Health Insurance and Healthcare in Italy Explained

Jump right in:

• How does the healthcare system work in Italy?
• What are the pros and cons of the Italian healthcare system?
• Private health insurance in Italy
• How to find a doctor
• Giving birth in Italy

How does the healthcare system work in Italy?

Italy has a public healthcare system called the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), which provides universal coverage to all residents. It’s funded through taxes and offers most services either free or at low cost, including doctor visits, hospital care, and emergency treatment. Residents register with a local health authority and choose a family doctor. Private healthcare is also available for faster access or specialized care.

Some facts about healthcare in Italy

• According to the Bloomberg Healthiest Country Index of 2024, Italians are some of the healthiest people in the world, likely due to their healthy diet and lifestyle.

• Life expectancy in Italy is the 5th highest among OECD countries.

• Healthcare in Italy is managed at the regional level, so quality varies by region.

• An aging population, long waiting lists, and funding strain are current challenges for the system.

How to access public healthcare in Italy

To access Italy’s national healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN), you must register at your local health authority office, called the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL). Once registered, you’ll receive your Tessera Sanitaria (health card), which allows you to access medical services across the country.

Who needs to register?

Registration with the SSN is either mandatory or voluntary, depending on your status in Italy.

Mandatory registration: most residents, including employees, the self-employed, unemployed individuals receiving certain benefits, and their dependent family members.

Voluntary registration: generally, for those staying temporarily in Italy, such as international students, au pairs, religious workers, and others who don’t qualify for automatic enrollment.

The registration process

The process typically begins with a visit to the ASL office, where staff will inform you of the requirements and give you instructions for registering. One important step is completing a Bollettino Postale, which is a postal payment form that you’ll obtain at the post office. You’ll need to fill this out and pay a set annual fee.

You must then bring the following documents to the ASL:

• passport
• Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code)
• residence permit, or proof that your permit is being processed (such as the postal receipt)
• self-declaration of address
• receipt of payment for SSN registration

During registration, you will be asked to choose a general practitioner (medico di base) from a list of available doctors. If you have children, you’ll also choose a pediatrician.

After registration

Once your documents are verified, your Tessera Sanitaria (health card) will be mailed to your registered address. In the meantime, the ASL will usually give you a temporary certificate of registration or ask you to keep the payment receipt as proof of coverage.

Your health card is valid for as long as your residence permit is. If you renew your residence permit, remember to return to the ASL to renew your health card as well. You’ll need to present updated versions of the same documents you used for your initial registration.

What’s covered by public healthcare in Italy?

Italy’s healthcare covers most medical procedures for all legal residents.

• Dental care is free in emergency cases, for all children under 14 years and for certain basic treatments.
• Other procedures, such as orthodontics or laser eye surgery, are generally not covered but may be subsidized to some extent on a case-by-case basis.
• Cosmetic surgery is not covered by public healthcare.
• Prescription medication is typically subsidized but may cost you a fraction of the price depending on the type of medicine and your level of income.

Healthcare costs in Italy

As mentioned, you don’t pay to visit your family doctor or pediatrician. Treatments that require surgery or hospitalization in public hospitals are also free of charge. However, for specialist visits and some medicines, there is a flat-rate co-payment (called a ticket), typically capped at 36.15 EUR (approx. 42 USD) per prescription, regardless of the number of services included.

In some regions, the cap may be higher up to 46.20 EUR (approx. 54 USD). There are exemptions from co-payments for certain groups, such as low-income individuals and elderly patients.

You can also deduct medical expenses on your tax return at a rate of 19%, but only for the portion that exceeds 129.11 EUR (approx. 150 USD), and only if the payment was made using traceable methods. It’s important to keep all receipts for potential tax deductions.

What are the pros and cons of the Italian healthcare system?

Pros

• Seeking medical care with the public system is very affordable. Most procedures and appointments are free of charge or subject to a small fee.
• Medical staff and professionals in Italy are highly skilled and trained.

