{"id":3337,"date":"2025-09-08T06:22:06","date_gmt":"2025-09-08T06:22:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/?page_id=3337"},"modified":"2026-04-23T06:56:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T06:56:33","slug":"visa-for-professional-nurses","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/international-work\/visa-for-professional-nurses\/","title":{"rendered":"Visa for professional nurses"},"content":{"rendered":"
International work<\/div>\n

Residence permit and visa for professional nurses in Italy<\/h1>\n
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Italy is currently one of the most sought-after European destinations for qualified foreign nurses, thanks to the numerous opportunities offered by the national and private healthcare systems. However, to work legally as a non-EU nurse in Italy, it is necessary to obtain a visa for professional nurses and, subsequently, a residence permit. This is a procedure governed by specific regulations, designed to ensure that only professionals with recognized qualifications can access the Italian healthcare job market.<\/p>\n

In this context, Boschetti Law Firm is a trusted point of reference for those seeking complete and reliable assistance in the field of healthcare immigration. With nearly 20 years of experience, the firm has helped hundreds of professionals and families enter and regularize their position in Italy. The in-depth knowledge of immigration law, combined with personalized attention to each case, makes our legal support a concrete guide throughout the entire process.<\/p>\n

If you are a nurse wishing to work in Italy, or a healthcare facility looking to hire qualified staff, our firm can help you obtain the visa and regularize your status in a fast, compliant and professional way.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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What are the requirements to apply for the visa for professional nurses<\/h2>\n
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The visa for professional nurses in Italy is provided for by Italian law (art. 27, letter r-bis, of Legislative Decree 286\/1998) to allow the entry and employment of non-EU nurses by Italian healthcare facilities. It is a quota-exempt category with respect to the annual limits set by the \u201cdecreto flussi\u201d, which means there is no need to wait for the annual quotas to open before submitting the application.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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To obtain this visa, the nurse must hold a specific qualification recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health. Only those who have obtained this recognition are eligible to be legally hired in Italy. Public and private healthcare facilities can employ such professionals on permanent contracts through a dedicated procedure for requesting the work authorization (\u201cnulla osta\u201d).<\/p>\n

However, it is important to note that there is a special rule in force in Italy that allows non-EU healthcare workers to practice even without formal recognition of their diploma. This opportunity, introduced during the COVID-19 emergency, has been extended until December 31, 2027, and allows the Regions to authorize foreign healthcare workers, provided they meet basic requirements (such as being registered with the professional register in their home country and notifying the Italian register of the facility where they work). Several Regions are applying this measure: among the most active are Veneto, Calabria, Piedmont, Lombardy and Apulia, with specific agreements or partnerships with foreign universities.<\/p>\n

Returning to the individual requirements, the following entities are also eligible to request the work authorization:<\/p>\n

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  • temporary employment agencies, provided they have a contract with a healthcare facility<\/li>\n
  • cooperatives, but only if they directly manage the entire facility, a department or a specific service<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    It is essential that the nurse is still residing abroad at the time of the application. Once the work authorization is obtained, the applicant can go to the Italian Consulate in their country to obtain the visa and prepare for legal entry into Italy.<\/p>\n

    The visa for professional nurses is therefore reserved for qualified candidates and authorized facilities, and represents the first step to work legally as a nurse in Italy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

    [sign-in]<\/p>\n

    Who can apply for the residence permit for nurses<\/h2>\n
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    Once the visa for professional nurses has been obtained, the non-EU nurse can enter Italy. However, within eight days of entering the country, it is mandatory to apply for the residence permit. This document is essential to legally practice the profession and live in Italy without legal risks or interruptions in the employment relationship.<\/p>\n

    The residence permit can be requested by all nurses who:<\/p>\n

      \n
    • are non-EU citizens<\/li>\n
    • have obtained a visa for professional nurses<\/li>\n
    • have been hired by a public or private healthcare facility, or by authorized cooperatives or temporary employment agencies<\/li>\n
    • possess a qualification recognized by the Ministry of Health<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      In this case as well, the work authorization must have been previously issued and the procedure must be followed carefully. The validity of the residence permit for nurses is normally equal to the duration of the employment contract, but it can be renewed if the work activity continues.<\/p>\n

      It is important to note that the nurse must go to the competent Police Headquarters (\u201cQuestura\u201d) for their place of residence and present all the necessary documentation. Failure to comply with the eight-day deadline may result in penalties or difficulties in regularization.<\/p>\n

