Italy revises teacher and school‑principal appointment procedures for 2026

Italy's Ministry of Education has issued new guidelines for the 2025‑2027 biennium that change how teachers and school principals are assigned.

For teachers, the “max 150 preferences” application will feature a new algorithm that allows candidates to accept a “posto orario,” a combined slot made up of positions across up to three schools in two municipalities. The rules also introduce stricter penalties for withdrawing or renouncing preferences and establish a confirmation slot for support teachers at families' request.

For school principals, a circular extends the online mobility application deadline to 3 July 2026 (with regional response deadlines of 8 July, 10 July and final assignments by 15 July). It permits 100 % of vacant principal posts to be filled through inter‑regional mobility, bypassing the usual consent requirement from the originating regional office, and gives priority to cases covered by Law 104/92 concerning disability support.