Concept of recognition according to the purpose
With the ratification of the Lisbon Convention, as determined by Law n. 148 of 11 July, 2002, the concept of recognition according to the purpose was introduced in Italy.
It is therefore fundamental to know the purpose and the objective for which a recognition is requested by our system before beginning any evaluation procedure, taking into account the different existing procedures in our legislation and the different bodies responsible for such implementatios.
For what purpose is the recognition of foreign qualification requested in Italy?
The answer to this question will immediately indicate the most adequate procedure and the authority responsible for its performance: without this preliminary indication, both the authority and the holder of the foreign qualification risk not gaining any useful result for their aims, as well as wasting time in longer and more complicated procedures that could nullify the recognition request.
Procedure of recognition according to the purpose
| Category | Purpose of recognition | Responsible body | Legislative reference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Academic recognition | Admission to a course/Furthering of study | Universities and AFAM institutions | Art. 2, Law 148/2002 & Art. 1, para. 28 quinquies, Law 15/2022 |
| Course abbreviation/Recognition of period of study/Recognition of credits | |||
| Nostrification procedure (equipollenza) | |||
| Non-academic recognition | Access to public competitions | Prime Minister’s Office – Department of Public Affairs, subject to the opinion of the Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) for academic qualifications | Art. 38, Legislative decree 165/2001 and Art. 2, Presidential Decree 189/2009; Art. 1, para. 28 quinquies, Law 15/2022 |
| Attributions of points for the definition of the final ranking in public competitions/Career progression in Public Administration | Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) via request to the relevant administration | Art. 3, Presidential Decree 189/2009; Art. 1, para. 28 quinquies, Law 15/2022 | |
| Pension-related reasons/Length of study inclusion | |||
| Enrollment in Job Centres | |||
| Access to traineeship or internship after release of qualification | |||
| Award of scholarships and other benefits | Relevant administration, further to the opinion of the Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) | Art. 4, Presidential Decree 189/2009; Art. 1, para. 28 quinquies, Law 15/2022 | |
| Evaluation of European Union qualifications and certifications | Relevant administration with opinion of Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) for academic qualifications | Art. 12, Law 29/2006 | |
| Public personnel selection for external staff | Ministry for Universities and Research (MUR) via an application to the administration concerned | Art. 1, para. 28 quinquies, Law 15/2022 | |
| Professional recognition | Practice of regulated profession (i.e., Chemist, Medical Doctor, Psychologist, Engineer, etc.): | Ministry which supervises the profession (i.e. Health, Justice, MUR, ecc.) | Directive 2005/36/EC and Directive 2013/55/EU |
| Access to the job market for non-regulated professions | Employer | n.a. |
To discover the elements of the different procedures of recognition according to the purpose, consult the left-hand menu.
NB: Our system is still culturally influenced by the concept of nostrification (equipollenza) as the exclusive means for foreign qualification recognition. On that matter, it is noteworthy that Law 148/2002 no longer uses such terminology and that through the dispositions of Art. 9 the previous procedures of nostrification (equipollenza) have been annulled.