Italy’s education minister responds to student housing protests, cites 73,223 additional beds

Italy has reported an increase of 73,223 student accommodation places over the past four years, as university students continue to protest against the cost of living and rising housing expenses.

University and Research Minister Anna Maria Bernini cited the figure on Oct 14 amid renewed demonstrations over student housing in the country.

Speaking on Radio 24’s 24 Mattino programme, Bernini said 43,000 of the additional beds were already operational, while approximately 30,000 had been contracted and were expected to be delivered by mid-2027.

The figures were presented by the minister as evidence of progress in expanding accommodation for university students. The 30,000 contracted places, however, should not be confused with beds already available for students.

Student protests over housing costs

The latest dispute follows demonstrations organised by the Union of University Students (UDU), including a protest camp outside Montecitorio, the seat of Italy’s Chamber of Deputies in Rome. Students also mobilised at universities across the country, raising concerns about the cost of living, rental prices and access to affordable accommodation.

UDU has criticised the government’s student housing approach, arguing that the use of public funds has not translated into enough affordable places for students who need them.

In an earlier statement, the organisation claimed that only around 33,000 beds had been completed and alleged that many of the rooms being offered could cost up to €1,000 a month. These are claims made by the student organisation, rather than independently established national figures.

Bernini rejected claims that student accommodation costs €1,000 or more as a general description of the available housing. She said the average cost was between €400 and €500 a month, including utilities and internet, and pointed to published prices for individual residences. Her statement did not establish that accommodation at these rates is available to every student or in every university city.

Government cites progress under housing plan

The expansion of student accommodation is linked to Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR), through which the government has sought to increase the supply of university housing.

In September 2026, the Ministry of University and Research reported that the housing programme had exceeded its target of 60,000 additional beds, announcing more than 63,200 places under the plan. It said some places were ready for students, while another tranche was expected to become available in 2027.

The latest figure of 73,223 cited by Bernini is higher than the ministry’s September figure. The announcements refer to different reporting points, and the available reports do not fully reconcile the totals. They should therefore be attributed to their respective sources rather than treated as directly interchangeable measures.

Bernini acknowledged that students’ concerns about inflation and the cost of living were legitimate, but accused political opponents of exploiting the protests.

She also warned against rhetoric encouraging what she described as a “social revolt”, while saying that the government should listen to students’ demands.