Can someone please tell me if you

No, and yes perhaps... Someone from the UK, under state pension age, would need to have private insurance.

Thanks for that. We are from the US. Same situation?

From what I gather you will need private health care cover before you are allowed to settle/get residence here.

For an American the steps are. And I summarize greatly. 1. Get Elective Residence Visa issued by Italian Consulate in US. You will need to show sufficient income, Year Lease or Deed, Private health insurance for the year long term of the visa. 2. Assuming #1 hurdle passed. Apply for Permesso di Siggorno one arrive in Italy. Will need to show the same documentation as above in Permesso application3. Assuming #2 hurdle passed, then you register as a resident in your Commune, you can join the national health service at that time. The amount an American will pay will be based on your income. It is around 7% of income, and has limit of around 2700EU. This is for a year. It is not prorated. If you sign up in December, you still pay for a whole year. No, US Medicare will not cover you at all in Italy.

And from 27000 , you pay about 20% ...

Then private health care cover would be a lot cheaper...

Not 27000, 2700EU is the limit you would pay to be in the Italian Health System. You might pay less. I've had people tell me that when when went to sign up, they simply charged them the minumum without asking any questions. If so, you just smile and say Grazie, and leave. Above all, do not lie about income levels. The formula is 7% of your income, with a minumum of a couple hundred EU up to the 2700 number. An American expat will pay far higher amounts if you select one of the international expat health plans. AARO is one of th more affordable and they publish their rates. Once you are in the system, you get he same health care as any other Italian. No deductibles, no bills, unless you go to specialists, low or free prescriptions.

i say FROM 27000 , I mean ! for income exceeding 27,000 Euros per year - which is precisely the minimum income, beyond which in Italy you pay, a percentage of 20% income tax - or so they told me to INPS of Perugia - when six months ago, I asked this information to a client of mine, not Italian, but still, an EU country - As always with information from the same source, for foreign citizens are not part of the EU, the percentage calculation is even higher.

If you live in Italy you need a tessera sanitaria in order to get healthcare, First you need to register a residents at the local comune. Best wuold be to ask the officer at your local comune and go from there,

sorry , mrschef , tessera sanitaria , is only for those that have Italian permit of stai for Workif you have Residenza Elettiva or do not produce your's income at Italy , is required a heltcare insurance ..