ITALY intends to recruit thousands of Filipino nurses to address healthcare workforce gap, the Philippine Embassy in Rome said.
Philippine Ambassador to Rome Neal Imperial said he met with Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci on April 24 at the Ministry of Health in Rome where they discussed the possibility of expanding cooperation on healthcare workforce mobility.
Italy faces a shortage of 15,000 to 20,000 nurses and has expressed strong interest in tapping into the Philippines’ pool of highly qualified healthcare professionals, the embassy said.
"Filipino nurses were noted to be highly regarded in Italy for their competence, professionalism, and quality of care," Imperial said in a statement on Wednesday.
“We welcome Italy’s recognition of the value that Filipino nurses bring to its healthcare system,” the ambassador said.
Schillaci confirmed to Imperial the extension of the work validity for Filipino nurses currently employed in Italy for an additional two years, from 2027 to 2029.
They were allowed to work in Italy during the Covid-19 pandemic without going through stringent requirements but their contracts were set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.
“This is a very positive and practical outcome for our Filipino nurses already in Italy. The extension ensures continuity while providing greater security in their employment,” Imperial said.
The embassy said Italy is open to negotiate a government-to-government labor agreement on health professionals, which would establish a structured, transparent, and regulated mechanism for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino nurses to Italian hospitals and clinics.
“A formal bilateral framework will help ensure that recruitment is orderly, fair, and responsive to the needs of both countries, while safeguarding the welfare of our healthcare professionals,” Imperial said.
Italian authorities, however, stressed that employment would be subject to national regulatory requirements.
Filipino nurses must meet qualifications including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, recognition of credentials, registration with professional bodies, Italian language proficiency (at least B2 level), and completion of required professional training.
The meeting also discussed cooperation on the health and well-being of the Filipino community in Italy. Imperial proposed collaboration on programs to support long-term health outcomes, which Schillaci welcomed.
