Healthcare in Italy faces a scenario of contradictions. Data from the Association of Doctors of Foreign Origin in Italy. (Amsi) Studies indicate that professionals from other countries already represent more than 10% of the workforce in the sector.
Currently, the country has 123.810 foreign healthcare professionals. This group includes 49.500 doctors and 45.200 nurses, as well as dentists, physiotherapists, pharmacists, and psychologists.
According to Foad Aodi, president of Amsi, the work of these professionals has been essential in recent years. Between 2023 and 2025, the work of foreigners prevented the closure of 5.200 departments and services in the Italian healthcare system.
Despite their numerical importance, there are legal and bureaucratic obstacles. Approximately 65% of these professionals do not possess Italian citizenship. For this reason, they are prevented from participating in public competitions for permanent positions.
Risk in verifying documents
The sector is living under the so-called "deroga Covid" (except for Covid)The rule allows hiring without rigorous verification of foreign qualifications. Filippo Anelli, president of the federation of medical orders. (Fnomceo), warns of the risks of this measure.
According to Anelli, the responsibility for verifying diplomas lies with the regions, but oversight is flawed. He states that the lack of control may constitute an abuse of the profession. "The verification of qualifications falls to the regions, which are not doing it. Thus, it becomes an abuse of the profession," he told the newspaper Quotidiano.
Foad Aodi also points out that lack of knowledge of the Italian language as a dangerous factor for service. For him, integration requires technical and linguistic competence.
Exodus of professionals
While foreigners fill the vacancies, Italian doctors And graduates from Italy are leaving the country. Between 2023 and 2025, 6.000 nurses and 4.000 doctors left Italy in search of better opportunities abroad.
The category cites professional burnout and low pay as reasons for leaving the field. Excessive bureaucracy and the risk of lawsuits also deter young people from pursuing emergency medicine.
The barrier to citizenship
According to AmsiApproximately 65% of foreign healthcare professionals do not have [the necessary qualifications]. Italian citizenshipThis condition legally prevents them from participating in public competitions for permanent positions.
Only 35% of these professionals are Italian citizens. Within this group, 53% work in critical areas of the system, such as family medicine, affiliated pediatrics, emergency rooms, and medical guard posts (night and holiday care).
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