Lombardy increases healthcare salaries at the border: +20% for doctors and nurses

Context

TL;DR

• Lombardy raises salaries for border healthcare workers by 20% to retain talent.
• Increase funded by 3% deduction from cross-border workers' salaries.
• Affects 7,000 workers in Varese, Como, Lecco, and Varese.
• Doctors gain €10,000/year, nurses €5,400/year.

Key facts

• Cosa: Aumento del 20% per i lavoratori sanitari nelle aree di confine.
• Quando: Implementazione entro settembre 2024, retroattivo dal 1° gennaio 2024.
• Dove: Comuni entro 20 km dal confine svizzero, tra cui Varese, Como, Lecco.
• Chi: 7.000 lavoratori sanitari, tra cui medici e infermieri.
• Importo: Investimento di 45 milioni di euro, con un aumento di €10.000 lordi/anno per i medici e €5.400 lordi/anno per gli infermieri.
• Scadenza: Contributo del 3% sui salari dei lavoratori frontalieri a partire da ottobre 2024.
• Fonte: Legge Regionale 213/2023 e decreto attuativo.

Lombardy will introduce a salary increase for doctors and nurses in the border areas with Switzerland by September. The aim is to counter the flight of healthcare personnel to the Canton of Ticino, where salaries are traditionally higher. The measure is provided for by State Law 213 of 2023, which establishes a 20% increase for healthcare workers.

Who is involved

The increase will affect approximately 7,000 healthcare workers, with an investment of around 45 million euros. Doctors will see an increase of approximately 10,000 euros gross per year, while nurses will receive around 5,400 euros gross more per year. The municipalities involved are those located less than 20 km from the Swiss border, including Varese, Como, Lecco, and Varese.

Concrete examples

• Varese: A doctor with a gross salary of 60,000 euros will see an increase of 10,000 euros, bringing their salary to 70,000 euros gross per year.
• Como: A nurse with a gross salary of 30,000 euros will receive an increase of 5,400 euros, reaching 35,400 euros gross per year.

How it will be funded

The funding comes from a contribution deducted from the salaries of cross-border workers. Lombardy has opted for the minimum threshold of 3%, which means 120 euros per month for a net salary of 4,000 euros. This contribution will serve to strengthen healthcare in the border areas, to the benefit of the cross-border workers themselves and their families.

Operational checklist

• Identification of beneficiaries: Verification of healthcare employees in border municipalities.
• Calculation of increases: Determination of specific increases for doctors and nurses.
• Implementation of the contribution: Deduction of 3% from the salaries of cross-border workers.
• Monitoring and evaluation: Control of the effectiveness of the measure and necessary adjustments.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

• Before the increase: A doctor in Varese earned 60,000 euros gross per year, while a colleague in Lugano earned 75,000.
• After the increase: The doctor in Varese will earn 70,000 euros gross per year, reducing the gap with the Swiss colleague.

Regulations and dates

• State Law 213/2023: Establishes a 20% increase for healthcare workers.
• Implementing decree: By September 2024, with immediate implementation of the increases.

💡 Practical tips

• For employers: Plan the budget for the increases and clearly communicate with employees.
• For employees: Verify the increases received and compare them with Swiss standards.

⚠️ Warnings

• Cross-border workers: The 3% contribution will be visible in pay slips starting from October 2024.
• Healthcare workers: The increases will be retroactive from January 1, 2024.

"This measure is an important step to strengthen local healthcare and retain qualified personnel," said the governor of Lombardy.

Lombardy hopes that these increases can significantly reduce the flight of talent to Ticino, improving the quality of healthcare services in the border areas.

Operational details

The increase in salaries for healthcare workers at the Swiss border represents a significant step forward for Lombardy. The measure, funded through a contribution on the salaries of cross-border workers, aims to retain healthcare personnel in Lombardy, preventing the exodus to the Canton of Ticino, where working conditions and salaries are often more advantageous.

Implications for cross-border workers

Cross-border workers who work in Lombardy and reside in Ticino will see a reduction in their net salary due to the 3% contribution. However, this sacrifice is justified by the improvement in working conditions for local healthcare workers, who in turn guarantee quality healthcare services for the entire community, including cross-border workers.

Comparison with the previous situation

Before this law, healthcare workers in Lombardy near the Swiss border were often disadvantaged compared to their Swiss colleagues. The 20% increase aims to bridge this gap, making working conditions more competitive. This could also attract new healthcare professionals to the border areas, further improving the quality of services offered.

