Operation Carta Acquisti, the program introduced by the Italian Government in 2008 to provide concrete economic support to families in economic difficulty, will restart in 2025. This instrument, financed by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF), provides for a contribution of 80 euros every two months to help less well-off people cope with food and healthcare costs and electricity and gas bills.
The Charter is intended for over 65 and to families with children under the age of three years.
From 2008 to today, the measure has supported almost 6 million citizens for a total value of over 2.2 billion euros. With the new year, the MEF has updated the criteria for accessing the benefit and has published the official forms for submitting the application.
Who is entitled to the contribution? How to get it?
Let’s see together all the details to access this important financial aid.
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How to apply for the 2025 Purchasing Card
Applying to obtain the 2025 Purchasing Card is a simple and completely free process for those entitled to it. The official forms, published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, are available online and can be completed and delivered to any Post Office.
- Download the Application Form for Children and Compilation Guide
- Download the Application Form for over 65s and Compilation Guide
It is important to know that not all beneficiaries will have to submit a new application: who already receives the contribution and continues to meet the requirements, you will automatically receive the bimonthly credit of 80 euros on your card without further bureaucratic formalities.
In addition to the economic contribution, the Card allows you to access discounts at participating shops and allows you to obtain the preferential electricity rate. These additional benefits aim to further lighten the burden of household expenses for families experiencing economic difficulty.
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Requirements and criteria for obtaining the Purchasing Card
To ensure that economic aid actually reaches those who need it most, the Ministry of Economy and Finance has established stringent criteria for accessing the Purchasing Card. Starting from 1 January 2025, the limits of the Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator (ISEE) and the total income received have been updated:
- For citizens aged between 65 and 70 and families with children under 3 years old:
- ISEE not exceeding 8,117.17 euros.
- For citizens over 70 years of age:
- ISEE up to 8,117.17 eurosbut the total income received must not exceed 10,822.90 euros.
Furthermore, further capital limits relating to the ownership of properties and shares of properties are envisaged, in addition to the criterion of ownership of electricity users. These constraints are designed to ensure that the benefit is reserved for truly needy families and not for those who own real estate or income exceeding the indicated limits.
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Benefits of the Shopping Card: what can you buy?
The 2025 Purchasing Card offers concrete economic support with a credit of 80 euros every two monthswhich can be used for different types of essential expenses. The funds loaded onto the Card can be used for:
- Purchases of food goods of first necessity.
- Products healthcare and pharmaceuticals.
- Payment of bills of electricity and gas.
A further advantage is the possibility of taking advantage of a 5% discount at i affiliated shops who participate in the initiative, and the discount can be combined with other promotional initiatives or discounts applied to all customers.
The associations that have signed the Agreement with the Ministries are:
- Confcommercio
- Confcooperative-Federconsumo
- Confederation of Free Italian Artisan Associations
- National Confederation of Crafts and Small and Medium Enterprises
- Confessors
- Federdistribuzione
- LegaCoop
- Confartigianato Imprese
- Federfarma
- Assofarm
Furthermore, the Card allows you to access the discounted electricity tariffa benefit that further reduces the cost of household utilities for the most vulnerable families.
These advantages aim to guarantee broader support than a simple economic contribution, encouraging a concrete improvement in the well-being of the beneficiary families.
