Healthcare in Italy
How to get into the public system, when you need private insurance, and what happens to your health cover in Israel.
✓ Checked against the sources: October 2026⚠️ This isn't medical advice. It's general information checked against official sources.
The public system: first steps
- A personal tax code (codice fiscale). You can ask for it at the Italian consulate before the move, or in Italy at the tax agency, the police or the Sportello Unico, depending on your case.
- Register as a resident with the town hall (iscrizione anagrafica). You can also send the request to the town hall online through ANPR.
- Register with the national health service (SSN) at the ASL, the health authority of the town where you're registered. If you aren't registered with the town yet, you use the address on your residence permit.
- Choose a family doctor (medico di base) from the ASL's list. Cover extends to dependent family members legally staying in Italy.
Registration can be compulsory or voluntary, depending on why you're staying. If you're there for 90 days or less you can't register, and you pay for treatment.
Source: Agenzia delle Entrate: tax code for foreign citizens · ANPR (Ministero dell'Interno) · Ministero della Salute: iscrizione al SSN
🔒 2 more sections in this guide
- 💳 Private health insurance
- 🇮🇱 Your Israeli health cover while abroad
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