Do you want to study nursing in Italy? If so, Italy can be a strong study option because it has established universities, clinical training opportunities, and a rich cultural environment. A nursing program in Italy can also help you build skills for work in health care settings in Italy or elsewhere in Europe, subject to local registration rules.
Pursuing a nursing degree in Italy is possible since many Italian universities offer nursing programs for local and international students. A degree can prepare you for different nursing fields, but the right to practice depends on meeting the professional registration requirements of the country where you plan to work.
After completing an Italian nursing degree, graduates typically complete a final qualifying examination as part of the degree. To practice as a nurse in Italy, you must also register with the relevant provincial OPI professional register. Students with a nursing qualification from outside Italy may need recognition from the Italian Ministry of Health and may need to pass Italian language and professional-practice checks before registration. Before you start, here are the basic steps to begin your nursing education in Italy.
Steps on How to Apply for a Nursing Program in Italy
Step 1. Know What It Takes to Register as a Nurse in Italy
Becoming a nurse in Italy generally means completing a qualifying nursing degree and meeting the language and professional-registration requirements. Most public university nursing programs are taught in Italian. Some English-taught options exist, but clinical placements may still require Italian, so it is helpful to start learning Italian early for both academic and daily life in Italy.
Nursing degrees are available across the country. For instance, the University of Milan offers Bachelor’s degree programs in Nursing and Pediatric Nursing, both structured as three-year, 180 ECTS programs. The university also offers a Master’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, which is a two-year, 120 ECTS program.
For additional postgraduate study, check each university’s current academic offer. At Università Campus Bio-Medico di Roma, students can find a Bachelor’s Degree in Nursing, a Master’s Degree in Nursing and Midwifery Sciences, and first-level master’s programs related to specialized nursing areas. PhD opportunities vary by year and should be checked directly through the university’s current research-doctorate calls.
These universities provide training in core nursing and biomedical subjects, such as human anatomy, physiology, general pathology, biochemistry, foundations of nursing, clinical nursing, community nursing, palliative care, health management, health law, and related clinical placements.
Step 2. Learn about Top Italian Nursing Schools
To help you decide which school you want to attend, consider factors that may affect your application and study experience. These can include location, school size, admission requirements, licensure or employment outcomes, clinical placement opportunities, and the course curriculum.
One limiting factor may be the language barrier, since many nursing programs in Italy are offered in Italian. If this is not a limiting factor for you, you may have more options when choosing a nursing school in Italy. Another important factor is your available budget.
Make sure that your financial capacity can cover tuition fees and daily expenses in the country. To help with expenses, look for scholarships, tuition reductions, and financial aid at the school of your choice.
Step 3. Meet Italian and English Requirements to Study Nursing in Italy
Since most nursing programs in Italy are taught in Italian, you should check the exact language requirement for each course. English may also appear as a required course or assessment in the curriculum, even for Italian-taught programs. English-taught nursing programs are available at some institutions, but clinical placements may still require Italian.
For example, at the University of Milan, nursing-related study plans include an English B1 assessment. If you do not already meet a language requirement, check the university language center and your course page for the current placement-test or language-course procedure.
Step 4. Prepare Financially
When researching how to study nursing in Italy, consider both tuition and living costs. Ask yourself, “Can I afford the tuition and the cost of living in Italy?” If your budget allows, you can compare universities by location, course structure, and admission requirements. Living in a large city is usually more expensive than living in a smaller town, and monthly expenses can vary widely depending on rent, housing type, lifestyle, and transportation.
For tuition, do not rely on one fixed range. Public-university fees in Italy are commonly income-based or country-based, while private-university fees can be higher. For example, at the University of Pisa, fees are calculated based on ISEE, academic progress, or flat-rate criteria for students with foreign income or assets. For 2025/2026, the maximum all-inclusive annual contribution is €2,900, plus the regional tax and stamp duty where applicable. Students with qualifying low ISEE and on-track academic status may pay only the regional tax and stamp duty. Scholarships and financial aid may be available at your chosen university.
Step 5. Put Together Your Application
When you have decided on a nursing school, you can prepare your documents for submission. These documents are reviewed according to the university’s criteria. Many universities in Italy ask for similar documents, but you should always check the school’s website and the specific program call for detailed and current information.
At the Sapienza University of Rome, international applicants generally use the program call and international admissions procedure. Common documents include a passport, previous diploma after at least 12 years of schooling for Bachelor’s applicants, transcripts where required, a language certificate, and any additional documents requested by the program. Non-EU students who need a study visa must also follow the Universitaly pre-enrollment and visa process. Documents may need official translation, verification, legalization, an apostille, a Declaration of Value, or CIMEA statements, depending on the country of issue.
Step 6. Submit Your Application to Nursing Schools
After preparing the required documents, you can begin your application and submit them according to the university’s instructions. For restricted-access healthcare programs, follow the current call for admission carefully, because application windows, admission tests, ranking lists, and enrollment deadlines can change each academic year. An admission or pre-acceptance letter is also important for non-EU students who need to apply for a study visa.
At Sapienza University of Rome, the process may include pre-selection if applicable, creating an Infostud account, following the program’s Call for Admissions, applying through Universitaly for visa pre-enrollment if you are a non-EU applicant residing abroad, paying required fees through Infostud or PagoPA, and submitting mandatory documents to the International Student Office. Non-EU students enrolling in Italian-taught programs may need to provide proof of B2-level Italian or pass the required Italian language test. Admission and enrollment are finalized only after the university verifies the required documents and all program, visa, and enrollment conditions are met.
Step 7. Once You Get Accepted, Prepare for Student Visa
For studies exceeding 90 days, non-EU students generally need a long-stay study visa before entering Italy. Requirements and timelines vary by consulate, so check the Italian embassy or consulate responsible for your country as soon as you have been admitted or pre-enrolled.
Generally, you may need a completed long-stay visa application form, a recent passport photo, a valid passport, proof of admission or pre-enrollment, travel reservation details as required by the consulate, proof of sufficient financial means, proof of accommodation, health insurance, and any language or academic documents requested by the consulate. After arrival, non-EU students normally must apply for a residence permit within eight days. For detailed instructions, check the Italian embassy or consulate in your country and the Universitaly visa guidance.
FAQs: Enrolling in a Nursing Program in Italy
How Much Does It Cost to Study Nursing in Italy as an International Student?
There is no single tuition price for nursing in Italy. Public-university fees are often based on ISEE, country-of-origin, or income criteria, while private universities set their own fees. As a reference point, the University of Pisa lists a maximum all-inclusive annual contribution of €2,900 for 2025/2026, plus regional tax and stamp duty where applicable. Always check the current fee page of your chosen university because fees can change each academic year.
Can International Students Take a Nursing Program in Italy?
Yes. International students can study nursing in Italy if they satisfy academic, language, admission-test, visa, and enrollment-document requirements. Most Bachelor’s nursing programs are in Italian, so Italian proficiency is important. English-taught options exist, but students should check whether clinical placements require Italian.
In a nutshell, to study nursing in Italy, international students should research schools carefully, confirm the program language, entrance test, tuition and document requirements, and prepare for Italian or English language requirements depending on the institution and course.
As an international student, it is important that you have the financial means to pay for your studies and support yourself. The cost of living and studying in Italy can be reasonable compared with some other European destinations, but you still need a realistic budget for tuition, rent, food, transport, health insurance, and visa or residence-permit costs. Once you are satisfied with your budget, you can apply to your school of choice.
We hope that this article on studying nursing in Italy was helpful. If you are interested in knowing more information on studying abroad, check out the Available Programs in Europe for International Students!
