Health Insurance in Italy

Italy is one of the most iconic and popular destinations in all of Western Europe. The Mediterranean country boasts an impressive standard of living and quality of life for the majority of its population. It also has a high average life expectancy of 82 years for men and 86 years for women. These achievements are the result of successful welfare measures and well-established health policies. 

Understanding Italian medical insurance for expats is important for anyone thinking of making the move. Read on for more detailed information on healthcare in Italy.

During a short-term visit of up to three months, EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access public healthcare in Italy. UK citizens can make use of their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.

Expats from outside the EU should arrange private medical insurance for stays of three months or less. After three months, expats can obtain a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno), which allows them to register for the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). Expats who have their residence status finalised and have an Italian identity card (carta d’identità) can apply for an Italian medical insurance card (tessera sanitaria).

To get an Italian medical insurance card, an expat would have to go to their nearest local health authority (Azienda Sanità Locale, or ASL) and apply for the card. This requires various documents, including the expat’s residence permit, identity document and tax code (codice fiscale). Expats wanting to claim benefits for their families will require a family status certificate (certificato di stato di famiglia), which includes personal details of relatives.

After registering, applicants choose a family doctor and a paediatrician, if applicable. They are then issued with their Italian medical insurance card, which must be presented to receive care under the SSN. Health cards for expats are usually valid for the duration of the residence permit.

If expats don't qualify for public healthcare under the SSN, they must have private medical insurance to obtain a visa. Expats requiring chronic or specialist treatment should also consider private medical insurance for peace of mind, choice of treatment centres, and comfort. 

The national health service in Italy, SSN, provides residents with free or low-cost healthcare. This includes access to general practitioners (GPs), treatment at public hospitals, subsidised medicines, lab services, ambulance services and specialist care.

Although the SSN is a socialised system, regional governments oversee it on a provincial level. As a result, the standard of treatment isn't uniform throughout the country. For instance, public hospitals in Italy’s northern and central regions have more resources and are known to offer higher standards of care than those in the south. 

Private healthcare in Italy boasts well-trained doctors and is on par with the finest in the world. There are several impressive specialist facilities in large urban centres, while university hospitals are also highly reputable.

Private healthcare allows expats to avoid the queues and complications of the public system. It also enables provisions for more comforts and personal choice when it comes to doctors and facilities. For these reasons, although public healthcare in Italy is free for both expat residents and locals, many foreigners and some Italians still opt to utilise private healthcare if they can afford to.

The Ministry of Health sets a minimum charge for all operations in this sector, but costs can still be high, making medical insurance a must. In some industries, employers are required to provide medical insurance for their employees. If this is not the case, expats should arrange their own coverage.

Most pharmacies (farmacia) in Italy are small, family-run establishments. However, they can generally fill most prescriptions. Pharmacies are easily found throughout the country. This includes 24-hour pharmacies, which are mainly in the major cities.

Under the Italian healthcare system, Group A medicines (classified as essential) prescribed by a GP are provided free of charge or at subsidised rates. Group C medicines (non-essential), on the other hand, must be paid for in full. This includes over-the-counter medicines.

Expats should find out the generic name of any long-term prescription drug they may be taking, as brand names tend to vary from one country to another.

In the event of a medical emergency in Italy, call 118. Expats may struggle to find an English-speaking operator, in which case they should use the general EU emergency number, 112.

Emergency services in Italy tend to be responsive and reliable, though wait times for ambulances may be longer in rural areas. Visitors and expats should also have the number of their home country’s embassy or consulate on hand in case of emergency.