      In conclusion, those who wish to work in Italy as a foreign nurse must first obtain the visa and then the residence permit, respecting the deadlines and conditions established by law.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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      What is the procedure to hire a foreign nurse still residing abroad<\/h2>\n
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      Italian healthcare facilities wishing to hire a non-EU nurse who still resides abroad must follow a well-defined procedure authorized by the Ministry of the Interior. This option falls under the quota-exempt category of the \u201cdecreto flussi\u201d, allowing facilities to proceed even outside the annual openings.<\/p>\n

      Here are the main steps:<\/p>\n

        \n
      1. The healthcare facility (public or private), a temporary employment agency or an authorized cooperative must submit a request for work authorization to the Immigration Office (\u201cSportello Unico per l\u2019Immigrazione\u201d).<\/li>\n
      2. The request must include:\n
          \n
        • the proposed employment contract<\/li>\n
        • a copy of the nurse\u2019s identification document<\/li>\n
        • certification of recognition of the professional qualification by the Ministry of Health<\/li>\n
        • a declaration that the nurse is still residing abroad<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
        • If the work authorization is approved, the documents are automatically forwarded to the Italian Consulate in the nurse\u2019s home country, which will issue the visa for professional nurses<\/li>\n
        • The nurse can then enter Italy and, within 8 days, apply for the residence permit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n
            <\/ol>\n

            It is important to underline that any error, omission or delay can compromise the entire procedure, leading to the denial of the work authorization or the visa.<\/p>\n

            For this reason, it is highly recommended to be assisted by an experienced professional, capable of handling every detail and ensuring a successful outcome.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

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            \"\"<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

            How to obtain recognition of a nursing qualification<\/h2>\n
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            To work in Italy, a foreign nurse must obtain recognition of their qualification by the Ministry of Health. This is a fundamental requirement to access the procedure for the work authorization and the subsequent issue of the visa and residence permit.<\/p>\n

            The recognition application can be submitted by both EU and non-EU citizens, and it is free of charge. The process takes place through the Ministry\u2019s online portal and requires the completion of a specific form and the submission of the following documents:<\/p>\n

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            • a copy of the original qualification, translated and legalized (or apostilled, depending on the case)<\/li>\n
            • study program<\/li>\n
            • identity documents<\/li>\n
            • any certificates of work experience<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

              The Ministry of Health specifies on its website that the forms and required documents are available in a dedicated section for each healthcare profession. The qualifications for which recognition is requested must be submitted in certified copy, and the original is not required.<\/p>\n

              Once the request is submitted, the Ministry examines the documentation and verifies whether the nurse\u2019s education meets Italian standards. If the qualification is deemed equivalent, a recognition order is issued. Otherwise, a compensatory measure (exam or internship) may be required.<\/p>\n

              Without the recognition of the qualification, it is not possible to request the work authorization or proceed with the following steps to work legally in Italy.<\/p>\n

              Even in this phase, it is possible to seek assistance from legal professionals to avoid errors in the application and speed up the response time.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

              How Boschetti International Law Firm can help you obtain the nurse visa in Italy<\/h2>\n

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              \n

              Boschetti International Law Firm is a point of reference in Italy for anyone who wishes to successfully complete healthcare immigration procedures. Our team supports non-EU citizens, families, companies and healthcare facilities in obtaining the visa for professional nurses and the subsequent residence permit.<\/p>\n

              We work with precision and timeliness on every single step:<\/p>\n

                \n
              • analysis of the candidate\u2019s requirements<\/li>\n
              • management of the work authorization request<\/li>\n
              • coordination with healthcare facilities for the employment contract<\/li>\n
              • assistance in obtaining recognition of the qualification<\/li>\n
              • preparation of documentation for the issuance of the visa and residence permit<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

                Our experience is confirmed by countless online reviews from satisfied clients who appreciate our expertise, humanity and punctuality. We stand out for our ability to minimize waiting times, anticipate bureaucratic challenges and offer concrete solutions even in complex cases.<\/p>\n

                If you are a healthcare facility intending to hire foreign nurses, or a professional who wants to enter and work legally in Italy, we can guide you step by step, leaving nothing to chance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n


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                International work Residence permit and visa for professional nurses in Italy Italy is currently one of the most sought-after European destinations for qualified foreign nurses, thanks to the numerous opportunities offered by the national and private healthcare systems. However, to work legally as a non-EU nurse in Italy, it is necessary to obtain a visa […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":3480,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-3337","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3337","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3337"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3337\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5426,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3337\/revisions\/5426"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/3480"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.italyvisainvestments.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3337"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}