Medical treatment in Italy: how to obtain a visa and residence permit

In Italy, healthcare is not just a public service — it is a fundamental right recognized for every individual, regardless of nationality or legal status. Article 32 of the Italian Constitution establishes that the Republic safeguards health as a right of the individual and as a collective interest, guaranteeing free medical care even for those in need.

For this reason, those who require medical treatment in Italy can access specific types of visas and residence permits for health-related reasons.

Who can apply for a residence permit for medical treatment

A residence permit for medical treatment can be requested in various situations, depending on the individual’s personal circumstances and country of origin. It may be granted to:

1. Foreign nationals entering the country with a specific Italian visa for medical treatment, as well as to their accompanying persons.
2. Individuals already in Italy, even without a residence permit, who are in particularly serious health conditions.
3. Pregnant women — and, by extension, their cohabiting spouse — during the pregnancy and up to six months after childbirth.

How to obtain a visa for medical treatment

To obtain an Italian visa for medical treatment, the foreign applicant must apply to the Italian consular office in their country of residence. The application must include:

• A medical certificate stating the illness or condition to be treated;
• A declaration from the Italian healthcare facility (public or accredited private) describing the type, duration, and estimated cost of the treatment;
• Proof of payment of at least 30% of the estimated medical expenses;
• Documentation demonstrating sufficient financial means to cover the remaining medical expenses, as well as food, accommodation, and return travel costs.

Once the visa is obtained and the person arrives in Italy, they must report to the Immigration Office of the competent Questura (Police Headquarters) within eight days to apply for the corresponding residence permit.

Duration and renewal of the residence permit

The duration of the residence permit for medical treatment depends on the period required for the therapy, generally not exceeding one year. Renewal may be requested if the treatment plan requires it and is certified by an authorized healthcare facility. For pregnant women, the permit covers the entire pregnancy and the six months following childbirth.

Employment, conversion, and registry enrollment

Not all residence permits issued for medical treatment allow the holder to work or be converted into other types of residence permits. The permit obtained through a visa for medical treatment allows the holder to work but cannot be converted into a work-related residence permit.

However, in certain cases — such as for pregnant women — it may be converted into a residence permit for family reasons. Holders of this type of permit may also register with the municipal registry (anagrafe) in their place of residence, as provided for by the Italian Immigration Law (Testo Unico sull’Immigrazione).

Access to the national health service (SSN)

A residence permit for medical treatment obtained under Article 36 of the Immigration Law does not automatically grant registration with the Italian National Health Service (SSN).
Therefore, medical expenses are generally the responsibility of the patient, except in cases where the treatment is part of humanitarian programs run by the Ministry of Health or regional authorities.

Women holding a residence permit for pregnancy, however, are entitled to SSN registration until six months after the birth of their child.

Medical treatment and humanitarian programs

When the country of origin lacks adequate healthcare facilities, the transfer to Italy for treatment may be authorized directly by the Ministry of Health, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Italian regions may also promote humanitarian assistance programs, granting access to highly specialized care for citizens from non-EU countries.

Italy stands as an international point of reference for healthcare — a country that combines medical excellence, solidarity, and respect for human rights. Through mechanisms such as the medical treatment visa and residence permit, Italian law protects those most in need, offering real access to health and personal dignity.

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The content of this article is intended to provide general information on the topic. For doubts or specific cases, it is advisable to seek specialized legal advice tailored to your particular situation.