Recognition of a non-EU medical specialist’s qualification
How a medical specialisation obtained outside the EU is recognised in Italy: the general system, the E1 form, possible compensation measures and the documents.
Recognition of a medical specialist’s qualification obtained in a non-EU country
A medical specialisation obtained outside the Union is assessed by the Ministry of Health under the general system, with the possibility of a compensation measure. We follow the whole case, from the verification of the qualifications to the annotation with the order.
How it works
Recognition of a medical specialisation obtained in a third country is within the competence of the Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for the Healthcare Professions. The assessment is substantive and takes place under the general system, which allows the Ministry to require a compensation measure to make up any differences in training. The application concerns both the basic qualification and the specialisation qualification.
Submission of the application
The application, on stamped paper and on form E1 with annex E1, 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 post or by hand. The basic qualification of doctor and the specialisation qualification are declared.
Assessment and evaluation
The Ministry assesses the specialist training and the documentation. Under the general system it may make recognition subject to passing a compensation measure, an aptitude test or an adaptation period, where it finds substantial differences from the Italian course.
Recognition decree
The procedure is normally concluded within four months of submission of the complete documentation, with the issue of the decree, the precondition for practice of the specialist profession in Italy.
Language check and registration with the order
The Order of Physicians and Dentists verifies the knowledge of Italian necessary for practice and proceeds to registration on the register, with annotation of the recognised specialisation.
The documents
The documentation must be submitted complete and compliant. The precise list is contained in annex E1, but the essential elements are the following.
- The basic medical training qualification obtained in the non-EU country
- The specialist medical training diploma obtained in the non-EU country
- Legalisation of the qualifications 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 or consulate in the country of origin, or in Italy at any municipality, without colour photocopies
- An identity document and an application on stamped paper, on form E1, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification
Key points
Assessment under the general system. Unlike a Union qualification, a non-EU specialisation does not enjoy automatic recognition. The Ministry assesses the training and may require a compensation measure, an aptitude test or an adaptation period.
Relationship with the basic qualification. Recognition of the specialisation presupposes the qualification of doctor. The two qualifications may be submitted with the same application.
Legalisation and translation. Non-EU qualifications require 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 four months of submission of the complete documentation, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification to be recognised.
Legal references: Presidential Decree 394 of 1999, Directive 2005/36/EC, Legislative Decree 206 of 2007.
Explore further
A specialisation obtained in a Union country follows automatic recognition for harmonised specialisations. The linked pages deal with the recurring tools of the case.
Talk to us
Send us the basic qualification, the specialisation diploma and the State where they were obtained. We assess the route and follow the whole case, through to registration with the order.
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.
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