Insurance for entry into Italy: who needs it, application rules for different visa categories and where to buy it?

It's important for travelers to Italy to consider health insurance requirements in 2025. Find out who needs coverage, what policy terms are required, and where to get insurance online for a good price

An insurance policy is a guarantee of your safety and peaceful stay outside Ukraine

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Health insurance is one of the key documents that you may need to enter Italy. Regardless of the purpose of your trip - tourism, study, work or moving - it is worth taking care of health insurance in advance. For some categories, it is mandatory, and in other cases - highly recommended.

In this article, we will tell you who exactly needs an insurance policy to enter Italy, what are the requirements for it and how to avoid unnecessary expenses and troubles abroad.

Planning a trip to Italt? Make sure you have reliable insurance.

Who needs insurance to enter Italy?

The requirements for health insurance to enter Italy depend on the person's citizenship, the duration of the trip and the purpose of the stay.

For whom is it mandatory to have health insurance to enter Italy?

The following categories of foreigners are required to have a health insurance policy in Italy:

1. Tourists who apply for a short-term visa (type C). The policy must cover emergency medical care for an amount of at least 30,000 euros, as well as transportation, repatriation, etc.

2. Students who go to study on long-term visas (type D) must have health insurance both for submitting documents and obtaining a visa, and for the entire period of stay in the country.

3. Foreigners who apply for a long-term visa to Italy (type D) for work. The policy must cover the entire duration of stay and meet the requirements of the Schengen zone.

When Ukrainians need a visa to Italy and how to apply for it, read this article.

4. Foreigners applying for a permanent residence permit.

Emigration to Italy is a complex process that requires careful preparation, understanding of the most important aspects and collecting the necessary documents, including the availability of health insurance.

Read here what expenses residents of Italy face, and what should be considered when planning a budget in this country.

Is insurance required for visa-free travel?

Foreigners, including Ukrainians, planning a short trip to Italy without a visa, with a biometric passport for a period of up to 90 days, are not required to have health insurance, but it is strongly recommended. In the event of an accident or illness without a policy, the costs of treatment can be very high.

Why is it worth having travel insurance for a trip to Italy?

- High travel costs

Italy is not a cheap destination: flights, hotels, car rental and excursions can cost thousands of dollars. Insurance will cover up to 100% of the costs in case of cancellation of the trip in emergency situations.

- Expensive treatment for foreigners

Medical services in Italy are high-quality, but expensive - even an ambulance may require pre-payment. Insurance will cover hospitalization, doctor's visits and transportation.

- Theft in tourist areas

Pickpocketing is common in Rome, Milan and Venice. Travel insurance covers the loss of personal belongings (passport, phone, appliances) and will help in emergency situations.

- Flight delays and cancellations

Airport congestion and strikes can ruin your plans. The policy will cover the costs of hotels, meals, transfers or alternative transport.

- Extreme weather

Floods, heat or snowfall in the Alps can affect your trip. Insurance will help in the event of a delay, cancellation or even a weather emergency.

Medical care in Italy for holders of temporary protection

Applying for a temporary residence permit for the purpose of temporary protection in Italy guarantees medical care on the national territory, on an equal basis with Italian citizens.

Persons with temporary protection (in particular Ukrainians) have the right to access the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale – SSN). This means:

- Choosing a family doctor (medico di base)

- Primary medical care.

- Emergency care in hospitals (Pronto Soccorso).

- Examination and treatment of chronic diseases.

- Vaccination.

- Compensation for medication costs.

However, appointments with narrow-profile specialists are possible only after receiving a referral from a general practitioner and you should be prepared for long queues.

If you want to get coverage for a larger number of risks, you should take out private health insurance.

Temporary protection for Ukrainians in Italy (il permesso di soggiorno per protezione speciale) can be converted into another type of residence permit, such as permesso di soggiorno per lavoro. How to apply for a work residence permit and what documents are required for this, read in this article.

Emergency medical care in Italy

All persons staying in Italy, regardless of their status, are provided with free emergency medical care in cases that are life-threatening or may lead to a serious deterioration in their health.

Important! In emergencies, you should call the single European number 112. The call is free of charge and you can be connected to an English-speaking operator.

Insurance policy for those who travel by their own car

To enter Italy in your car, you must have a Green Card. This international motor vehicle liability insurance policy confirms that you are insured in the event of a traffic accident caused by you in Italy. It covers damages caused to victims of traffic accidents.

Before travelling, make sure that your Green Card is valid for Belgium and covers the entire period of your stay. If you do not have one or it is invalid, you will have to purchase insurance directly at the border or from a local insurance company. This is usually less convenient and may be more expensive. It is always better to take care of your Green Card in advance!

General requirements for insurance policies for short-term and long-term trips

What requirements should an insurance policy for a trip to Italy meet?

