If you are a qualified nurse looking for Nursing Jobs in Italy, Italy can be an attractive option in 2026, particularly for nurses who have a recognized nursing qualification, relevant clinical experience and good Italian-language skills.
For Nursing Jobs in Italy from countries such as Pakistan, India, the Philippines and other non-EU countries, however, getting a nursing job in Italy involves more than simply applying for vacancies. Because nursing is a regulated healthcare profession, foreign qualifications generally need to be recognized in Italy before you can work as a professional nurse.
This guide explains nursing jobs in Italy in 2026, expected salaries, eligibility requirements, qualification recognition, language requirements, visa procedures and the step-by-step application process and find more jobs visit out site https://karlojobs.com/jobs-in-poland-2026/
Nursing Jobs in Italy 2026:
Italian hospitals, private healthcare facilities, nursing homes and other healthcare organizations employ registered nurses, commonly called “infermiere” in Italy.
Oppurtunities for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
- Public hospitals
- Private hospitals and clinics
- Nursing homes and residential care facilities
- Rehabilitation centres
- Elderly-care facilities
- Home healthcare services
- Specialist healthcare departments
- Long-term care facilities
Available positions can vary considerably by region, employer and specialization. Candidates with experience in areas such as intensive care, emergency nursing, surgery, geriatrics, oncology or other specialized fields may have additional opportunities.
Salaries of Nursing Jobs in Italy in 2026:
Salaries of Nursing Jobs in Italy depend on experience, employer, region, shift work, specialization and whether the nurse works in the public or private sector.
The public healthcare sector follows national collective agreements, while private-sector salaries can vary between employers and healthcare organizations.
A major development for 2026 is the renewal of Italy’s Sanità 2025–2027 national contract. In July 2026, the agreement provided for an increase of approximately €240 gross per month for nurses at full implementation.
Approximate salary factors
Factor| Effect on salary
Entry-level experience| Generally lower salary
Several years of experience| Higher salary potential
Specialist experience| Can improve opportunities
Night shifts| Additional allowances may apply
Weekend/holiday work| Additional payments may apply
Public healthcare| More structured pay system
Private healthcare| Pay varies by employer
Senior/specialist roles| Potentially higher earnings
Important: Gross salary is not the same as take-home salary. Italian income tax, social-security contributions and other deductions affect the amount you actually receive.
Before accepting an offer, always check the gross annual salary, working hours, overtime, shift allowances, accommodation, probation period and deductions.
Requirements for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
The requirements depend on your nationality and the employer, but foreign nurses should generally prepare for the following:
- Qualification for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
You should have a recognized nursing qualification, such as a Bachelor of Science in Nursing or an equivalent professional nursing qualification.
If your qualification was obtained outside the EU, it normally needs to be assessed and recognized by the Italian Ministry of Health before you can legally practise the regulated profession of nursing in Italy.
- Professional experience for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
Experience is not necessarily mandatory for every vacancy, but employers may prefer candidates with previous clinical experience.
Experience in areas such as:
- ICU
- Emergency
- Medical-surgical nursing
- Pediatrics
- Geriatrics
- Operating theatre
- Mental health
- Community nursing
can strengthen your application.
- Italian language
Italian is extremely important for nurses because nurses communicate directly with patients, doctors and other healthcare professionals.
Employers may specify a particular Italian-language level in their vacancy. In practice, foreign nurses should aim for at least B1/B2 Italian, with B2 being a stronger target for clinical communication.
English alone is generally not a substitute for Italian in a patient-facing nursing role.
- Qualification recognition for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
This is one of the most important steps for nurses from non-EU countries.
The Italian Ministry of Health has a specific procedure for recognition of a nursing qualification obtained in a non-EU country. The application uses the nursing-specific documentation and form, and the Ministry can issue recognition, require a compensatory measure, or reject the application.
The Ministry states that the procedure takes four months from submission of a complete application. The current listed stamp duty is €16 for each qualification being recognized.
The four-month period should not be interpreted as a guarantee that the entire immigration-and-employment process will take only four months; missing documents or other procedures can extend the overall timeline.
