Citizens of EU Member States, European Economic Area countries (Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway) and Switzerland may exercise a 'regulated profession' in Italy after obtaining recognition of their professional title or qualification from the competent authorities.

The Assistance Centre for Recognition of Professional Qualifications operating at the Department for European Policies provides citizens and assistance centres of other Member States with useful information on the recognition of professional qualifications, for the purposes of permanent establishment and/or temporary/occasional practice of their profession, and on the Italian legislation regulating professions and pursuit thereof.

The recognition of professional qualifications in Italy is regulated by Legislative Decree No. 206 of 6 November 2007, which transposed Directive 2005/36/EC.

On 18 January 2016, Directive 2013/55/EU was transposed in Italy by Legislative Decree No. 15 of 28 January 2016 (published in the Official Gazette – General Series No. 32 of 9 February 2016) which, in addition to providing for amendments to Directive 2005/36/EC, introduced new features to enhance the free movement of professionals across EU countries.

This section provides, inter alia, insights into: the list of regulated professions, the discipline of the recognition of professional qualifications, the right of establishment and the freedom to provide services, and the European Professional Card.