Italy Bans Burqas and Niqabs in Schools, Limits Foreign Students

Italy’s government has approved new rules banning face-covering garments such as burqas and niqabs in schools and limiting the number of non-Italian-speaking students in classrooms.

Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet adopted the decree-law on Thursday, September 25, 2026. The measure will introduce a 30 percent limit on non-Italian-speaking students in classrooms from next year.

Anyone who violates the face-covering ban could face a fine of up to €1,000 ($1,140).

Because the measure is a decree-law, it can take effect immediately but must be approved by parliament within 60 days. President Sergio Mattarella must also sign the measure into law.

Meloni defended the changes, saying they would help schools integrate students while ensuring that rules are followed and that pupils have equal opportunities to learn Italian.

Education Minister Giuseppe Valditara said local education authorities would coordinate student placements to prevent large concentrations of non-Italian-speaking pupils in individual classrooms. Schools unable to meet the limit could receive exemptions and additional funding for language support.

The government estimates that the new classroom limit would affect about 1,000 classes, representing roughly 0.3 percent of schools nationwide.

Teachers’ unions and school principals have criticised the measure, questioning whether sufficient resources and consultation were provided and raising concerns about its implementation in areas with large migrant populations.

According to Italy’s Education Ministry, non-citizen students made up 11.2 percent of the country’s school population during the 2022–23 academic year, while classrooms with more than 30 percent foreign students accounted for 7.6 percent of all classes.

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