Residence permit for medical treatment in Italy

The residence permit for medical treatment is a type of permit that can be requested, in limited cases that we will specify below, by those who enter Italian territory to receive specialized medical care.

Who can apply for it?

This permit is intended for certain categories of foreigners who need medical treatment in Italy:

• People entering with a specific visa for medical treatment, issued in cases of serious illnesses and when it is impossible to receive adequate care in their country of origin

• Pregnant women, who are entitled to this permit during pregnancy and up to six months after the birth of the child

• Fathers of the newborn, provided they are married and living with the mother

• Foreigners present in Italy without a residence permit, if they suffer from serious illnesses certified by adequate medical documentation

Duration and renewal

In general, the permit is valid for 6 months but can be renewed if the need for medical treatment is certified again by competent health authorities. In any case, the duration of the residence permit cannot exceed 1 year. In the specific case of permits issued for pregnancy, they are valid for 6 months after childbirth and cannot be renewed.

Limits and specificities

The residence permit for medical treatment does not allow registration with the National Health Service (SSN), so the beneficiary must cover medical expenses independently.

It also does not allow travel outside of Italy: its validity is strictly limited to national territory.

How to obtain it?

• From abroad: A long-term national visa must be requested at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in the country of origin. Once in Italy, the residence permit must be requested within 8 days of arrival.

• From Italy: The request is made directly at the local Police Headquarters (Questura), submitting medical documentation issued by a public institution indicating the duration of the treatment.

Permit issued to pregnant women and fathers

As mentioned, the residence permit for medical treatment can also be requested by foreign women in pregnancy. The request must be submitted to the competent Questura, attaching a medical certificate confirming the pregnancy and the expected delivery date.

Following a legal evolution and an intervention by the Constitutional Court, this type of permit can also be granted to the father of the child, provided that he is married and living with the mother.

Conversion and work

Legislative Decree 50/2023 (Cutro Decree) has eliminated the possibility of converting this permit into a work permit, except for requests submitted before May 6, 2023. However, working is allowed if the permit was issued under Article 36 of the Consolidated Immigration Act (TUI), meaning it was obtained with a prior long-term national visa, which allows work activities during the validity of the permit.

The permit granted for pregnancy, however, cannot be converted into a work permit but can be transformed into a permit for family reasons.

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The content of this article aims to provide general information on the subject. For questions or particular cases, it is advisable to seek specialized advice based on your specific 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.