What is Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN)?

Summary: Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is the national healthcare system in Italy.

Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is the national healthcare system in Italy. According to the Italian government, "Foreign citizens [non-EU] with regular stay permit and their regularly staying dependent family members are entitled to registration with the National Health Service and to the same treatment as Italian citizens with reference to contributory burden and the health care provided." For information about obtaining residency in Italy, see our article, 7 Tips for Obtaining Residency in Italy.

When you apply for residency, you should be given the paperwork to apply for your Tessera Sanitaria, which is the healthcare card that gives you access to Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN).

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