Cons

• Family doctors’ offices (medico di base) generally don’t allow appointments. Patients are seen in order of arrival, which often means crowded offices and long waiting times. At worse, you may need to go back another day if the office is too full.
• You may have difficulty finding medical professionals in the public healthcare system who speak English or another language other than Italian.
• Even if you have an appointment at a hospital, you may still have to wait.
• You can't choose which specialist you see when referred by your family doctor.
• Seeing a specialist in Italy may take months, which can delay both diagnosis and treatments.

Private health insurance in Italy

While most Italians rely on public healthcare, many choose to supplement it with private insurance, mainly to reduce waiting times or to access more comfortable and flexible medical services.

How does private health insurance work in Italy?

Italy has a universal public healthcare system (SSN), which covers most essential medical services at low or no cost. However, private health insurance plays a supplementary role, as it is not possible to opt out of the public system. Instead, private insurance is used alongside SSN coverage to gain faster access, greater comfort, or additional services not fully covered by the public system.

There are two main types of private insurance:

• corporate insurance, offered by employers and often covering employees and their families

• non-corporate insurance, purchased individually by residents

Private insurance may cover services excluded from SSN (like certain specialist treatments), co-payments (ticket) or provide higher standards of privacy and flexibility in choosing doctors. About 10% of the population holds some form of voluntary private health insurance, though the sector represents only a small share of national healthcare spending.

Private care is usually paid out of pocket, either in full or with partial coverage through insurance. Costs are generally reasonable by international standards, and services are often more comfortable and less crowded. Some private hospitals operate under agreement with the SSN, allowing limited access via the public system if arranged in advance.

Do you need private health insurance in Italy?

Overall, you don’t need private health insurance in Italy to have all your medical needs met. Your decision to take out private health insurance comes down to how long you are willing to wait for appointments, tests, diagnoses, and procedures, and whether you want more personalized and attentive care. Expats have a greater chance of finding doctors and staff who speak English or their language if they opt for private healthcare.

Private health insurance costs and coverage

Private health insurance plans in Italy vary based on the provider, coverage level, and whether the plan is individual or employer sponsored. Costs typically range from around 900–2,500 EUR (approx. 1,000–3,000 USD) per year. Since offerings differ widely, it’s best to compare specific policies to find the right balance of cost and coverage.

If you don’t have insurance and choose to pay out of pocket, private healthcare fees in Italy are relatively moderate. GP or specialist visits can range from 50–150 EUR (approx. 55–170 USD) and dentist visits around 100 EUR (approx. 115 USD). Diagnostic tests and imaging procedures, such as MRIs, typically range in cost from 100 to 300 EUR (approx. 115–350 USD).

How to find a doctor

Finding a doctor or dentist in Italy is essential for navigating everyday healthcare and unexpected medical needs. Read on to learn how to locate general practitioners, specialists, and dentists, as well as what to expect in terms of waiting times for appointments or elective procedures.

How to find a family doctor

As part of Italy’s public healthcare system, you’re entitled to a family doctor (Medico di Base or Medico di Famiglia). This doctor is your main point of contact for general medical care, including prescriptions, check-ups, exams, and referrals to specialists.

After registering with the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) and receiving your health card (Tessera Sanitaria), you’ll be asked to select your family doctor. This is done at your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale), where you'll be given a list of available primary care physicians to choose from.

How to find a specialist

If you wish to be seen by a specialist in the public healthcare system, you’ll need a referral from your family doctor. You can also choose to see a specialist privately, at your own cost and without a referral. You can find specialists on websites like MioDottore.it, Doctolib.it and TopDoctors.it.

To find a dentist, you can also look up practices or doctors online or ask your local health authorities. Asking for recommendations is also always a good idea if you know anyone in Italy.

What is the average waiting time to see a doctor in Italy?

Waiting times in Italy’s public healthcare system vary depending on the type of care and your location. While Italy provides universal healthcare, delays can be longer for certain specialties or in under-resourced areas. On average, patients wait about 10 days for an appointment with a general practitioner and approximately 29 days for non-emergency surgeries. However, some specialist consultations carry much longer delays.

