Home education in Italy (2026)
Last reviewed: 9 October 2026
In short: Education is compulsory from 6 to 16 and may be given by parents. They must notify the school head every year and the child sits an annual examination.
| Rule | What applies |
|---|---|
| Legal status of home educationChildren of compulsory school age | Permitted with prior notification [1] |
| Nature of the parental dutyChildren of compulsory school age | Duty to provide education, at school or at home [2] |
| Approval or notification neededChildren of compulsory school age | Parents, or those with parental responsibility, send a prior notification (comunicazione preventiva) every year to the head teacher of the school in their area of residence. The child sits an annual aptitude examination as an external candidate at a state or accredited private school until the education obligation is fulfilled. [1] |
| Compulsory schooling ageChildren of compulsory school age | Education is compulsory for ten years, between the ages of 6 and 16. [2] |
Notes
- A notification, not an authorisation, is required. The notification must be renewed each year.
Sources
- Normattiva (Istituto Poligrafico e Zecca dello Stato): Decreto legislativo 13 aprile 2017, n. 62, art. 23 (Istruzione parentale) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
- European Commission, Eurydice (Eurypedia): Organisation of the education system and of its structure (Italy) (consulted 9 October 2026) · all sources
Related pages
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