Pica

Please excuse this (probably) daft question but what is the actual purpose and benefit of having a TS? We have Brit friends who are trying to get theirs but rather dismayed at what they've been told to pay. We had ours 10 years ago with no problem.

amanda_wj

I think that in order to get the tessera sanitaria card you first need to register with your local ASL. The TS proves your right to access the Italian health care system. If you are working, self-employed or qualify for the S1 pension route then your contributions to the Italian NHS happen as part of your tax and there ought not be anything to pay and you can access health care for free. If you are not working and therefore not contributing to the health system by way of tax then you can pay voluntarily so you can then register. This voluntary payment is based on your previous year's income and is paid for the calendar year, meaning if you pay it now, you will have to pay again in January. When we looked at doing this recently it would have cost us just over 5000 euro.

Pica

Thank you, just as I thiught

jiminalpago

Is it appropriate to draw attention to the post-Brexit arrangement for those whose entitlement to alla pari treatment in Italy is based on an S1?
GOVUK daily update of 9 Nov. has details of how to apply.

philat98

It reads like the UK will not provide the S1 to pensioners becoming resident in Italy from 2021.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/healthcare-in-italy

jiminalpago

I see what you mean. You could say that it doesn't exclude the possibility-and the document was specifically written for those already overseas and who got that shocker of a letter at the end of 2019.
I notice that the link on the new thread produces a slightly different text but also doesn't cover that point.

Lorna at Vicenza

Not every region accepts voluntary contributions which is why many people have to get private health cover.

philat98

Does the private healthcare cover give you access to the public system? What happens if you suffer from something like diabetes and need continuous medication?

Serrano

No, I'm afraid it doesn't. So you or your private health insurance will have to pay for any and all non-emergency treatment.