The European Commission is examining the 30% cap on students without Italian citizenship, introduced by the government led by Giorgia Meloni

The 30% cap on students without Italian citizenship, introduced by Giorgia Meloni’s government through a school decree, has come to the attention of the European Commission. The measure applies from the 2027/2028 school year and directly affects Romanian parents in Italy, as the Romanian community is one of the largest among students with foreign citizenship.

The European Commission has warned that EU treaties prohibit direct or indirect discrimination on the grounds of nationality. Executive Vice-President Roxana Mînzatu said that Brussels is closely monitoring the decree. However, Minister Giuseppe Valditara maintains that the rule concerns language proficiency and integration, not citizenship.

Decree-Law No. 170, approved on September 24 and entering into force on October 1, 2026, must be converted into law by November 29. The text is being examined by the Senate, where approximately 800 amendments have been submitted.

The rule applies only to first-grade classes. It targets students without Italian citizenship who were not born in Italy, have not attended at least two years of preschool, or, in middle and high school, have not successfully completed at least three years in the Italian education system. The decree also provides free Italian-language courses for parents. The measure does not take effect in the current school year and may be amended by Parliament.