Healthcare in Rome reflects that of Italy's as a whole. Both public and private healthcare options are available, and most locals opt for a combination of both.

Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is the national health service, providing citizens and residents with free and low-cost healthcare. This is a great prospect, especially for expats coming from countries where healthcare costs are high. EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to access state healthcare during a short-term visit. UK citizens can make use of their Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit.

While the quality of public healthcare services is generally good and doctors are usually highly trained and knowledgeable, the quality of treatment in public facilities is often undermined by an inefficient and underfunded bureaucracy. In addition, the degree of comfort supplied in the public healthcare sector tends to be below that of the private sector.

In addition to the public healthcare system in Italy, many centres offering private treatment are available all over the country, including Rome. These are often preferred by expats as private facilities offer the privacy and creature comforts that the public sector foregoes.

This comes with a hefty price tag, and expats planning to make regular use of private doctors, clinics and hospitals should be sure to obtain private health insurance to help them foot the bill. 

In terms of accessing medication, Rome is not short of 24-hour pharmacies. While there are few restrictions on what medications can be brought into the country, they should be kept in their original packaging where possible.

Private hospitals in Rome

Salvator Mundi International Hospital

Website: www.salvatormundi.com
Address: Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi, 67, 00152 Rome

Rome American Hospital

Website: hcir.it/rome-american-hospital
Address: Via Emilio Longoni, 81, 00155 Rome

Aurelia Hospital

Website: www.aureliahospital.com
Address: Via Aurelia, 860, 00165 Rome

Grimaldi Medical Group

Website: www.grimaldimedical.it
Address: Via Velletri, 24, 00198 Rome

International Medical Center

Website: www.imc84.com
Address: Via Firenze, 47, 00184 Rome

Further reading

►For an overview of the national healthcare system, read Healthcare in Italy

►Read Accommodation in Rome for information about the property market in the city

Expat Interviews

"The public Italian healthcare system, 'Servizio Sanitario Nazionale', is practically free of charge and includes medicines, doctor's visits and hospitalisation." Read Camilla's interview to find out more on private and public healthcare in Rome.

Are you an expat living in Rome?

Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Rome. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.