Compatibility of Italian legislation on masseur-physiotherapists with EU law

Question for written answer E-004284/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Dario Nardella (S&D)

A recent note from the Italian Ministry of Health would prohibit masseur-physiotherapists from carrying out their professional activity, in particular from opening and running their own clinics, despite the fact that this activity is expressly recognised by a number of existing laws: Law 403/1971[1], Law 145/2018[2] and Article 5 of the Ministerial Decree of 9 August 2019[3]. Such a measure would prevent 5 000 professionals from continuing to do their job, and it has already led to the dismissal of many professionals working in public and private healthcare facilities in Italy.

In view of the above:

• 1.Does the Commission consider that national legislation that allows masseur-physiotherapists from other EU Member States to work in Italy - pursuant to Articles 11 and 13 of Directive 2005/36/EC on the recognition of professional qualifications - but does not allow their Italian counterparts to do the same is in breach of EU law, notably Articles 49 and 56 TFEU and Article 3 TEU?
• 2.Will it put an end to this unequal treatment? If so, what initiatives will it take?

Submitted: 31.10.2025

• [1] https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/1971/06/30/071U0403/sg
• [2] https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2018/12/31/18G00172/sg
• [3] https://www.gazzettaufficiale.it/eli/id/2019/09/10/19A05560/sg