National Contact Point
The Italian National Contact Point (NCP), which is part of the Ministry of Health, provides information to facilitate access to cross-border healthcare within the European Union.
If you need information, write to the NCP using the online form. You will receive a response as soon as possible and in any case within 30 working days. By emailing your data, you consent to its processing as specified in our privacy policy.
If the request is particularly complex and requires further investigation, the NCP will give you a new deadline with good notice.
What patients registered with the Italian National Health Service (SSN) can request
If you are registered with the Italian National Health Service (SSN), you can request information from the Italian National Contact Point on:
- authorisations (conditions and procedures)
- refundable care
- terms, conditions and procedures for cost reimbursement
- administrative and judicial appeal procedures to resolve disputes if an authorisation or reimbursement is refused
- data to be included on medical prescriptions issued in another European Union Member State in order for them to be accepted in Italy, and vice versa.
What patients from another country can request
If you are a patient under the healthcare system of another EU Member State, you can ask the national contact point in your country for the above information.
You can ask the Italian National Contact Point for information on:
- SSN quality and safety standards and guidelines;
- healthcare providers (healthcare professionals, hospitals and other healthcare centres) operating in Italy, including their authorisation to provide services or any restrictions affecting them;
- accessibility to Italian hospitals for people with disabilities;
- patients’ rights in Italy
- complaints procedures and other protection mechanisms (appeals and complaints), and legal and administrative dispute resolution options available in Italy, including in the event of harm arising from cross-border healthcare.
European Union national contact points
Corresponding information on the health systems of other EU Member States may be requested from the relevant National Contact points, either directly or through the Italian National Contact Point.
Information obligations of health operators
People assisted by the health system of any European Union Member State may also obtain specific information on care provision directly from any care provider (public or private contracted healthcare establishments or professionals) operating in the EU, and in particular on:
- treatment options (treatment types available for a given disease);
- availability of care (e.g. waiting lists);
- quality and safety of the healthcare provided;
- detailed and comprehensible tariffs and fees for healthcare services;
- registration or authorisation to provide healthcare services; and
- insurance or other means of professional liability protection in the event of harm.
Care providers (public or contracted private healthcare facilities or professionals) are also required to issue detailed and comprehensible invoices.
Italian and EU citizens registered with the Italian National Health Service who wish to access indirect healthcare are required to apply for prior authorisation only for the services referred to in Ministerial Decree No 50 of 16 April 2018.
For information on tariffs:
For more information:
- Decree No 50 of 16 April 2018 on cross-border healthcare subject to prior authorisation
- GUIDELINES OF 21 December 2017 of the Standing Conference for Relations between the State, the Regions and the Autonomous Provinces of Trento and Bolzano on cross-border healthcare
- ICD-9-CM Manual (International Classification of Diseases).
Frequently asked questions
- See the FAQs.
Contact the Italian NCP
- Fill in the online form
- Or emailing ncpitaly@sanita.it, including your data and your consent to its processing as specified in our privacy policy.
For information on centres for the diagnosis and treatment of rare diseases
- See the website Malattierare.gov.it
- Call the freephone number 800 89 69 49 between 09:00 and 13:00 from Monday to Friday
- Write to tvmr@iss.it
See also
- Toolbox for Cross-Border Healthcare
- Glossary – providing accurate information for patients on cross-border healthcare
- Frequently asked questions – providing accurate information for patients on cross-border healthcare – incoming patients
- Frequently asked questions providing accurate information for patients on cross-border healthcare – outgoing patients
