Alles wat je moet weten over de Italiaanse gezondheidszorg

Hoe is de Italiaanse gezondheidszorg?

Italië heeft een nationaal zorgstelsel, de Servizio sanitario nazionale (SSN), vergelijkbaar met de nationale zorgstelsels in het Verenigd Koninkrijk en Canada.

Heeft Italië gratis gezondheidszorg?

In Italië is bijna alle gezondheidszorg gratis. Dit geldt zowel voor burgers als voor buitenlandse ingezetenen in Italië, aangezien de gezondheidszorg wordt betaald via de belastingen van belastingplichtigen. De SSN dekt de meeste zorgbehoeften, zoals een bezoek aan de huisarts. Het kan dat je extra moet betalen voor medicijnen, specialistische chirurgie en ingrepen en specifieke zorg zoals de tandarts; een particuliere verzekering die tandheelkundige zorg dekt is een goed idee. De Italiaanse gezondheidszorg dekt sommige behandelingen tot een bepaalde grens – het overblijvende bedrag valt onder je eigen bijdrage en moet je zelf betalen. En soms is de volledige behandeling voor eigen rekening. Kortom, algemene zorg is meestal gratis, terwijl voor complexere behandelingen soms een vergoeding moet worden betaald.

Kun je een particuliere ziektekostenverzekering afsluiten in Italië?

Yes, you can opt to get private healthcare in Italy to supplement the SSN. This private cover can help you skip long wait times. If you choose specific private health insurance in Italy for foreigners, you will also be able to use your provider to connect you with healthcare professionals that speak your language, which may be a weight off your mind if your Italian isn’t quite up to scratch.

FAQ about the Italian healthcare serviceDoes Italy have a good healthcare system?

Yes, Italy has a very strong healthcare system to the point that hardly any Italian locals actually opt for private healthcare in addition to the SSN. In fact, Italian healthcare ranks as one of the best in the world. The main concern for expats may be the language barrier, as it should certainly not be assumed that your healthcare professional can speak your language. 

Can I get healthcare in Europe after Brexit?

Yes, you can, at least in Italy, but following Brexit, there are some extra steps that Brits must consider. Pre-Brexit, a European Health insurance Card (EHIC) was all you needed to grant you access to any EU country’s healthcare system. This remains true for all EU nations, so if you have an EU passport due to dual nationality, it’s recommended you enter Italy on this passport as this also eliminates the need for visas.

For sole British passport holders, healthcare in Europe after Brexit is different. In Italy, healthcare can only be accessed once you are registered as a resident. You’ll need your resident permit before you can access the healthcare service, but once you do, you can also sign up your dependents. This is true if you are employed by a company or self-employed. 

Does Italy have free healthcare for foreigners? 

Yes, it is (mostly) free for everyone who is granted access to it i.e. everyone registered as a resident. If you are staying in Italy for a short period e.g. only the summer, then you will likely fall within the 90-day rule. This allows non-EU nationals to stay in Italy visa-free for 90 days (though not to work or study). In this case, you will have no need to register as a resident and therefore cannot gain access to healthcare this way. In this case, you will be charged a fee per visit, and if you specifically visit private healthcare centres that cater to English-speaking tourists, you can expect to pay more. If you (and you always should!) have travel insurance in place, you should be able to claim this back.

What does health insurance in Italy cover?

Private health insurance in Italy can cover as much or as little as you like, as healthcare providers can be very flexible. On the SSN alone, you will have access (once a resident) to emergency care, GP appointments and hospital admissions for free. You can expect to pay co-payments for certain treatments like specialist referrals, diagnostics and prescriptions. Dental care is generally paid for by the patient but may be subsidised depending on the case. 

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