If you're planning to move to Italy, apart from residency paperwork and finding somewhere to live, getting an Italian health insurance card (known as a Tessera Sanitaria) is one of the first and most important pieces of bureaucracy you’ll need to do. Despite being a vital document for expats who want to access Italian healthcare when they move to Italy, it's also one of the things that people have the most problems applying for, even more so with the COVID-19 pandemic. We are here to help, with this simple guide on how to get a health insurance card in Italy as an expat.
What is a Tessera Sanitaria?
What is known in Italy as the "Tessera Sanitaria" is simply the Italian health insurance card that all residents need if they want to access the Italian National Health Service (this is known in Italy as SSN, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). In simple terms, you will need this card when you move to Italy if you want to go to the doctor, get a blood test, purchase medication in the pharmacy or be admitted to a public hospital.
Note that if you move to Italy with private health insurance, then you don't necessarily need to apply for the Tessera Sanitaria as this card is only for use in the public health system.
Who needs to pay for a health card in Italy and how much does it cost?
When you move to Italy, you will be classed as either "mandatory" or "voluntary" with the Italian National Health Service (SSN). Expats who move to Italy and have a work contract (whether they are EU citizens or not) are not required to pay, and are therefore classed as mandatory and will get the health card for free.
On the other hand, the voluntary category includes students who move to Italy, as well as au pairs or religious staff, for example. Those included in this group are required to pay an annual fee which is usually set at 387 euros. Be aware that this amount can vary depending on your circumstances and also on the fee structure in the Italian region where you live.
What documents do I need to get a Tessera Sanitaria health card?
When applying for your Italian health insurance card, you will need (both originals and photocopies) of the following documents:
Your identity card or passport
- A valid residence permit (known as a permesso di soggiorno) or the receipt you get when you ask for it if you don't yet have the permit
An Italian tax code (known in Italy as a codice fiscale)
- Some sort of certification regarding your place of residence, i.e. something that proves that you live at your current address. You can provide a self-declaration which can be done using an online form.
If you have to pay for your health card, then you also need to bring the receipt for your payment to the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (this payment is done at the post office and you can find out above if you are required to pay).
The challenging part of applying for a health card in Italy is the fact that the process isn't always the same throughout the country and there are often inconsistencies. For this reason, you will have to initally pay a trip to your ASL (health authority) office where they will tell you the exact documents you need and the exact price if necessary.
How do I get a health card in Italy?
Although Italy is gradually trying to digitalise its bureaucracy and more and more processes can be carried out online, this is not the case if you need to apply for a health card in Italy and you will have to get this paperwork sorted in person. This is the case whether you are applying for the first time, or if you simply need to pay to renew your card.
To get your Tessera Sanitaria, you will have to first of all pay a visit to your local health authority office (ASL). You can find your closest ASL office here. Once you've made an initial visit to the ASL office to find out the exact documents you need to apply for a card, as well as the price, then you'll have to go to the post office. Note that this step is only necessary if you are required to pay for your health card. You simply need to fill out a postal order (this is known as a Bollettino Postale in Italy and is a form used to make payments via the post office). Remember the keep the recepit as you will need this in order to get your health card.
You're now ready to head back to your local ASL office with all of your documents and apply for your card. After completing the registration, make sure to keep the receipt, as this well serve as proof of applying for the card until you receive it in the post.