STUDENT VISA · HEALTH INSURANCE
Health insurance - what the consulate (and Italy) requires.
Italy has a public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), but international students are not automatically enrolled. For the visa application you will need a private policy valid in Italy with minimum €30,000 medical coverage. After arrival you can optionally also enrol in the Italian national health system. Below: what your consulate is checking, what we recommend, and the indicative costs.
06 · Health insurance requirements
Italy has a public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), but international students are not automatically enrolled. You will need:
For visa application. Health insurance policy valid in Italy covering your full stay, with minimum coverage of €30,000. After arrival (optional but recommended). Voluntary enrolment in the Italian national health system (iscrizione volontaria al SSN) - annual cost approximately €150, gives access to Italian public healthcare including your local doctor (medico di base). Home-country insurance. Many students also maintain their home-country travel insurance alongside Italian coverage. Recommended provider: Blue Assistance. We recommend Blue Assistance, offering student health insurance plans designed for international students in Italy. Plans meet the €30,000 minimum medical coverage required by Italian authorities, satisfy consulate requirements for the study visa and provide English-language support. Instructions on how to obtain a Blue Assistance policy are included in the enrolment documentation sent to accepted students.
Students are responsible for verifying that their chosen policy meets all current Italian consulate requirements for their country of residence. Enrolment in the Italian National Health System (SSN) is optional and not required for visa purposes. Students enrolled through partner institutions may alternatively use internationally recognized plans such as GeoBlue (Blue Cross Blue Shield), provided coverage meets Italian regulatory requirements.
Help choosing the right policy?
Tell us where you are applying from and your dates. We share the list of providers our students have used in the past - all meeting Italian consulate requirements - and the documentation we issue from our side.
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