The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has officially launched the selection process for Italian teachers destined for schools abroad and European Schools for the 2026/2027 academic year, according to an official notice published in the Gazzetta Ufficiale. Candidates must submit their applications exclusively through the MAECI SPSE Selezioni portal by 23:59 on August 31, using SPID or CIE for authentication, as reported by Orizzonte Scuola.
Application Deadlines and Digital Submission Procedures
According to Orizzonte Scuola, candidates have until August 31, 2026, at 23:59 to complete their submissions through the dedicated online portal at personalescuole.esteri.it. The Ministry mandates that all applications utilize digital identity authentication via SPID (Sistema Pubblico di Identità Digitale) or CIE (Carta d’Identità Elettronica). Paper submissions or applications sent through alternative channels are automatically disqualified under the administrative rules of the procedure.
New Regulatory Requirements for the 2026/2027 Academic Year
The selection framework introduces stricter criteria compared to previous years, according to an analysis by Orizzonte Insegnanti. Based on Decreto Direttoriale n. 4100/116 issued on July 31, 2026, applicants must meet specific professional standards. Candidates must hold at least three years of service in metropolitan Italian schools, excluding the current academic year in progress at the time of publication.
Furthermore, applicants must demonstrate formal language competencies and intercultural training. Orizzonte Insegnanti reports that candidates are required to present language certifications of at least B2 level under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). Additionally, applicants must document at least 25 hours of accredited intercultural or internationalization training recognized by the Ministry.
Union Support and Live Informational Sessions
To assist educators with the application process, unions and educational platforms have organized public guidance sessions. Orizzonte Scuola scheduled a live Question Time event for Tuesday, August 11, at 14:30 on its social media channels, featuring Salvatore Fina of the ANIEF union and hosted by Andrea Carlino. Similarly, Uil Scuola hosted an informational briefing on August 4 to address procedural questions and technical navigation of the MAECI portal.
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