What are the advantages of cross-border work for nurses?

The advantages of cross-border work include broader career opportunities, higher salaries, and the experience of working in an international context. However, there are also challenges such as daily commuting and adapting to a new cultural and professional environment.

How can I apply for a job in Ticino?

To apply, you can directly contact healthcare facilities in Ticino or respond to pre-employment offers from recruiters. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, including educational qualifications, professional certifications, and a work permit.

What are the main challenges of cross-border work?

The main challenges include daily commuting, the higher cost of living in Ticino, and adapting to a new cultural and professional context. It is important to carefully evaluate these aspects before making a decision.

Ticino recruiters hunting for future nurses in Lombardy universities

By Marco Ferrari (editorial byline of the newsroom, AI-generated text) · Published on 10 April 2026

Ticino recruiters in Lombard universities for future nurses

The Italian nursing union NurSind reports that Ticino recruiters are offering pre-employment contracts to young nursing students in Lombardy.

Context

TL;DR

Ticino recruiters target Lombardy nursing students for future jobs.
Agreement trains 50 Lombardy students yearly with CHF 10,000 scholarships.
Ticino's nurse shortage is 300 positions; Lombardy's ratio is below EU average.
Students get higher salaries in Ticino but face higher living costs and language barriers.

Key facts

Cosa: Recruiters from Ticino are approaching nursing students in Lombardy for future employment.
Quando: The agreement was signed in March 2024.
Dove: Universities in Milan and Pavia, Lombardy.
Chi: NurSind, Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC), universities of Milan and Pavia.
Importo: Scholarships worth 10,000 CHF annually for 50 students.
Scadenza: Three-year work commitment at Ticino healthcare facilities.
Salario: Entry-level salary of 6,500 CHF/month in Ticino vs 1,800€ in Italy.
Costo: Average rent in Ticino is CHF 1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment.

The Italian nursing union NurSind has reported an unprecedented phenomenon: recruiters from the Canton of Ticino are approaching students at universities in Lombardy, particularly at the universities of Milan and Pavia, to offer them pre-employment opportunities as nurses. According to reports, these recruiters are directly contacting young nursing students, offering them future employment contracts in Ticino healthcare facilities, such as the Regional Hospital of Lugano and the Civic Hospital of Bellinzona.

Operational details

Implications for the labor market

Recruiting future nurses from Lombard universities could have significant repercussions on the cross-border labor market. According to data from the Federal Statistical Office, in 2023 Ticino employed around 1,200 cross-border nurses, accounting for 25% of the canton's healthcare staff. The agreement signed in March 2024 between the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) and the universities of Milan and Pavia aims to train 50 students annually with scholarships worth 10,000 CHF, in exchange for a three-year work commitment at facilities such as the Regional Hospital of Lugano or the Civico in Bellinzona. While this strategy may help reduce the current staffing shortage in Ticino—estimated at 300 positions—it risks worsening the situation in Lombardy, where the nurse-to-patient ratio is already below the EU average (5.2 vs 8.5 per 1,000 inhabitants).

Comparison with the previous situation

Previously, Ticino-based institutions mainly recruited already qualified nurses, with an average hiring cost of 20,000 CHF through agencies. The new strategy instead focuses on students still in training, reducing hiring costs by 40% and ensuring an estimated retention rate of 70%—compared to 55% among traditional cross-border workers. A concrete example is the 2022 pilot project, in which 20 recent graduates from the University of Insubria were hired at the Ospedale Italiano in Lugano, resulting in a 30% lower turnover compared to previous years.

Future scenarios

If this model proves successful, it could be extended to other sectors such as engineering (with the Polytechnic University of Milan) or ICT, where Ticino currently faces a deficit of 800 professionals. However, Lombardy might respond with regional incentives: starting in 2025, Lombardy's Stability Law will offer 3,000 euros annually to nurses under 35 who remain in the region. A scenario comparison shows that, without countermeasures, Lombardy's healthcare system could lose up to 200 professionals per year by 2030.

Opportunities for students

For students, Ticino's offer includes an entry-level salary of 6,500 CHF/month (vs 1,800€ in Italy) and a bilingual training path. However, mobility costs (Milan-Lugano train pass: 300 CHF/month) and the requirement for language certification (B2 level in German or French) remain barriers. An operational checklist includes:

Verify legal requirements (G permit for cross-border workers)
Calculate taxable income (average Ticino tax rate: 15%)
Assess tax agreements (Italy-Switzerland Agreement of 1974).

