Italy Tackles GP Training Vacancies with New Decree and Expanded Medical Seats

The Italian Federation of General Practitioners (Fimmg) has urged the government to issue an urgent decree that would allow candidates who have passed the specific General Practice training exam for 2026‑2029 to voluntarily take any unfilled positions in other regions. With 2,651 training places available and 5,870 applications, the federation warns that some regions could start the course with vacant spots. The proposal includes an inter‑regional “re‑allocation” mechanism, a bonus of €3,000‑€5,000 and tax relief for doctors who relocate to lower‑demand regions such as Campania, Emilia‑Romagna, Lazio and Sicily.

Separately, Minister of University and Research Anna Maria Bernini signed a decree raising the total number of university seats for Medicine, Dentistry and Veterinary studies in the 2026/27 academic year to 30,225, of which 27,001 are for Medicine – an increase of about 3,000 places compared with the previous year. The expansion aims to meet growing demand and improve future healthcare staffing across Italy.