Things to keep in mind

Make sure to do your research in advance to know which doctors speak your language and where they are based, so you don’t accidentally choose a doctor whose practice is too far from your residence. Keep in mind your doctor has to be a medico convenzionato, which means they have an agreement with social security. Once you have chosen your family doctor, you should show them your registration papers with the SSN. You can always change your family doctor at any point by visiting your ASL.

Giving birth in Italy

Giving birth in Italy as a nonresident or foreign national is usually straightforward and mostly free of charge. Even without health insurance or a residency card, you may still be entitled to essential maternity care at no cost, depending on your eligibility under Italian healthcare regulations.

Public healthcare and pregnancy

Italy’s national health service covers nearly all medically necessary aspects of pregnancy, including:

• monthly check-ups
• routine blood and urine tests
• two standard ultrasounds
• delivery in a public hospital
• postpartum care

All these services are free of charge for women in Italy, and no “ticket” (copayment) is required, even for foreign nationals.

If you’re an EU citizen or a non-EU national with a valid permesso di soggiorno (long-stay residence permit), you’re entitled to access these services. In many cases, even women without a health card (tessera sanitaria) or formal residency may still receive essential maternity care.

You’ll usually need a referral from a GP or obstetrician to access services at public hospitals. Upon booking your first appointment, you’ll receive a barcode receipt (ricevuta), which you’ll need to bring to follow-up visits.

Private healthcare and additional costs

While public care is thorough and free, some expectant mothers prefer to go private for comfort and consistent follow-up. With private healthcare, you often choose your own obstetrician, who may be more readily available, speak your language, and offer more frequent ultrasounds or extra testing.

However, private healthcare in Italy can be expensive. Typical costs include:

• initial consultation: 25–100 EUR (approx. 30–115 USD)

• follow-up visits: 70–200 EUR (approx. 80–235 USD) per visit

• additional tests and services: varies

The total cost for a full private pregnancy can exceed 2,000 EUR (approx. 2,300 USD), and private delivery options (such as clinics or birthing centers) can cost several thousand euros more. These may include added amenities like birthing tubs, baby supplies, and more personalized midwife care.

What are the benefits of giving birth in Italy?

Maternity leave

Expecting mothers are entitled to five months of paid maternity leave, typically starting two months before the due date and continuing three months after the birth. Alternatively, with medical approval, it’s possible to work up to one month before birth and take four months afterward. During this period, mothers receive 80% of their salary.

Paternity leave

Fathers are entitled to 10 days of paid paternity leave, which must be taken within five months of the child’s birth. During this time, they receive 100% of their salary.

Family allowances and bonuses

In 2025, the Italian government introduced a Newborn Bonus of 1,000 EUR (approx. 1,200 USD), available for each child born or adopted from 1 January onward. This one-off payment is available to families with an ISEE under 40,000 EUR (approx. 47,000 USD), including Italian, EU, and non-EU citizens with a valid residence permit.

Families may also receive the Single and Universal Allowance, a monthly payment that begins from the seventh month of pregnancy and continues until the child turns 21 (under certain conditions). The amount varies depending on income and family size.

Additionally, a 500 EUR (approx. 600 USD) bonus has been introduced to support school-age children (6–14) in sports and extracurricular activities, available to families with an ISEE below 15,000 EUR (approx. 17,000 USD).

To access these benefits, applications must be submitted through INPS. It’s recommended to apply as early as possible to avoid delays or missing deadlines.

Can you get residency or citizenship by giving birth in Italy?

If you’re wondering whether you can give birth in Italy to gain citizenship, you should know that Italy does not allow birthright citizenship. If a child is born in Italy to foreign parents, they do not gain citizenship rights automatically. Instead, the child typically acquires the nationality of the parents. However, there is a path to citizenship for children of immigrants:

• must be born in Italy
• legally and continuously reside in the country until the age of 18
• be registered with the local municipality and hold a valid residence permit (or be able to prove effective residence through school or medical records)
• submit a citizenship application before their 19th birthday