Italian law recognises health as a fundamental right of every person. The National Health System ensures access to health services to all citizens in Italy. Having the right to health care means making use of prevention and health care services such as:

• basic assistance: paediatrician and family doctor;
• basic assistance: paediatrician and family doctor; -constancy of care: if one's own doctor is not available, a substitute is guaranteed;
• hospitalisation: it is up to the citizen to choose the facility where he or she will be admitted;
• specialist care: free access to examinations, analyses and diagnostic tests;
• public or private facility: the decision is up to the patient;
• information: before any examination or intervention, the person concerned must be adequately informed;
• accessibility to medicines: receiving medicines prescribed by a doctor is a right, sometimes supported by the payment of a co-payment.

It is compulsory for Italian citizens, foreign residents and persons with residence permits to register with the National Health Service. Foreign citizens without a residence permit do not have access to registration, but can use the STP card (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente - Temporarily Present Foreigner) in case of emergency or for essential health care.

Mandatory Subscription to the NHS

Foreigners with a regular residence permit in Italy (or who have applied for renewal of their residence permit) may enrol in the SSN for the following reasons:

• subordinate work (emploÅyed by an employer);
• self-employment (without an employer);
• family reasons;
• political asylum (including refugees);
• humanitarian asylum - temporary protection;
• social protection;
• foreign minors;
• pregnant women and women who have recently given birth for up to six months after the birth of the child;
• enrolment in the lists of employment centres (waiting for employment).

The obligation to register with the National Health Service is also extended to:

• minors waiting for adoption, guests in Reception Centres;
• fostering (including unaccompanied minors);
• request for citizenship (those waiting);
• prisoners and internees, persons in semi-freedom or subject to alternative measures to punishment;
• renewal for study purposes;
• appeal against an expulsion order or against a decision not to renew, revoke or cancel a residency permit.

In all the above cases, registration is also extended to dependent family members who are legally resident.

Registration with the National Health Service is free of charge if the foreign person:

• is unemployed with a residence permit and registered in the employment lists or with a permit to wait for employment;
• is a refugee with a regular certificate attesting to the status of refugee and/or asylum seeker;
• is married to and dependent on an Italian citizen;
• is a minor with a parent residing in Italy and belonging to one of the categories listed above.

Stp / Eni

Foreigners who are irregularly present in Italy are guaranteed basic healthcare through the assignment of the STP (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente - Temporarily Present Foreigner), an individual regional access code, recognised throughout the country, which identifies the migrant also for the reimbursement of services provided by public and private accredited facilities.
In the absence of identity documents, the health facility must register the personal details provided by the assisted person. The STP code is valid for 6 months, can be renewed if the foreigner stays in the national territory and is free of charge in case of indigence. In particular, the following are insured:

• urgent or in any case essential outpatient and hospital treatment, even if continuous, for illness and injury;
• assistance during pregnancy and maternity;
• assistance for the voluntary interruption of pregnancy;
• protection of the health of minors;
• vaccinations provided for by national legislation and as part of collective prevention interventions authorised by the Region;
• international vaccinations;
• prophylaxis, diagnosis and treatment of infectious diseases;
• free distribution of essential medicines.

ENI Code (European Non-Citizen)
It is issued to European Union citizens, without EHIC and residence, who are not enrolled in the SSN.
Access allows:

• outpatient and hospital treatment, urgent or in any case essential, even if continuous, for illness and injury;
• preventive medicine and related care services.

Prohibition of reporting
According to the rules on residence, access to health facilities by a foreigner who is not in good standing must not lead to any kind of report to the authorities. Even in the absence of identity documents, the health facility must register the personal details provided by the patient.
It is possible to request the STP or ENI Code from the Social and Health District to which one belongs.