Moving to Italy with children involves more than choosing the right property – knowing how schools in Italy work for expat families can make the transition smoother for everyone.
If you are relocating permanently, enrolling your child in an Italian state school is often the fastest way for them to settle, learn the language and build friendships locally. If your move is temporary, international schools may offer more continuity. Here’s what you need to know before you buy your Italian home and enrol your children.
Contents
- How schools in Italy work for expat families
- Early years education
- Primary school in Italy
- Lower secondary school
- Upper secondary school options
- International schools in Italy
- Universities in Italy
- Home schooling in Italy
- School terms and holidays
- What a typical school day looks like
- Planning your move with schooling in mind
- Frequently asked questions
How schools in Italy work for expat families
Education in Italy is compulsory from age 6 to 16 under national law set by the Ministry of Education and Merit (Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito). The system is divided into distinct stages and is consistent across the country, although school hours and facilities can vary between regions.
To find local schools, check the website of the Comune where you plan to live. Most municipal websites list schools by province and town, allowing you to compare options before you commit to a property purchase.
Early years education
Nursery – asilo nido
Nurseries for children under three are run by municipalities and private providers. They are not compulsory. Fees for public nurseries are income-based and can vary significantly by region, typically ranging from around €150 to €500 per month depending on household income and subsidies. Private nurseries usually cost more.
Preschool – scuola dell’infanzia
Children aged three to six can attend scuola dell’infanzia. Attendance is optional but very common. State preschools are free, although you usually pay for meals and sometimes materials. Private preschools charge monthly fees, which are higher in cities such as Milan and Rome.
Weekly hours generally range between 25 and 40 hours, depending on whether you choose a part-time or full-time option.
Primary school in Italy
Primary school – scuola primaria – begins at age six and lasts five years. It is compulsory and free in state schools, although you will pay for lunches, transport and supplies.
Pupils typically study Italian, maths, science, history, geography, English, art, music and physical education. English is introduced from the first year of primary school under the national curriculum.
Weekly hours are usually between 24 and 30, with some schools offering extended hours.
Lower secondary school
Lower secondary school – scuola secondaria di primo grado – lasts three years, from age 11 to 14. At the end of this stage, students sit a state exam known as the esame di Stato, which they must pass to move on to upper secondary education.
Students normally attend school for around 30 hours per week. Core subjects continue, with the addition of a second foreign language in many schools.
Upper secondary school options
From age 14, you and your child choose the pathway that best suits their interests and future plans. Upper secondary education – scuola secondaria di secondo grado – lasts five years in most cases.
Options include:
- Liceo – academically focused schools with specialisms such as classical studies (including Latin and ancient Greek), sciences, languages or fine arts.
- Istituto tecnico – combining theory with technical subjects such as economics, IT, tourism or engineering.
- Istituto professionale – vocational pathways geared towards practical skills and employment. Some programmes offer qualifications after three years, with the option to continue.
At the end of five years, students sit the esame di Stato (often referred to as the maturità), required for university entry.
When choosing where to buy, consider how close you are to the type of upper secondary school your teenager may prefer. In rural areas, daily travel times can be longer.
International schools in Italy
If you are relocating for a fixed period or want your child to follow a British or International Baccalaureate curriculum, international schools are concentrated in larger cities including Rome, Milan, Florence and Turin.
Fees vary widely but can range from around €8,000 to more than €20,000 per year depending on location and year group. Most teach in English and offer internationally recognised qualifications. Keep in mind that while this route can make the academic transition easier, it may slow down how quickly your child picks up Italian and settles into the local community.
Universities in Italy
Italy is home to some of Europe’s oldest universities, including the University of Bologna, founded in 1088. State university tuition fees are generally income-related and calculated using the ISEE system (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente). Annual fees typically range from around €900 to €4,000 at public universities depending on household income and institution. Private universities charge more.
An increasing number of degree courses are taught wholly or partly in English, particularly in economics, engineering and international relations.
Home schooling in Italy
Home education is legal in Italy but comes with strict requirements. Parents must notify the local school authority annually and demonstrate they have the technical or financial capacity to provide education. Children educated at home must sit annual exams to progress to the next year.
School terms and holidays
The Italian school year usually begins in mid-September and ends in early June, depending on the regional calendar set by each region within national guidelines. This results in a long summer break of around 12–13 weeks.
Schools close for Christmas and Easter and observe national public holidays. There is no traditional October half-term as in the UK.
The academic year is often divided into two quadrimestri – roughly September to January and February to June – or into three terms, depending on the school. Students receive a pagella (report) with grades from 1 to 10. A mark of 6 is a pass.
What a typical school day looks like
Most state schools start between 8am and 8:30am. In many areas, lessons finish between 1pm and 2pm. However, extended hours until around 4pm are increasingly common, particularly in urban areas and in the north.
Pupils usually have a short mid-morning break. Where schools operate only in the morning, children often return home for lunch. Full-time schools provide a canteen service.
Homework expectations can be substantial, particularly in upper secondary school, so it is worth considering how this fits into family life when you choose your location. For example, if your teenager faces a 45-minute commute each way to reach their liceo, their day can quickly stretch from early morning into early evening before homework even begins.
Planning your move with schooling in mind
When you are viewing properties, think beyond the house itself. Check school catchment areas, transport links and after-school activities. Visit the Comune website and, if possible, arrange meetings with school administrators before you commit.
Choosing the right area can make the difference between a stressful transition and a smooth start to your new life in Italy.
Frequently asked questions
Italian state schools follow a nationally defined curriculum set by the Ministry of Education and Merit. Academic standards are consistent nationwide, with a strong emphasis on core subjects, structured exams and formal assessment. Class sizes vary but are typically comparable to other European countries. Integration support for foreign pupils has improved significantly in recent years, particularly in areas with established expat communities.
The school day usually starts around 8–8:30am. In many primary and lower secondary schools, lessons finish between 1pm and 2pm. Full-time options can run until approximately 4pm. Weekly hours generally range from 24 to 30 in primary school and around 30 in lower secondary school.
State education is free from primary school onwards. However, families pay for school meals, transport, textbooks in some cases and extracurricular activities. Preschool (age 3–6) in state schools is also free apart from meals. Nursery provision for under-threes is not free and fees are income-based.
