Recognition of foreign qualifications in the architecture area

Besides the architect, the Ministry of University and Research recognises the foreign qualifications of the other professions of the architecture area: the town planner, the landscape architect, the conservator of architectural and environmental heritage and the two junior figures.

The professions of the architecture area

The area comprises, besides the architect, the town planner, the landscape architect and the conservator of architectural and environmental heritage, entered in Section A of the register, and the junior architect and the junior planner, entered in Section B, in accordance with Presidential Decree 328/2001. All these professions come under the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators, and for all of them the authority competent for recognition of the foreign qualification is the Ministry of University and Research.

The architect and the other professions

Among the professions of the area, the architect is the only one classed as a sectoral profession by Directive 2005/36/EC. For the town planner, the landscape architect, the conservator and the junior figures there is no harmonised qualification at European level, so recognition of the foreign qualification, whether obtained in the Union or outside it, rests on an assessment of the academic and professional background and of its conformity with what is required in Italy.

Qualifications obtained in the European Union

For qualifications obtained in a country of the Union, in the European Economic Area or in Switzerland, the application is submitted to the Ministry of University and Research through the online portal, with a digital signature or SPID. A Declaration of Value is not required. The application is accompanied by:

• the qualification obtained abroad and the document attesting authorisation to practise the profession in the country of origin
• the certificate from the competent authority of the country of origin attesting that the training complies with Directive 2005/36/EC
• the certificate from the professional order of the country of origin as to good standing and the absence of disciplinary or criminal proceedings, issued recently
• the certificate of absence of insolvency or bankruptcy proceedings
• a copy of a valid identity document

The recognition decree is normally issued within one hundred and twenty days of submission of the complete documentation and is notified to the territorially competent Order.

Qualifications obtained in non-EU countries

For qualifications obtained outside the Union, recognition follows the general system, based on an examination of the background. The application is accompanied by the foreign academic qualification and the transcript of examinations with an official translation, the title authorising practice of the profession in the country of origin, the Declaration of Value issued by the Italian diplomatic or consular mission, and documentation of the professional experience. Documents in a foreign language require translation into Italian and, depending on the country, legalisation or an Apostille under the Hague Convention of 1961.

Compensation measures

Where the foreign background presents substantial differences from that required in Italy, recognition may be made subject to a compensation measure, in the form of an aptitude test or an adaptation period. Documented professional experience is assessed with a view to reducing or waiving the measure.

From the decree to registration with the Order

The recognition decree is the precondition for registration with the relevant section of the Order of Architects, Planners, Landscape Architects and Conservators of the territorially competent district, which completes the authorisation to practise. The application and the decision are subject to stamp duty, settled by means of two sixteen-euro stamps. For a non-EU national, registration remains subject to holding a valid residence permit.

Legal references: Directive 2005/36/EC, Directive 2013/55/EU, Legislative Decree 206/2007, Legislative Decree 15/2016, Presidential Decree 328/2001, Hague Convention of 5 October 1961.