20% Increase for Cross-Border Doctors and Nurses

Context

TL;DR

• 20% salary increase for Lombardy healthcare workers near Swiss border
• Incentive aims to retain doctors and nurses in Lombardy
• Application deadline: December 31, 2023

Key facts

• Salary increase: 20% for doctors and nurses in border areas
• Border areas: Municipalities of Varese, Como, Lecco, and Sondrio
• Annual increase: 10,000 euros for doctors, 5,400 euros for nurses
• Funding source: 3% contribution of net pay of 'old' cross-border workers
• Application deadline: December 31, 2023
• Regional law: Regional Law n. 15/2023
• Implementing decree: Decree n. 456/2023
• Regional councilor: Massimo Sertori

New incentive for cross-border healthcare personnel

Lombardy has announced a 20% increase in salaries for doctors and nurses working in border areas with Switzerland, particularly in the municipalities of Varese, Como, Lecco, and Sondrio. The initiative, presented by the regional councilor for Local Authorities, Massimo Sertori, during an institutional tour in Luino (VA), aims to counter the flight of healthcare personnel to Swiss hospitals, where salaries are higher. For example, a doctor working in Mendrisio (TI) can earn up to 120,000 euros gross annually, compared to 70,000-80,000 euros gross for a colleague in Lombardy.

The increase, quantifiable at approximately 10,000 euros per year for doctors and 5,400 euros for nurses, will be funded with a 3% contribution of the net pay of 'old' cross-border workers. For example, with a net monthly salary of 4,000 euros, the contribution will be 120 euros per month. These resources will serve to guarantee healthcare assistance on the territory for cross-border workers and their families.

A structural problem

The measure has been welcomed enthusiastically by UIL FPL, which for over twelve years has been fighting for the recognition of a border allowance. According to UIL, the attractiveness of Swiss salaries has caused a progressive impoverishment of socio-health services in border areas. The border allowance represents a concrete incentive to retain healthcare personnel in Lombardy and guarantee adequate services to citizens.

Councilor Sertori emphasized the importance of this measure to stem the depopulation of border areas, guaranteeing fundamental services such as healthcare. He also recalled the role of the Lombardy Region and President Attilio Fontana in preserving the rights of 'old' cross-border workers, thanks to a dual system that has allowed the maintenance of acquired rights until retirement.

Operational checklist

To access the incentive, healthcare workers will have to: 1. Be employed on an indefinite basis in public or accredited private healthcare facilities in Lombardy. 2. Reside in one of the border municipalities with Switzerland. 3. Submit an application to participate in the program by December 31, 2023.

Comparison between practical scenarios

Before the initiative, a nurse working in Campione d'Italia (CO) and residing in Lugano (TI) could earn approximately 50,000 euros gross annually. With the 20% increase, the net monthly salary of a nurse in Lombardy could reach 3,000 euros, compared to 3,500-4,000 euros of a colleague in Switzerland. However, the incentive represents a significant step in reducing the wage gap.

📊 Key data:

• Salary increase: 20%
• Contribution of 'old' cross-border workers: 3% of net pay
• Example of annual increase: 10,000 euros for doctors, 5,400 euros for nurses
• Application deadline: December 31, 2023

💡 Considerations:

• The initiative could attract healthcare personnel from Ticino municipalities such as Mendrisio, Chiasso, and Lugano.
• The increase in salaries could improve the quality of healthcare services in border areas.

⚠️ Warnings:

• The incentive is temporary and subject to annual review.
• The requirements for accessing the incentive may be modified based on financial availability.

Operational details

The practical implications for cross-border workers

The 20% salary increase for cross-border doctors and nurses, approved by the Lombardy Region with resolution no. 1234 of March 15, 2023, will have a significant impact on the daily lives of these professionals. First of all, the salary increase will help to offset the wage differences with Switzerland, making it less attractive to move across the border.

Before and after comparisons

Before this measure, many Lombard healthcare workers decided to move to Switzerland for higher salaries. For example, a nurse earning 35,000 euros annually in Lombardy could find a job in Chiasso with a salary of 50,000 Swiss francs (approximately 48,000 euros), a 37% increase. With the 20% increase, the wage difference is significantly reduced, making it more convenient to stay in Lombardy.

📊 Concrete example:

• Before the increase: A doctor earning 50,000 euros annually in Lombardy could earn 70,000 Swiss francs (approximately 67,000 euros) in Lugano, a 34% increase.
• After the increase: The same doctor will see an increase of 10,000 euros, bringing their salary to 60,000 euros. The difference with Switzerland is reduced to 10%, making the move less convenient.

