Italy Guide: Health

One of the most important things when going abroad is to make sure that you are covered in case of accidents or illness. Our health guide provides information on health insurance, hospitals, doctors and pharmacies.

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  The National Health Service

  The public health system in Italy

  Italy’s national health service ( Servizio Sanitario Nazionale/SSN) was established in 1978 and replaced the previous system of state insurance founded after the Second World War.

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  Registration

  Registering with the National Health Service

  You must register for membership of the SSN at your nearest local health authority ( Azienda Sanità Locale/ASL), whose address you will find under ASL or USL (pronounced ‘ ahsle’ and ‘ oosle’) in your local telephone directory.

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  Private Health Insurance

  Private health care in Italy

  If you’re planning to take up residence in Italy, your family is entitled to subsidised or free medical treatment under the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale.

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  Hospitals & Clinics

  All there is to know about Italian hospitals

  All Italian cities and large towns have at least one clinic ( clinica) or hospital ( ospedale), indicated by the international sign of a white ‘H’ on a blue background.

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  Doctors

  Visits, surgery hours and fees

  Italy has the highest number of doctors ( medici) per head of any country in the world (one for every 160 inhabitants), and they’re generally well trained and professional.

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  Medicines & Chemists

  How to get medication in Italy

  Medicines ( medicine) prescribed by a doctor are obtained from a chemist’s ( farmacia), denoted by the sign of a red or green cross on a white background.

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  Emergencies

  What to do in case of an emergency

  The action to take in a medical emergency depends on the degree of urgency.

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  Sexual health in Italy

  Everything you need to know to stay healthy and safe

  Sexual health is important no matter where you are in the world, and knowing what the landscape is like when moving abroad is vital to make sure you stay safe and healthy.

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