Another task in the seemingly never-ending to-do list of Italian bureaucracy is getting your tessera sanitaria, which sets you up into Italy’s National Health Service, the SSN. As an expat in Italy, the task if fairly easy if you have a job contract and all of the other required documents.
Table of Contents
Gather the Required Documents
Before going through the steps to get your tessera sanitaria, make sure you first have the required documents. You’ll need:
- Your Passport (or EU ID)
- Your Codice Fiscale (Your Tax Code)
- Your Permesso di Soggiorno (Residency Permit)
- Proof of Employment (work contract or pay slips or UNILAV slips)
Book Your Appointment
The easiest way to book an appointment to get your tessera sanitaria is through the Zero Coda website.
In the search section select “Scelta/RecovaCambio del Medico” from the dropdown and enter your city on the righthand side.
You’ll receive results with all appointments available in the upcoming weeks.
Reserve Your Appointment
Select the best time and date, fill out your contact details, and you’ll receive a confirmation code and email.
Note: Depending on what city you live in, don’t be surprised if it may take weeks or months to get an appointment slot. I recommend checking every other day as earlier slots sometimes open up.
Prep for Your Appointment Day
On the day of your appointment, bring all required documents discussed in step 1. At your appointment, the desk workers will help you fill out a few forms and sign the necessary documents.
At this appointment you’ll be assigned a local doctor. They will print out a certificate with all of this information as a receipt until your card arrives. Within a few weeks you should official get your tessera sanitaria card in the mail to your registered address.
Note: If you are a student or living in Italy without a work contract, you’ll have to pay-in to be in the National Health Service. At the appointment, the workers will give you forms that you can pay and submit through Poste Italiane.
Congrats! You have completed another task as an expat in Italy. Celebrate these big feats!
Looking for other expat in Italy guides? You may want to check out the following posts as well: