The Ministry of Education and Merit has published the operational note for school enrollments for the year 2026/2027, with indications aimed at families and educational institutions.
Online applications can be submitted from 13 January 2026 at 8:00 am until 14 February 2026 at 8:00 pm, through the Single Platform, accessible with SPID, CIE, CNS or eIDAS, in the “Orientation” section.
The telematic procedure concerns the initial classes of primary school, lower secondary school and state upper secondary school. Preschools, for which paper registration is required, the schools of the Aosta Valley and the autonomous provinces of Trento and Bolzano, as well as specific courses and addresses, including some classes of artistic high schools, technical institutes and the specialization course for wine technician, which still requires a paper application, are excluded from the online mode. Education courses for adults and those activated in penitentiary institutions are also excluded. For students in the pre-adoption phase, enrollment takes place directly at the school chosen by the foster family.
School institutions can customize the registration forms via the SIDI portal by 10 January 2026 and update the Three-Year Plan of Educational Offer (PTOF) until 12 January 2026, highlighted as a central communication tool with families. Schools must also define the maximum number of enrollments that can be accepted and make public the priority criteria approved by the school council.
On the health front, school managers will send the lists of those enrolled up to sixteen years of age to the local health authorities by 10 March 2026. Failure to regularize vaccination obligations will result in the forfeiture of enrollment in nursery school.
The note also clarifies the distinction between voluntary contributions, which must be transparent and consistent with the PTOF, and mandatory school fees, foreseen only for the fourth and fifth year of upper secondary schools, with total exemption for students with ISEE up to 20,000 euros.
Among the main innovations is the strengthening of digital orientation services, including “What’s Next”, dedicated to the choice of secondary school courses. The Guidelines for parental education are also recalled, which confirm the obligation of annual communication and the passing of suitability exams.
From 2026/2027 the technological-professional supply chain will be fully operational, while the Made in Italy high school will become an autonomous training offer. Finally, the review of the technical institutes has begun and the rules for enrollment transfers are clarified, both in the first and second cycles, with specific deadlines and reorientation procedures.
You can find the complete note on the website of the Ministry of Education and Merit.
