Non-EU citizens who need to enter Italy for medical treatment must apply for the appropriate visa and residence permit.
Specifically, non-EU citizens who have entered Italy for the purpose of receiving a medical treatment, or to those who are already in the country and require urgent treatment, can obtain a residence permit for medical treatment. The Italian immigration law governes the immigration procedure applicable as well as the eligibility requirements.
Entry for medical treatment
How can foreigners access medical care in Italy?
Authorities can issue the residence permit for medical treatment in two different circumstances. The first for foreigners residing abroad and the second for those already in Italy.
The first case is pursuant to article 36 of Legislative Decree 286/98 (Consolidated Immigration Act – TUI). Accordingly, foreigners residing abroad who intend to receive the medical treatment in Italy, can apply for a special entry visa. They must apply for the visa at the Italian diplomatic representation in their country of origin. An accompanying person can apply for the visa too.
How to obtain a residence permit for medical treatment?
The second case is pursuant to article 19 of the TUI. Accordingly, authorities can issue a permit to foreigners already in Italy with no permit and in serious health conditions. Pregnant people and women in the first six months after giving birth are also eligible to apply. The woman’s cohabiting husband can obtain the same permit, pursuant to Constitutional Court ruling no. 376 of 2000.
In these cases, the law sets the permit issuance conditions, by establishing the principle of non-expulsion from Italian territory. In fact, the law prohibits the expulsion of the above categories of citizens.
Visa application
The visa/residence permit application procedure falls outside the entry quotas established every three years by the flows decree.
Visa for medical treatment in Italy
To apply for it, foreign nationals and accompanying persons must contact the consular representation in their country of origin. Then, they must submit the necessary documentation for the evaluation of the application.
Pursuant to Article 36, even a family member or anyone else can submit the visa application, if necessary.
Required documents
The documents required are generally those defined in Article 44 of Presidential Decree 394/99.
These documents include:
a) A statement from the chosen Italian public or private healthcare facility. It shall include information on the treatment type, start date and duration, any expected hospital stay, and the estimated cost. Private facilities must be accredited within the National Health Service (SSN).
b) A certification from the Italian healthcare facility confirming advance payment of at least 30% of the estimated cost. Alternatively, one can submit a specific authorization issued by the Ministry of Health, for humanitarian programs.
c) Documentation proving the availability in Italy of sufficient resources to pay the remaining expected healthcare costs. Money should cover also board and lodging outside the healthcare facility, repatriation of the patient and the accompanying person.
d) An health certificate attesting the applicant’s condition in compliance with the provisions on the protection of personal data. Certificates issued abroad must be accompanied by an Italian translation.
What is the procedure in case of entry for humanitarian reasons?
For foreigners residing abroad in countries without adequate healthcare facilities, entry may also be authorized by the Ministry of Health. This is in agreement with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation and Development, pursuant to Article 12 of Legislative Decree 502/92.
Applicants must submit the request to the Ministry of Health, that will identify the authorized cases.
Additionally, regions may use their funds to authorize the provision of highly specialized medical services in favor of:
– Citizens of non-EU countries where specialist medical expertise for the treatment of specific serious diseases does not exist or is not easily accessible, and where there are no reciprocal agreements in the field of healthcare.
– Citizens of countries where, for political, military, or other reasons, reciprocal agreements in the field of healthcare are not currently applicable.
Residence permit for medical treatment
How to obtain a residence permit?
Within eight days of entering Italy, the visa holder must follow the specific procedure to apply for a residence permit. Pursuant to article 36, even a family member can submit the application for residence permit issuance or renewal.
In the cases provided for in Article 19, i.e., foreigners already present on the national territory who are in serious psychological or physical condition or suffering from serious illnesses, their condition must be verified by means of appropriate documentation issued by public health facilities or doctors affiliated with the National Health Service. This assessment must show that their health would be significantly impaired if they were expelled and returned to their country of origin or provenance.
In these cases, applicants must submit the application to the police headquarters or via certified email. In some cases, the police headquarters may also issue the permit on the recommendation and request of the doctors treating the patient.
Residence permit for medical treatment and health card
The residence permit issued pursuant to Article 36 of the TUI does not allow registration with the SSN. Therefore, the patient must pay the healthcare services.
The case is different for citizens who have a residence permit for medical treatment due to pregnancy, who must register with the SSN for up to six months after the birth of their child. For information on how to register, please refer to our article on the SSN registration procedure.
Residence permit for medical treatment: how long is it valid for?
The duration of the residence permit under Article 36 is equal to duration of the medical treatment, as certified by a medical certificate, but generally does not exceed one year. In the case of pregnancy, however, the duration of the residence permit under Article 19 is from the period prior to childbirth until six months after.
Residence permit for medical treatment: can you travel?
The residence permit issued for medical treatment is valid only within the national territory.
Renewal and conversion
Is it possible to renew a permit for medical treatment?
Applicants can obtain a renewal of the resident permit. This depends on the duration of the treatment.
Residence permit for medical treatment: is it possible to work?
The possibility of working with a residence permit issued for medical treatment depends on the type of permit requested. For cases under article 36, the permit holder can work.
Residence permit for medical treatment: can you convert it?
This possibility also depends on the specific permit category. In fact, for cases under article 36, conversion for work reasons is not permitted.
However, in the case of a permit issued under Article 19 to irregular foreign women who are pregnant and to the father of the unborn child, conversion for work reasons is not permitted, but conversion for family reasons is permitted. In fact, as this is a residence permit that regularizes the holder’s position on the national territory, Article 30 of the TUI is considered applicable.
Finally, in the case of permits issued under Article 19 to citizens who are in serious physical or mental condition or suffering from serious illnesses, conversion to a work permit is not permitted.
Does a medical treatment permit allow for registration with the registry office?
The permit allows foreign citizens to apply for registration with the registry office in their municipality of residence. For more information on how to do this, please refer to our article on how to apply for residence for foreigners in Italy.
