Assistenza Cittadini Stranieri (Inglese)

Assistenza Cittadini Stranieri (Inglese)

 

🇮🇹 Health Care for Foreigners in Italy

Foreign nationals, whether EU or non-EU, are entitled to health care in Italy. The level of access depends on their legal status and whether they are enrolled in the National Health Service (SSN).

🔹 1. Foreigners Legally Residing with Mandatory SSN Enrollment

📌 Who must enroll:

  • Holders of a residence permit for:
    • Employment (subordinate or self-employed)
    • Family reasons
    • Asylum / asylum seekers
    • Adoption / foster care
    • Citizenship acquisition
    • Religious reasons
  • Dependent family members legally residing in Italy

📝 How to enroll:

At the Local Health Authority (ASP) – Assisted Population Registry Office. Required documents:

  • ID document
  • Tax code (Codice Fiscale)
  • Residence permit
  • Self-declaration of residence or stay (e.g., 3+ months at a reception center)

Upon registration, a family doctor or pediatrician (for children under 14) can be chosen.

⏳ Validity:

  • Enrollment lasts as long as the residence permit is valid.
  • It remains valid during the permit renewal process.

✅ Rights:

With the Health Card, you are entitled to:

  • General and specialist doctor visits
  • Home visits
  • Hospital care
  • Blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds
  • Medicines, vaccinations
  • Rehabilitation, prosthetic services
    (Some services may require a ticket fee, based on income)

🔹 2. Foreigners Legally Residing without Mandatory SSN Enrollment

Options:

a) Voluntary SSN enrollment (annual fee required)
Allowed for:

  • Non-EU citizens with residence permit valid for over 3 months (except study)
  • EU citizens with sufficient financial resources or enrolled in education

Not allowed if residence permit is for medical treatment.

b) Private insurance
Alternative to SSN, covering illness, accidents, and maternity, valid in Italy.

🔹 3. Entry for Medical Treatment

🛂 Visa & residence permit:

  • Apply for a specific visa for medical treatment (and companion if needed) through the Italian consulate in your country.
  • Once in Italy, request a residence permit for medical reasons within 8 days from the local Questura (police HQ). Otherwise, you will be considered undocumented.

📑 Required documents:

  • Medical certificate (diagnosis)
  • Declaration from an accredited Italian medical facility (type, start date, duration of treatment)
  • Proof of 30% deposit on treatment cost
  • Proof of sufficient funds for:
    • Full medical costs
    • Lodging, food
    • Return travel (for both patient and companion)
  • Documents must be translated into Italian

🔹 4. Undocumented Non-EU Foreigners

Even those without a valid residence permit are entitled to urgent and essential care, including:

  • Basic medical care
  • Emergency and non-emergency hospitalization
  • Ongoing treatment for illness or injury
  • Maternal care
  • Child health protection
  • Vaccinations
  • Infectious disease prevention and treatment

🪪 STP Card (Temporarily Present Foreigner)

  • Request at any ASP office or hospital desk
  • Valid for 6 months, renewable
  • Requires declaration of:
    • Personal information
    • Lack of sufficient income
  • Can be issued anonymously

⚠️ No report to authorities will be made during access to care, except in serious legal cases (same as for Italian citizens).

🔹 5. EU Citizens Not Enrolled in the SSN

EU citizens staying in Italy over 3 months and in poverty without:

  • SSN enrollment
  • EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or equivalent

They are still entitled to urgent and essential care.

🪪 ENI Code (Non-registered EU Citizen)

  • Issued by ASP offices (same as STP)
  • Valid for 6 months, renewable
  • Requires:
    • ID document
    • Self-declaration of:
      • Temporary address
      • Inability to register with SSN
      • State of poverty

✅ ENI Card provides:

  • Basic care
  • Hospitalization (urgent and non-urgent)
  • Preventive and ongoing treatment
  • Maternal and child care
  • Vaccinations and infectious disease treatment

📚 Legal References:

  • Ministry of Health – Circular 5 (24/03/2000)
  • Ministry of Health – Directive (19/02/2008)
  • Department of Health Sicily – Decree (04/07/2003)
  • Department of Health Sicily – Directive (2293/2009)

📌 Translation and adaptation by Associazione Culturale Acuarinto – Agrigento

If you’d like, I can also:

  • Create a printable PDF version
  • Provide a bilingual (Italian–English) version
  • Design an infographic for public display

Let me know what format you need!