Medical treatment in Italy: possibility of obtaining a visa for non-EU citizens

Italy allows citizens of countries outside the European Union to enter its territory in order to undergo scheduled medical treatment, provided that certain conditions are met. This is a specific procedure, distinct from ordinary entry for tourism or other purposes, which requires adequate medical and financial documentation.

The main rules are set out in Article 36 of the Consolidated Immigration Act (Testo Unico sull’Immigrazione), which provides for the possibility of obtaining a visa for medical treatment and, where necessary, the relevant residence permit. The procedure may also cover a person accompanying the patient.

How to obtain a visa for medical treatment

A non-EU citizen who is abroad must submit the application to the competent Italian diplomatic or consular mission for their place of residence.

Before submitting the application, it is necessary to have identified an Italian public or accredited private healthcare facility willing to provide the treatment. The facility must issue a statement containing the essential information concerning the treatment, specifying the type of procedure or therapy, the scheduled starting date, its duration and, where necessary, the period of hospitalization.

Another fundamental element of the application is proof of sufficient financial means to cover the cost of the treatment and the stay in Italy. The applicable rules also provide for the payment of an amount as a deposit, calculated in relation to the estimated cost of the medical treatment.

The applicant must also be able to demonstrate that they have sufficient resources to cover food and accommodation expenses, as well as the possible repatriation of the patient and the accompanying person. Medical documentation issued abroad must be prepared in accordance with the formalities required by the competent consular mission, including translations where necessary.

The accompanying person’s stay

The legislation also takes into account the needs of patients who require assistance. For this reason, a visa for medical treatment may also be issued to the person accompanying the patient, provided that the statutory requirements are met.

The accompanying person must likewise be able to cover the expenses associated with their stay in Italy and must be included in the documentation submitted as part of the procedure.

Residence permit after entry into Italy

Entry on a visa for medical treatment does not necessarily conclude the administrative formalities. Once in Italy, the foreign national must follow the procedure required to obtain a residence permit for medical treatment purposes by applying to the competent Police Headquarters (Questura).

The duration of the permit is linked to the period necessary to complete the medical treatment and may be renewed if the treatment must continue and such necessity is adequately documented.

The stay therefore remains strictly connected to the medical purpose that justified entry and does not, in itself, constitute a pathway towards permanent settlement in Italy.

If the foreign national is already in Italy

The situation is different for a foreign national who is already in Italian territory and has particularly serious health conditions. In such cases, specific provisions of the Consolidated Immigration Act may apply, which differ from those applicable to persons arriving from abroad for the purpose of receiving scheduled treatment.

The legislation also provides specific forms of protection during pregnancy and the period immediately following childbirth. The possibility of obtaining a residence permit depends, in such cases, on the specific circumstances and on the medical documentation required by law.

It is therefore essential to distinguish between a visa for medical treatment requested from abroad and the forms of protection available to persons already present in Italy, since the relevant requirements and procedures do not coincide.

Medical treatment and humanitarian programmes

Finally, there are specific circumstances in which entry into Italy for medical reasons may take place within the framework of humanitarian programmes authorized by the competent Italian authorities. These mechanisms may be particularly important where certain specialized treatments are unavailable or not readily accessible in the country of origin.

However, these are procedures different from an ordinary individual application for a visa for medical treatment and are subject to specific institutional authorizations.

A Visa for medical treatment does not confer a right to Italian citizenship

An important aspect concerns the distinction between residence for medical reasons and other immigration pathways. Obtaining a visa or a residence permit for medical treatment does not automatically confer any right to Italian citizenship.

The permit is in fact linked to the need to receive the medical treatment for which it was granted. Any subsequent possibility of remaining in Italy for other purposes, and therefore of residing in Italy for the period required to subsequently submit an application for the acquisition of Italian citizenship by residence, must be assessed separately, on the basis of the requirements laid down by the applicable legislation.

Your Way to Italy: our assistance

Our team is available to provide support and assistance regarding Italian citizenship and  immigration law! Contact us to schedule your first consultation! #Yourwaytoitaly

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.

Article written by Alessia Ajelli, Managing Associate of LCA Studio Legale, Italian lawyer specialized on Italian immigration and citizenship law, and Paolo Grassi, Trainee of LCA Studio Legale.