Healthcare for international students

Italy has a public health system called Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), which is divided into Aziende Unità Sanitarie Locali (AUSL), that are Local Health Authorities.

Consult the website of the AUSL (Local Health Authority) of Ferrara

Students with EU citizenship (EU students)

If you are an EU student:

  • who has been resident in Italy for at least 5 years: you can apply for a Certificate of Permanent Residence from your municipality of residence, which entitles you to registration with the National Health Service and the choice of doctor for an indefinite period
  • with form E106/E109/S1 issued by your country of origin: you can enrol in the National Health Service (SSN) with the choice of doctor for the time period indicated on the form
  • without the prerequisites for choosing a doctor, but in possession of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) from your country of origin: you can receive all necessary medical services, such as occasional check-ups carried out by General Practitioners and specialist outpatient services.
  • without a certificate of entitlement: you can take out a private health insurance policy equal to the duration of your course of study, covering all risks, which does not require you to register with the NHS or choose a doctor. Alternatively, you can apply for voluntary registration with the National Health Service (SSN) by self-certifying your student status

Warning! Private health insurance policies normally require the student to pay the costs and then claim reimbursement from the insurance company. When taking out the insurance policy, carefully check the terms and conditions and limits of reimbursement. Remember that the medical expenses to be anticipated may be very high, for example in the event of hospitalisation.

Students with non-EU citizenship (non-EU students)

If you are a non-EU student, you can apply for voluntary registration with the National Health Service (SSN), with the choice of general practitioner, by paying an annual flat-rate contribution valid for the calendar year (expires on 31st December), or you can maintain the right to compulsory registration, where legislation provides for it.

You can take out a private health insurance policy equal to the duration of your course of study, covering all risks, and a certificate of compliance with Italian law signed by the insurance company that does not require you to register with the National Health Service (SSN) or choose a doctor.

Warning! Private health insurance policies normally require the student to pay the costs and then claim reimbursement from the insurance company. When taking out the insurance policy, carefully check the terms and conditions and limits of reimbursement. Remember that the medical expenses to be anticipated may be very high, for example in the event of hospitalisation

How to register voluntarily with the National Health Service (SSN) as a non-EU student

If you apply for or hold a residence permit for study purposes, you can register with the National Health Service (SSN) by paying an annual fee of approximately 150 euros. Membership is by calendar year only (e.g. 1/01/19 to 31/12/19) and you cannot pay reduced fees for shorter periods.

You can pay the membership fee for the current year and also for the whole of the following calendar year. This possibility allows you to have health coverage for one academic year and is useful for students who arrive in September, for example, and intend to apply for a residence permit to study for one year.

The registration fee does not cover any dependants.

For further information, please contact:

Ufficio stranieri (Foreign Office), Casa della salute - Cittadella di San Rocco

Corso Giovecca, 203 - sector 4

tel. +39 0532.235629 (every day from 9 a.m.  to 11 a.m.)

Office hours: Monday to Friday, 8.00 a.m. - 1  p.m.