Italy's healthcare system is ranked #2 in the world by the WHO. Higher than France (#1 is contested), the UK, Canada, Australia, and dramatically higher than the US (#37). Emergency care in Italy is free for everyone — tourist, resident, documented, undocumented. You walk into a Pronto Soccorso (ER) with a broken leg or a heart attack and you are treated immediately, regardless of nationality or insurance status. The bill comes later (and it's a fraction of US costs). This guide covers every medical scenario a traveler might face — from pharmacy visits to ambulance calls — with the exact numbers, phrases, and strategies. Safety guide →
Plan my Italy →112 — Universal emergency number. Police, fire, ambulance. Operators speak English. Works from any phone (including locked phones with no SIM). 118 — Medical emergency specifically. Ambulance dispatch. Faster for medical emergencies than 112 in some regions. If in doubt: call 112. It routes to the correct service.
Italian ERs use a color triage system: Red (immediate life-threatening — treated instantly), Yellow (urgent — treated within 15-30 min), Green (non-urgent — 1-4 hour wait), White (non-emergency — 4-8+ hour wait, may incur a fee). A broken bone = yellow/green. A heart attack = red. Food poisoning = green. Bring: passport, insurance documents, list of medications/allergies. Cost: Emergency treatment is provided regardless of ability to pay. Non-urgent ER visits may incur a ticket (copay) of €25-50. Serious treatment (surgery, hospitalization) costs are invoiced later — typically €100-500/day for foreigners without insurance (vs $5,000-50,000/day in the US).
For non-emergency medical needs outside pharmacy hours (nights, weekends, holidays). The Guardia Medica is a doctor on call who can visit your hotel or see you at a clinic. Call your hotel reception — they'll contact the Guardia Medica for you. Or call the local ASL (health authority) number. Cost: €20-50 for the visit. Prescriptions at pharmacy cost extra.
Italian pharmacists are highly trained and can treat most minor issues: cold/flu, stomach problems, allergies, minor injuries, skin conditions, urinary infections, eye problems. They can recommend and dispense medications that require prescriptions in the US/UK (many antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, stronger painkillers). Look for the green cross sign. Open: typically 8:30am-1pm + 3:30-8pm. Farmacia di turno: a rotating pharmacy in each area stays open 24/7 — the schedule is posted on every pharmacy door + searchable on farmaciediturno.it.
EU/UK citizens: EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or GHIC (UK Global Health Insurance Card) covers emergency treatment at Italian public hospitals at the same cost as Italian residents (often free). BUT: doesn't cover repatriation, dental, or private hospitals. US/AU/CA citizens: Your home insurance does NOT cover you in Italy (except some US plans with international riders). Travel insurance is ESSENTIAL: SafetyWing (from $45/month, covers medical + evacuation), World Nomads, Allianz Travel. Covers: hospitalization, emergency evacuation, medication, dental emergency. Without insurance: Italian hospitals will still treat you, but you'll receive the bill directly (much lower than US prices, but still significant for major treatment).
Stomach problems: Usually from heat + overindulgence, not food safety (Italian food safety is excellent). Pharmacy: Imodium (loperamide), Biochetasi (digestive), activated charcoal. Sunburn/heatstroke: Summer in Rome is 35-40°C. Pharmacy: after-sun cream, rehydration salts. Prevention: hat, sunscreen, nasoni water, siesta. Twisted ankle on cobblestones: The #1 tourist injury in Rome. Wear proper shoes. Pharmacy: elastic bandage, anti-inflammatory gel. If severe: Pronto Soccorso for X-ray. Allergic reaction: If severe (anaphylaxis): call 112 immediately. If mild: pharmacy antihistamines (Zirtec/cetirizine, no prescription needed). Asthma: Carry your inhaler + prescription. Italian pharmacies stock Ventolin (salbutamol) and can dispense with a prescription or in emergencies without one — explain "sono asmatico/a" (I'm asthmatic).
Policlinico Umberto I (Viale del Policlinico 155 — the largest, near Termini, full ER). Ospedale Santo Spirito (Lungotevere in Sassia 1 — near Vatican, historic hospital since 727 AD). Ospedale San Giovanni (Via dell'Amba Aradam 8 — near Colosseum). Ospedale Bambino Gesù (Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4 — children's hospital, the best in Italy).