student insurance In Italy

Students from non-EU countries who are staying in Italy for more than 90 days must obtain health insurance coverage for the duration of their stay. Depending on your place of origin, you may or may not need a visa if you are staying less than 90 days.

You are not required to get insurance if you do not require a visa, but it is recommended for your peace of mind. If you register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), you can get public health insurance for students in Italy.

You will have access to all of the services available to an Italian citizen. You must already have a Stay Permit in order to register (Permesso di Soggiorno). As a result, the Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) cannot be used to meet Visa criteria or to get a stay permit once in Italy. You can either add it to your existing policy for extra coverage or subscribe before your permit of stay expires. The registration is valid for one year and can be extended. You will be given an Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) to display to any public medical providers as proof of coverage.

Tessera Sanitaria connects you to a vast network of public hospitals, outpatient clinics, laboratories, doctors, and specialists. Most medical services are available through the Italian National Health Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale).

The price is reasonable (a one-time payment of around €149 per year with the student discount). You will be able to select a primary care physician – your medico di base – who will see you for medical consultations, medications, and specialist referrals at no cost to you.

Some drugs (insured by the NHS) will be available at a reduced or free cost to you.

You will be fully covered for admissions to public hospitals in the event of a serious sickness, accident, or hospitalization.

If you plan to travel in Europe, you will be protected in all member countries of the European Union.

It can only be used at public hospitals and clinics where the employees and doctors are likely to speak only Italian, directions are frequently ambiguous, and waiting times are lengthy.

You cannot choose the doctor or specialist who will see you in a public hospital or outpatient clinic, save for your primary care physician, therefore you must be extremely fortunate to be seen by an English-speaking doctor.

You will always require a reference document from your primary care physician to see a specialist for lab analysis, imaging, or treatments (a red prescription called impegnativa or ricetta rossa).

Except for your primary care physician and emergency medical treatment, coverage is a co-pay, which means you will still be responsible for a portion of the cost for most medical needs. Registration is a bit of a pain and necessitates dealing with Italian-speaking workers at multiple government offices. Because the price is set for the year and coverage expires on December 31, if you apply in September, for example, you will only be able to use it for four months while still paying for the entire year.