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Healthcare in Italy: cost & waiting times

Tax-funded universal

The Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is tax-funded and regionally run. Residents choose a 'medico di base' (GP) who coordinates care; modest co-payments ('ticket') apply to tests and specialist visits.

Emergency number: 112

How residents get care

  1. Register with the ASL and pick a GP — Your local health authority ('Azienda Sanitaria Locale') issues the 'tessera sanitaria'.
  2. Book specialist visits and tests via CUP — The 'Centro Unico di Prenotazione' — by phone, online or at a pharmacy. A GP's prescription ('impegnativa') sets the priority code.
  3. Pay the ticket — A capped co-payment for tests and outpatient specialist care; exemptions by age, income and condition.

Official waiting-time source

Prescriptions carry a priority class (U=72h, B=10 days, D=30/60 days, P=120 days). Compliance varies by region.

Regional waiting-time monitoring (PNGLA priority classes) ↗

MilestoneReference
Class B (urgent-deferrable)10 days (~1w)
Class D (first visit)30 days (~4w)

Typical private costs

Typical self-pay prices — for an exact figure use the official links above or ask a clinic for a written quote.

ItemTypical range
Private GP visit€50–€90
Private specialist visit€80–€150
Private MRI€150–€350

Prescriptions

Ticket per prescription varies by region (often €1–4 per pack) plus a possible fixed regional charge; many drugs for chronic conditions are free.

Visiting Italy?

EHIC covers necessary SSN care; you pay any ticket a resident would pay.

Emergencies Call 112. 'Pronto soccorso' treats emergencies; a ticket may apply for non-urgent codes.

Official links

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