EU regulations

Information requiring confirmation: this material includes historical descriptions. Before enrolling, obtain current documents from the academic office about the programme, university, accreditation, fees and qualification recognition.

European rules and recognition of qualifications

The existing material refers to Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and its Italian implementing legislation, Legislative Decree 206/2007. Recognition for a regulated profession must be distinguished from academic recognition for further study.

Practising a regulated profession

A person wishing to practise a regulated healthcare profession in another country must follow the recognition and registration procedure required by that country's competent authority. EU rules have specific eligibility conditions; automatic recognition does not apply to every degree or applicant. Qualifications obtained outside the EU are generally assessed under the receiving country's applicable rules.

For current procedures, consult the European Union guidance on regulated professions and the relevant national authority before making study or employment decisions.

The right of establishment

The original guidance describes an application to have a professional qualification recognised when a graduate intends to practise permanently in Italy. The required documents and applicable recognition pathway depend on the applicant's qualification, nationality, profession and circumstances.

The Bologna Process and the European Higher Education Area

The Bologna Declaration of 1999 initiated cooperation to make higher education systems more understandable and comparable. Its objectives include transparent qualifications, study and worker mobility, quality assurance, international attractiveness and a broad high-quality knowledge base.

The main tools include comparable qualifications and Diploma Supplements; first-cycle, second-cycle and doctoral degree structures; ECTS credits; removal of obstacles to mobility; cooperation in quality assurance; and a European dimension in curricula, institutional cooperation and integrated programmes.

Participation in the Bologna Process and use of ECTS do not alone guarantee admission to another university or authorisation to practise a profession. See the European Higher Education Area recognition guidance for the academic framework.