Access to healthcare
in Bologna
The National Health Service (SSN - Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) guarantees universal and free access to emergency care—defined as medical treatment for those in immediate danger of losing their life or suffering severe health damage. Free access to essential healthcare is available to those registered with the SSN. Once registered, individuals can access medical treatments, specialist consultations, hospital services, and emergency rooms at subsidized rates or free of charge.
Links refer to the Bologna Local Health Authority - Azienda USL di Bologna; for municipalities in the Imola area, please refer to the Imola Local Health Authority - Azienda USL di Imola
The procedure for accessing the Health Service varies depending on the individual's citizenship status.
What is your citizenship status?
If you are a non-EU citizen legally residing in Italy, you can access the National Health Service (SSN)a through different procedures depending on your reason for stay.
Registration can be mandatory (and therefore free of charge). In this case, the duration of your registration is linked to the validity of your residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) and is renewable.
Registration can be voluntary, requiring the payment of an annual contribution. In this case, registration is valid for the current calendar year (January 1st – December 31st).
You can register with the SSN by contacting the Health District (Distretto USL) of the local Health Authority (Azienda USL) in your municipality of residence. If you are not yet a resident, contact the office in the municipality of your actual domicile as indicated on your residence permit.
SSN registration allows you to choose a Primary Care Physician (General Practitioner), access essential care, and use the Electronic Health Record (FSE - Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico).
Healthcare assistance is extended to your dependent family members who are legally staying in Italy.
If you are a European Union citizen staying in Italy for more than three months, you can access the National Health Service (SSN) through different procedures depending on your documented status.
Registration can be mandatory (and therefore free of charge). In this case, the duration of your registration is linked to your specific documented situation.
Registration can be voluntary, requiring the payment of an annual contribution. This applies to all EU citizens who do not meet the criteria for mandatory registration, or who are foreign employees of international organizations operating in Italy. In this case, registration is valid for the current calendar year (January 1st – December 31st).
You can register with the SSN by contacting the Health District (Distretto USL) of the local Health Authority (Azienda USL) in your municipality of residence.
SSN registration allows you to choose a Primary Care Physician (General Practitioner), access essential care, and use the Electronic Health Record (FSE - Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico).
Healthcare assistance is extended to your dependent family members who are legally staying in Italy.
If you are an Italian citizen already registered with the SSN and have recently moved to the metropolitan area, you can register with the Bologna Local Health Authority (Azienda USL di Bologna) or the Imola Local Health Authority (Azienda USL di Imola), depending on your municipality of residence.
To register, you must visit the CUP counters (Sportelli CUP) of your local Health District and present the required documentation.
If you have established domicile but not official residency, you can request "health domicile" (domicilio sanitario) to be temporarily registered with the Local Health Authority of your current place of residence.
To activate your Electronic Health Record (FSE - Fascicolo Sanitario Elettronico), you can consult this page.
If you have moved from another region, please remember that healthcare agreements, exemptions, and subsidies vary from region to region. You can find information specific to the Emilia-Romagna region here.
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If you don't find all the information, contact the Welcome Desk