Moving to Italy With Children

Schools, healthcare, costs and Israeli community in Italy for relocating families.

Last reviewed: 2026-06-04
Schools Abroad
Good public schooling; strong international schools in major cities.
Family Healthcare
Servizio Sanitario Nazionale provides universal coverage; quality varies by region.
Childcare Costs
Affordable outside Milan; Rome and major cities are moderate.

Moving to Italy With Children

Italy offers Mediterranean living with free public education, universal healthcare, and established Jewish communities in Milan and Rome.

Schools

Public schools are free and generally good. The Italian school system has a strong humanities focus. International and English-language schools are available in Milan and Rome, typically €8,000–€20,000/year. Jewish community schools operate in Rome and Milan.

Healthcare

Italy's Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) provides universal healthcare to registered residents. Enrollment in the SSN is recommended upon arrival. Waiting times can be long; private supplemental insurance is popular.

Childcare & Daycare

Municipal asili nido (nurseries) are subsidized and affordable but heavily oversubscribed. Private nurseries cost €600–€1,200/month. Apply for municipal spots well in advance.

Israeli Community

Approximately 30,000 Jews live in Italy, with Rome and Milan having the largest communities. Milan's Porta Venezia neighborhood is a hub for Jewish life, with kosher restaurants, synagogues, and Hebrew schools.

Practical Tips

  • Italian bureaucracy can be slow. Start residency registration (iscrizione anagrafica) early.
  • Milan is the main city for tech employment for expats.
  • The Israeli embassy in Rome has community resources for new arrivals.