Just because you have something doesn't mean that others can get or need the same thing today. Rules have changed.

I used to have a permesso di soggiorno. I used to have to renew it in the questura. That doesn't mean that EU people coming into Italy today need to get one. A UK EHIC card is only for emergencies. Not doctors, not prescriptions, not specialists inside the hospitals, not outpatient services etc.

I presented an EHIC card in pronto soccorso in sardinia 2 or 3 years ago when I went along for a tetanus jab after a dog bite.

I seem to remember that they took the details down.

So I assumed that it was applicable.

I was charged nothing.

I do also seem to remember though seeing a two-tier scale of charges for pronto soccorso, which I had the idea (possibly mistaken) applied to Italian citizens.

Though I repeat that I was charged nothing.

Maybe it's possible that the doctors did this in some spirit of hospitality/sod the paperwork/national gift-giving-pride. I don't know.

Please note that this post is not made in a spirit of seeking an argument - just my (very possibly deluded) remembering of an incident.

Further replies welcome of course. especially on my implied questions.

[by the by I also had the impression that on me turning up I was bumped up the queue ahead of folks already there - maybe there was some logic to this because my thing was very easy to deal with but it made me feel uncomfortable]

EDITED FOR CLARITY - this was for a stay of a matter of weeks.

It was a genuine emergency. My OH was given one a few weeks ago and was not charged even though they are very keen to charge you at the hospital here. Mind you, he did also have broken ribs.

The shot they give you at the hospital is not the same as the normal vaccination. It only lasts a few weeks. OH has now had the full booster, but only after doing the rounds of the ASL and promising to get a blood test in a few weeks because there is no trace of his previous vaccinations.

Yes, generally if you go to Pronto Soccorso with an EHIC you will be charged nothing, because as Lorna said the EHIC card is for emergencies only (i.e. Pronto Soccorso, emergency ambulance, etc).

I would imagine that the "two-tier scale of charges" you saw may have been according to the gravity of the patient's situation: red, yellow, green or white. In theory if you are classified as white (i.e. not an emergency) you will be charged (a fixed amount in Le Marche, but possibly different in other regions). If you are a non-resident with EHIC classified as white I don't know what they would do - they may just refuse to treat you. They are certainly under no obligation whatsoever to treat you, for a charge or otherwise.

I was at pronto soccorso just a few weeks ago with my son.

At the reception desk where I gave my son's 'tessera' health card details and my name and surname too as he's a minor, there was a big notice about payments and something about being charged in 30 days if not a genuine emergency needing treatment.

When my son had finished having his leg stitched I went back passed reception and asked what I needed to pay. I was told 'nothing'. I asked if I had something to pay within 30 days and I was told 'nothing'.

I presumed this was because A) son did need stitches and therefore his cut was bad enough to need A&E and wasn't something I could medicate at home and B) he's a minor.

Thanks for the replies folks.

I was maybe getting my head confused with the confusion between accident and emergency/outpatients which has been allowed to develop in the UK (where I am) though the UK health authorities are now trying to unravel/clarify a situation of their own making.

good health all