I. If I am registered with AIRE, can I use my EHIC card in Italy?
The general rule is as follows: Italian citizens registered with AIRE lose their right to Italian healthcare. The Italian municipality that received the AIRE registration notifies the local health authority (ASL) of the removal of the person concerned from its residents’ registry. In addition to losing access to a family doctor, AIRE-registered individuals also lose the ability to purchase medicines via the co-payment system (Ticket) and free hospital care. The validity of any EHIC card obtained before moving abroad also lapses. Italian citizens legally residing in the UK are, however, covered by the NHS.
II. If I am registered with AIRE, can I use the Italian NHS (SSN) while in Italy?
The answer is yes, but with some distinctions. Here is what they are.
In the case of a temporary return or visit to Italy, residents of the UK — regardless of their citizenship — can receive emergency healthcare coverage from the SSN by presenting their UK-EHIC card, or the GHIC if they are British citizens.
Italian citizens residing in the UK must hold one of the two medical cards issued by the NHS: the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) for those with British citizenship, and the UK-EHIC (UK European Health Insurance Card) for EU citizens.
The card is obtained free of charge in the following ways: – by applying online at https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/apply-for-a-free-ehic-european-health-insurance-card/ and following the instructions. The card will be sent to the applicant’s address within 10–14 days. In both cases, the required documents and information are:
- Full name
- Address
- Date of birth
- National Insurance Number or National Health Number
- Name and address of the GP surgery
Note that the GHIC is valid in the 27 EU member states but is not valid in countries with which the EU had jointly negotiated agreements — namely Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein.
Both cards cover only emergency and non-deferrable healthcare in Italy and when travelling to other EU countries.
For elective treatments or long-term conditions requiring specialist care, prior approval from the UK’s NHS is required.
To access temporary healthcare in Italy for elective treatments, AIRE residents in the UK must follow the NHS S2 route, requesting NHS authorisation to continue treatment in Italy: The S2 funding route – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
III. If I am registered with AIRE, can I renew my EHIC card through the Consulate?
No. For Italian citizens registered with AIRE, the Italian EHIC ceases to be valid upon registration. The card cannot be renewed, either through the Consulate or through any other body. Although no longer usable for healthcare purposes, the card remains valid as proof of one’s Italian tax identification number (codice fiscale).
- Can I give birth in Italy if I am registered with AIRE in the UK?
Italian female citizens residing in the UK, who are already covered by the NHS, can apply for authorisation to give birth at a public facility in Italy by following the procedure described here: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/healthcare-abroad/going-abroad-for-treatment/giving-birth-outside-the-uk/
- Can Italian citizens visiting the UK on holiday access free NHS healthcare?
Italian citizens visiting the UK who hold a European health insurance card (EHIC — or TEAM in the Italian acronym) are entitled to receive only emergency or non-deferrable medical treatment. Not having the health insurance card could result in having to pay directly for any medical costs incurred through the NHS. In any case, it is strongly recommended to take out private comprehensive health insurance valid for the duration of the stay in the UK.