This article will briefly talk about medical specialisation education abroad and in Europe and then share information about medical speciality in Italy. You can also leave your questions about Italy’s medical expertise in the comments section and fill out our contact form to meet with our experts.

Medical Specialization Education Abroad

Medical Speciality in Abroad

Medicine is seen as the most prestigious profession in the world. Thanks to this widespread opinion accepted in almost every society, medicine has become an unlimited profession. The countries most preferred by doctors who want to study medical speciality abroad are distant countries such as America, Canada, and European countries such as England, Germany, and Italy. Since it is a long and quite challenging process, especially in America, Canada, and England, different alternatives are being searched.

It is imperative in every country that the doctors who want to get medical specialisation abroad speak the language of that country at a reasonable level. Due to the nature of the medical profession and the speciality training given in the local language in that country, it is necessary to learn the country’s language to work comfortably. Other conditions vary from state to state, or from region to region, even within countries.

You can also check our “Study Medicine in Italy” article.

Medical Specialization Education in Europe

Candidates who are members of the European Union or who want to specialise in medicine in one of the countries located in Europe should follow each country’s specific procedures. In this context, firstly, the conditions that countries are looking for medical students should be considered.

For example, when looking at the conditions required to be a doctor in England, if you graduate from a place outside the United Kingdom – even if this is a member of the European Union – the UK Ministry of Health requests you to take an exam.

Germany is the first of the most preferred countries for a medical speciality in Europe in our country. For Germany, where admission requirements were more flexible until a few years ago, the difficulty of admission increased due to the increasing number of applications. Italy is a country that follows a different procedure compared to Germany and has more flexible admission conditions.

Medical Specialization Education in Italy

Candidates who want to study medical speciality in Italy must have a diploma in the field of medicine. Since there is a certain quota in universities, there is a national exam in Italy that must be taken to specialise in medicine. Besides, candidates must comply with the universities’ conditions where they will receive specialist training. The speciality exam is a two-stage exam, including an internship and a written exam.

You can check our “Private Medical Education in Italy” article.

Internship Phase for Medical Specialty in Italy

The exam organised for medical specialities in Italy consists of two parts: an internship and a written exam. The internship period is three months and consists of one month in internal science, surgery, and family medicine. This internship period is mandatory for every candidate. The Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research (MIUR) determines and publishes internship dates.

Candidates who have completed the internship period are evaluated according to their performance in this process. Evaluation is made by the manager of the department where the internship is done, over a total of 90 points, out of 30 points for 3 separate periods. Candidates must reach 60 points in total, with at least 18 points from each section, to pass the written exam (Esamo di Stato) stage.

Medical Specialization Exam in Italy

Candidates who successfully complete their internship take the next step, the written exam. The Italian Medical Specialization Exam is held twice a year. This exam is a multiple-choice test exam and has two stages. The first stage consists of general questions about clinical practice. The second stage consists of specific questions related to the field chosen for residency training, questions about medical ethics, and professional ethics.

90 questions are asked in both stages. Candidates are given 150 minutes to answer the questions. Each correct answer earns 1 point, while wrong answers cost 0.25 points. Questions left blank do not affect. Only the black ballpoint can be used in the exam, and a replacement is given for questions.

Written exams are held on the same date and time in more than one location. The relevant university is responsible for all matters, such as the application and transparency of the exam. The Italian Ministry of Education, University and Research hold the exam twice a year. The departments and universities where candidates can apply are announced along with the exam dates. The universities specify the conditions required to take the exam. Candidates who successfully complete the internship but do not get enough points in the written exam can attend the other exam session with the same internship score.

While Italian students generally study medicine, they prove themselves to the academic staff by working more in the departments they want during clinical internships. Therefore, this can be a disadvantage for non-Italian candidates.

However, references are generally not taken into account in the Italian system. The concrete work done by the candidate is of primary importance.

You can check our “Medical Exam in Italy” article.

