I have the European Health Insurance Card.
sa-ni-TA-ria — five syllables, stress on fourth. 'Europea' — eu-ro-PE-a.
Present your EHIC at registration in Italian public hospitals or healthcare facilities. It entitles EU/EEA citizens to healthcare at the same cost as Italian citizens.
'Tessera sanitaria europea' = European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). Show this at 'accettazione' (hospital admissions). It covers necessary medical care during a temporary stay in Italy at no cost or reduced cost. It does NOT cover repatriation, private care, or care sought specifically in Italy (medical tourism). It must be your own card — not a photocopy.
Non ho la tessera europea ma ho un'assicurazione sanitaria privata.
I do not have the European card but I have private health insurance.
Show your private insurance documents — many accept direct billing
Sono cittadino americano. Ho un'assicurazione viaggi.
I am an American citizen. I have travel insurance.
Non-EU citizens need travel insurance — keep documents accessible
La mia tessera europea è scaduta. Come faccio?
My European card has expired. What do I do?
Contact your home country's insurance authority — they can issue a temporary replacement
The EHIC (Tessera Europea di Assicurazione Malattia) is valid in all EU/EEA countries and Switzerland. In Italy it is accepted at all public ('SSN') hospitals, clinics, and GPs. As of 2021, the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) replaced the EHIC for UK citizens post-Brexit. The EHIC covers only medically necessary treatment — it is not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance, which should also cover repatriation.