Emergency Numbers & Access
Call 112 (general emergency, NUE) or 118 (medical emergency, being merged into 112). Pronto Soccorso (ER) triages by colour code: red (immediate), yellow (urgent), green (minor), white (non-urgent). White code visits incur a copay — use Guardia Medica instead for non-emergencies.
Response time: 8-15 minutes in northern cities, 15-30+ minutes in southern/rural areas. Island communities (Sicily, Sardinia) may face longer waits.
Cost: Emergency care (red/yellow code): free for everyone. Non-urgent ER (white code): €25-50 copay. Private ER (e.g., Humanitas, San Raffaele): €150-500+. Ambulance: free (public).
Healthcare System
Italy's Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) provides universal healthcare funded by national and regional taxation. Healthcare is managed by 20 regions and 2 autonomous provinces, resulting in dramatic quality differences — northern regions (Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto) offer world-class care, while southern regions (Calabria, Campania, Sicily) suffer from underfunding, staff shortages, and longer waits. Visitors can access Guardia Medica (out-of-hours GP service) and seasonal Tourist Medical Services in resort areas. Real-world ER waits are routinely 4-8+ hours in major cities — among the longest in Western Europe.
Designed for: Italian residents. EU/EEA visitors covered via EHIC. Non-EU visitors need insurance.
GP Access & Costs
Residents register with a Medico di Medicina Generale (family GP). Visitors use Guardia Medica (out-of-hours/visitor GP service) or seasonal Servizio di Medicina Turistica in resort areas. Specialists require GP referral in the public system.
Typical wait: Guardia Medica: same-day. Public GP (residents): 1-3 days. Public specialists: 1-12+ months (varies hugely by region — weeks in Lombardy, months in Calabria). Private: same-day to 1 week.
Availability: Good in northern cities. Guardia Medica available in every ASL (local health authority) district for visitors and out-of-hours needs. Tourist Medical Services (Servizio di Medicina Turistica) operate in popular resort/coastal areas during summer. Severe doctor shortages in rural south and islands.
GP Visit
Guardia Medica: free for EU/EHIC holders, €15-25 for others
Private GP
€80-150 per GP consultation. Private specialists: €100-250. Private insurance (Unisalute, Intesa, Generali): €40-120/month.
ER Without Insurance
Emergency (red/yellow code): free. White code ER: €25-50 copay. Private ER: €150-500+. Private hospital stay: €300-800+/day.
Medication
SSN classifies medications: Class A (essential, free or €1-4 copay by region), Class C (non-essential, full price). Ticket sanitario (healthcare copay) varies by region — €10-46 for specialist visits. Without insurance/SSN, full pharmacy prices apply.
Health insurance is required for visa
Pharmacy & Medication
Hours: Mon–Sat 8:30am–12:30pm & 3:30–7:30pm (pausa pranzo lunch break). Farmacia di turno (duty pharmacy) ensures 24/7 coverage on rotation — check farmacieaperte.it or the green cross display outside each pharmacy.
OTC: Italian pharmacists are highly knowledgeable and can advise on and supply many common medications. Some antibiotics and stronger anti-inflammatories available without prescription in practice. Parafarmacia (para-pharmacy) stores sell only non-prescription products at lower prices.
Controlled substances: Opioids, benzodiazepines, and stimulants require Italian prescription (ricetta medica). Travellers must carry medications in original packaging with a doctor's letter — ideally translated into Italian. Italy is strict on cannabis — illegal regardless of prescription status elsewhere.
Practical Tips
- Get a Codice Fiscale immediately — apply at Agenzia delle Entrate or request from your Italian consulate before arrival
- Use Guardia Medica for non-emergency medical needs as a visitor — available evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays in every district
- Seasonal Tourist Medical Services (Servizio di Medicina Turistica) operate in resort areas during summer — ask your hotel or local ASL
- Pharmacies (green cross sign) are excellent first stops for minor ailments — pharmacists are highly trained and accessible
- Find the nearest 24/7 duty pharmacy at farmacieaperte.it or check the rota displayed outside any pharmacy
- Learn basic Italian medical phrases — "Ho bisogno di un medico" (I need a doctor), "Mi fa male qui" (It hurts here), "Sono allergico a..." (I'm allergic to...)
What are the emergency numbers in Italy?
Ambulance: 118, Police (Carabinieri): 112, Fire: 115, Coast Guard: 1530. The EU-wide 112 number also works and connects to all services. In tourist areas, operators may speak English.
Is healthcare free in Italy for visitors?
Emergency care (Pronto Soccorso) is available to everyone. EU/EEA visitors with EHIC receive free public healthcare. Non-EU visitors without insurance will be treated in emergencies but billed afterwards. A Guardia Medica (out-of-hours doctor) service is available in tourist areas during summer.
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Sources: Italian Ministry of Health, SSN Italy, CDC Travelers Health 2025, ISTAT Health Report 2024, Agenas (National Agency for Regional Health Services)
Last reviewed: March 2026 by Gewardz Health
Further Reading
EHIC, GHIC & E111: Free Healthcare in Europe
How to use EHIC in Italy — what's covered in the SSN system and how to access Guardia Medica.
Read guideHealthcare in Greece
Compare Italy with Greece — island healthcare limitations and EHIC coverage.
Read guideHealthcare in Spain
See how Spain's autonomous community healthcare compares with Italy's SSN.
Read guide