplements the package, starting from an initial €5 million and growing to a permanent €50 million per year to assist those most in need.

In total, €2.7 billion has been invested from 2023 through 2027 as part of a five-year plan to support families in need, including two editions of the card in 2026 and 2027.

The card enables purchases of a wide range of food items (excluding alcoholic drinks); fuel was allowed in earlier iterations but is excluded in 2026 and 2027 as part of broader government measures addressing fuel prices.

Two rounds are planned: the 2026 edition activating on 4 November and the 2027 edition activating in April, as components of a broader €2.7 billion, five-year program.