'The real advantage is contractual stability, but the impact on personal life must be taken into account,' observes Marco Rossi, OCST union representative.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to Do If You're Interested

If you're a nursing student in Lombardy and wish to explore this opportunity, here's a detailed guide:

1. Get Informed: Contact your university or the NurSind union for specific information on pre-employment offers. For example, the University of Milan-Bicocca recently collaborated with the Ente Ospedaliero Cantonale (EOC) in Ticino to facilitate recruitment. 2. Evaluate: Consider the pros and cons of cross-border work. For instance, the average salary for a nurse in Ticino is around CHF 6,500 gross per month (approximately €6,700), compared to €1,800-€2,200 in Lombardy. However, the cost of living in cities like Lugano or Bellinzona is higher, with average rents of CHF 1,500 for a one-bedroom apartment. 3. Apply: Respond to pre-employment offers and prepare a CV in Italian and German (for some facilities like the Locarno Regional Hospital, knowledge of German is a plus). 4. Prepare Documents: Ensure you have your educational qualifications recognized through the diploma equivalency procedure at the Department of Health and Social Affairs of Canton Ticino. Apply for a G permit (for cross-border workers) or B permit (for residents), costing CHF 150 and CHF 300 respectively. 5. Plan Your Move: If selected, consider purchasing an Arcobaleno pass for public transport (around CHF 700 annually) or factor in fuel costs if residing in border towns like Como or Varese.

Useful Tools

For a thorough assessment, use our salary calculator to compare net salaries after taxes and the permit comparator to check legal requirements. For example, a nurse with 3 years of experience in Ticino can earn up to CHF 7,200 gross, with a net of around CHF 4,800 after deductions.

Operational Checklist

✅ Verify recognition of your qualifications with Canton Ticino.
✅ Apply for a G or B work permit within 30 days of employment.
✅ Compare living costs between Lombardy and Ticino (e.g., average grocery bill: CHF 400 vs €300 per month).
✅ Consider purchasing supplementary health insurance (average cost: CHF 300 annually).

FAQ

Q: What are the requirements to work as a nurse in Ticino? A: In addition to recognized qualifications, registration with the Nursing Registry of Canton Ticino and Italian language proficiency (C1 level) are required. Since 2023, some facilities also require a 60-hour course in German or French.

Q: What are the salary differences between Lombardy and Ticino? A: In Ticino, a starting salary is CHF 6,000 gross, compared to €1,800 in Lombardy. However, the cost of living is 30% higher, with a coffee costing CHF 4 and a liter of gasoline CHF 1.80.

Q: What are the advantages of cross-border work? A: Besides higher salaries, cross-border workers benefit from tax deductions in Italy (up to 50% of foreign income) and a Swiss healthcare system included in the contract. However, travel times from Como to Lugano can reach 1h30 during rush hour.

'Ticino offers unique opportunities, but it's essential to plan every aspect, from documents to transportation,' says Marco Rossi, cross-border worker consultant.

Source: laregione.ch

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the requirements to work as a nurse in Ticino?: To work as a nurse in Ticino, you need to hold a recognized educational qualification, have a good command of Italian, and in some cases, German or French. Additionally, it is mandatory to obtain a valid work permit for Switzerland.
What are the salary differences between Lombardy and Ticino?: Salaries for nurses in Ticino are generally higher than in Lombardy. However, it is important to also consider the higher cost of living in Switzerland, which can affect actual purchasing power.
What are the advantages of cross-border work for nurses?: The advantages of cross-border work include broader career opportunities, higher salaries, and the experience of working in an international context. However, there are also challenges such as daily commuting and adapting to a new cultural and professional environment.
How can I apply for a job in Ticino?: To apply, you can directly contact healthcare facilities in Ticino or respond to pre-employment offers from recruiters. Make sure you have all the necessary documents, including educational qualifications, professional certifications, and a work permit.
What are the main challenges of cross-border work?: The main challenges include daily commuting, the higher cost of living in Ticino, and adapting to a new cultural and professional context. It is important to carefully evaluate these aspects before making a decision.