Don January 1, 2026, the way in which workers who live with disabilities, whether their own or a family member’s, are protected in Italy will change. Law 106/2025published in the Official Journal last 25 July, in fact, it introduces important innovations to the historic Law 104 of 1992the one that has guaranteed rights and permissions to disabled workers or their caregivers for over thirty years. The changes, which will come into force in the new year, touch on several important aspects.
Law 104, new Meloni maneuver, permits. More hours for visits and medical treatments
One of the most concrete changes concerns paid leave. Workers suffering from oncological, chronic or disabling pathologies they will have 10 more hours each year to carry out visits, tests or therapies. This is an extension compared to the three days of monthly leave already provided for by Law 104. Furthermore, the measure does not only concern those who are directly ill: Working parents, both in the public and private sector, will also be able to benefit from itwho have a minor child suffering from oncological or disabling diseases, even rare ones, with a degree of disability equal to or greater than 74%.
Extraordinary leave of up to two years
Another novelty concerns confirmation of paid extraordinary leave, which can last up to 24 months. This is a period of absence from work, entirely covered by allowances and social security contributions, designed for those who have to care for a family member with a serious disability. Leave can be used continuously or fractionallydepending on family needs. Upon return, the worker also has a preferential lane to access smart workingso as to be able to better reconcile work and assistance. INPS specifies that these periods do not count towards the accrual of holidays, thirteenth pay or severance pay, but do count towards insurance seniority, i.e. towards the pension.
From 2026 the law strengthens the rights of workers suffering from serious illnesses or involved in family care (Getty)
Digital certificates and requests
To request leave or new permits, you will need an electronic medical certificationi.e. a document drawn up by the general practitioner or a specialist and transmitted through the Health Card System, the IT platform also used for sickness certificates. In this way the aim is to reduce bureaucracy and speed up the process of recognizing rights.
From the “medical model” to the “social model” of disability
The innovations of the law are part of a cultural journey that began with legislative decree 62/2024, which introduced the so-called social model of disabilitythe social model of disability. This approach, born in the United Kingdom in the 1970s and then taken up by the 2006 UN Convention, considers disability not as a limitation of the person, but as the result of social, cultural and environmental barriers which prevent full participation in collective life. In other words, it is not the person who is “disabled”, but it is society that makes it so if it is not able to welcome it and adapt to your needs.
The economic supports will also remain in 2026
Alongside the news on permits, Financial aid for people with disabilities also remains in force. Those with a recognized disability of between 74% and 99% will receive a monthly allowance of around 336 euros, while those with a total disability (100%) will be able to access a pension of around 747 euros, an amount that varies based on income. The accompanying allowance was also confirmedequal to 542.02 euros per month, intended for those who are not self-sufficient and need continuous assistance.
News Law 104: an expected, but still partial, change
The reform of Law 104, beyond the technical intervention, is also a sign of civilization. In an aging country where more and more families find themselves managing fragile situationsthe reform represents a necessary step forward, which updates outdated protections and introduces tools more suited to today’s reality. However, it is not the definitive solution: many critical issues remain, especially in terms of access times, bureaucracy and economic support for families. The goal of real inclusioncapable of reconciling work, care and daily life, will still require many concrete interventions.