Italy's performance towards the Digital Decade targets and objectives.
Italy has made notable progress in digitalisation, particularly in rolling out fibre-to-the-premises (FTTP), SME digitalisation, and the uptake of cloud, AI and data analytics. The country also benefits from strong industrial and research foundations and has assets in strategic technologies, particularly semiconductors, high-performance computing and quantum. Its digital public services are well developed, including advanced digital identity and digital health. Persistent structural weaknesses include low FTTP coverage in rural areas, below-EU-average basic digital skills and ICT specialist shortages.
The Italian roadmap comprises 67 measures for a total budget of EUR 62.3 billion (equivalent to 2.84% of GDP). Of these measures, 88% are set to expire by the end of 2026, corresponding to EUR 33.95 billion of public funding or 54% of the total public budget allocation.
What do Italian citizens think of digital?
According to the special 2026 Digital Decade Eurobarometer, 81% of Italians consider digital policy as a high EU priority.
In the next decade, respondents believe the EU should prioritise making digital tools more accessible (94%), ensuring all citizens have basic digital skills (93%) and protecting privacy and security (90%). Additionally, 92% support stronger online protection for children and young people.
82% agree that AI development should be carefully regulated, even if this constrains developers. The main concerns related to generative AI tools are privacy and data protection (45%), lack of training or relevant skills (39%), accuracy or incorrect information (38%).
Observed Key Performance Indicators as Percentage of the EU 2030 targets
The graphs represent the observed Key Performance Indicators in Italy as a percentage of the EU 2030 targets.
DIGITAL INFRASTRUCTURE
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION OF BUSINESSES
DIGITAL SKILLS
DIGITAL PUBLIC SERVICES
Semiconductors and quantum computing performances are not computed at the national level. In 2025, Italy had an estimated 674 edge nodes and 13 unicorns.
A competitive, sovereign and resilient EU based on technological leadership
Strong progress in connectivity (FTTP, 5G), but persistent rural coverage gaps and low fibre take-up.
Recommendation: Sustain the roll-out of fibre-to-the-premises infrastructure across the entire country and combine infrastructure support with take-up and spectrum measures.
Establishment of a national governance framework for artificial intelligence to transpose the EU’s AI Act and ensure ethical, transparent and responsible AI use.
Recommendation: Accelerate action to operationalise the national AI governance framework, especially by supporting AI adoption by businesses.
Strong academic and industrial capabilities across all the main pillars of quantum technologies.
Recommendation: Strengthen the quantum ecosystem by supporting the development and industrial uptake of quantum hardware and strengthening connections between industrial players and academia.
Solid semiconductor ecosystem, with work on a new national semiconductor strategy ongoing, although finalisation is on stand-by.
Recommendation: Consolidate the country’s position in the semiconductor value chain, by finalising its strategic framework and improving ecosystem coordination.
Protecting and empowering EU people and society
Shortage of ICT specialists represents a structural weakness. Despite expanded ICT measures, the education system still falls short of demand, and women remain under-represented in ICT fields.
A notable improvement in basic digital skills, reflecting the efforts to expand digital inclusion policies. However, gaps remain, particularly by age, education levels, and region.
Recommendation: Strengthen the supply of ICT specialists and close the basic digital skills gap, intensifying efforts for upskilling and reskilling and stepping up action to increase women’s participation in ICT studies.
Significant progress in digital public services, delivering a solid performance for citizens.
Substantial advancements in digital health, with the Electronic Health Record and the Health Data Ecosystem reaching high levels of maturity.
Funding
EUR 46.8 billion
Share of Italy’s total Recovery and Resilience plan contributing to advancing the country’s digital transformation
EUR 56.7 billion
Estimated total economic impact of digital investments from Italy’s Recovery and Resilience plan.
EUR 52.5 billion
Stemming from direct effects of Italy’s RRP.
EUR 4.2 billion
Stemming from spillover effects from the implementation of other EU Member States plans.
EUR 6.1 billion
Share of Italy’s total Cohesion funds contributing to the country’s digital transformation.
Find out more:
- Italy 2026 Country report – Executive Summary
- Italy 2026 Country report
- Italy in the 2026 Digital Decade Eurobarometer
More on the Digital Decade Report 2026
Member States must submit to the Commission national roadmaps, detailing the actions they plan to...
Summaries of the country-specific chapters of the Digital Decade 2026 report.