5 + 1 Year Internship
Italy offers a 6-year MD program in “Medicine and Surgery” (locally referred to as Laurea Magistrale a Ciclo Unico in Medicina e Chirurgia, which translates to “Single-Cycle Master's Degree in Medicine and Surgery”). It is equivalent to the MBBS in India, making it a strong option for students planning mbbs abroad, and medical education standards are regulated by the Italian Ministry of University and Research (MUR) and the European Union Higher Education Framework. Public universities in Italy offer affordable tuition fees, based on family income, under the ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) system.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) in India, approximately 5,000 Indian students are pursuing studies in Italy. While this report from the MEA, released in January 2025, does not mention anything specific about the MBBS in Italy for Indian students, historical data from the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) show rough figures. According to the enrolment data from the ISTAT from late 2024, an estimated 300–500 Indian students were enrolled in “Medicina e Chirurgia” (Medicine and Surgery), reflecting a steady interest among Indian students choosing Italy for mbbs abroad.
Medical education across Italian universities is offered in English for international students, making it accessible for Indian students to pursue their higher education. Italian institutions have been listed in the World Directory of Medical Schools (WDOMS), allowing Indian students to enrol in them. In addition, the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India prescribes guidelines to recognise the medical degrees of Indian foreign graduates. This allows them to appear for the medical licensing examinations and practise or pursue further education in India.
Italy’s medical education lasts up to 6 years, offering English-taught programs to Indian students. The academic standards of medical education in Italy are governed by government officials; they offer tuition fees based on family income, ensuring affordability and accessibility for medical students.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of medical aspirants from India plan to study MBBS abroad, and Italy is one of those countries. These days, getting admission to top medical Universities in Italy is smooth and hassle-free if you meet the basic eligibility criteria. The basic eligibility for admission into the MBBS program in Italy is passing Senior Secondary or 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology, according to the Indian education system. Here is the breakdown of the eligibility for studying MBBS in Italy.
Entrance Exam - NEET qualified score is compulsory for Indian students
Academic Qualification - A minimum of 50% in 10+2 with Physics, Chemistry and Biology.
Age Criteria - The Minimum age required is 17 years during admission, and there is no upper age limit for applying to medical school in Italy.










The cost of education in Italy, especially the medical education for international students, from public to private universities, varies greatly. The fees for MBBS education at public universities are lower, between €3,000 and €8,000 per year, than those at private universities. MBBS in Italy allows Indian medical aspirants to fulfil their dream of becoming doctors. Below is the expected cost of education in Italy calculated yearly.
| Type of Expense | Approx. Cost (in Euro) / Year |
|---|---|
| Tuition fee per year | 3000.00 |
| Living & Accomodation | 9600.00 |
| Mess & Food | 1800.00 |
| Student visa fee | 60.00 |
| Medical Insurance | 150.00 |
| Total Expense | 14610 |
Note: The above conversion is done as per the current exchange rate (1 EURO = INR 100.55, as of 30.06.2025), and it fluctuates due to foreign exchange rates.
| MBBS in Italy | MBBS in India |
|---|---|
| Duration of MBBS is 5+1 years, where 5 years is academic and 1 year is clinical training | Duration of MBBS is 5.5 years, where 4.5 years is academic and 1 year is clinical training |
| Most universities offer MBBS in the English medium | All universities offer MBBS in the English medium |
| The NEET qualification is mandatory for Indian medical aspirants | The NEET is mandatory for all students |
| Fees at public universities are nominal, and private universities are higher. | Fees at public universities are nominal, but fees at private universities can go up to 1 Cr. INR, or more. |
| Accreditation and recognition - NMC, WHO, FAIMER, Health Ministry, Italy, and various EU and global bodies | Accredited and recognised by NMC and WHO |
| Internship at top-reputed government and private hospitals | Internship is conducted by the university at its associated hospital only |
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Italy is one of the countries that is nestled in the heart of Southern Europe. Many see it as a land of timeless beauty, vibrant culture and an amicable studying and living environment. From the ruins of Rome to the romantic canals of Venice; also the artistic treasures of Florence, Italy also offers an unparalleled blend of age-old heritage and contemporary charm. If you plan to study MBBS abroad, consider studying in Italy, one of the best countries for studying medicine at affordable costs. When you study MBBS in Italy, you invest in your lifetime. It is a destination that enriches with environment for those finding more than just academic growth!

Rome

Euro

Catholicism

English

59,146,260

Sergio Mattarella

Pizza, Pasta, Risotto, Gelato

Rome, Milan, Naples, Turin, Palermo
The validity of an Indian medical degree is not relevant, as per Italian law. If an Indian student has obtained a medical degree from an Indian higher education institution and wants to practise in Italy, they will need to go through the degree requirements and licensing regulations.
The cost of living in Italy is generally affordable in comparison to the USA or the UK, ranging between €700 and €1,200 (₹75,036 and ₹128,633 in Indian currency for the exchange rate in February 2026). The actual cost of living for an Indian student can vary depending on the particular Italian city, type of accommodation, lifestyle habits, and other factors.
Italy has a long reputation for its academic excellence in fields such as medicine, architecture, and more. Italian public universities reward graduates with a medical degree that is recognised across European countries that follow the Bologna process, offering a diversified international career pathway. Compared to the MBBS in India, Italy offers a wider clinical experience and career opportunities.
The overall cost to study MBBS in Italy from public universities can be anywhere from €900 to €30,000 for the 6 years of tuition fees, translating to ₹96,475 and ₹32,15,820 for the exchange rates between Italy and India for February 2026. On the other hand, private universities are more expensive than public universities, costing about €15,000-25,000 per year. Public universities' tuition fees are offered based on the family income of a candidate.
There are no specific scores required for an MBBS in Italy for Indian students, but they must qualify for the NEET-UG for admissions for overseas studies in Italy. The earned NEET scores will remain valid for three years after the NEET score results.
Ideally speaking, pursuing an MBBS in Italy for Indian students is rewarding and cost-effective from India. The medical education is regulated by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR), offering academic standards that are followed under the European Union Higher Education Framework. Public universities in Italy are affordable, too
Yes, Italian MBBS degrees are valid in India, considering the particular rewarding higher education institution in Italy aligns with the NMC requirements as mentioned in the Gazette of India.
The International Medical Admission Test (IMAT) is the official entrance examination for overseas students who want to pursue their MBBS in Italy at public universities. This exam is conducted by the Italian Ministry of Universities and Research (MUR) every year, focusing on the aptitude, logical reasoning, and academic knowledge of a foreign medical candidate. While not always applicable, private universities do not have the IMAT process; they conduct their own entrance exams or assessment process for the admission of overseas students.
Yes, an MBBS in Italy is taught entirely in English at several universities. Some universities also require English proficiency from Indian students to enrol in a 6-year, English-taught medical programme. However, all students should learn basic Italian to easily communicate with the local patients during clinical rotations, as well as local citizens during their stay in Italy.
Transferring between universities during an ongoing medical programme in Italy is a complicated process from a legal perspective and depends entirely on university approval. However, it should be noted that the National Medical Commission (NMC) in India requires Indian foreign medical students to complete their degree programme in the same institution they started with. Specifying in the “Gazette of India” under the FMGL Regulations, any Indian student who wants to appear for the licensing examination and practice their profession in India must ensure that they comply with the requirements of the NMC.