Italy’s 2026 School Calendar: Key Dates and Regional Variations
Italy’s school calendar for 2026 is a patchwork of national and regional decisions, reflecting the country’s commitment to local autonomy. While the Ministry of Education sets national exam dates, each of Italy’s 20 regions determines its own start and end dates, as well as holiday breaks. This means that families and students across the country experience different academic years, making it essential to consult both regional and national sources for accurate planning.
For the academic year 2026-2027, most regions will begin school in mid-September, with the majority starting on September 15, 2026, though some, like Friuli Venezia Giulia and Molise, start a day earlier on September 14. The end of the school year varies more widely, ranging from June 5 in Emilia-Romagna to June 10 in Tuscany, with many regions ending on June 8 or 9. Preschools (scuole dell’infanzia) typically continue until June 30. These dates are crucial for families planning summer holidays or work schedules.
National holidays and school breaks are largely consistent, but with notable regional differences. Christmas vacations generally run from late December to early January, with most regions starting around December 23-24 and ending on January 5-6, 2027. Easter breaks are uniformly scheduled from March 25 to March 30, 2027. However, some regions add extra days for Carnival (Carnevale) or local patron saints. For instance, Campania and Molise include Carnival breaks in February, while Friuli Venezia Giulia observes both Carnival and Ash Wednesday. Additionally, many regions create ‘bridges’ (ponti) to extend weekends, such as November 2 and December 7, 2026.
These regional variations highlight the importance of checking the specific calendar for your area. For example, Calabria and Campania both start on September 15, but Calabria ends on June 8, while Campania ends on the same date but includes a Carnival break. Emilia-Romagna ends earlier on June 5, and Tuscany ends on June 10. Such differences can impact everything
Shimanta Das 
