Key takeaways
Moving to Italy with school-age children is exciting and challenging in equal measure. The country offers a rich history, exceptional food, a genuinely different pace of life – and an education system that works very differently from what most expat families are used to. Before you arrive in Italy, it helps to understand what the Italian school system actually requires, what your visa status means for your children's education, and what options exist beyond the local scuola.
- Italian compulsory education runs from age 6 to 16; children aged 3-6 can attend state nursery school (scuola dell'infanzia), which is free but not mandatory.
- Expatriate families on most visa types are subject to Italian education law once children are registered as residents.
- International school fees in Milan or Rome typically run €15,000–22,000 per year – a WASC-accredited private online school is a significantly lower-cost alternative.
- A digital nomad visa does not exempt children from Italian obligatory education requirements once residency is established.
Contents
We are a US-accredited international online school that coexists with local schooling. Families are responsible for ensuring compliance with any local education requirements applicable to their situation.
Why Families with Children Move to Italy
Italy offers something genuinely hard to replicate. The Italian way of life – slower, more communal, built around Italian food and place – draws families from the US, UK, and beyond. Milan and Rome have large expat populations. Southern Italy, Puglia in particular, attracts growing numbers of nomads and remote workers. Emilia-Romagna offers quality of life with northern European business access.
The cost of living varies enormously by region. Milan is expensive. Rural Puglia is not. Either way, moving abroad with children adds a layer of complexity that purely lifestyle calculations don’t capture.
Visas and Residency in Italy
Non-EU citizens planning to move to Italy need a residence visa before arrival. The type depends on purpose: work permit for those employed by an Italian company or working as an employee in Italy, the elective residency visa for those with passive income, the digital nomad visa for remote workers, and family reunification for dependents joining a resident. Each visa type has different implications for how long you can stay in Italy and what obligations apply.
Once a family registers residence – which is required for most long-term stays – Italian law applies. That includes education law. A residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) formalizes the family’s status. Children aged 6 to 16 are subject to compulsory schooling from that point.
The Italian Education System
The Italian education system divides into clear stages. Nursery school (scuola dell’infanzia) covers children aged 3–6. Not mandatory, but widely used. Primary school runs from age 6 to 11. Then lower secondary school – scuola secondaria di primo grado – from 11 to 14. Upper secondary school (secondaria di secondo grado) for five years after that, ending with the maturità.
Obligatory education runs to 16. Mandatory for children aged 6 onwards. Public schools in Italy are free – but instruction is in Italian, and children arriving without Italian language skills face a real adjustment period.
The Italian education system is administered through the Ministry of Education (Ministero dell’Istruzione e del Merito). Individual schools have some autonomy, but the national curriculum and exam structure are standardized across the country.
“Foreign minors in the Italian territory are subject to free-of-charge compulsory education, and all the provisions in force in the area of right to education apply to them independently from their or their parents’ regular presence in Italy.”
— IncludEU, Education in Italy
Italian Schools vs. International Schools
Many expatriates living in Italy send their children to local Italian public schools. It works – particularly for families planning a long stay and wanting their children to integrate, speak Italian, and build local friendships. Italian children are welcoming; Italians generally are.
The challenge is the foreign language barrier. A child who doesn’t speak Italian on arrival will struggle, at least initially. Schools across Italy have varying levels of support for non-Italian-speaking pupils.
The alternative is an international school. In Milan or Rome, options exist – but the fees reflect it. €15,000 to €22,000 per year is typical. A fantastic place for a child’s education, if the budget allows.
A third route: a WASC–accredited private online school offering full and part-time K-12 program. Legacy serves expatriate families across Italy, operating in 30+ countries since 2023. Live lessons, qualified teachers, an FLVS-based American curriculum – and no geography requirement. A family in a new culture in Puglia has the same access as one in Rome.
“WASC advances and validates quality ongoing school improvement by supporting its private and public elementary, secondary, and postsecondary member institutions to engage in a rigorous and relevant self-evaluation and peer review process.”
— Accrediting Commission for Schools, WASC
Healthcare System in Italy
Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is a national healthcare system covering residents. Once registered, families have access to state healthcare including GP services and hospital care. International health insurance is recommended as a bridge while registration is processed, and for services outside the SSN.
Italy’s healthcare system is generally considered good. Urban areas have stronger provision; rural southern Italy can be more limited in specialist services. Many expats maintain international health insurance alongside SSN access for flexibility.
Settling In
The practical side of a new life in Italy takes time. Language skills do matter – not just for the children, but for navigating the commune, the school registration process, and daily life. Facebook groups for expats living in Italy (city-specific ones for Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna) are genuinely useful for real-time advice from families who’ve made the move before you.
The Thornton family – British expats relocating to Milan for a two-year posting – enrolled their daughter Lily, 9, at Legacy’s online elementary school immediately on arrival. The Italian school registration process took six weeks; Legacy started in 48 hours. Lily kept her American curriculum, her teachers, and her classmates from their previous posting. No disruption. By the time Italian school registration was sorted – six weeks later – the family had decided to stay with Legacy full-time. Lily finished the academic year without missing a single credit.
A different situation entirely. The Moreau family – French digital nomads based in Puglia – arrived in Italy planning a one-year stay. Their son Théo, 13, enrolled at Legacy’s online middle school. The family consulted a local Italian lawyer before arrival to confirm their obligations under Italian education law given their nomad visa status. Théo completed the full academic year with Legacy, sat no Italian school exams, and transitioned to Legacy’s online high school the following year when the family extended their stay.
Explore Your Options
Contact the admissions team to understand how Legacy works for families arriving in Italy. Or book a free trial class before committing to anything.
Top Tips from Our Expert
Maya Robinson, College Prep Advisor at Legacy Online School
- Register with your comune as soon as you arrive – residency triggers education law obligations. Don’t wait until the school year starts to work out what applies to your family.
- If your child is in middle school age range and you’re uncertain about Italian school enrollment, Legacy can start within 48 hours while you sort the paperwork.
- Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available from high school level – if your child is 14+, start planning the college prep track from year one in Italy, not year three.
- Check tuition and fees before assuming an international school is the only option. The cost difference is significant.
Legacy Online School is a WASC-accredited American private online school. Enrollment does not substitute Italian compulsory schooling obligations. Italian nationals pursuing istruzione parentale must comply with Legislative Decree 297/1994. Legacy does not provide legal advice.
