The health card for foreigners in Italy

Applying for or renewing a health card for foreigners staying or residing in Italy allows them to use the services offered by National Health Service (NHS) facilities. The modalities change depending on the reason and duration of stay. Below we provide a brief guide on how to apply for a health card online for EU and non-EU citizens in Italy. Index What is the health card for foreigners Health card for non-EU citizens How to apply for health card online How to renew your health card Differences between NHS and private health coverage

What is the health card for foreigners

According to the Internal Revenue Service, a health card is defined as a personal document issued to all citizens who are eligible for National Health Service (NHS) benefits. This document, therefore, indicates membership in the Italian national health care system. The document becomes more important for non-EU citizens who decide to stay in Italy, as it guarantees them full accessibility to public health services.

Health card for non-EU citizens

Citizens from countries outside the E.U. are entitled to health care through SSN subscription. The procedure for joining is very simple, just go to the ASL of territorial competence and present:

1. valid identification;
2. tax code issued by the Internal Revenue Service;
3. Residence permit or receipt of residence permit application.

Enrollment in the Health Service has the same duration as the residence permit, a document with which it overlaps, and extends to dependents legally residing in Italy.

Can EU citizens apply for a health card?

Yes, but again it depends on the EU citizen's stay in Italy. For stays of less than three months, there is TEAM, the European Health Insurance Card. This is a free card issued by the national health service in the country of residence. It entitles the holder to care in E.U. and European Economic Area countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein). For E.U. citizens staying in Italy for more than three months, on the other hand, enrollment is free and mandatory for workers and their family members. In the absence of these conditions, the EU citizen can apply for the health card by presenting the certificate of civil registration.

HEALTH CARD
	<90 days	>90 days
Community Citizens	TEAM	SSN
Non-EU citizens	Paid medical care	SSN

How to apply for health card online

One can apply for the issuance of said card online by transmitting one's data to the Health Insurance Card System. This will enable you to receive it by mail at your tax domicile. Through the TS System website, one can check the status of the application. This facilitates the foreign national and digitizes the application.

How to renew your health card

The card is valid for six years from the date of issuance while for foreigners it is valid for the same period as the duration of the residence permit. As for the renewal of the foreigners' health card, this can be applied for at the ASL or at anInternal Revenue Service office. Telematically, one will have to apply for the renewal and the mailing of a new card. Again you will obtain a replacement certificate while waiting to receive the card with the new expiration date at your home.

Alternatives to the health card for foreigners

The Italian National Health System guarantees excellent forms of health care, one above all the figure of the general practitioner. At the same time, there are limitations that characterize Italian public healthcare, such as long waiting times for specialist visits and/or surgeries. Precisely because of these limitations, foreign nationals can arrange for the purchase of private health coverage that can replace membership in the SSN. The main differences between SSN and private health coverage concern duration and services covered.

Differences between NHS and private health coverage

NHS has a fixed annual term, and regardless of the date of subscription, coverage ends on December 31 of the same year. Private health coverage, on the other hand, can have a six-month or annual term, and the applicant citizen determines the date of activation. Obviously, in the case of non-EU citizens, private health coverage is active only under the condition of having applied for a residence permit. On the side of guaranteed services, the main difference to the advantage of the NHS is the figure of the general practitioner. In conclusion, although there are differences between SSN and private coverage, both meet the requirements of the Italian authorities for applying for a residence permit.