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AMERICANS IN ITALY

Americans in Italy: Healthcare fees and what Italian hospitals are really like

Which US residents in Italy could face a €2,000 healthcare fee under government proposals and what standard of care can you expect at Italian hospitals? Find out in our latest Americans in Italy newsletter.

Published: 4 November 2023 09:16 CET
Milan's Raffaele hospital. Italy is home to some highly-rated healthcare facilites - but how good is public healthcare in general?
Milan's Raffaele hospital. Italy is home to some highly-rated healthcare facilites - but how good is public healthcare in general? (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Welcome to our regular look at everything you need to know about life in Italy for The Local’s readers from the US. This newsletter is published monthly and you can receive it directly to your inbox before we publish by going to newsletter preferences in ‘My Account’ or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.

Many of our international readers were dismayed to learn recently of Italy’s plans to introduce a €2,000 annual fee for non-EU residents to access the country’s national health service.

The health ministry later clarified that the rule would only apply to certain categories of foreign residents, which would include people in Italy on an elective residency visa (the majority of whom are pensioners), staff of non-Italian companies or organisations, and diplomatic or consular employees.

For these people however, which include many of The Local’s readers, this could mean a steep increase in the annual registration fee.

“Paying €2,000 a year would surely mean that we would expect better healthcare, but this is not a given,” American reader Jill Holmden told The Local.

“It seems unfair to retrospectively impose this cost on people already living here.”

The proposal was included in the first draft of Italy’s 2024 budget, which is subject to further changes before being finalised by the end of the year. Learn more about the government’s current plans in the article below:

Who would be affected by Italy’s plan to charge €2,000 a year for healthcare?

If you want to join a gym in Italy, you may have to get a medical check up first.Italy’s government wants to introduce a €2,000 healthcare fee for some foreign residents. Photo by Ina FASSBENDER / AFP.

Whether or not the €2,000 fee is applied in the future, US readers will be relieved to hear that urgent care is always free in Italy.

Here’s one account from the archives of a US citizen in the Le Marche region who wrote about his positive experience accessing emergency services without health insurance when he began having trouble breathing.

“At one point a person with a clipboard came into the treatment room and I figured she was doing an insurance check. The doctor shooed her off, saying it was clearly an emergency,” he writes.

‘How I ended up in hospital in Italy – without health insurance’

Many American nationals who have used Italian healthcare tell us that, in contrast to US hospitals, they feel in Italy more money is spent on technology than niceties.

In a recent survey, we asked for your view on the quality of care you received in the Italian health system, and many rated it very highly. 

“Excellent levels of world-class expertise” is how 83-year-old Florence resident Stephen Jenkins summed up his view of Italy’s medical services.

But many also said there is a general lack of comfort when it comes to facilities.

“You need to bring your own towels and cutlery but there are no facilities to wash or hang dry them,” noted Willem-Jan Kuiper in Le Marche.

And if bedside manner is important, you may find Italy’s hospitals somewhat lacking.

“Do not expect any sort of good bedside manner or customer service,” said 42-year-old Laura Andersen in Veneto.

‘Very professional but underequipped’: What readers think of Italy’s hospitals

Have your say: If you’d like to share your opinion or tell us about an experience you’ve had while living in Italy, please leave a comment below this article or get in touch by email.

And if you have any advice for other American readers who are considering moving to Italy, or questions of your own, you can add them to our ongoing survey here.

Thanks for reading and please get in touch with us by email if you have any feedback on this newsletter.

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AMERICANS IN ITALY

How to quickly get a US passport for a child born in Italy

What are the steps to apply for a baby's US passport from Italy? How long does it take? Here’s all the experience-based information and tips American parents in Italy should know before beginning the process.

Published: 13 May 2024 15:35 CEST
Updated: 18 May 2024 09:23 CEST
How to quickly get a US passport for a child born in Italy

You’ve left the United States and moved to Italy. Now, you’ve added a baby to this exciting new life. You’ll want to secure their US citizenship and passport straight away.

