Healthcare in Rome for Tourists and Short-Stay Visitors: Who Pays What
Got a European Health Insurance Card? Head to a public hospital. Non-EU visitor? You need private insurance. In an emergency, the A&E will treat you regardless — here's how it all works.
In a nutshell
If you're in Rome as a tourist or on a short-stay visa, what healthcare you can access — and what it costs — depends entirely on where you're from. EU citizens with an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) are entitled to the same care as Italian residents, either free or with a co-pay. Non-EU tourists are required to hold private health insurance to get a Schengen visa. And in every case, the emergency room will not turn you away — even if you have no coverage at all.
At a glance
| Cost | EU/EEA/UK with EHIC: free or co-pay. Non-EU: regional tariff (outpatient visit €80–120, hospitalisation €1,000–2,500/day). With STP card: essential care free. |
| Timeline | A&E: immediate. Outpatient appointments for non-residents: book via CUP (1–30 days). |
| Where in Rome | A&E open 24/7 at all major public hospitals. Tourist Medical Guard: Via Luzzatti 8 (tel. 06 7730 6650). STP/ENI desk: Via Luzzatti 8 (06 77305432). |
| Documents | EU: EHIC/GHIC + ID. Non-EU: passport, visa, insurance policy. STP: any ID or a self-declaration. |
If you're an EU, EEA, Swiss, or UK citizen
Always carry your EHIC (or the British GHIC). This card entitles you to all necessary treatment at Italian public hospitals and clinics on the same terms as Italian citizens — hospital care, specialist visits, urgent medications.
Always go to a public hospital. Private clinics don't accept the EHIC, and you'll pay the full bill out of pocket. For non-urgent care, book through ReCUP 800 90 99 90 or the Salute Lazio app.
If your card is expired or you've left it at home, call your national health insurer: they can email or fax you a Provisional Replacement Certificate (CSP), which carries the same guarantees.
For planned treatment (e.g., an operation you already know you'll need while in Italy): request form S2 from your home country before you travel. It authorises and covers the cost of treatment in Italy with no extra charges.
If you're a non-EU tourist on a Schengen visa
To get a Schengen visa, you're required to hold health insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid across the entire Schengen area, covering medical treatment, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
In an emergency, Pronto Soccorso (Italy's A&E / emergency room) will treat you immediately, regardless of your insurance status. You'll then receive a bill based on the Lazio regional tariff. Keep all documentation — medical records, receipts, invoices — to claim reimbursement from your insurer.
For non-urgent care, you can go to a private clinic (full cost applies) or book through the regional CUP system, paying the non-resident tariff. If you genuinely can't afford the costs, you can apply for an STP card at an ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale — your local public-health authority) desk (see below).
Some countries have bilateral health agreements with Italy: Argentina, Brazil, Tunisia, Cape Verde, San Marino, Vatican City, and Australia (limited services only). If you're from one of these, ask the Italian Embassy or the hospital admissions desk for details.
The STP card: if you have no coverage
The STP card (Straniero Temporaneamente Presente — Temporarily Present Foreigner) is for anyone in Italy without health insurance or in an irregular immigration status. It gives you free access to essential and urgent care: A&E, maternity and childbirth, vaccinations, infectious-disease prevention, urgent mental health, and paediatric care.
To get one, go to an STP desk at your local ASL, show any form of ID (or simply make a written self-declaration), and you'll receive a card valid for 6 months, renewable, accepted anywhere in Italy. Healthcare staff cannot report you to immigration authorities (art. 35, paragraph 5, D.Lgs. 286/1998).
In Rome: ASL Roma 1 — Via Luzzatti 8 (06 77305432); ASL Roma 2 — Via di Tor Bella Monaca 1 (06 51008850); ASL Roma 3 — Via Casal Bernocchi 73 (06 56487300); Caritas Roma — Via Marsala 109 (06 88815200).
Emergency rooms in Rome: where to go
All A&E departments are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week:
| Hospital | Address | A&E Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Policlinico Umberto I | Viale del Policlinico 155 | 06 49972789 |
| San Camillo-Forlanini | Circ. Gianicolense 87 | 06 58702525 |
| San Giovanni Addolorata | Via dell'Amba Aradam 9 | 06 77051 |
| Policlinico Gemelli | Largo Gemelli 8 | 06 30153300 |
| Sant'Andrea | Via di Grottarossa 1035 | 06 33775525 |
| Bambino Gesù (paediatric) | Piazza Sant'Onofrio 4 | 06 68591 |
| INMI Spallanzani (infectious diseases) | Via Portuense 292 | 06 55170700 |
For non-urgent issues (mild fever, minor pain, nights and public holidays): call 116 117 — the European non-emergency medical line. For the Tourist Medical Guard: 06 7730 6650/6651, Via Luzzatti 8.
Mistakes to avoid
- Don't go to a private clinic if you have an EHIC. The card is only valid at public facilities. At a private one, you pay everything yourself.
- Don't hold off getting help because you're worried about costs. The A&E is legally required to treat you. Afterwards, if you can't pay, you can apply for an STP card to cover ongoing care.
- Don't forget your EHIC at home. Without it, you'll have to pay upfront and then claim a refund from your home insurer — a lengthy process. If you forget it, request a CSP by email from your national insurer right away.
Special cases
Pregnant women: always protected, regardless of immigration status. With EHIC: care is free. With STP: pregnancy, childbirth, and postnatal care are all free.
Children (0–18): always protected, even if undocumented or uninsured. Children with an STP or ENI card are automatically enrolled in the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale — Italy's national health service).
Erasmus students: your home country's EHIC covers you for the full duration of your studies. The Welcome Offices at La Sapienza, Tor Vergata, and Roma Tre universities all offer health-system orientation.
Posted EU workers: with form S1 from your home country, you can register with the Rome ASL and receive a temporary Italian Tessera Sanitaria (Italian health-insurance card). The cost of your care remains the responsibility of your home country.
Dental care: generally not covered by the SSN, except in emergencies. Some Rome ASL offices have low-cost social dental clinics. La Sapienza University's Dental Clinic also offers reduced-rate appointments.
Official sources
- Ministry of Health — Healthcare for foreigners in Italy
- Ministry of Health — STP card
- European Commission — Care abroad (EHIC)
- Salute Lazio
- ASL Roma 1 — SAMIFO
- Ministry of Foreign Affairs — Visas
Legal references: Regulation EU 883/2004, Regulation EU 987/2009, Directive 2011/24/EU, D.Lgs. 286/1998 art. 35, DPR 394/1999 art. 43, Regulation EC 810/2009 art. 15, DM 24/04/2018, Legge 833/1978.