Nurse jobs in Italy are an attractive option for qualified healthcare professionals looking to build an international career in Europe. Italy has a large healthcare system that includes public hospitals, private clinics, rehabilitation centers, residential care facilities, home-care services and specialist medical institutions.

For foreign nurses, however, getting a job in Italy involves more than simply finding a vacancy. Nursing is a regulated healthcare profession, so candidates with qualifications obtained outside Italy generally need to have their professional qualification recognized before they can legally practise as nurses. The Italian Ministry of Health provides a specific recognition procedure for nurses whose professional qualifications were obtained outside the EU.

The good news is that nursing offers several career paths, competitive employment conditions and opportunities to specialize. Italy’s healthcare collective agreement also provides for a 13th monthly payment and specific nursing allowances for eligible public-sector employees.

This guide explains nurse jobs in Italy, expected salaries, qualifications, language requirements, professional recognition, visa procedures and practical ways to find legitimate vacancies.

Why Consider Nurse Jobs in Italy?

Italy can be an appealing destination for nurses for several reasons:

Established public and private healthcare systems
Opportunities in hospitals, clinics and residential care
Possibility of specialization in different nursing fields
Long-term career development
13th-month salary in applicable employment contracts
Additional allowances for certain shifts and responsibilities
Opportunities for qualified foreign healthcare professionals
European work experience
Potential opportunities in both northern and southern regions

The Italian healthcare sector includes hospitals and healthcare organizations that require nurses for day, evening, night and weekend shifts. The latest national healthcare collective agreement also recognizes nursing-specific allowances and shift-related compensation.

Types of Nurse Jobs Available in Italy

Nurses can work in several healthcare environments. Your opportunities will depend on your qualification, professional recognition, Italian-language ability and experience.

Position	Typical Workplace	Indicative Gross Salary*
Registered Nurse / Infermiere	Hospitals and clinics	€24,000–€34,000/year
Hospital Staff Nurse	Public/private hospitals	€25,000–€36,000/year
ICU Nurse	Intensive care units	€28,000–€40,000/year
Emergency Nurse	Emergency departments	€27,000–€40,000/year
Operating Room Nurse	Surgical departments	€27,000–€40,000/year
Pediatric Nurse	Children’s hospitals/clinics	€25,000–€36,000/year
Geriatric Nurse	Elderly-care facilities	€24,000–€34,000/year
Rehabilitation Nurse	Rehabilitation centers	€24,000–€35,000/year
Home Care Nurse	Patients’ homes	€24,000–€36,000/year
Mental Health Nurse	Psychiatric facilities	€25,000–€37,000/year
Nursing Coordinator	Hospitals/health facilities	€32,000–€45,000+

*Salary figures are indicative gross ranges rather than guaranteed offers. Actual pay depends on the employer, collective agreement, region, experience, specialty, shifts, overtime and allowances.

For public-sector employment, the national healthcare collective agreement places nurses within the “health professionals and officials” area. The agreement sets a basic annual salary of €24,918.93 from 2024 for that area, paid over 12 months plus a 13th payment, with additional nursing-specific allowances.

Specialist nurses working nights, weekends, emergency services or positions involving additional responsibilities may receive extra compensation according to their contract and employer.

Nurse Salary in Italy

Salary is one of the most important considerations for international nurses.

A newly employed nurse may start toward the lower end of the applicable salary scale, while experienced nurses and specialists can earn more. ICU, emergency, operating-room and coordination positions can offer higher total compensation when professional experience and allowances are considered.

Public Healthcare Sector

Italy’s public healthcare employment is governed by collective agreements. The latest CCNL Comparto Sanità 2022–2024 was definitively signed in October 2025. ARAN reports an average monthly increase of €172 for 13 monthly payments across the covered workforce.

The contract also provides a nursing-specific allowance. For nurses and pediatric nurses in the relevant professional area, the nursing specificity allowance was set at €87.79 per month from January 2025, in addition to the applicable salary and other contractual components.

Private Healthcare

Private hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and healthcare companies can have different salary structures. Before accepting an offer, candidates should check:

Gross annual salary
Number of monthly payments
Working hours
Night-shift allowance
Overtime rates
Weekend and holiday payments
Accommodation, if offered
Meals or meal allowance
Contract type
Probation period
Paid vacation
Social security contributions

Always compare the gross salary with the expected net salary after taxes and social contributions.

Where Can Nurses Work in Italy?

Nurses are employed across different healthcare environments.

1. Public Hospitals

Public hospitals are among the most important employers. Nurses may work in:

Medical wards
Surgical wards
Intensive care
Emergency departments
Cardiology
Oncology
Neurology
Pediatrics
Orthopedics
Maternity services

2. Private Hospitals and Clinics

Private healthcare organizations may recruit nurses for general and specialist care. Recruitment procedures and employment conditions vary between employers.

3. Elderly Care Facilities

Italy has many residential and long-term care facilities serving older people. Nurses working in these facilities may provide medication management, monitoring, wound care and general nursing support.

4. Home Healthcare

Home-care nurses visit patients at their residences. This can be an attractive career path for nurses who prefer working outside a traditional hospital environment.

