Italian Health Care System
Italian national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale/SSN) was established in 1978 and it is a public system of universal and solidarity nature which guarantees health care to all citizens irrespective of gender, residence, age, income and employment.
The SSN is largely under the control of regional governments and it is administered by local health authorities (Azienda di Sanità Locale/ASL – often referred by their former name Unità Sanitaria Locale/USL).
Those who are registered in SSN system are entitled to free consultations with general practitioners (including pediatricians), free hospitalization, access to day hospitals in specialised medical structures (dermatology, ophthalmology, etc.) and pharmaceutical assistance (prescriptions and refunds on purchases).
Health care service for citizen from Europe Union coutries, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland:
- EU citizens who stay in Italy for a period less three months more
- EU citizens who stay in Italy for a period exceeding three months more
- EU citizens who stay in Italy and they are not eligible to enroll in the National Health Service, in situations of poverty or without the possibility of having health coverage more
Health care service for non-EU citizens. Non-UE citizens, legally in Italy, have access to the facilities of SSN in different ways depending on the reason of residence
- Non-EU citizens who stay in Italy for a period less three months more
- Non-EU citizens who stay in Italy for a period exceeding three months with Voluntary Registration more
- Non-EU citizens who stay in Italy for a period exceeding three months with Mandatory Registration more
Italy entry for medical care more
