Italian healthcare system: Foreigners registered with the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) are guaranteed full assistance under the same conditions as Italian citizens.
Generally speaking, the following categories are entitled to free of charge registration: (i) foreign citizens in possession of a permit who regularly work as employees/self-employees (lavoro subordinato, lavoro autonomo) in Italy or are enrolled with government employment agency; (ii) foreign citizens in possession of or waiting for the renewal of a permit for employment, self-employment, family reasons, asylum, adoption/custody, citizenship acquisition; (iii) dependent family members of all the above categories.
If you are not eligible for free of charge registration, an alternative to the private health coverage is “voluntary” registration. The registration requires the payment of yearly charge (in any event not less than € 2,000) calculated as follows: (i) 7,50% an income up to € 20.658; (ii) 4% on income from € 20.658,28 to € 51.645. No additional charge shall be payable for income exceeding € 51,645. Flat rate contribution of € 700 applies to students (bout EU and non EU citizens) without dependent family members.
The payment must be done via a F24 form. Voluntary registration with the National Health Service (SSN) refers to the calendar year (January 1 — December 31), regardless of any mid-year expiration of the residence permit. It is not divisible and does not have retroactive effect.
Those registered are entitled with no additional charge to choose a general practitioner whom you can consult/visit the during medical office opening. The GP shall also be contacted for: (i) obtaining medical certificates; (ii) prescription for specialist and diagnostic examinations; (iii) request for non-emergency hospital admission; (iv) prescription of medicines; (v) to be hospitalized if needed, save the payment of the co-pay fee (see below); (vi) to undergo free outpatient and in-home medical examinations and to obtain prescriptions for medications and specialist services.
All patients (including foreigners legally resident) are asked to pay a co-pay fee (called “ticket”) before undergoing specialist examinations and for medicines. Exemptions exist for: (i) those who have an income lower than €8,500/year; (ii) for reasons such as chronic diseases, low-income patients. Co-payment is required for visits and medical examinations as well as for medicines, calculated on the basis of the individual’s income.
As required by the Schengen rules, any foreign visitors traveling to Italy must ensure he/she is covered by a medical insurance valid for Schengen area covering medical fees, hospitalization and repatriation cost up to €30,000.
You have certain health care rights during a temporary stay. You can access both emergency and standard healthcare services. In the first case, payment must correspond upon hospital discharge. In case of “non-emergency” treatment, advanced payment is required.
In case of need for medical assistance, foreign visitors in Italy can seek medical treatment either from public or private hospitals. Public hospitals provide both emergency and non-emergency services while private hospitals do normally provide non-emergency services only and do not have first aid service.
At public hospitals, emergency services are provided at no cost or upon payment of a limited fee, while non-emergency services are subject to a fee set locally by the Regional Health Authority. Private hospitals normally charge much higher fees than public hospitals. Of course, it is also possible to visit a private doctor by arranging an appointment directly with him/her.
The emergency number (for immediate medical attention or to call an ambulance) is 118. Otherwise, you can access the first aid station (Pronto Soccorso) directly.
If you are a EU citizen or you are registered in a EU, you can apply for the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), a free card that gives you access to medically necessary, state-provided healthcare during a temporary stay in any of the EU countries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland under the same conditions and at the same cost (free in some countries) as people insured in that country.
European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) — Your Europe
For EU citizens who are in Italy for tourism, healthcare is provided through the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which entitles them to necessary medical care, including non-urgent treatment. In situations other than tourism, EU citizens can register with the Regional Health Service (SSR) if they hold the appropriate S1 forms (previously E106, E109, E120, E121) issued by their home country, or if they are employed under an Italian work contract or self-employed and subject to Italian tax laws.
Attorney at law.
One of the leading corporate immigration lawyers in Italy. Admitted to the Milan Bar Association (1988) and to the Taipei Bar Association (2016), a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and an accredited partner of Invest in Tuscany.
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