From 2025, the limited number for access to degree programs in Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Veterinary Medicine will be abolished, allowing open enrollment to all aspiring doctors. This reform, the result of the approval of the Delegated Bill, introduces new access methods, completely revising the entry test system
.
In this article, we will see in detail what this important news provides, how access methods will change and what the implications will be for students.
News for access to Medicine since 2025
Starting with the academic year 2025/2026, access to the Faculties of Medicine and Surgery, Dentistry and Dental Prosthesis and Veterinary Medicine will be open to everyone. This means that it will no longer be necessary to pass the entrance test to enroll in these degree programs
.
The Government’s plan aims to respond to the shortage of medical specialists and to facilitate access to health professions. The Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, explained that the reform is part of a larger reorganization of the medical and health professions, also supported by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). Several bipartisan bills calling for the abolition of restricted numbers have been consolidated into a unitary Delegated Bill, currently under discussion in Parliament
.
How does the new system work
With the abolition of the entrance test, all students will be able to enroll in the degree course in Medicine. However, to complete admission, students will have to take an exam six months after the start of the academic year. This exam will serve as a selective test, evaluating the knowledge acquired in the first months
of study.
The goal is to offer a fairer selection process, based on actual academic performance rather than on a single preliminary test. Unlike previous entrance tests, which focused on questions of biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, general knowledge and logic, the mid-year exam will be based on the topics studied during the first semester, which are more relevant to medical training
.
The final admission of students will be determined based on the result of the mid-year exam and the training credits obtained during the first six months. The final ranking will determine who can continue their course of study.
When will the abolition of the restricted number come into effect
The abolition of the limited number in Medicine will take effect with the start of the 2025/2026 academic year. After the final approval of the Delegated Law and its publication in the Official Gazette, the new system will come into full force, allowing all aspiring doctors to register freely without the traditional
entrance test.
Why did the Government choose to abolish restricted numbers
The decision to eliminate the limited number responds to the need to address the growing shortage of medical specialists in Italy. With this reform, the Government hopes to train a sufficient number of professionals to meet the demand of the national health system. The selection based on a mid-year exam will make it possible to better evaluate students’ preparation and promote more meritocratic access
.
Where access to Medicine is already open
In several European countries, access to Medicine does not require an entrance test. Among these, we find:
- Albania
- Bulgaria
- Romania
- Germany
Many Italian students choose to study medicine in these countries to avoid limited numbers, and then ask for the recognition of their degree in Italy. The Italian reform aims to reduce this exodus of young talent abroad
.
What will happen now
The reform is currently under discussion in Parliament, and the first step is the final approval of the Delegated Bill. Once approved, the new system will be implemented in the 2025/2026 academic year. It will be an epochal change for access to healthcare professions in Italy, and we will update you with all the details as soon as they
become available.