Registering with the National Health Service
In order to register as a patient with the National Health Service you should go to your nearest Local Health Authority offices. You can find the address in the Yellow Pages, listed under 'ASL'.
When you go to the Local Health Authority to register, you will need to provide documentary proof of certain details. You should take the following documents with you:
residence permit
passport, or another identity card
details of your family, if you also want to register them for medical care
tax identification number
a letter from your employer certifying that you work for them and a document from the Italian INPS (National Institution for Social Protection) which certifies that you are employed, or officially unemployed, or a document confirming you are studying in Italy
Once you are registered with the National Health System you can choose your own GP and get a medical card.
How to get your medical card
All Italian citizens or foreign people who are registered patients of the National Health System are entitled to have a medical card. You can get this at your nearest Local Health Authority, where you can also register as a patient of the National Health Service. The card carries important information, such as your GP's name, and details your status if you belong to one of the 'protected groups', which are for disabled people, people with chronic or rare diseases and people with a low-income. Patients in a protected group are not required to pay for their treatment or medicines.
Currently, a new card, which looks like a credit card, is being distributed by mail to all citizens and patients of the National Health Service by the Department of Economy and Finances. This card is valid for the whole of Italy and for the rest of the European Union as well and entitles you to access the National Health System for medicines, examinations and treatments prescribed by your GP.
To get more information about the medical card, you can call the free number 800.030.070. People who need medical care but do not have a valid residence permit can still receive assistance, and will be given a special medical card. For details see Special Circumstances for Care.
