Frequently Asked Questions

There is no minimum requirement, and certainly no entrance test! The Polyglot Conference is not about numbers, but about passion. It is open to everyone who loves language. The idea behind the conference is to create a space to come together and share that passion. Every year, we welcome hobbyists, professionals, academics, entrepreneurs, publishers—everybody and anybody to the conference.

The events are designed for anyone who loves language: teachers, interpreters, translators, students, scholars, language bloggers, linguists, writers, and people who simply want to know more about languages. Whether you are just starting to learn a new language or are a seasoned polyglot, the conference welcomes anyone with a passion for languages. Our attendees come from various backgrounds, united by their love for language learning and cultural exchange.

By attending the Polyglot Conference, you will meet other language enthusiasts, discuss new learning resources and techniques, learn about the latest linguistic research, and speak in different languages with attendees from around the world. It’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in language and culture, spending a week focusing on language in a way that most of us are unable to do in our daily lives.

The Polyglot Conference is intended for adults, but highly motivated and mature teenagers (16+) are welcome. If you are under 18, an adult guardian will need to register and attend along with you. If you are under 16 and really want to attend, please send us a message explaining your situation, and we’ll be happy to consider each application on a case-by-case basis.

The Polyglot Conference is an international event that brings language lovers together in person. We aim to offer a professional and welcoming space, with a programme that includes a wide range of speakers from across and beyond the language-learning community. At the heart of the conference is a strong desire to raise the voices of Indigenous, endangered, and vulnerable language communities, in line with the spirit of UNESCO’s International Decade of Indigenous Languages (2022–2032).

Each year, the conference takes place in a new destination. This means every edition is shaped in part by its host city, country, and sometimes the wider region, with a focus on celebrating local languages and cultures as part of the experience.

The Polyglot Gathering is a sister event that we fully support and enjoy attending as well. Both events share a love of languages, people, and community, while each offers its own atmosphere and focus.

Refund requests will be handled on a case-by-case basis. Since this is a donation-based ticket, any refund requests must be made before 15th October 2026 for a chance of a partial refund. Please keep in mind that this is a limited event with fixed costs.

Yes! We record all of our talks, so the information can be later accessed by anyone interested in the topics discussed. We believe in sharing our knowledge with the widest possible audience, so we can be an inclusive organization. All presenters at the conference have to accept this condition before they take to the stage. They will be available at the following Polyglot Conference Global as an exclusive offer to our Global attendees before they are made public however.

There are no rooms at the venue in Bologna, but there are going to be accommodation options for the Language Business Retreat. We may also be given links to venues at a cheaper rate and we will pass any such offers onto ticket holders.

Italy is part of the Schengen Area. You can check whether you need a visa for Italy on the following page: Do I need a visa for Italy?

Bologna is a very walkable city, and it is well connected to the rest of Italy and beyond. You can reach Bologna by train, coach, or plane.

For train travel in Italy, please see the Trenitalia website

For coach travel, you can check itabus website, FlixBus, or resellers such as Omio website

Many low-cost airlines fly directly to Bologna Airport from a range of countries.

Ryanair website
Wizz Air website
easyJet website
Jet2 website

Note: These links and suggestions are provided for convenience and do not constitute an endorsement of the companies mentioned.

Bologna is a very walkable city, with much of the centre easy to explore on foot. Local buses and taxis are also available if needed. For more information on getting around the city by public transport, please see the Bologna Welcome public transport page.

We hope to offer Bolognese and Italian language courses in the days before the conference. If you are interested in joining one of them, please fill out our interest form. This will help us gauge demand, and we will be in touch as plans take shape.

You can join the waiting list now, and we will be in touch with details once tickets are formally available. Signing up early is the best way to stay informed and be among the first to hear about next steps for Bologna.

Apply to join us here!

The Language Business Retreat takes place in Ferrara from 14 to 17 November and is designed for people who already run a business in the language space. If that sounds like you, you can apply using this form, and you can also read more about it on the retreat page.

If you are not already running a language business but are interested in building one, we are also planning a special Language Business Booster event on 18 November. If that would interest you, please fill out the interest form and we will share more details as plans are confirmed.

This year we are able to look at supporting people financially. This will be limited, so we have an application form for you, if you are accepted as a speaker at the Polyglot Conference in Bologna.

Check out the form here and see if you can join us in Bologna this year!

There is plenty to see and do in Bologna, from historic landmarks and cultural sites to excellent food and a lively local atmosphere. To explore what might be of most interest to you, take a look at our partner’s website, Bologna Welcome.