5. Rehabilitation Centers

Rehabilitation nurses work with patients recovering from injuries, surgery, neurological conditions and other medical problems.

6. Specialized Departments

Experienced nurses can pursue positions in:

Intensive care
Emergency medicine
Operating rooms
Oncology
Dialysis
Cardiology
Pediatrics
Mental health
Geriatrics

Requirements for Nurse Jobs in Italy

The exact requirements depend on the employer and your nationality, but international applicants should generally prepare for the following.

Educational Qualification

You normally need a recognized nursing qualification that allows you to practise as a nurse in the country where it was obtained.

The Italian Ministry of Health states that qualifications obtained outside the EU must undergo a recognition process before the holder can practise the corresponding regulated healthcare profession in Italy.

Professional Registration

Once the qualification is recognized and other requirements are satisfied, nurses generally need to complete the applicable professional registration requirements in Italy.

Italian Language

Italian is extremely important for nursing.

Nurses communicate directly with:

Patients
Doctors
Family members
Pharmacists
Other nurses
Hospital administrators

You should therefore aim for strong working-level Italian. Employers may have their own language requirements, and candidates should verify the exact requirement in each vacancy.

Professional Experience

Experience is not always mandatory for entry-level positions, but it can significantly improve your chances, particularly for specialist jobs.

Experience in ICU, emergency medicine, surgery, geriatrics or other specialties can be valuable.

Recognition of a Foreign Nursing Qualification

This is one of the most important steps for non-Italian nurses.

The Italian Ministry of Health has a specific procedure for recognition of nursing qualifications obtained in non-EU countries. The application requires the relevant form and supporting documentation.

The Ministry states that, after assessment, the outcome may be:

Recognition of the qualification
Recognition subject to a compensatory measure
Rejection of the application

The Ministry’s current information states that the recognition procedure for a complete nursing application takes approximately four months. A €16 stamp duty is also specified for the application.

Italian Ministry of Health – Nurse Qualification Recognition

The Ministry also provides an online system for preparing recognition applications.

Italian Ministry of Health – Qualification Recognition Application Portal

Important

Do not assume that a nursing degree from another country automatically gives you permission to work as a nurse in Italy. Professional recognition and immigration permission are separate issues.

Even if a non-EU qualification has previously been recognized in another EU country, Italy applies its rules for qualifications originally obtained outside the EU.

Documents You May Need

Prepare your documents early because recognition and employment procedures can require extensive paperwork.

Common documents may include:

Valid passport
Nursing diploma or degree
Academic transcripts
Detailed training information
Professional registration/license
Certificate of professional status or good standing, where applicable
Employment certificates
Curriculum vitae
Proof of professional experience
Identity documents
Certified copies of qualifications
Italian translations where required
Recognition application forms
Passport photographs
Other documents requested by the Italian authorities

The exact documentation depends on the country where your qualification was obtained and the specific recognition route. Always follow the current Ministry of Health checklist rather than relying on a generic document list.

How to Find Nurse Jobs in Italy

There are several reliable ways to search for vacancies.

1. EURES

EURES is the European employment network and provides information about working conditions and job opportunities in European countries.

EURES – Living and Working in Italy

EURES notes that jobseekers can use public employment services, private employment agencies and online searches. It also identifies Italy’s Cliclavoro portal as a source of vacancies.

2. Cliclavoro

Cliclavoro – Italian Ministry of Labour Job Portal

Search using Italian terms such as:

infermiere
infermiere professionale
infermiere ospedale
infermiere terapia intensiva
infermiere pediatrico
infermiere RSA
infermiere domiciliare

3. Hospital and Healthcare Websites

Many Italian hospitals and local health authorities publish vacancies through their official websites. Search for the Italian term “concorsi infermiere” when looking for public-sector recruitment competitions.

4. Private Job Portals

Private employment websites can also be useful. However, verify the employer before providing personal documents or paying any recruitment-related fees.

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for Nurse Jobs in Italy

Step 1: Check Your Nursing Qualification

Confirm that your nursing education and professional registration meet the requirements for recognition in Italy.

Step 2: Improve Your Italian

Start learning Italian before applying. Strong communication skills can make a major difference during interviews and once you begin working.

Step 3: Prepare Your Documents

Collect your diploma, transcripts, registration documents, work certificates, passport and other required paperwork.

Step 4: Apply for Qualification Recognition

If your qualification was obtained outside the EU, follow the Italian Ministry of Health recognition procedure for nurses.

Step 5: Prepare an Italian CV

Create a professional CV that clearly shows:

Nursing qualification
Years of experience
Specialization
Hospital departments
Clinical skills
Certifications
Language skills
Professional registration
Contact information

Step 6: Search for Vacancies

Use EURES, Cliclavoro, healthcare organizations, hospitals and reputable recruitment agencies.

Step 7: Apply Directly

Submit your CV and required documents through the employer’s official recruitment system whenever possible.

Step 8: Complete the Interview

International employers may conduct interviews online. Be prepared to discuss clinical experience, patient care, medications, teamwork, emergency procedures and your ability to communicate in Italian.

