EU health card, guardia medica, private clinics, and emergency rooms — how healthcare works for tourists in Italy.
Plan your Italy trip →If you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC or the newer TEAM card), you're covered for necessary medical treatment at public hospitals and doctors in Italy on the same terms as Italian citizens. This means: emergency room visits, doctor consultations at ASL (local health authority) offices, and prescriptions. Bring your card. It works.
Italy will treat you in emergencies regardless — the ER (Pronto Soccorso) never turns anyone away. But without insurance, you'll receive a bill. A simple ER visit: €200-400. Ambulance: €300-500. Surgery: thousands. Get travel insurance with medical coverage before your trip. World Nomads and SafetyWing are popular for travelers.
Guardia Medica: The free after-hours public doctor service. Available evenings, nights, weekends, and holidays. Call the local number (varies by city — ask your hotel or Google "guardia medica [city]"). They'll see you for free or near-free. Wait times can be long.
Private clinics: Walk-in private clinics (ambulatorio privato) in tourist areas. No appointment needed. €60-120 for a consultation. Quick, English-speaking doctors, prescriptions issued. Your travel insurance usually reimburses this.
Your hotel concierge: Often the fastest route. They know which doctors make hotel visits and speak English.
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