Recognition of a non-EU doctor’s qualification
How a doctor’s qualification from a non-EU country is recognised in Italy: the Ministry of Health channel, the precondition, the documents and the outcomes.
Recognition of a doctor’s qualification obtained in a non-EU country
A medical qualification obtained outside the Union follows a dedicated channel at the Ministry of Health, open where the qualification has already been recognised by a formal act in a State of the Union, in the EEA or in Switzerland. We assess the precondition and follow the case through to the decree.
How it works
Recognition of a doctor’s qualification obtained in a third country goes through the Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for the Healthcare Professions. The channel governed by Form D4 presupposes that the qualification has already been recognised, by a formal measure, in a State of the Union, in the EEA or in Switzerland. The assessment is substantive and may require a compensation measure.
Verification of the precondition
It is established that the non-EU qualification has already been recognised by a formal act in a State of the Union, in the EEA or in Switzerland. This is the condition that opens this channel. In its absence the case follows a different route, to be set up case by case.
Submission of the application
The application, on stamped paper and on form D4 with annex D4, is addressed to the Directorate-General for the Healthcare Professions and Policies for the National Health Service, Office 2, at Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5 in Rome, by certified email to dgrups@postacert.sanita.it, by ordinary post or by hand.
Assessment and evaluation
The Ministry assesses the training and the documentation. The procedure may conclude with a recognition decree, with recognition subject to passing a compensation measure, an aptitude test or an adaptation period, or with a refusal.
Decree, language and registration
Once the decree has been issued, and any compensation measure passed, the Order of Physicians and Dentists verifies the knowledge of Italian and proceeds to registration on the register.
The documents
The documentation must be submitted complete and compliant. The precise list is contained in annex D4, but the essential elements are the following.
- The doctor’s qualification obtained in the non-EU country
- The formal measure recognising the qualification, adopted in an EU, EEA State or in Switzerland
- Legalisation of the qualification by Apostille, under the Hague Convention of 1961, or by the Italian diplomatic or consular authority
- A translation into Italian certified as conforming by the Italian consulate or sworn before an Italian court
- Authenticated copies at the Italian embassy in the country of origin, or in Italy by a notary, a court registrar or any municipality, without colour photocopies
- An identity document and an application on stamped paper, on form D4, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification
Key points
The precondition of the channel. This route is available where the qualification has already been recognised, by a formal measure, in a State of the Union, in the EEA or in Switzerland. Without that measure the case must be set up differently.
Three possible outcomes. At the end of the assessment the Ministry issues a recognition decree, recognition subject to a compensation measure, or a refusal.
Legalisation and translation. The non-EU qualification requires the Apostille or consular legalisation, with a translation into Italian certified as conforming or sworn.
Knowledge of the Italian language. It is a precondition for practice, verified by the order as a safeguard for the safety of care.
Timeframes and costs. The procedure is normally concluded within three months of submission of the complete documentation, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification to be recognised, paid online through the PagoPA platform.
Legal references: Presidential Decree 394 of 1999, Directive 2005/36/EC, Legislative Decree 206 of 2007.
Explore further
A qualification obtained in a Union country follows automatic recognition, without compensation measures. The linked pages deal with the recurring tools of the case.
Talk to us
Send us the qualification, the State where it was obtained and any recognition measure already obtained in Europe. We verify the precondition and set up the case.
Write to us at info@riconoscimentititoli.comRequest a preliminary assessment
For a preliminary assessment of your case, send us your qualification and tell us the purpose for which you need recognition. We will assess the route and follow the whole procedure, from the documents to the final decision.
Request an assessmentWrite to us at info@riconoscimentititoli.com, in Italian, English, Spanish or French. We receive visitors by appointment only, arranged by telephone or e-mail.
Level 1, One Mayfair Place
W1J 8AJ, London, United Kingdom
Tel. +44 207 268 4944