Recognition of a non-EU physiotherapist’s qualification
How a physiotherapist’s qualification from outside the EU is recognised in Italy: the general system, the D2-7 form, the documents and compensation measures.

Recognition of a physiotherapist’s qualification obtained in a non-EU country
A physiotherapist’s qualification 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 case from the application to registration with the order.
How it works
Recognition of a physiotherapist’s qualification obtained in a third country is within the competence of the Ministry of Health, Directorate-General for the Healthcare Professions, and takes place under the general system, which allows the Ministry to require a compensation measure.
Submission of the application
The application, on stamped paper and on form D2-7 with its annex, is addressed to the Directorate-General for the Healthcare Professions, Office 2, at Viale Giorgio Ribotta 5 in Rome, by post or by hand.
Assessment and evaluation
The Ministry assesses the training and, if the documentation is incomplete, requests additions. The procedure may conclude with a recognition decree, with recognition subject to a compensation measure, an aptitude test or an adaptation period, or with a refusal.
Recognition decree
The procedure is normally concluded within four months of submission of the complete documentation.
Language check and registration
The Order of Physiotherapists (OFI) 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 in the annex to form D2-7, but the essential elements are the following.
- The physiotherapist qualification obtained in the non-EU country
- 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 consulate or sworn before an Italian court
- Authenticated copies of the documents, at the Italian embassy or consulate or at any municipality, without colour photocopies
- A valid identity document
- An application on stamped paper, on form D2-7, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification via PagoPA
Key points
Assessment under the general system. The training is assessed on its merits and the Ministry may require a compensation measure, an aptitude test or an adaptation period.
Legalisation and translation. The non-EU qualification requires the Apostille or consular legalisation, with a translation 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. Normally within four months of the complete documentation, with a sixteen-euro stamp for each qualification, paid online through PagoPA.
Legal references: Directive 2005/36/EC, Directive 2006/100/EC, Legislative Decree 206 of 2007, Legislative Decree 286 of 1998, Law 189 of 2002, Presidential Decree 394 of 1999.
Explore further
A qualification obtained in a Union country follows the same general system, with the certificate of conformity in place of the Declaration of Value. The linked pages deal with the recurring tools of the case.
Talk to us
Send us the qualification and the State where it was 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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