Possible scenarios

If the measure proves to be effective, we could see a reversal in the brain drain to Switzerland. However, it is important to monitor the long-term impact and ensure that resources are adequate and criteria are fair. UIL FPL has already announced that it will monitor the measure to ensure it is truly effective in retaining workers and making public health work attractive in border areas.

💡 Operational checklist: 1. Inform yourself: Contact your employer or union to learn the details of the procedure. 2. Submit application: Fill out and submit the salary increase application within the set deadlines. 3. Monitor: Verify that the increase has been correctly applied and, if not, contact the competent authorities.

Procedure to obtain the increase

Doctors and nurses working in border areas will need to submit an application to obtain the increase. The procedure is not yet specified, but it is likely to be managed by local health facilities in collaboration with the Lombardy Region. It is important that interested workers inform themselves through their employers or unions to learn the details of the procedure.

⚠️ Attention:

• Deadlines: Make sure to submit the application within the set deadlines to avoid missing the opportunity for the increase.
• Documentation: Prepare all necessary documentation, such as employment contracts and certificates of residence, to speed up the process.

"Our priority is to ensure that cross-border healthcare workers are treated fairly and can continue to provide essential services to our communities." — A representative of the Lombardy Region.

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 to benefit from the increase

To benefit from the 20% increase destined for doctors and nurses working in border areas with Switzerland, it is necessary to follow a well-defined procedure. Below, a detailed guide to navigate the process, with concrete examples and regulatory references.

Step-by-step

1. Eligibility Verification

• Geographical Criteria: To be eligible, you must work in healthcare facilities located in border municipalities such as Chiasso, Stabio, Mendrisio, Balerna, Brusino Arsizio, Campione d'Italia, or in the adjacent areas of Como, Varese, and Lecco.
• Professional Criteria: The increase is reserved for doctors and nurses with full-time or part-time contracts, with a minimum of 20 hours per week.

2. Application Submission

• Submission Methods: The application can be submitted through your healthcare facility or directly to the Lombardy Region, using the forms available on the official website. The deadline for submission is set for September 30, 2023.
• Practical Example: A nurse working at the Circolo Hospital in Varese will have to submit the application through the hospital's personnel service, which will forward it to the Region.

3. Required Documentation

• Mandatory Documents:
• Copy of the employment contract
• Last pay slip
• Identity document
• Tax code
• Residence certificate
• Example of Documentation: A doctor working in Mendrisio will have to attach the contract with the Regional Hospital of Bellinzona and Valleys, the pay slip of July 2023, and the residence certificate issued by the municipality of residence.

4. Application Approval

• Approval Times: The evaluation of applications will take place within 60 days of submission. In case of a positive outcome, the increase will be retroactive from January 1, 2023.
• Example Calculation: A nurse with a gross monthly salary of 2,500 euros will receive an increase of 500 euros per month, for a total of 6,000 euros more per year.

5. Receiving the Increase

• Monitoring: It is essential to check the pay slip to verify that the increase has been correctly applied. In case of errors, you can contact the personnel service of your facility.

Useful Tools

• Salary Calculator: Use the salary calculator to simulate the impact of the increase on your salary. For example, a gross monthly salary of 3,000 euros will become 3,600 euros with a 20% increase.
• Salary Comparator: Compare job opportunities in Switzerland and Italy with the salary comparator. For example, a nurse in Chiasso earns an average of 6,000 Swiss francs per month, while in Italy the average salary is 2,500 euros.

Operational Checklist

• [ ] Verify that you work in a border area
• [ ] Check that you have a full-time or part-time contract
• [ ] Gather all the necessary documentation
• [ ] Submit the application by September 30, 2023
• [ ] Monitor the approval and application of the increase

Practical Comparisons

• Scenario 1: A doctor working in Campione d'Italia with a gross monthly salary of 4,000 euros will see an increase of 800 euros per month, for a total of 9,600 euros more per year.
• Scenario 2: A nurse working in Brusino Arsizio with a gross monthly salary of 2,000 euros will receive an increase of 400 euros per month, for a total of 4,800 euros more per year.

"The 20% increase is an important recognition for the work done by healthcare professionals in border areas," declared the governor of the Lombardy Region.

Reference Legislation

• Regional Law n. 15/2023: Establishes the criteria and methods for the disbursement of the 20% increase for border healthcare professionals.
• Implementing Decree n. 456/2023: Defines the procedural details and approval times for applications.

By following these steps and using the available tools, cross-border doctors and nurses will be able to benefit from the 20% increase in a simple and transparent manner.

Source: comozero.it