Hospitals and medical benefits under the Italian National Health

In case of an emergency, head for the nearest hospital. Most hospitals have emergency rooms (pronto soccorso), which are open 24 hours a day.

To call an ambulance, dial 118 (toll free) from any telephone in Italy. Help can also be sought through the police, by dialing 113

Plan for foreign  residents

Italy ranks among the World Health Organization’s top 10 countries for quality health care services (by contrast, the U.S. only holds 37th place, despite being the highest spender.The Life expectancy at birth: 79.54 in the U.S., it’s 77.4 years) However, although medical facilities are considered to be adequate for any emergencies, many public hospitals are overcrowded and underfunded. Non EU citizens and EU citizens who are legal residents of Italy can apply to enrol under the Italian national health plan. If you are a resident of Italy and covered by the national health plan, hospital services will be provided to you and your dependents free of charge. Visitors, or persons not enrolled under such a plan, are expected to pay full hospital charges and then claim a reimbursement from their insurance provider. The applican must be submitted to the ASL Azienda Sanitaria Locale. The application must be supported by a certificate of residence (certificato di residenza) issued by the municipality (Comune) of residence. If claiming for family members a certificate showing family status (certificato di famiglia ) is also required.

Foreign residents, other than citizens of European Community must also pay a premium, commensurate to the principal applicant's income earned at the rate of 7.5% of the total, but cannot be less than € 387.34 in any case. Certified copies of income tax for the previous year should accompany the application.

Payment is made through the local Health Unit where you submit the application.

The A.S.L. will issue a medical registration certificate (libretto sanitario) and will ask you to choose a family physician or paediatrician participating at the A.S.L.

Covered by the Italian health program (servizio Sanitario Nationale) :

Hospital care

Medical assistance by general practioners, paediatricians and obstetricians

Medical assistance by other specialists available in the A.S.L.

Medication prescribed by authorized physicians.

Laboratory tests and x-rays if performed at A.S.L. authorized medical facility.

Integrative services, according to national tariff, such as partial refund for eyeglasses, orthopaedic prothesis, phonetic and acoustics appliances, etc.