A meeting between Philippine Ambassador to Rome Neal Imperial and Italian Health Minister Orazio Schillaci has opened the door to a large-scale recruitment initiative that could bring thousands of Filipino nurses to Italian hospitals and clinics.
The April 24 talks, held at the Ministry of Health in Rome, centered on a healthcare workforce deficit that Italian authorities place at between 15,000 and 20,000 nurses. Rome has identified the Philippines as a primary source of qualified candidates to address that shortfall, the Philippine Embassy said.
Italian officials also used the meeting to confirm an extension of work validity for Filipino nurses already employed in Italy. Their contracts, originally set to expire on December 31, 2027, will now remain valid through 2029. The nurses had been admitted under exceptional pandemic-era arrangements that waived certain standard requirements.
“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.
Discussions also covered the possibility of a government-to-government labor agreement that would create a formal, regulated framework for deploying Filipino healthcare workers to Italian facilities. The embassy said the Italian side expressed openness to negotiating such an arrangement.
“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,” the ambassador said.
Italian authorities made clear that any future recruits would be held to national regulatory standards. Nurses seeking employment in Italy must hold a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, have their credentials recognized, register with the relevant professional bodies, demonstrate Italian language proficiency at the B2 level or higher, and complete required professional training.
“Filipino nurses were noted to be highly regarded in Italy for their competence, professionalism, and quality of care,” Imperial said.
