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Decree on Cap for Foreign Students in Italian Schools

The new decree imposes a 30% cap on foreign students in certain classes, excluding those from European citizenship, and provides Italian lessons for parents.

22 September 2026Tagblick Newsdesk

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Archive photo: Decree on Cap for Foreign Students in Italian Schools — Archive photoPhoto: vegeta_mp4 · Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

The Italian government has announced a decree establishing a 30% cap on foreign students in certain classes, a measure that will apply only to those who do not speak Italian. This regulation excludes students of European citizenship. According to available information, the regions most affected by this measure are Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna.

The decree will apply to around 2,000 classes; however, in the 2022/2023 school year, only 0.6% of classrooms out of a total of 370,000 exceeded the 30% limit for foreign students. In response to this decree, the government also plans to offer free Italian lessons for the parents of foreign students.

Some reactions to the decree express concern about the risk of moving children to other areas with a lower concentration of foreigners, contributing to segregation. Political opposition has criticized the proposal, arguing that it could have negative effects on neighborhoods.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recalled the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, stating that in his previous roles, he had drafted circulars on the topic of capping foreign students in classes. However, the Colle has not commented on the issue, maintaining its position regarding the measures under consideration.

The decree is set to be discussed in the Council of Ministers, and an in-depth debate on its implications is expected. Some experts are questioning how practical the implementation of the new regulations will be, given the cultural diversity of Italian schools.

Various organizations and politicians have expressed the need for greater integration for foreign students, arguing that measures like the cap may not promote true inclusion within the educational system.

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