Foreign Citizens

The regulations governing healthcare for foreigners in Italy vary depending on whether the individuals are citizens of the European Union or not.
Consult the list of EU countries.
Switzerland and the United Kingdom are not member states, but with regard to healthcare, they follow the same regulations as EU countries.
Norway, Liechtenstein, and Iceland belong to the European Economic Area; with regard to healthcare, they follow the same regulations as EU countries.

Depending on the reason for the issuance of the residence permit, it is possible to have:

• Mandatory registration (e.g., persons with a residence permit for dependent and self-employment, asylum request, political asylum/refugee status, humanitarian and subsidiary protection, awaiting adoption, foster care, citizenship request, awaiting employment, pregnancy, etc.); or
• Voluntary registration (e.g., persons with a residence permit for study, diplomatic staff, religious staff, etc.).

Mandatory Registration
When issuing or renewing a residence permit, mandatory registration is completed upon submission of documentation proving the request until the permit is issued.
For registration with the National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) and the choice of a family doctor and/or pediatrician, you need to visit the CUP offices in the AslTo3 area or send an email to: scelta.revoca@aslto3.piemonte.it, submitting the following documents:

• Personal identification document
• Residence permit and/or documentation proving the request for issuance/renewal of the residence permit
• Tax code (codice fiscale) issued by the Revenue Agency and/or listed on the residence permit and/or documentation provided by the immigration office

Note: For individuals over 65 years old with a residence permit for family reunification, only voluntary registration is required, except for those who can prove legal residence in Italy before November 5, 2008, or those who are reuniting with a child who has Italian citizenship. Assistance is extended to financially dependent family members who are legally residing.

Voluntary Registration
Voluntary registration is explained in detail below under the section “Citizens Requesting Voluntary Registration.”

Non-EU citizens without a residence permit, or temporarily present foreigners (STP), are guaranteed basic healthcare. Specifically, the following are assured:

• Urgent or essential outpatient and hospital care, including ongoing treatment, for illness and injury, in accordance with the principle of continuity of care;
• Assistance during pregnancy and maternity;
• Protection of minors’ health;
• Vaccinations required by national regulations and as part of collective prevention measures authorized by the Region;
• International vaccinations;
• Prophylaxis, diagnosis, and treatment of infectious diseases.

Foreigners Without a Residence Permit
Foreigners without a residence permit are issued a special card by the ISI reference centers, with a regional code marked as STP (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente, Temporarily Present Foreigner), which must be shown to access healthcare services they are entitled to. The card is valid for six months nationwide and can be renewed if the foreigner remains in the country.
At the ISI desk, healthcare personnel (doctor and nurse) provide basic healthcare services (analogous to a general practitioner). They can prescribe medications on the NHS prescription form and order diagnostic and specialist tests that the patient can perform at ASL facilities.
At the ISI desk, the foreign citizen is also welcomed by an Intercultural Mediator, a professional figure important for facilitating better communication between the patient and the doctor, not only in terms of linguistic understanding but also in terms of cultural differences and varying approaches to health and illness.

EU Citizens Residing for More Than 3 Months and Not Eligible for SSN Registration
EU citizens residing for more than 3 months who are not eligible for SSN registration are guaranteed basic healthcare in the same way as non-EU citizens without a residence permit, through the issuance, at ISI desks, of a card with the ENI code (Non-Eligible European).

Using healthcare services does not result in any report to the judicial police by healthcare workers.

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