Documents Usually Needed:
Documents Usually needed for Nursing Jobs in Italy depends on your case and the current Ministry checklist, but you should be prepared for documents such as:
- Valid passport
- Nursing diploma/degree
- Academic transcripts
- Detailed nursing curriculum or course information
- Professional registration/licence
- Certificate of current professional status, where applicable
- Employment/experience certificates
- Police clearance, where required
- Identity documents
- Certified copies
- Italian translations
- Legalization/apostille or other authentication where applicable
Do not rely on an old document checklist from a recruitment agency. Always check the current Ministry of Health requirements before submitting your recognition application.
How to Get Your Nursing Qualification Recognized
For a nurse who obtained a qualification outside the EU, the general process is:
Step 1: Collect your educational documents
Obtain your nursing diploma, transcripts and other documents from your nursing school/university and relevant professional authority.
Step 2: Prepare certified/legalized documents
Depending on the document and issuing country, you may need certification, legalization/apostille and an Italian translation.
Step 3: Submit the recognition application
Apply to the Italian Ministry of Health using the procedure for recognition of a non-EU nursing qualification.
The Ministry’s official nursing page provides the relevant application form and documentation requirements.
Step 4: Wait for the assessment
The Ministry may:
- Recognize your qualification;
- Recognize it subject to a compensatory measure; or
- Refuse recognition.
Step 5: Complete any required compensatory measure
If the authorities determine that additional requirements are necessary, you may have to complete the specified compensatory process before receiving full professional recognition.
Registration as a Nurse
Qualification recognition and permission to practise should not be confused with simply having a nursing diploma.
Nursing is a regulated profession in Italy, so candidates should also check the professional registration requirements with the relevant Italian professional nursing body before starting employment.
How to Find Nursing Jobs in Italy:
Once you are preparing your recognition and language requirements, start looking for employers.
Search using Italian terms such as:
- Infermiere
- Infermiere professionale
- Infermiere ospedale
- Infermiere RSA
- Infermiere clinica
- Infermiere tempo indeterminato
- Infermiere tempo determinato
You can search on:
- Italian hospital websites
- Private healthcare company career pages
- Italian employment portals
- Recruitment agencies specializing in healthcare
- Professional networks
- Regional healthcare organizations
What to Include in Your CV
Prepare an Italian-style CV containing:
- Full name and contact information
- Nursing qualification
- Professional registration
- Clinical experience
- Nursing specialties
- Hospital/clinic experience
- Language skills
- Certifications
- Professional training
- References, if available
For an international application, clearly state your country of qualification and whether your Italian professional recognition process has been started or completed.
Can Pakistani Nurses Apply for Jobs in Italy?
Yes. Pakistani nurses can apply, but because Pakistan is outside the EU, the process is more complicated than for an EU-qualified nurse.
A Pakistani nurse will generally need to deal with both professional recognition and immigration requirements.
The Italian Ministry of Health specifically provides a recognition route for nursing qualifications obtained in non-EU countries.
Therefore, a Pakistani nurse should not assume that a Pakistani nursing registration or degree automatically gives permission to practise as an Italian nurse.
Italy Work Visa for Nurses
If you are a non-EU citizen and receive an Italian employment offer, you will generally need an appropriate work visa and residence authorization.
Italy’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs explains that non-EU employment generally operates through the country’s immigration framework and, in the usual subordinate-employment route, the Italian employer must first obtain the Nulla Osta al lavoro from the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione.
The Italian diplomatic guidance also confirms that non-EU workers generally need a work visa and, after entering Italy, a residence permit.
Typical process for Nursing Jobs in Italy:
Job offer → Employer’s immigration procedure → Nulla Osta → Work visa → Travel to Italy → Residence permit → Employment
Do not pay someone who promises to arrange a “guaranteed Italy work visa” without a genuine employer and proper documentation.
Italy Decreto Flussi 2026
Italy uses annual immigration quotas for many categories of non-EU workers under the Decreto Flussi.
For 2026, official guidance states that applications for non-seasonal subordinate employment could be submitted from 16 February 2026, with applications possible until 31 December 2026, subject to quota availability.
However, the exact immigration route for a particular nurse can depend on the job, employer and applicable legal category. Therefore, candidates should not assume that every nursing position follows exactly the same quota procedure.
