Healthcare in Italy: How the Italian Healthcare System Works in 2026

The Italian healthcare system is publicly funded and comprises public and private services. It’s organized and managed at national and regional levels according to the principles and standards established by the Ministry of Health. Local health units determine how these services will be delivered. 

Each region is responsible for regional health planning, including local health units (Aziende Sanitarie Locali) ASL, public hospitals, health services, health care planning, and specialized medical centers. Italy’s healthcare system is primarily funded by taxes, but other contributions come from regional and local government agencies that support the national system. 

National health service

Public health services in Italy are provided by the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN), which was established in 1978 to provide all Italian citizens and residents with access to public health insurance. 

The system of national health services operates under the principle of universal coverage, which is meant to provide free or almost free care to all citizens and residents. There might be additional copayments, but these are typically minimal. 

Private health insurance

While Italy’s National Health Service offers universal healthcare coverage for residents, some people opt for private health insurance to access additional services and shorter waiting times. 

Private health insurance also grants access to private hospital care and clinics, which aren’t available to those using the national health service. Other benefits of having Italian private health insurance include the freedom to choose your doctors, specialists, and medical facilities that best suit your needs, as well as access to doctors that speak your language. 

You can opt for complementary private health insurance or full private medical insurance. Complementary health insurance is an additional insurance you can get on top of the National Health Service, which includes extra services like specialist visits, elective surgeries, dental care, and preventive medicine. 

The full private healthcare option offers complete coverage and typically includes private consultations with healthcare professionals, private hospital admissions, and access to private healthcare facilities. However, this option is usually significantly more expensive. 

The health systems in Italy can be divided into the following categories: 

1. Primary care and family doctor: In Italy, it’s important to have a family doctor. A family doctor is the first contact patients have contact with within the public health system. You can visit your family doctor for routine health issues, general check-ups, non-emergency medical conditions, and other issues that fall into the category of primary care. 
2. Hospital care: Hospital admission in Italy is usually tied to more severe medical issues, and it allows Italian citizens and residents to receive more in-depth care. Patients use it for emergency care, surgeries, and rehabilitation services. 
3. Preventive services: Italy emphasizes the prevention of chronic diseases. So, if you have public health insurance, you can access vaccinations, screenings, and public health programs. 

On a national level, the Italian healthcare system is affordable. The primary goal of the country’s National Health Service is to allow all residents access to public health services for free or with minimal cost-sharing. Italy also has a range of private medical insurance providers, but they are more expensive.

The cost of public healthcare in Italy

Even though most Italian public health services are free under the national health system, you may have to pay a modest fee for certain specialist visits, diagnostic tests, and elective procedures. This is known as a copayment. Here’s the list of services which are typically free in Italy: 

• Visits to family doctors 
• Emergency care 
• Hospitalization 
• Preventive care 
• Maternity care 
• Specialist care 
• Medications 

Here’s the list of services for which you must pay a small fee: 

• Specialist visits 
• Diagnostic tests 
• Non-urgent emergency room visits 
• Medications 

It’s important to note that some patients are exempt from copayments. This depends on your age, income, and medical conditions. Here’s the list of patients who are commonly exempted from copayments: 

• Low-income patients 
• Children under the age of six and adults over the age of 65 
• Patients with certain chronic diseases or disabilities 
• Pregnant women for maternity care services 

The cost of private healthcare in Italy

The main advantage of private health insurance in Italy is quick and easy access to private hospitals and personalized treatments. The cost of private health insurance in Italy mainly depends on your health care provider and the type of plan you have. 

Domestic private insurance in Italy typically costs €800 to €2,000 (~$900 to ~$2,300) per year. Non-EU visa applicants, who need an international policy meeting their visa requirement, should budget significantly more. Comprehensive private plans can often cost between €3,000 and €7,000 (~$3,400 to ~$8,000) per year for an individual plan.  

While this may seem exorbitant, private healthcare in the US usually costs between €4,000 (~$4,500) to over €8,750 (~$10,000) per year depending on coverage level. The table is breakdown of costs associated with private health insurance services in Italy. Note that the following are informed estimations: 

The top five best private medical insurance companies in Italy are:

1. Allianz Care: Allianz is one of the largest insurance companies in the world, and it offers a wide range of plans in Italy as well. 
2. Generali Italia: This is one of the most prominent Italian insurance companies. It offers customizable plans for outpatient services, specialist visits, diagnostic tests, dental care, and more. 
3. UnipolSai: UnipolSai is a reputable Italian insurance provider that has wide coverage options, competitive pricing, and advanced coverage plans. 
4. Cigna Global: Cigna is an international provider with a strong presence in Italy, and their most important feature is flexible and customizable plans. 

Non-EU nationals will first need legal residency in Italy through a visa to qualify for public healthcare. Additionally, the following individuals are eligible for Italian healthcare:

1. Italian citizens and legal residents

The national health care system automatically covers all Italian citizens and legal foreign residents living in Italy. Foreign residents must register with their local ASL to obtain an Italian health insurance card, which allows them to access public healthcare services. 

2. European Union citizens

Citizens of other European countries can access Italian healthcare services using their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). During short stays or emergencies, they will receive the same medical care as Italian residents. 

