Health insurance in italy
Non-EU students require private health insurance to enter Italy, valid for the duration of their stay. Travel insurance is NOT the same as domestic health insurance and is not valid for Permesso applications. If you renew your Permesso in Italy, you will also need to renew your health insurance for the same period!
EU students do not require an insurance policy to enter Italy unless they later apply for full-time residency. The EU health card (EHIC) is intended for tourism and only covers medical emergencies at public hospitals.
PRIVATE INSURANCE
Private health insurance for exchange students is a popular option and a legal requirement for all non-EU arrivals in order to satisfy their visa and subsequent Permesso requirements. Students can choose what they want included in a private policy to best suit their needs, potentially covering up to 100% of any medical bills, access to private clinics and the possibility to select English speaking doctors!
There are several different ways to obtain private insurance including;
Through your university partners
Online through the free market OR an extension of an existing (family) policy you may already have. Remember; travel insurance is not valid for residency applications - any insurance policy must be valid for Italian residents with a coverage value of at least €30,000.00. Also ensure that your policy is in Italian language or is otherwise legally translated to avoid any problems!
For the most economic insurance option to satisfy Italian visa requirements, we suggest WAI Insurance offering annual membership from just €120.00 for students! WAI's insurance is provided by the Allianz Group and is accepted by all local governing bodies in Italy. Furthermore applications can be made completely online in English language by uploading a single form of ID. Following a successful application, you will receive a valid insurance certificate within just 24 hours by way of email in both Italian & English languages.
PUBLIC INSURANCE
Public health insurance for students in Italy is available if you register with the Italian National Health Service (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). You will have free access to all public health services (including your own doctor!) however in order to register, you will first need to be a resident with a Permit of Stay (Permesso di Soggiorno). This means that the Italian Health Insurance Card (Tesera Sanitaria) CANNOT be used to meet student visa requirements or to obtain a Permesso upon arrival in Italy, therefore an existing private policy will first have to be in place if you are a non-EU citizen.
For those who are not making INPS (social security) contributions in Italy, registration for one year is €149.00 for students. You will get a Italian Health Insurance Card (Tessera Sanitaria) to show as proof of coverage with all public medical providers.
Appointment anxiety? apply with the support centre
While it’s possible to obtain a Health Insurance on your own, many international students and expats find it helpful to have someone with experience and knowledge of the Italian system handle the application process for them. Our Support Services are designed to make your life in Italy easier and more convenient. Contact us today to learn more about our Support Services and how we can help you get your Health Insurance quickly and hassle-free.
Content and support is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as independent legal, taxation, or other investment advices.