Moving to Italy with children adds layers of complexity to the relocation process, but it also offers extraordinary opportunities. Italian schools, social structures, and the general culture of daily life are remarkably welcoming to children, and kids tend to adapt to Italy faster than their parents. Planning well makes the difference between a smooth transition and unnecessary stress.
The Italian School System
Italian education is structured in stages. Asilo nido (nursery/creche, ages 0 to 3) is not part of the mandatory school system and is provided by municipalities or private operators. Demand often exceeds supply, and waitlists are common, particularly in cities. Costs are means-tested for public facilities, ranging from EUR 100 to 500+ per month based on family income (ISEE). Private nidi are more expensive.
Scuola dell’infanzia (preschool, ages 3 to 6) is free in the public system and widely available. Enrollment is not mandatory but is nearly universal. This is an excellent environment for young children to acquire Italian language skills before entering primary school.
Scuola primaria (primary school, ages 6 to 11) is the first stage of mandatory education. The curriculum covers Italian language, mathematics, science, history, geography, English language, art, music, physical education, and religion (with an opt-out alternative). Class sizes are typically 20 to 25 students. The school day runs approximately 8:00 to 13:00 for the standard schedule (tempo normale) or 8:00 to 16:00 for the extended schedule (tempo pieno), which includes a school lunch.
Scuola secondaria di primo grado (middle school, ages 11 to 14) continues mandatory education with a broader curriculum including a second foreign language (usually French, Spanish, or German). Students take a national exam (esame di Stato) at the end.
Scuola secondaria di secondo grado (high school, ages 14 to 19) offers three main tracks: liceo (academic, preparing for university, with specializations in classics, science, languages, arts, or social sciences), istituto tecnico (technical, with specializations in technology, economics, or other fields), and istituto professionale (vocational, preparing for specific trades or professions). The choice of track at age 14 is significant and should be made carefully with input from middle school teachers.
Enrolling Your Children
Enrollment in Italian public schools is free and is a right for all children residing in Italy, regardless of citizenship status. You enroll at the school serving your residential zone (bacino di utenza), though you can request other schools if space is available.
Required documents: Proof of residency (Anagrafe registration), child’s codice fiscale, vaccination records, and previous school transcripts (translated into Italian and, ideally, with an apostille). Some schools may request a dichiarazione di valore (statement of equivalency) from the Italian consulate that was responsible for the country where previous schooling occurred, though this requirement is applied inconsistently.
Timing: Regular enrollment for the following school year opens in January (exact dates announced annually by the Ministry of Education) through the online portal Iscrizioni Online (accessible via SPID). Mid-year enrollment is possible and handled directly with the school, though it is less common and may require additional coordination.
Language Transition
The language barrier is the biggest immediate challenge for children entering Italian schools. Italian public schools teach entirely in Italian. There is no ESL-equivalent infrastructure in most schools, though some schools in areas with significant immigrant populations have developed informal support systems.
Ages 3 to 7: Children in this age range typically acquire Italian rapidly through immersion, often achieving functional fluency within 3 to 6 months. The scuola dell’infanzia (preschool) is an ideal environment for this, as the social, play-based learning requires less academic language proficiency.
Ages 8 to 12: Children adapt well but may need 6 to 12 months to become comfortable academically. Social language comes faster than academic language. Many parents supplement with private Italian tutoring during the transition period.
Ages 13+: Teenagers face the steepest adjustment. Academic demands are higher, social dynamics are more complex, and the curriculum (particularly at the liceo level) is rigorous. Some families choose international schools for this age group, at least initially, or provide intensive Italian instruction before or during the transition.
Maintaining English: Living in Italy, children will shift to Italian as their dominant language surprisingly quickly. If maintaining strong English is important (and for American families it usually is), plan for it: reading in English at home, English-language media, regular contact with English-speaking family and friends, and potentially supplemental English instruction.
International and Private Schools
International schools offer English-language or bilingual education following American, British, International Baccalaureate (IB), or other curricula. They exist in Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Turin, and a few other cities. Tuition ranges from EUR 8,000 to EUR 30,000+ per year depending on the school and level. International schools provide a smoother academic transition but limit Italian language acquisition and social integration with Italian peers.
Private Italian schools (scuole paritarie) follow the Italian national curriculum but are operated by private entities, often religious orders. Quality and cost vary. Tuition is generally EUR 2,000 to 8,000 per year, significantly less than international schools.
Healthcare for Children
Children registered with the SSN are assigned a pediatra di libera scelta (pediatrician of choice) who provides free primary care until age 14 (in some regions until 16), after which they transfer to a medico di base. Pediatric care in Italy is generally excellent.
Vaccinations: Italy mandates 10 vaccinations for children enrolled in school: polio, diphtheria, tetanus, hepatitis B, pertussis, Haemophilus influenzae B, measles, mumps, rubella, and varicella. Children who are not up to date may be denied enrollment in asilo nido and scuola dell’infanzia, and parents of unvaccinated children in mandatory school ages (6 to 16) may face fines. Bring your children’s complete vaccination records, translated into Italian, and consult with the pediatrician to verify compliance with Italian requirements.
Daily Life for Kids in Italy
Italian culture is remarkably child-friendly. Children are welcome in restaurants (including for late dinners), public spaces, and social gatherings. The concept of “adult-only” spaces is less prevalent than in the US. Italians generally adore children and will engage with them publicly in ways that might surprise American parents: touching their cheeks, commenting on how beautiful they are, offering unsolicited parenting advice.
The piazza serves as a natural playground where children socialize independently while parents sit and talk. Italian children, particularly in smaller towns, enjoy significantly more independence at earlier ages than typical American children: walking to school, going to the bar for a snack, playing in the piazza with friends. This independence is supported by the generally safe, walkable nature of Italian communities.
Extracurricular activities are available through sports clubs (football, swimming, basketball, gymnastics, tennis, martial arts), music schools, and various associations. Scouts (AGESCI, the Italian Catholic scouting organization, and CNGEI, the secular scouting organization) are popular and provide excellent social integration for children.
Planning the Move
The best time to move with school-age children is before the school year begins in September, giving the family time to settle in during the summer, handle bureaucratic requirements, and enroll children before classes start. Moving mid-year is possible but adds stress to the transition.
Involve your children in the planning process. Talk about what to expect. Let them maintain connections with friends back home. Be patient with the adjustment period, which can involve frustration, homesickness, and temporary academic struggles before the remarkable resilience of children kicks in.
PortaleItaly helps American families plan and execute their move to Italy, from citizenship recognition for the whole family to school enrollment and settlement support. Contact us to discuss your family’s relocation.