Step 9: Receive a Job Offer

Before accepting, carefully check the contract, salary, work schedule, location, accommodation arrangements and other conditions.

Step 10: Complete Immigration Procedures

Non-EU applicants must also obtain the appropriate authorization and visa to work legally in Italy.

Visa Requirements for Non-EU Nurses

A professional qualification does not by itself give a non-EU citizen the right to enter Italy for employment.

For ordinary subordinate employment, the employer generally plays an important role in the immigration process by requesting the Nulla Osta (work authorization) from the Italian immigration authorities. Italian diplomatic missions explain that the employment visa process requires the employer to obtain this authorization through the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione.

Italy’s 2026–2028 immigration program provides annual quotas for legal foreign-worker entry. For 2026, the government authorized 76,200 entries for non-seasonal subordinate employment, alongside other categories. Applications under the 2026 program can continue until December 31, 2026, subject to available quotas.

However, applicants should not assume that every nursing vacancy automatically qualifies for a particular quota or visa route. The employer and immigration authorities determine the applicable procedure.

A typical employment route may involve:

Obtaining a genuine job offer
Employer submitting the required work authorization request
Issuance of the Nulla Osta
Applying for the appropriate Italian long-stay employment visa
Entering Italy
Completing the required residence/immigration formalities
Completing professional registration and employer requirements

The Italian Embassy in Islamabad publishes subordinate-work visa requirements, including the visa application form, photograph, valid travel document and Nulla Osta.

Embassy of Italy in Islamabad – Visa Information

Skills That Can Help You Get Hired

Employers may value nurses who demonstrate:

Patient assessment skills
Medication administration
Wound care
Infection-control knowledge
Emergency response
Clinical documentation
Teamwork
Communication
Patient education
Time management
Computer skills
Ability to work shifts
Adaptability
Professional ethics

Specialized experience can make your CV stronger, especially in ICU, emergency, surgery, oncology, dialysis and elderly care.

Best Regions for Nursing Opportunities

Nursing opportunities can be found throughout Italy. Major urban and industrial areas often have large healthcare networks and private healthcare providers.

Potential locations include:

Lombardy
Lazio
Emilia-Romagna
Veneto
Piedmont
Tuscany
Liguria
Campania
Sicily
Sardinia

Do not choose a region based only on salary. Consider the cost of housing, transportation, availability of healthcare employers and the specific contract being offered.

How to Avoid Nurse Job Scams

International healthcare recruitment attracts scammers, so applicants should be careful.

Be cautious if a recruiter:

Guarantees a visa without an employer
Promises instant qualification recognition
Requests large upfront recruitment fees
Uses an unofficial email address
Refuses to provide a written job contract
Asks for passport documents before verifying the employer
Claims that Italian language skills are unnecessary for all nursing jobs
Promises an unusually high salary with no experience
Pressures you to transfer money quickly

Verify the employer through its official website and confirm professional-recognition information through the Italian Ministry of Health.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can foreign nurses work in Italy?

Yes. Foreign nurses can work in Italy if they satisfy the applicable professional-recognition, registration and immigration requirements. Nurses with qualifications obtained outside the EU generally need recognition from the competent Italian authority before practising the profession.

2. How much does a nurse earn in Italy?

A broad indicative range for employed nurses can be around €24,000–€40,000+ gross annually, depending on experience, specialty, employer, shifts and allowances. Public-sector salaries are governed by collective agreements, while private-sector salaries can differ.

3. Is Italian language required for nurses?

Strong Italian is highly important because nurses communicate directly with patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals. The exact language requirement varies by employer and recruitment route.

4. Do non-EU nurses need qualification recognition?

Yes, in general. The Italian Ministry of Health requires recognition of professional qualifications obtained outside the EU before the corresponding regulated healthcare profession can be practised in Italy.

5. Can an employer sponsor a foreign nurse?

An Italian employer can participate in the employment immigration process for eligible non-EU workers. For subordinate employment, the employer generally applies for the required Nulla Osta through the Italian immigration system before the worker applies for the appropriate visa.

6. How long does nursing qualification recognition take?

The Italian Ministry of Health states that the nurse qualification recognition procedure takes approximately four months from submission of a complete application. Missing documentation can require additional steps, so actual timelines can vary.

Conclusion

Nurse jobs in Italy can provide qualified healthcare professionals with an opportunity to develop an international career in hospitals, clinics, elderly-care facilities, rehabilitation centers, home healthcare and specialist departments.

The most important thing for foreign nurses is to understand that finding a job and becoming legally authorized to practise are two separate processes. Candidates with non-EU qualifications should begin by checking the Italian Ministry of Health’s professional-recognition requirements, while non-EU citizens should also investigate the appropriate employment immigration and visa procedure.

A strong Italian-language ability, recognized nursing qualification, relevant clinical experience and a well-prepared CV can significantly improve your chances of finding suitable employment.

Start by preparing your professional documents, checking qualification-recognition requirements, searching legitimate vacancies and applying directly to reputable healthcare employers. With careful preparation and patience, Italy can be a worthwhile destination for nurses seeking European healthcare experience and long-term career opportunities.