Corso ItalyHealth insurance
Private insurance or the national health service (SSN): what students need and how to register.
In short
- You need health insurance for the visa and for the residence permit.
- After you arrive, you have two options: private insurance or registering with the national health service (SSN).
- SSN registration for non-EU students costs €700 per calendar year (January to December), as several universities state.
- With the SSN you choose a family doctor (medico di base), whose visits are free.
- In an emergency, call 112 (118 also works for an ambulance).
Option 1: private insurance
You can keep an insurance policy that is valid in Italy for your whole stay. Check before you buy that it covers hospital care with no limits for urgent treatment, because the Questura checks this. Some universities suggest specific policies; ask your international office.
Option 2: the national health service (SSN)
- Pay the €700 fee for the year (the payment method depends on the region: some use an F24 form, others a postal slip).
- Go to the local health office of your area (called ASL, ASP or ATS depending on the region).
- Bring: the payment receipt, your passport, your codice fiscale, your residence permit or its receipt, and proof of enrolment or of your address.
- Choose your family doctor.
If you have a regular employment contract in Italy, you can register with the SSN for free instead of paying the €700. Ask your local health office.
Registration ends on 31 December, whenever you pay, so registering late in the year covers only a few months. For this reason, Università Cattolica advises students who arrive in September to buy 12 months of private insurance first, and then register with the SSN.
EU students
EU students can use their European health insurance card (TEAM) for necessary care. For full SSN registration, ask your home health service for form S1 before you leave.
Emergencies
- Call 112 for emergencies (118 also works for an ambulance).
- At night and on holidays, the guardia medica (out-of-hours doctor) can help.
- For serious problems, go to the pronto soccorso (emergency department) of a hospital.
Official sources
- MUR circular for international students, academic years 2026/2027 and 2027/2028 (copy published by the University of Ferrara)
- University of Palermo: health cover for international students
- Università Cattolica: health insurance for degree students
- University of Pisa: health care for international students
- Ministry of Health
This site gives general information only. Rules change often, so always check the official sources.