3. Non-EU nationals

Non-EU nationals who have a valid residence permit can access Italian public healthcare. Tourists, on the other hand, should get private medical insurance in case of emergencies in Italy. 

4. Refugees

Refugees and asylum seekers can apply for public health insurance under the national health system, just like Italian citizens. It’s important to register with local authorities as a refugee or asylum seeker before your healthcare application. 

An Italian health insurance card, called a Tessera Sanitaria, is a document needed to access the country’s public healthcare services. It’s acknowledged on both a national level and on a regional level, and you can use it anywhere in Italy. The following is a step-by-step guide on how foreigners access Italian healthcare: 

0. Obtain residency in Italy: To qualify for the SSN and the Tessera Sanitaria, you need to be an Italian citizen or resident. If you’re not an Italian citizen, you’ll have to obtain a residency permit through a long-stay visa, such as the Italy Digital Nomad Visa, the Italy Elective Residence Visa, or the Italy Golden Visa.
1. Obtain/hold a valid permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) or at least the official post-office receipt confirming an application is in progress. 
2. Obtain a codice fiscale (Italian tax ID) from the Agenzia delle Entrate. 
3. Register with the local ASL, providing passport, residence permit/receipt, and a self-declaration of residency.  
4. The ASL registers the person with the national Sistema Tessera Sanitaria. 
5. The card is then mailed to the registered address and activated online. Card validity for foreign nationals typically matches the duration of the residence permit, rather than the standard 6-year validity for other residents.    

Italian healthcare system consists of different facilities, specialized in different fields:

• Public hospitals (Ospedali Pubblici): Public hospitals in Italy are funded by the Italian government and they provide emergency services, surgeries, and specialized care. The fees are generally covered by the national health system. 
• General practitioner (GP) offices: These are family doctors, and they are also covered by the national health system.  
• Multispecialty clinics: These facilities are designed to treat chronic illnesses. In multispecialty clinics, you’ll find various medical specialists who offer outpatient care. 
• Private hospitals and clinics: Private hospitals and clinics are typically faster, but more expensive than public hospitals. They offer similar services to public hospitals. 
• Pharmacies (Farmacie): These are used to pick up your prescriptions.  
• Emergency care centers (Pronto Soccorso): Emergency care centers are meant for urgent medical needs. 

In Italy, you’ll find a variety of specialized healthcare services that go beyond regular medical care. The most prominent specialized healthcare services include:

• Dental care: Like the regular healthcare system, dental care is divided into two main sectors, public and private dental clinics. Public dental clinics are covered by national health services while private ones have a wider selection of services, such as cosmetic dentistry. 
• Mental healthcare: Mental healthcare in Italy is a part of the national health system. You may find counseling, therapy, and psychiatric care in Italy. Additionally, there are private mental healthcare options that offer a wider range of therapies. 
• Alternative medicine: Alternative medicine, such as acupuncture, homeopathy, and herbal medicine is another way of treating illnesses in Italy. Typically, these aren’t covered by public health insurance.  

If you’re facing a medical emergency in Italy, call the universal emergency number 118. This number is meant for immediate medical ambulance services. You can also dial a local hospital emergency department, but you must check the number online or write it down. Here’s the list of all emergency numbers in Italy:

Italy has one of the best healthcare systems in the world, according to the 2025 CEOWORLD Health Care Index ranking 22nd of 110 countries. Italy scored 98.3/100 for Medical Infrastructure and Professionals, which makes it first in Europe on that sub-metric.  

The Italian life expectancy is among the highest in the world making it a good idea to retire in Italy. Italian citizens and residents have access to primary care through health insurance cards. Additionally, there is usually no cost for primary care, but sometimes patients must pay minimal copayments for additional treatments and medicine.  

Italy has highly trained health professionals, several of which are recognized internationally, as well as cutting-edge technology and devices. Italy’s total health spending has recently been between eight to nine percent of GDP, which is moderate when compared to other European countries like Germany and France.

The Italian healthcare system is one of the best in the world. It offers universal coverage and high-quality care, as well as a comprehensive network of public and private healthcare services accessible to residents and citizens. 

Regional differences in Italian healthcare

Italy’s SSN is managed at the regional level, and public hospitals in northern and central regions are consistently documented as offering higher standards of care than those in the south. This is a structural feature of the SSN as regional governments administer their own budgets and services. Expats should take note of this North/South disparity when selecting a place to live. 

Pros of the Italian health system

• Universal public healthcare system: One of the biggest advantages is that healthcare in Italy is accessible to all citizens and legal residents. 
• Affordability: Public health care in Italy is free or comes with minimal copayments. Some citizens may even be exempted from these additional costs. 
• High quality of care: Italy’s healthcare system has a very high standard of care and advanced medical devices, especially if you go to private facilities. 

Cons of the Italian health system

• Regional differences: Health systems in Italy are administered regionally, which has led to a lower standard of care in the south of the country compared to the north. 
• Waiting times: Because a lot of Italian citizens attend public hospitals this typically means longer wait times. 
• English-speaking doctors: In public hospitals, it might be challenging to find English-speaking doctors.  

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.