Italy explores labor deal with Philippines to hire Filipino nurses

ROME, Italy — Italy is looking to recruit thousands of Filipino nurses to address a growing healthcare workforce shortage as it considers a formal labor agreement with the Philippines, according to the Embassy of the Philippines in Rome.

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 to discuss healthcare workforce cooperation.

Italian officials said the country is facing a shortage of around 15,000 to 20,000 nurses and sees the Philippines as a key source of qualified healthcare workers.

They also expressed openness to negotiating a government-to-government bilateral labor agreement to create a more structured recruitment process for Filipino nurses.

"We welcome Italy's recognition of the value that Filipino nurses bring to its healthcare 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 healthcare professionals," he said.

Italy stressed that Filipino nurses must still meet national requirements, including a nursing degree, credential recognition, professional registration, Italian language proficiency at least at the B2 level, and required training.

Contracts extended

Meanwhile, Schillaci confirmed that Filipino nurses currently working in Italy will have their contracts extended by two years—from 2027 to 2029—under Legge 30 dicembre 2025, n. 199, which amended provisions under Decreto-legge 30 marzo 2023, n. 34.

"This is a very positive and practical outcome for our Filipino nurses already in Italy," Imperial said.

"The extension ensures continuity while providing greater security in their employment," he said.

Both sides also discussed programs aimed at improving the health and well-being of the Filipino community in Italy. — VDV, GMA News