Medical Specialization Programs in Italy

We can separate the areas where you can do medical specialisation in Italy as follows.

Medical Programs in Italy

Medical Programs

  • Allergology and Clinical Immunology
  • Infectious diseases
  • Dermatology
  • Internal Medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Gastroenterology
  • Geriatrics
  • Haematology
  • Cardiology
  • Cancer Medicine
  • Clinical Psychology
  • Nephrology
  • Neurophysiopathology
  • neurology
  • Paediatrics
  • Pediatric Psychiatry
  • Sports Medicine
  • Tropical Medicine

Surgery Programs

  • Maxillofacial Surgery
  • Pediatric Surgery
  • Obstetrics and Gynecology
  • General Surgery
  • Thoracic Surgery
  • Cardiac Surgery
  • Ear Surgery
  • Neurosurgery
  • Ophthalmology
  • Orthopaedics
  • Plastic surgery
  • Urology
  • Vascular Surgery

Clinical Programs

  • Anesthesiology
  • Nutrition Sciences
  • Hygiene and Preventive Medicine
  • Legal Medicine
  • Clinical Biochemistry
  • Medical Medicine
  • Microbiology and Virology
  • Nuclear medicine
  • Audiology
  • Pathology
  • Radiology
  • Radiotherapy
  • Rehabilitation
  • Medical Pharmacology
  • Medical Genetics
  • Medical Statistics
  • Medical Toxicology

Admission Requirements for Medical Speciality in Italy

We stated that there is a 3-month internship followed by a written exam to receive a specialisation education in Italy. Besides, a C1 level Italian language certificate is another requirement required from candidates from different countries. Since speciality education is a serious process, it is essential for the exam and study period to know the country’s language at a reasonable level, regardless of which country you choose. Also, physicians who receive speciality training in Italy must participate in the programs full-time.

In addition, you can check our “Requirements to Study University in Italy” article.

Requirements for Medical Speciality in Italy

Exam Fee for Medical Specialization in Italy

The fee for the speciality exam in Italy for 2019 was 370 Euros. The exam fee for 2020 has not been officially announced yet. Updates about the exam date and pricing will be announced here.

Duration of Specialty Education in Medicine In Italy

According to the field you choose for a medical speciality in Italy, education in Surgical Specialties usually takes 5 years and 4 years in other areas.

Physician Assistant in Medicine in Italy

Physician assistants in Italy (specializzandi or medmaz formazione) have work permits in hospitals and universities and will take their training under these hospitals’ supervision.

Physician Assistant Salaries in Italy

Physician assistants who receive Specialization Training in Medicine in Italy receive an annual salary of 25,000 Euros for the first two years and 26,000 Euros for the other years. Salaries are paid monthly and are exempt from income tax. Besides, the universities pay all national insurance premiums for Assistant Physicians.

Physician assistants continue to receive salaries in illness, birth, and pregnancy cases. Physician assistants who receive medical speciality in Italy cannot work in other hospitals or institutions except for shifts, holidays, weekends, or night shifts.

Also, you can check the “Cost of Living in Italy” article.

Working as a Specialist Doctor in Italy

After successfully passing the speciality exam, it is possible to work as a specialist in Italy or other European countries.

Working as a Specialist Doctor in Europe

Physicians who receive speciality training in medicine in Italy have the right to work in other countries of Europe and Italy. With the speciality diploma that you have obtained in Italy, you can have the opportunity to work in other countries in Europe without facing any bureaucratic obstacles.

Dentistry Speciality in Italy

Specialisation education in dentistry in Italy takes 3 years. You can receive specialisation education in 3 areas of dentistry. These are Oral Surgery (Oral Surgery), Orthodontics, and Pediatric Dentistry (Pediatric Dentistry). An exam is held for this again. Besides, it is evaluated whether the Selection Committee’s training is equivalent to Italy’s education. Candidates who have received their diplomas from a country other than Italy can take the exam and receive training in this field.

Moreover, you can read our article on “Studying Dentistry in Italy“.