Best expat health insurance quotes in Italy

Italy has a mixed public-private healthcare system that provides free or low-cost universal healthcare to all citizens and legal residents. While Italy’s tax-funded public healthcare is among the most efficient in the world, its quality can be uneven. Those with additional private health insurance, can also access the private medical sector.

It’s best to start your private health insurance policy just before you arrive in Italy. If you have a coverage gap between your insurance at home and your new policy, this could leave you with out-of-pocket expenses in case of emergency.

Usually private health insurance policies are on an individual basis. If you want to cover a partner or family members, you can add them on when you build your policy. If you have several dependents, it’s worth shopping around for the best family plan.

When you first design a health insurance plan, you can choose what you will pay yourself and what the provider will pay. Which treatments your plan covers depends on if you’ve met your deductible, whether you have a provider network, and other factors.

Health insurance premiums are based on age, medical history, level of coverage needed, and whether you include extra benefits. Italy has low to average healthcare costs compared to the rest of Europe, so you can expect premiums in line with this.

The claims process in Italy varies between insurers. Some deal directly with healthcare providers and pay bills on your behalf while others require you to pay upfront and send an invoice after. If you’re concerned about having to pay upfront, look for a provider who can sort out claims directly.