The Health system

In the province of Massa-Carrara there is a provincial health system that reflects the national scheme as a whole. This system allows for some forms of assistance to be given even to subjects that were not originally resident in the territory but who have moved here for reasons of work. Access to health assistance comes about through procedures that vary depending on whether the person who has moved to the province is, in the first place, a foreign citizen coming from a member country of the European Union, or a foreign citizen from a non-European Union state.

Foreigners possessing citizenship of States belonging to the EU , who are regularly resident in Italy are by law enrolled on the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) on the same terms a Italian citizens. In cases of brief stays the European Union citizen can have direct access to health services by presenting the ‘ European card of health insurance’, which has substituted the old E111 form. Foreign citizens not belonging to the EU are divided into those who have to enrol on the SSN and those who can opt for other types of coverage and health assistance.

Foreigners regularly resident or who have applied for a renewal of their residence permit for:

• Self employment activities
• Activities as employees

have the right to enrol on the SSN on the same terms as Italian citizens, and this extends to dependant family members who are regularly resident.

It is not necessary to enrol on the SSN in the following cases

• Holders of residence permits for business
• Directors of companies with branches in Italy
• Employees of companies with head offices abroad

Such categories must have personal and family insurance coverage, or, alternatively, if they wish to they can enrol on the SSN.

Documents necessary for enrolment on the SSN

Foreign citizens resident in EU countries must present the following documents to the ASL (Health Authorities):

• Permission or Card of Residence
• Residence Certificate
• Social Insurance Number

In cases of obligatory enrolment, foreign citizens not resident in EU countries have to apply to the ASL (Health Authorities) of their residence or effective dwelling place, presenting:

• A proclamation of their residence or effective dwelling place
• Permesso di soggiorno
• Residence permit
• A proclamation of their social insurance number
• A declaration of their intention to communicate to the ASL any variation of their condition

Foreign citizens who are not among those who have the right to enrol on the SSN can do so on a voluntary basis by paying a contribution of €387.34 per year, which cannot be divided into rates. Such enrolment has a yearly expiry and extends to family members.

Web references

Those wishing for more detailed information can consult the following two sources:

Governo – sistema sanitario stranieri

Bambin Gesù Hospital

Assistenza sanitaria locale