France and Italy Consider Holding Parents Liable for Damages Caused by Student Protesters

Following clashes between police and protesters during demonstrations over rising living costs and poor public services, workers were seen securing a shattered shop window with wooden boards in Milan, Italy, on October 19, 2026. As high school student protests erupted in France last month, social media footage emerged of concerned parents removing their children from demonstrations. These actions may be well-founded as France contemplates imposing fines on parents whose children vandalize or damage property, mirroring a similar measure recently enacted in Italy.

As young protesters across France were joined by others angered by the escalating cost of living and proposed public spending cuts, similar youth-led demonstrations have also commenced in Italian cities. Many of these protests have turned violent, with participants burning barricades and police facing accusations of excessive force. Here's a breakdown of the situation.

What are the protests in France and Italy about?

In late September, high school students in Seine-Saint-Denis, a northern suburb of Paris, began protesting the condition of their school buildings and teacher shortages. They expressed particular anger over the proposed government budget, which includes significant cuts to public spending. Students in Paris, and subsequently in other French cities, erected barricades around their schools, leading to hundreds of closures during the first week of October. The protests later expanded nationwide as public sector workers joined demonstrations to oppose planned pay freezes. More recently, the protests have broadened further, incorporating individuals concerned about the rising cost of living, fuel shortages, and petrol prices. These demonstrations have frequently devolved into rioting, looting, and arson.

French President Emmanuel Macron stated last week that "nothing justifies" violence and that local officials possess the authority to ban specific street gatherings if deemed necessary. French authorities also implemented curfews.

However, last Saturday saw hundreds of thousands of protesters across France, Italy, Spain, Belgium, and Portugal participate in largely uncoordinated demonstrations against the rising cost of living. Initially peaceful weekend protests in Milan escalated into riots, with groups of predominantly young people looting shops, smashing windows, and clashing with police. Masked protesters hurled stones, paving blocks, and other objects at riot police and set fire to barricades constructed from bar tables. Riots were also reported in the Italian cities of Bologna and Turin.

Official figures detailing the anticipated costs of the damage in both France and Italy are yet to be released.

What has Italy announced?

On Tuesday, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's government approved a package of measures in response to the unrest. These include deploying 500 soldiers to Milan until the end of the year and increasing the financial liability for parents whose children were involved in vandalism and looting. Under the new regulations, individuals participating in a group of at least five people and endangering public safety during protests face potential imprisonment of up to five years and a maximum fine of 20,000 euros ($22,460). Protesters aged between 14 and 18 can now be subjected to administrative detention, even without having committed a crime, provided there is evidence of them posing a danger. This extends powers previously applicable only to adults.

As part of the decree, which includes the slogan "You break it, you buy it," Italy has also strengthened laws holding parents responsible for criminal damage caused by their children. Article 2048 of the civil code already stipulates that parents and guardians are liable for damages incurred by "unlawful acts of unemancipated minor children or persons subject to guardianship who reside with them. The same provision applies to the foster parent." In Italy, authorities can enforce these laws through asset and wage attachments. The new measure allows the state to directly fine parents or claim damages for any resulting losses against parents' property or by deducting public subsidies the family receives.

What is the situation in France?

Under Article 1242 of the French Civil Code, parents residing with their children and exercising parental authority are also civilly liable for damages caused by their children. The law states, "Parents, in their capacity as holders of parental authority, are by right jointly and severally liable for damage caused by their minor children, except when the latter have been entrusted to a third party by an administrative or judicial decision."

Last year, a new law amended Article 1242 to reinforce parents' roles in youth justice proceedings. It removed the cohabitation requirement for parental civil liability to apply. In France, compensation from parents for damages caused by children can be pursued through civil proceedings and may involve asset seizure if not covered by civil liability insurance, which is often linked to housing insurance, subject to policy terms.

On Friday, French radio station RFI reported that a new bill, dubbed "rioters pay," is also being proposed by the government in response to the violent protests. The government is scheduled to debate the draft bill on October 27. If passed into law, those found responsible for vandalism could be required to pay up to 10,000 euros ($11,200) in compensation. In cases of criminal damage by minors, parents could be held accountable. A provision within the bill could also introduce collective civil liability, potentially obligating individuals within a group responsible for damage to pay, even if they did not directly cause it, under the same financial terms as those who did, according to RFI.

Prime Minister Sebastien Lecornu described the legislation as "absolutely essential" to ensure that taxpayers do not bear the cost of damage caused by protests.

Where else does this happen?

Several other countries also hold parents financially liable for damages caused by their children. For instance, in Sweden, parents or legal guardians may be held financially responsible, subject to statutory conditions and limits, for certain injuries or property damage caused by a child who commits a crime. In the United States, depending on state-specific conditions and limits, laws addressing parental responsibility stipulate that if a minor intentionally destroys public property, businesses, or vehicles, victims or local governments can sue the parents in civil court.