When planning a trip to Italy, it is important to take out an insurance policy in advance that meets the established requirements. Here are the main criteria:

- Minimum coverage amount

The insurance coverage must be at least 30,000 euros. This amount must cover: emergency medical care, emergency hospitalization, repatriation to the homeland for medical reasons or in the event of death.

- Policy validity period

The insurance must be valid for the entire period of the planned stay or transit through the territory of Italy.

- Coverage area

The policy must be valid in Italy. If you are traveling with a Schengen visa or plan to move through the Schengen zone countries, make sure that the insurance covers the entire Schengen zone.

- Deductible

It is recommended to choose a policy without a deductible - this means that the insurance company will fully cover all expenses without additional payments from your side.

Important! Make sure that the insurance does not contain exclusions related to repatriation or emergency medical care. These points are vital in critical situations.

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Mandatory insurance requirements for the Schengen area

If you are planning a trip to Italy or another Schengen country, your insurance policy must meet the general requirements for Schengen travel:

- Amount of insurance coverage

The insurance policy must provide a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros. This is enough to reimburse the costs of: emergency medical care, treatment of injuries and illnesses (including COVID-19), hospitalization, medical repatriation or return of the body in the event of death.

- Comprehensive medical coverage

The policy must cover a wide range of medical services: doctor consultations, outpatient and inpatient treatment, medications, diagnostics and emergency care.

- Territory

The insurance must be valid throughout the Schengen area, even if you plan to visit only Italy. This is especially important if you cross the borders of other Schengen countries during your trip.

What kind of insurance can I get for Italy?

It is best to get medical insurance for a trip to Italy in advance, while still in Ukraine. This is not only convenient, but also helps to avoid additional costs and misunderstandings abroad. Here are some reasons why:

- Limited coverage of local policies

Insurance already taken out in Italy is usually valid only within this country and does not cover trips to other Schengen countries. This can be a problem if you plan to travel around Europe.

- Higher cost

Local insurance policies are usually more expensive, especially if they are taken out by foreigners upon arrival.

- Language and bureaucratic barrier

Getting insurance on the spot can be complicated by language difficulties or specific conditions of local insurance companies, which are not always clear to newcomers.

Why choose Ukrainian insurers?

Taking out medical or travel insurance through Ukrainian companies has significant advantages:

Online convenience: A wide range of programmes that can be purchased quickly and easily online.

Understanding of needs: Local insurers are well aware of the specifics of Ukrainian travel and the potential risks abroad.

Competitive prices: Ukrainian policies are often more attractive in terms of cost compared to foreign offers.

Support for the economy: By purchasing insurance in Ukraine, you are supporting the national insurance market.

Simple settlement: Ukrainian insurers have well-established mechanisms for working with domestic customers, which simplifies the process of receiving payments.

Insurance policies on Visit Ukraine: comprehensive protection

On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can purchase medical or travel insurance policies that will provide you with reliable protection.

What are the advantages of a medical insurance policy on Visit Ukraine?

A standard medical policy covers basic medical cases, including:

– initial examination by a doctor and diagnostics.

– outpatient and inpatient treatment.

– emergency medical care and hospitalisation.

– compensation for the cost of prescribed medication.

– payment for transportation to the hospital.

– emergency dental care.

For maximum protection, choose an extended medical insurance package, which can additionally cover:

– vaccinations and emergency surgery.

– repatriation of the body in case of death.

The extended policy may also cover other travel risks:

– flight delays or cancellations.

– loss or damage to luggage.

– payment for emergency phone calls.

– compensation for damages in a traffic accident involving you.

Ensure your peace of mind and safety on every trip – choose medical insurance at Visit Ukraine!

What are the advantages of a travel insurance policy from Visit Ukraine?

A travel insurance policy provides financial protection in the following cases:

– payment for treatment (outpatient, inpatient) and emergency dental care;

– organisation and coverage of evacuation, transportation, and repatriation of the body or burial abroad;

– compensation for losses in case of cancellation or significant delay of a flight, as well as loss of luggage;

– provision of legal advice;

– financial protection in case of a traffic accident.

Ensure yourself a carefree trip – get travel insurance on Visit Ukraine today!

How much does insurance cost?

Medical insurance

Travel insurance

On the Visit Ukraine portal you can choose a policy for travelling to any country in the world!

Advantages of purchasing insurance on Visit Ukraine

Speed and simplicity: Instant calculation of the cost and easy online registration.

Advantageous and flexible: Optimal price-quality ratio, convenient payment methods.

Instant delivery: The policy is sent to your email immediately after payment.

Individual approach: Choose the coverage that suits your needs.

24/7 support: Our support team is always ready to help.

Take care of your peace of mind and safety – choose insurance from Visit Ukraine today!

Reminder! From June 1, 2025, the rules for health insurance for Ukrainians with temporary protection have changed in Austria. We have already told you how to now apply for insurance, what options are available, what you need to do to maintain access to medical services, and you will also get answers to the most frequently asked questions.

Photo: generated by Gemini