Non-EU citizens (from countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area) must purchase coverage for healthcare services and hospitalisation, which is necessary to obtain an entry visa to Italy and/or a residence permit.
There are two options:
- register with the National Health Service
- take out a private insurance policy
Voluntary registration with the Italian National Health Service
It must be carried out at the Health District in Via Garibaldi 198, Pisa.
The student registration fee for the current year is EUR 700. Registration is valid until 31 December of each year, regardless of the registration date, and must be renewed annually.
To pay the registration fee you must use the form F24 by entering these details:
- PAYMENT CODE: 8846
- REGION CODE: 17
- REFERENCE YEAR: 2025
The fee cannot be split and is related to the period from 1 January to 31 December (thus irrespective of the subscription date).
Remember to keep the payment receipt: you will need it to register with the ASL (local health agency) and choose a general practitioner, then you will be entitled to all services for free.
Registration with the National Health Service ensures that foreigners receive the same treatment and have full equality of rights and duties as Italian citizens regarding healthcare provided in Italy (Art. 62 of the Prime Minister’s Decree 12/01/2017).
Students with a study residence permit, who prove that they are working by presenting an employment contract, are entitled to register for free with the Regional Health Service. The documentation must be submitted to the ASL in Via Garibaldi 198, Pisa.
Private health insurance
For the request or renewal of a residence permit, the Questura also accepts:
- foreign insurance policy, that provides assistance valid in Italy and must not involve any limitations or exceptions regarding the rates set for urgent hospitalisation for its entire duration
- insurance policy with Italian institutions or companies accompanied by a declaration of the insurance company that confirms the absence of limitations or exceptions regarding the rates set for urgent hospitalisation for its entire duration.
For example, WAITALY, which costs EUR 135 per year (for study purposes) is accepted and can be activated online.
Attention – For private health insurance policies:
- students do not need to register with the SSN or to choose a general practitioner
- generally, they need to pay for the expenses and then claim a reimbursement from the insurance company.
Choice of general practitioner
In order to choose your doctor, you must first register with the National Health Service (see the instructions above)
Once the payment has been made, the payment receipt (the remaining part of the postal slip stamped by the post office) must be presented to the Health District in via Garibaldi 198, Ufficio Assistenza Stranieri (FOREIGN CUP).
At the District you can choose your general practitioner for free. The list of doctors can be found at the relevant webpage.
Attention:
- at the District offices, in addition to presenting your payment receipt, passport and tax code, you will need to leave a telephone number and your e-mail
- if you have changed your address (domicile) from what you declared when you applied for your tax code, it is essential, in order to avoid errors and delays in the delivery of the health card, to first update your address at the Agenzia delle Entrate, Via Matteucci 34
- don’t forget to ask about the location of the doctor’s office and the opening hours
Students holding a study residence permit, who proves that they are working by presenting an employment contract, are entitled to register for free with the Regional Health Service. The documentation must be submitted to the ASL in Via Garibaldi 198, Pisa.
The On-call Doctor Service
The On-Call Doctor service provides basic medical assistance, both in the clinic and at home, for urgent situations that occur during nighttime hours or holidays. In particular:
- from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. every working day
- from 10.00 a.m. on Saturday to 8.00 a.m. on Monday or, in any case, on the next day following the holiday.
The On-call Doctor is in Via Garibaldi 198, Pisa, phone 050 959866.
Further information for foreign nationals can be found on the dedicated webpage of the Azienda ospedaliera universitaria pisana.
The Emergency Room
To call an ambulance, dial 118 (free service).
Emergency Contact: 050.992300
Ospedale di Cisanello, via Paradisa, 2 – phone 050/992111 – 993111
Toll-free number: 800.015877
Hospital Call Center: 050.992111.
Webpage available at: www.ao-pisa.toscana.it
To reach the Emergency Room or Cisanello Hospital, you can take the “Lam Rossa” bus
Pregnant patients experiencing issues related to their pregnancy can directly access the obstetrical emergency room located at Santa Chiara Hospital – Building 2, First Floor
