Health Care

if you will be permanent residents and you are or will be working and tax paying then there is no charge to join the state health system. no charge on doctors visits,hospitalization,operations,essential prescribed drugs ( apart from a small charge ticket eg, Euro 1,00) and there are somecharges for ambulatorial anaysis/x-rays / blood tests etc.A good way round the last is to join the blood donors association which gives access to free extensive bood tests every three months allowing you and your local doctor to monitor your health ( you can do that anyway a good thing to do and there's a section in every hospital)

A good way round the last is to join the blood donors association which gives access to free extensive bood tests every three months allowing you and your local doctor to monitor your health ( you can do that anyway a good thing to do and there's a section in every hospital) Brits are not allowed to donate blood in Italy thanks to the miniscule risk of CJD. Just over a year ago, my husband who has a rare blood group visited the local AVIS centre to donate blood but was told by the Dr in charge that although they had a desparate need for his blood type, they could not accept it as they were forbidden from taking any donations of British blood! As far as health cover goes, the paperwork required does depend upon your age and whether you are retired or working. If you do a search on the forum you will find loads of information - it also seems to depend upon where you live and how the local paperpushers interpret the laws.

I think that this old thread is the most relevant in your case: http://www.italymag.co.uk/community/post/summary-health-cover-problem-marche There are plenty of old threads in the archives if you do a search using the words "health cover". I would say that Penny is the most knowledgeable member in this field following all the research she had to do on the topic, particularly for the Marche region. She may have some answers, although what has already been said in this thread sounds correct. Each region has a different interpretation and some officials are more helpful than others. Your age group is also important. Good luck!

Also we are not allowed to donate stem cells as I found out, for the same reason. The person you spoke to is correct. It is an S1 you need Lucy, which should entitle you to around 2 years cover here in italy (can't remember exactly) based upon your UK contributions without the need to pay here. This assumes you were paying NI until you emigrated. It is sufficient for your residency and after this period expires you will need to pay the sum you mentioned each year or be contributing to the Italian National Insurance system here (INPS). Some comunes do not understand this and try to get new arrivals to pay for a private medical policy. In theory, after 5 years continuous residency you get a permanent inscription and no longer need to present proof of earnings/contributions but here it doesn't work like that. You will find plenty of info on this site regarding the issues we have here.

.. this might be of interest http://www.stranieriinitalia.it/attualita-cittadini_ue_ecco_come_iscriversi_al_servizio_sanitario_nazionale_1150.html

You might find some useful info on this old post, & it's thread http://www.italymag.co.uk/community/post/medical-insurance-certificateco... In bocco al lupo!

Penny. Seems some things have changed here in Amandola. Went to renew the above, plus doctor registration thismorning, as expire on 02/03/2012. New provisional Tessera expires 2018 and no expiry for the doctor.

I hope you're right. The head of the health authority said he would sort it when I collared him at a meeting in Amandola last year. Of course I just assumed it was the usual brush off. Maybe he was true to his word! I am assuming that you're not old enough to be retired? Only retirees seem to get the full registration.

Hi Penny. No, I am still under 65 by a few years!! When wife renewed hers last year, she was told then that hers had no renewal, and that mine when it came up would be the same. So they were true to their word for a change!!