European citizens travelling within the European Economic Area, (that is, the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland, for private or professional reasons are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), which simplifies the procedure when receiving medical assistance during their stay in a member state.

The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. For example, if medical care is provided free of charge to nationals in the member state where treatment is required, the claimant will be entitled to free medical care on presentation of the card or an equivalent document.

Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home.

In the event of treatment being required present the card at the earliest opportunity. The card is only valid for state provided services, not private hospitals or treatments.

The Card

The only personal information on the EHIC is the card holder's surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The European health insurance card does not contain medical data.

The card contains the same information in all countries where it is issued.

• For examples of cards from all countries: Click here 

End of the E forms

The European Health Insurance Card replaces forms:

• E111 and E111B used by tourists
• E110 used by international road transporters
• E128 used by students and people working in a Member State other than their own
• E119 used by people registered as unemployed and seeking work in another Member State

Note: The forms E111 (and others) have not been valid since 31 December 2005.

The EHIC (TEAM) in Italy

The Tessera Europea di Assicurazione Malattia (TEAM) allows legal residents of Italy to benefit from emergency medical treatment and care when temporarily in a member country.

Applying for a EHIC (TEAM) in Italy

Applications are made to the local health authority, ASL. In some regions the TEAM card is printed on the reverse of the regional service card, the Carta Regionale Dei Servizi (CNS).

It is a plastic, non-electronic card and is valid for a maximum of one year. Each member of a family must have their own card, including children under sixteen. 

This card cannot be used in Italy unless the card is issued in another member state.

• For the Europa database of EHIC institutions: Click here 

British Residents of Italy

If a British national is a permanent resident of Italy (or on an E106) and paying into the Italian system, applications for the card must be made in Italy; the card will not be issued in Britain.

Claiming in Italy

Doctors and Dentists: present the EHIC card immediately and ensure that the medic is affiliated with the state national health service Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN); most dentists are private as are some hospitals, however there is a system of affiliation whereby refunds are still made in some cases; keep receipts for any payments made as this can be refunded from the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (ASL)

Prescriptions: some medication prescribed by SSN doctors is free, while some require non-refundable payment

Hospital Treatment: the ASL can provide a list of SSN or SSN-affiliated hospitals; present the EHIC on arrival or ask the hospital to contact the ASL at once to confirm cover; charges for ambulance travel and medication depend on the region

All reimbursements are made by the ASL on presentation of original receipts.

Further Information

• From the European Union website: Europa 
• European Commission FAQ on the health card
• Examples of all European countries cards: Click here
• The Italian Ministry for Health (Ministeria della Salute)

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