Great news for students and alumni of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences (UAS): As of May 1, 2026, selected Austrian degrees from this rapidly growing higher education sector will be officially recognized in Italy.
The basis for this development is a bilateral agreement between the Republic of Austria and the Republic of Italy (“Notenwechsel”), which now formally recognizes selected bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, social sciences, and engineering as equivalent.
Eva-Maria Holzleitner, Federal Minister for Women, Science and Research, welcomed the agreement: “In a united Europe, educational pathways must function across borders. International mobility, academic exchange, and career opportunities must not fail due to formal barriers. This agreement demonstrates what is possible when countries work together to develop solutions in the interest of students, graduates, and an open, strong Europe.”
With the inclusion of nine UAS bachelor’s programs and eight UAS master’s programs in the bilateral agreement, Austria and Italy have set an important milestone. More than 11,000 Italian students in Austria—including around 6,640 from South Tyrol—will benefit directly. At the same time, the agreement also facilitates Austrian graduates’ transition across the border, as their equivalent degrees will now be recognized in Italy more quickly and with less bureaucracy.
Beate Meinl-Reisinger, Federal Minister for European and International Affairs, emphasized: “This opens up new perspectives across Europe for many young people and professionals. When degrees are recognized across borders, it makes access to education and employment much easier. This is what Europe is about: more mobility, fewer barriers, and new opportunities beyond borders.”
The breakthrough is the result of years of negotiations by the Joint Expert Commission Italy–Austria, which were successfully concluded in Rome in March of last year. Delegates from the foreign and science ministries of both countries, the ENIC-NARIC centers (National Information Centers for Academic Recognition), the University of Innsbruck, and MCI were involved.
Following the successful conclusion of negotiations, detailed implementing provisions had to be adopted for the degrees included in the agreement. The expanded agreement then underwent diplomatic ratification, parliamentary approval, and was ultimately published in the Federal Law Gazette.
The agreement, which officially enters into force on May 1, 2026, brings tangible benefits for graduates of Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences. In Italy, access to many academic professions is often tied to a degree from an Italian university. With the inclusion in the bilateral recognition agreement, Austrian UAS degrees are now officially recognized in Italy, opening up new opportunities for practicing academic professions.
Cornelia Hagele, Tyrolean Provincial Councilor for Science, Education and Research, Health, and Care: “The recognition of Austrian UAS degrees in Italy is an important step toward permeability, mobility, and equal opportunities in the European Higher Education Area. This is particularly significant for Tyrol, where proximity to Italy and intensive cross-border exchange play a central role. It opens up new perspectives in study, career, and research for our students and graduates.”
Ulrike Prommer, President of the Austrian Universities of Applied Sciences: “I am extremely pleased that this important step has finally become a reality. It overcomes a long-standing disadvantage compared to university degrees in Austria and Italy and further strengthens the international mobility of UAS graduates.”
Oswald Wolkenstein, Chairman of the MCI Supervisory Board: “MCI is once again leading the way. Its outstanding international network, the tireless commitment of the MCI team, and the remarkable innovative strength of The Entrepreneurial School® are paving the way for the benefit of Austria’s science, technology, and business landscape in a united Europe.”
Andreas Altmann, MCI Rector: “As an internationally active university with strong roots in the Euregio Tyrol–South Tyrol–Trentino, MCI has always been committed to ensuring the equivalence of UAS degrees in Italy.
My sincere thanks go to all those involved for their dedicated efforts, in particular MinR Karl Prummer (BMEIA) and MinR Ingrid Wadsack-Köchl with their expert Hannah Pesek (BMFWF), the responsible decision-makers in Rome Direttrice Lavinia Monti (Ministero degli Esteri) and Direttore Luca Lantero (CIMEA), the responsible authorities in the Province of South Tyrol Direktorin Rolanda Tschugguell with her expert Cristina Pellini, the expert responsible for degree recognition at Austrian universities Andrea Madaluno (Universität Innsbruck), as well as my team at MCI, Associate Dean Susanne Lichtmannegger with our top expert Matthias Sparber, and all political decision-makers, ambassadors, heads of section, and teams in the relevant ministries, embassies, and institutions.”
The Joint Expert Commission Italy–Austria met at the Ministry of University and Research in Rome.Background (from left to right): Rolanda Tschugguel (Province of South Tyrol), Andreas Altmann (MCI Innsbruck), Cristina Pellini (Province of South Tyrol), Luca Lantero (CIMEA), Ingrid Wadsack-Köchl and Hannah Pesek (BMBWF, ENIC-NARIC Austria), and Andrea Maddaluno (University of Innsbruck);Foreground: Karl Prummer (Head of the Department for South Tyrol and Southern Europe at the Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs) and Lavinia Monti (Head of the Department for International Cooperation at the Italian Ministry of University and Research) ©LPA/CIMEA
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