Last updated 11 september 2026
On this page, you can find information about:
- undertaking a professional traineeship or work experience placement in Italy linked to a qualification obtained in the EU that does not directly qualify the holder to practise a regulated profession; and
- having a professional traineeship completed in the EU recognised in Italy as part of a university degree programme that includes such a traineeship.
CASE A – Completing a professional traineeship in Italy linked to an EU qualification
If you have obtained a university qualification in your home country or in another country where you studied, and this qualification does not include the professional traineeship required in Italy to be able to access a regulated profession, you can apply to undertake the traineeship in Italy.
You must submit your application to the competent authority or entity where the traineeship is to take place. That authority will forward the application for recognition of your qualification to the Ministry of Universities and Research.
Documents to be submitted
- Academic qualification, either the original or a certified copy, with a Hague Apostille if required.
- A certificate or list of examinations taken, specifying the academic credits or ECTS, with a Hague Apostille if required.
- An official translation of the documentation into Italian, if required.
- Any additional documentation requested by the competent authority or the relevant professional body.
Who to contact
You must contact the authority responsible for the traineeship or, where applicable, the competent professional body.
How the procedure takes place:
Under Italian law, it is possible to have foreign qualifications recognised in order to gain access to the work experience placement or traineeship required as a prerequisite for certain regulated professions. The assessment is carried out by the Ministry of Universities and Research, after consulting the National University Council (Consiglio Universitario Nazionale) and the national council or board for the relevant profession, where one exists.
The application must be submitted directly to the relevant authority, together with the following documents, which the authority will forward to the Ministry of Universities and Research:
- academic qualification, translated and bearing a Hague Apostille, if necessary;
- transcript of results for the examinations taken, together with a translation;
- documentation proving the purpose for which recognition of the qualification is requested.
The Ministry of Universities and Research will make a decision within 90 days, and will notify both the authority and the person concerned. If the foreign qualification is not recognised, an application for review may be submitted, whereby additional documentation must be submitted within 30 days following notification of the final decision.
CASE B – Recognition in Italy of a professional traineeship undertaken in your home EU Member State as part of university studies
For a professional traineeship undertaken abroad to be recognised in Italy, the traineeship must have been carried out as part of a study programme covered by an agreement between, on the one hand, Italian universities, and, on the other hand, institutions, universities or accredited bodies in your country or in the country where you studied, or with professional bodies in your country or in the country where you studied.
The traineeship must have an agreed minimum duration, must not last longer than six months, and must be conducted exclusively in person.
Required characteristics of the traineeship
- Traineeship plan: a training plan must be drawn up and signed by the professional supervisor/tutor and the relevant university. The training plan must set out the objectives, content, main activities and final assessment methods.
- Duties of the supervisor: the supervisor/tutor is responsible for the educational and organisational aspects of the training and professional activities. The supervisor/tutor must meet the requirements laid down by the regulations in force in the country where the traineeship takes place, and they must certify the final outcome of the traineeship, which may be validated by the board of the body for the relevant profession in that territory.
- International university exchange: as a general rule, in the context of international university exchange programmes, trainees may, with the prior authorisation from the university, undertake traineeship periods abroad to supplement the traineeship undertaken in Italy, provided that those periods abroad are undertaken at institutions accredited or recognised in the country where the traineeship takes place.
Time scale of the procedure
The time scale for completing the procedure referred to in case A will be specified by the university, the professional body/association or the competent authority, in accordance with the procedure applicable to the individual case.
Costs
Any costs, taxes or administrative fees are specified by the competent authority or institution.
Appeals
The procedures for lodging an appeal or requesting a review are set out by the competent authority in the final decision or on its official website.
Relevant legislation
Case A:
Presidential Decree No 189/2009, Article 3(1)(d)
Regulation on the recognition of academic qualifications
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.presidente:2009-07-30;189!vig=
For cases A and B:
Legislative Decree No 206 of 9 November 2007
Implementing Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications and Council Directive 2006/100/EC adapting certain Directives in the field of freedom of movement of persons, by reason of the accession of Bulgaria and Romania
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:stato:decreto.legislativo:2007-11-09;206!vig=
Presidential Decree No 328 of 5 June 2001
Amending and supplementing the rules governing admission to the state examination and the related tests for the pursuit of certain professions, and the rules governing the orders relating thereto
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:presidente.repubblica:decreto:2001;328~art24
Presidential Decree No 137 of 7 August 2012
Regulation concerning the reform of professional rules, pursuant to Article 3(5) of Decree-Law No 138 of 13 August 2011, converted, with amendments, by Law No 148 of 14 September 2011
https://www.normattiva.it/uri-res/N2Ls?urn:nir:presidente.repubblica:decreto:2012;137~art7
Case B:
Ministerial Decree No 1135 of 11 December 2019
Guidelines on professional traineeships
