On January 29, 2026, the Italian government introduced an amendment to the Milleproroghe decree aimed at addressing the ongoing shortage of healthcare professionals in the country. This amendment allows doctors to work until the age of 72 on a voluntary basis, a measure intended to bolster the workforce currently pressuring hospitals across Italy. Additionally, it includes provisions for recalling retired medical staff and extending temporary contracts for healthcare professionals.
The centerpiece of the new regulation is enabling hospital doctors to extend their working years beyond the traditional retirement age of 65 to 72, should they choose to do so. Luca Ciriani, Italy's Minister for Parliamentary Relations, clarified that this extension is purely voluntary. The amendment is designed to value the expertise and experience of those professionals who wish to remain in service, emphasizing the non-mandatory nature of this provision.
Health personnel who opt for this extension will primarily serve in support and tutoring roles. They will not hold leadership positions in complex departments or wards, which could help ensure that experienced medical professionals can still contribute without overwhelming responsibilities. This delineation allows for a smoother transition as these older professionals integrate back into the system, focusing on mentorship and guidance.
Alongside the age extension, the government confirmed the ongoing ability to recall retired medical and healthcare personnel up to the age of 72 throughout 2026. This is particularly vital given the severe staffing gaps in critical care environments. Regions can thus contract with retired individuals, including specialists and administrative staff, helping to mitigate immediate personnel shortages in essential sectors of the healthcare system.
Despite having valid candidate lists for hiring, regional administrations have faced significant challenges in recruiting new medical staff. The Milleproroghe amendment also allows for temporary autonomous work contracts to be issued through December 31, 2026. Such contracts can be established for up to six months, again on a voluntary basis, to help regional facilities fill critical vacancies. This provision aims to alleviate pressure while allowing retired personnel the option of opting for either their pension benefits or salary from their new roles.
An important note within this amendment is that university staff engaged in clinical activities are excluded from the age extension program. Professors and academic instructors will not have the option to extend their service up to 72 years, which reflects the need to separate academic roles from practical, hands-on healthcare delivery.
Ciriani framed the amendment as a measure intended to enhance efficiency in the healthcare system but acknowledged that it does not address the underlying structural issues related to personnel shortages. The Milleproroghe decree is seen as a temporary arrangement, serving as a stopgap while more extensive reforms focusing on training, hiring practices, and working conditions within the national healthcare service are developed and debated.
Italy’s introduction of new regulations enabling doctors to work until the age of 72 is a responsive action to ongoing healthcare personnel shortages, which have been exacerbated by various challenges over the years. While the immediate effects aim to stabilize the healthcare workforce, observers note that without a comprehensive overhaul of the training and employment systems, this may only serve as a temporary fix. The government is tasked with finding sustainable solutions that adequately address both the current and future needs of the healthcare system.
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