IMAT Registration: How It Works Step by Step for Non-EU Applicants

For a non-EU applicant living abroad, IMAT registration is two separate steps on Universitaly: a pre-enrolment application to one university, by that university's own deadline, and the IMAT test registration, which in 2026 ran from 26 August to 9 September at 15:00 Italian time. You then compete only in that university's local ranking, and the visa must be applied for by the national deadline or the university's earlier date.

In short

• Two applicant categories: EU citizens and equivalent candidates, including non-EU citizens legally resident in Italy, compete in the national ranking; non-EU citizens living abroad compete in the local ranking of the university where they pre-enrolled.
• Step one, pre-enrolment: on Universitaly, to one university, by that university's deadline. In 2026, for example: Catania 31 July, Pavia 31 August, Torino 11 September.
• Step two, test registration: on Universitaly, 26 August to 9 September 2026 at 15:00, completed only when the participation fee is paid.
• Preferences lock at the registration deadline and cannot be changed after it.
• Visa: for degree courses starting in 2026/27 the visa application must be lodged by 30 November 2026, or by a university's earlier date if it sets one; for 2027/28 the deadline is 31 October 2027.

This guide is part of our Study in Italy guide, the step-by-step route from choosing a programme to the visa.

Which IMAT applicant category are you in?

Your category decides your ranking, your minimum score and your places. Decree 1005 and its Table B use two categories.

The totals come from Table B of Decree 1005 and include private universities, most of which run their own admission tests, and Tor Vergata's course in Tirana. At public universities the non-EU places for Medicine in 2026/27 included 61 at Messina, 40 at Catania, 40 at Pavia and 11 at Bari (the last two include Marco Polo places).

What are the IMAT registration steps for non-EU applicants?

These are the steps of the 2026 cycle in order. Expect the same structure next year, with new dates.

Messina's 2026 call states that test registration did not depend on starting pre-enrolment first. Other universities set their own order, which is why we plan both steps together for each student.

How do university preferences work on IMAT registration?

At registration you list the universities you want to compete for, in order. Under Annex 2 of Decree 1005, the choices became irrevocable at 15:00 Italian time on 9 September 2026 and could not be added to afterwards. No maximum number of preferences is stated. For a non-EU applicant living abroad, the decisive choice is the university where you pre-enrolled, because that is the only local ranking you enter.

How do IMAT rankings work after the test?

For EU and equivalent candidates, the national ranking is due on 26 October 2026. Each candidate is marked "assigned" (a place at the first available preference, which must be taken) or "reserved" (a place at a lower preference, which can be taken or held while waiting). Enrolment must be completed within 4 days, excluding Saturdays and holidays, and candidates must confirm their interest to stay in later rounds. The first update is set for 3 November 2026.

For non-EU candidates living abroad, each university runs its own ranking and timetable. Pavia's 2026 call, for example, gives admitted candidates until 29 October to enrol, publishes remaining places on 3 November and gives replacement candidates until 6 November.

Which mistakes cost IMAT candidates a place?

• Missing the university's pre-enrolment deadline, which can fall weeks before test registration closes.
• Not paying the fee within the registration window, which leaves the registration incomplete.
• Listing preferences carelessly, since they lock at the deadline.
• Choosing the wrong category, for example a non-EU applicant living abroad registering as resident in Italy.
• Missing an enrolment window after a ranking or scorrimento round, which forfeits the place.
• Leaving the visa too late: the visa deadline (30 November 2026, or a university's earlier date) does not move for late rankings.

When does IMAT registration open for the next test?

Not announced. MUR publishes the calendar first (on 3 July in 2026, with the date later corrected by an errata notice of 29 July) and the decree with the full rules in early August. In 2026 registration opened on 26 August. University pre-enrolment deadlines are set separately and can come earlier, so the safe plan is to have documents ready by early summer.

How ApplyAZ helps

ApplyAZ is an Italy-based consultancy that works only with public universities, with offices in Milan and India. We have operations across all Italian regions, because each region sets its own regulations and deadlines and they change every year. For eligible students aiming at medicine in English, we choose the universities that fit your profile, handle the pre-enrolment and the IMAT registration on Universitaly, track the rankings and every enrolment window, and prepare the visa file before the consulate deadline.

Check your eligibility first. If you are eligible, you book a one-to-one consultation with one of our Italy experts, and after it you receive your personal Italy Roadmap, with every step ahead of you and when to do it. ApplyAZ never promises an admission, a scholarship or a visa: those decisions belong to the university, the regional body and the consulate. Our milestone payments and refund policies mean every service you pay for is either delivered or its service fee is refunded (terms apply).

The ApplyAZ Study in Italy guide series

Each guide answers one step of studying in Italy in depth. Start with the complete guide, or jump to the step you are on.

1. Study in Italy: the complete step-by-step guide
2. How to choose a public university in Italy
3. A master's in Italy with a three-year bachelor's degree
4. IMAT syllabus: official topics and a study checklist
5. Official IMAT past papers and how to review them
6. IMAT registration, step by step (you are here)
7. Combining scholarships: DSU, MAECI, Invest Your Talent
8. Universitaly pre-enrolment: steps and common errors
9. Italy student visa checklist

Frequently asked questions

When is IMAT registration?

In the 2026 cycle, IMAT registration on Universitaly ran from 26 August to 9 September 2026 at 15:00 Italian time. Dates for the next test are not yet announced.

Do I need to pre-enrol on Universitaly before the IMAT?

Non-EU applicants living abroad compete only in the local ranking of the university where they pre-enrolled, and need that validated pre-enrolment for the visa. Each university sets its own pre-enrolment deadline.

Can I change my IMAT university preferences after registering?

Not after the deadline. In 2026 the choices became irrevocable at 15:00 Italian time on 9 September 2026.

What is the minimum IMAT score for non-EU students?

Under Decree 1005/2026, non-EU candidates living abroad are eligible with any score above zero; EU and equivalent candidates need at least 20 points. Admission then depends on the ranking and the places.

Can I take the IMAT outside Italy?

Yes. In 2026 the test was held in Italy and in 25 other countries listed in Table A of Decree 1005, chosen at registration.

Sources

• MUR Decree 1005 of 6 August 2026: decree (articles 2 and 3), Annexes 1, 2 and 3 (registration, fee, preferences, rankings), Table A, countries and Table B, places
• MUR errata notice of 29 July 2026 moving the test to 29 September 2026
• Universitaly, international students: pre-enrolment and the visa deadlines of 30 November 2026 and 31 October 2027
• University calls 2026/27: Catania, Pavia, Torino, Messina

Written by İrem Yılmaz, Student Experience Lead, and reviewed by Reeya Sharma, Student Success and Partnerships, at ApplyAZ. Published on 8 October 2026. Dates and rules checked against MUR Decree 1005 of 6 August 2026, its annexes and the university calls on 8 October 2026.

Further reading

• IMAT exam 2026: date, scoring, seats and cut-offs
• IMAT results 2026
• Universitaly pre-enrolment: steps and errors
• Medical universities in Italy