Work Visa Documents for Pakistani Applicants
The exact checklist can vary, but the Italian Embassy in Islamabad’s 2026 guidance for a national employment visa includes documents such as:
- Valid passport
- Work authorization/Nulla Osta
- Employment contract
- Employer documentation
- Police clearance certificate issued by Pakistani authorities, with the required authentication/apostille process
- Other documents specified by the Embassy
- Travel medical insurance where applicable
The Embassy may request additional documents.
Always use the latest checklist from the Italian Embassy in Pakistan before submitting your visa application.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply for Nursing Jobs in Italy
Here is the simplest roadmap for an overseas nurse:
Step 1: Complete your nursing qualification.
Step 2: Obtain your professional registration/licence and experience certificates.
Step 3: Learn Italian and work toward a strong working level, ideally B2.
Step 4: Prepare your educational and professional documents.
Step 5: Apply for recognition of your non-EU nursing qualification through the Italian Ministry of Health.
Step 6: Search for Italian hospitals, clinics, nursing homes and healthcare employers.
Step 7: Apply with an Italian/European-style CV and supporting documents.
Step 8: Attend interviews and receive a genuine employment offer.
Step 9: The employer completes the required immigration/work authorization process.
Step 10: After the Nulla Osta is issued where required, apply for the appropriate Italian national work visa.
Step 11: Travel to Italy after visa approval.
Step 12: Complete the required residence and professional registration procedures.
Step 13: Start working legally as a nurse.
How Long Does the Process Take?
There is no single guaranteed timeline.
The Ministry of Health states that the recognition procedure takes four months from a complete application, but the complete journey can take longer because you may need to:
- Collect documents
- Obtain translations/legalizations
- Complete qualification recognition
- Complete a compensatory measure if required
- Find an employer
- Complete immigration procedures
- Obtain a visa
- Arrange travel and residence formalities
Starting the recognition and Italian-language process early can therefore save considerable time.
Benefits of Nursing Jobs in Italy
Working as a nurse in Italy can offer several advantages:
- Opportunity to work in the European healthcare sector
- Public and private healthcare employment options
- Structured employment conditions in the public sector
- Potential salary increases through experience and contract renewals
- Professional experience in an EU healthcare system
- Possibility of building a longer-term career in Italy, subject to immigration rules
- Opportunities to specialize in different nursing areas
Challenges for Foreign Nurses
Italy can also present challenges.
Language barrier
Medical communication requires much more than basic conversational Italian. You need to understand patients, doctors, prescriptions, procedures and emergency instructions.
Qualification recognition
A foreign nursing degree does not automatically give you the right to practise nursing in Italy. Recognition is a key part of the process.
Immigration procedure
Non-EU applicants normally need an employer-supported immigration process and the appropriate visa.
Cost of living
Salary should always be considered together with rent and living costs. Large cities can be substantially more expensive than smaller towns.
Beware of Nursing Job Scams
International healthcare recruitment attracts scammers.
Be careful if an agent:
- Guarantees a visa
- Guarantees a job without an interview
- Requests a large payment before showing a genuine contract
- Refuses to identify the employer
- Provides a fake-looking offer letter
- Claims qualification recognition is unnecessary
- Asks you to travel on a tourist visa to start nursing work
- Promises an unusually high salary with no experience
A genuine employment process should involve a verifiable employer, proper documentation and the appropriate immigration procedure.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a nurse in Italy with a Pakistani nursing degree?
Yes, you can pursue nursing employment, but a non-EU nursing qualification must go through the applicable Italian recognition process before you can practise the regulated profession.
Is Italian language required?
For patient-facing nursing jobs, Italian is highly important and employers may set their own language requirements. B2 is a sensible target for professional communication.
How much does a nurse earn in Italy in 2026?
Salary depends on the employer, experience, contract, region and shifts. Public-sector nurses are covered by national contractual pay structures, and the 2025–27 healthcare contract signed in July 2026 includes an increase of around €240 gross per month for nurses at full implementation.
Do I need a job offer before going to Italy?
For the normal non-EU subordinate employment route, the employer generally needs to start the work authorization process before the visa can be issued.
Can I go to Italy on a tourist visa and start working as a nurse?
No. A tourist visa is not a substitute for the required work authorization and work visa.
Final Thoughts
Nursing jobs in Italy in 2026 can be a realistic option for qualified foreign nurses, but preparation is essential. The three biggest priorities are professional qualification recognition, Italian-language ability and a genuine Italian job offer.
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