Concrete examples and real numbers

For example, a nurse working in a hospital in Varese with an annual gross salary of 36,000 euros will see an increase to 43,200 euros. A specialist doctor who earned 72,000 euros will move to 86,400 euros. These increases are funded by a 3% contribution on the salaries of cross-border workers who live in Ticino but work in Lombardy.

Regulations and dates

The Lombardy regional law no. 12/2023, which came into force on January 1, 2024, introduces the 3% contribution on the salaries of cross-border workers. This contribution is exclusively intended to finance salary increases for healthcare personnel. The measure has been welcomed by trade unions and professional associations, which have emphasized the importance of making working conditions more competitive.

Operational checklist

• Lombardy healthcare companies: Verify the adjustment of salaries according to the new regulations.
• Cross-border workers: Calculate the impact of the 3% contribution on their net salary.
• Border municipalities: Promote initiatives to attract new healthcare professionals.

Comparison between practical scenarios

Before the increase, a nurse from Mendrisio working in a hospital in Como earned approximately 3,000 euros net per month. After the 20% increase, a nurse from Como will earn approximately 3,600 euros net per month, while the cross-border worker will see a reduction of 90 euros net per month due to the 3% contribution.

Examples of Ticino municipalities

The Ticino municipalities of Chiasso, Mendrisio, and Lugano are among the most affected by the exodus of healthcare personnel to Switzerland. The new Lombardy measure aims to reduce this phenomenon by offering more competitive conditions. For example, a doctor from Lugano working in a hospital in Varese will see a 20% increase in their salary, while a colleague from Como will see a similar increase.

Conclusions

The increase in salaries for healthcare workers at the Swiss border represents an important step for Lombardy. The measure, funded through a contribution on the salaries of cross-border workers, aims to retain healthcare personnel in Lombardy, improving working conditions and guaranteeing quality healthcare services for the entire community.

Useful tools for your case

To verify your within/over 20 km tax scenario, use the net salary calculator and the tax return guide.

Key points

For cross-border workers employed in Lombardy, it is crucial to stay updated on the new regulations introduced by the Lombardy Region starting from January 1, 2024. One of the main novelties concerns the introduction of a 3% contribution on the net salary, destined to improve local healthcare services. This contribution will be deducted directly from the salary, slightly reducing the available income. However, it is important to underline that this measure aims to enhance healthcare services, indirectly benefiting cross-border workers and their families as well.

What to Do

If you are a cross-border worker employed in Lombardy, it is essential to verify your new net salary after the application of the contribution. You can use the salary calculator to get a precise idea of the changes. Additionally, keep an eye on the official communications from the Lombardy Region for any updates.

Concrete Steps

1. Check your current net salary. 2. Calculate the 3% contribution that will be deducted.

• For example, if your net salary is 3,000 euros, the contribution will be 90 euros.

3. Use the salary calculator to determine your new net salary.

• In the case of a net salary of 3,000 euros, your new net salary will be 2,910 euros.

4. Inform yourself about the new working conditions for local healthcare workers.

• The Lombardy Region has introduced a 20% increase for doctors and nurses, with a positive impact on the quality of healthcare services.

5. Monitor official communications for any changes.

Concrete Examples

• Mendrisio Municipality: A cross-border worker employed in Varese with a net salary of 3,500 euros will see a contribution of 105 euros, reducing their available income to 3,395 euros.
• Lugano Municipality: A nurse employed in Como with a net salary of 2,800 euros will have a contribution of 84 euros, bringing their new net salary to 2,716 euros.

Operational Checklist

• [ ] Check your current net salary.
• [ ] Calculate the 3% contribution.
• [ ] Use the salary calculator.
• [ ] Inform yourself about the new working conditions.
• [ ] Monitor official communications.

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

• Current Scenario: Net salary of 3,000 euros, available income of 3,000 euros.
• Future Scenario: Net salary of 3,000 euros, contribution of 90 euros, available income of 2,910 euros.

"This measure aims to improve the quality of healthcare services, benefiting all residents and cross-border workers who use local healthcare facilities." - Lombardy Region

Regulations and Dates

• Effective Date: January 1, 2024.
• Contribution Amount: 3% of the net salary.
• Increase for Healthcare Workers: 20% for doctors and nurses.

Conclusion

It is fundamental for cross-border workers employed in Lombardy to be aware of the new regulations and their implications on available income. By using the salary calculator and monitoring official communications, it will be possible to manage this new situation effectively.

Source: tvsvizzera.it