Italy looking for Pinoy nurses amid shortage
Italy is looking to recruit thousands of Filipino nurses through a formal agreement to address a significant shortage in its health-care system.
It also extended the contract of Filipino nurses working in the European country for two more years, from 2027 to 2029.
In a report to the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Philippine Ambassador to Italy Neal Imperial said he met with Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci on April 24 at the Ministry of Health in Rome.
During the meeting, the Italian side conveyed its openness to negotiating a government-to-government Bilateral Labor Agreement (BLA) on health professionals, which shall establish a structured, transparent and regulated mechanism for the recruitment and deployment of Filipino nurses to Italian hospitals and clinics.
According to the Philippine Embassy in Rome, Italy currently faces a shortage of approximately 15,000 to 20,000 nurses.
The European state “expressed strong interest in tapping into the Philippine pool of highly qualified health-care professionals,” with the Italian health minister noting that Filipino nurses are “highly regarded in Italy for their competence, professionalism and quality of care.”
According to Schillaci, the employment would be subject to Italy’s regulatory requirement.
Requirements for applicants
Filipino nurses who will be employed under the proposed agreement must also meet qualifications, including a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, recognition of credentials, registration with professional bodies, Italian language proficiency of at least B2 (upper-intermediate) level and completion of required professional training.
“We welcome Italy’s recognition of the value that Filipino nurses bring to its health-care system,” Imperial said.
“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 health-care professionals,” he added.
Italy provides decent pay for its health-care workers. According to Salary Expert online platform, an entry-level staff nurse earns an average of 3,000 euros (P213,525) per month, based on its salary survey data collected directly from employers and anonymous employees in Italy.
In comparison, nurses working in government facilities in the Philippines, receive a monthly pay of P42,178 at Salary Grade 15 with a base rank of Nurse I.
Italy’s health minister also confirmed to the Philippine Embassy the extension of the work validity for Filipino nurses currently employed in Italy for an additional two years, from 2027 to 2029.
Contract extension
They were allowed to work in Italy during the COVID-19 pandemic on exceptional basis without going through stringent requirements but their contracts are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2027.
Based on Legge 30 dicembre 2025, n. 199 (Law of 30 December 2025, No. 199), which amends earlier provisions under decreto-legge 30 marzo 2023, n. 34 (Law of 30 March 2023, No.34), their contracts have been extended until Dec. 31, 2029.
The law also clarified that employment contracts may remain valid for as long as the nurse’s “riconoscimento regionale” (regional professional recognition) is in force, providing continuity in employment.
“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.
There are no current data on the number of Filipino nurses in Italy.
According to data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the Philippines is the No. 1 country with the most number of migrant nurses working in OECD’s 38 high-income member countries, including Italy, with nearly 280,000 nurses abroad.
The Department of Health previously said there was a shortage of about 100,000 to 127,000 nurses nationwide, which could take at least a decade to be filled, because of brain drain.
The Philippine Nurses Association, however, noted that there is no shortage of registered nurses in the country, but a lack of professionals who will remain the country and practice the profession.