This article lays out the qualifications for a US passport and the steps to get one. Fortunately, the process is fairly simple, according to people who have done it.

Does your baby qualify for a US passport?

Your newborn qualifies for US citizenship and a US passport under the following conditions:

  •  They were born within wedlock to two US citizen parents.
  • They were born within wedlock and one of the parents is a US citizen who lived for at least five years in the United States, two of which were after age 14.
  • They were born out of wedlock to a US citizen mother who lived for at least five years in the United States, two of which were after age 14, and a non-citizen father.
  • They were born out of wedlock to a US citizen father who lived for at least five years in the United States, two of which were after age 14, and non-citizen mother, provided certain additional requirements are met.

READ ALSO: How to renew your American passport in Italy

When the parent who is a US citizen is the father and the baby is born out of wedlock, there are a few extra steps required.

You’ll attain a sworn statement from the father agreeing to give financial support until they are 18 years old and supply a written statement acknowledging paternity.

If your child does qualify for American citizenship, the next steps are pretty straightforward, although completing the required forms can be time-consuming.

What are the first steps when applying for a child’s US passport from Italy?

The first step is applying for a Consular Report of Birth abroad (CRBA), which documents that your child is a US citizen at birth. Any of the US Consular Agencies in Rome, Milan, Florence or Naples can accept applications for Consular Reports of Birth Abroad (CRBA) and US passports.

To begin, you’ll apply online. But remember, you’ll need original copies of any documents you upload; you’ll bring these to your in-person appointment at the consulate.

Documents you’ll need include:

  • Your child’s original Italy birth certificate with both parents’ names, along with two photocopies.
  • Your original marriage certificate, if married, plus one photocopy.
  • Your original divorce certificate, if divorced, plus one photocopy.
  • Valid original passport/identification document for each parent, along with two photocopies.
  • Proof of US citizenship, such as a passport, birth certificate, or Certificate of Naturalization, for the US parent(s), plus copies.
  • Proof of physical presence in the United States for the US parent(s), in the form of documents such as school records, university transcripts or employment records.

All foreign-language documents must be accompanied by a simple English translation that does not need to be certified.

In Italy, you can submit your CRBA application and pay the $100 processing fee online, following the specific instructions for the consulate where you want to schedule your in-person appointment.

READ ALSO: What to do if you lose your passport while travelling in Italy

You’ll then be contacted within five business days with a date and time for your interview. You’ll need to bring the originals and photocopies of all the documents listed above, as well as a completed DS-2029 form.

To apply for a US passport for your child at the same time as the CRBA appointment, you’ll need to bring a completed DS-11 (passport application) form and, if in Rome or Naples, a completed SS-5 (social security card application) form.

 You’ll need to bring original copies and photocopies of the following documents:

  •  One 2”x2” (5x5cm) passport picture for your child.
  • Identification for both parents.
  • A physical copy of the completed passport application form (DS-11).
  • Anything else your consulate tells you to bring (such as completed SS-5 form in Rome or Naples).

You’ll need to pay the $135 under-16s passport application fee via cash or card at the appointment.

Important considerations:

For the CRBA, the US parent(s) must report their physical presence in the United States, detailing each trip abroad. In other words, it’s crucial you don’t include time abroad in your list of days staying within the United States. If the dates are incorrect, the processing could be suspended until you correct the dates.

It’s very important for both listed parents to attend the appointment. If only one parent can attend, you’ll need to submit a notarised DS-3053 Statement of Consent from the absent parent. If you have sole legal custody of your child, you’ll need to bring proof, such as a court order.

Bring your child’s passport photo in a separate envelope (to not lose it) but don’t staple it to the passport application.

How long does it take?

Once your application and interview are complete, it takes around 15 working days for Italy’s US consulates to process a CRBA and first passport.

If you have questions, don’t be shy about contacting your consulate for clarification.

Congratulations on your multinational family!

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