How to get a prescription in Italy as an expat

This guide covers who can issue a prescription, when a foreign order works, and how much you will pay at the counter. You will also find practical advice on locating an open pharmacy during evenings or weekends, ensuring you never run out of essential medication.

Key takeaways

If you need broader context first, read Expatica’s guide to the healthcare system in Italy.

Your situation	Where to go	What to bring	What to expect
Registered with the SSN	Your medico di baseor public specialist	ID, Tessera Sanitaria, medication info	Public prescription, possible ticket or subsidy
New expat using private care	Private GP, specialist, or telemedicine doctor	ID, old prescription, medicine box, doctor letter	Private consultation, then an Italian prescription if appropriate
EU visitor with EHIC or GHIC	Private doctor, urgent care, or pharmacist for guidance	EHIC or GHIC, ID, prescription details	Access depends on the service and medicine
Non-EU expat with foreign prescription	Italian doctor first	ID, old prescription, active ingredient, refill proof	Foreign prescription may not be accepted directly
Urgent after-hours need	Guardia Medica or farmacia di turno	ID, medicine details, any existing records	Help for non-emergency needs outside office hours
Emergency care	Call 112 or go to Pronto Soccorso	ID if possible, medicine list if available	Emergency treatment first, paperwork later

Some expats arranging private cover compare Cigna healthcare and Allianz healthcare for private access and reimbursement support in Italy.

How prescriptions work in Italy

This guide is informational only and not medical advice. In Italy, prescriptions are issued by licensed doctors, not pharmacists, and the route changes depending on whether you are using the public Servizio Sanitario Nazionale(SSN) or private care.

A ricetta elettronica is an electronic prescription, often linked to your Tessera Sanitaria, while a ricetta bianca is a private prescription that usually means you pay privately for the medicine. Pharmacies dispense medicines, but they do not prescribe them. For official rules on dispensing, see the Italian Ministry of Health guidance.

Who can issue a prescription in Italy?

• A medico di base, your public GP
• A public or private specialist
• A private doctor, including some telemedicine services
• An out-of-hours doctor through Guardia Medica or continuità assistenziale

Local pharmacists serve as helpful first points of contact for minor health issues and over-the-counter products. However, they do not have prescribing powers under Italian law, so you will still need a licensed doctor for medications like antibiotics.

Farmacia vs parafarmacia

A farmacia can dispense both over-the-counter and prescription medications in Italy. A parafarmacia, by contrast, sells non-prescription medicines, dietary supplements, and health products. Ministry of Health regulations strictly prohibit parafarmacie from supplying prescription drugs, even when a licensed pharmacist is on duty inside.

Look for a glowing green cross sign outside a full-service farmacia. Many locations close for an afternoon break, particularly in smaller towns. If you need medication outside standard operating hours, look for a farmacia di turno. These on-duty pharmacies stay open through evenings, nights, and weekends.

How to get a prescription in Italy step by step

1. Check whether you are registered with the SSN.
2. Decide how urgent the problem is.
3. Choose the right route: SSN GP, private doctor, or after-hours care.

One thing worth knowing is that the fastest route is not always the cheapest one. Public care usually costs less, but private care may be quicker if you’ve just arrived, are, waiting for paperwork, or need an English-speaking doctor in Italy.

=>> Visual: Add a decision-tree infographic showing SSN GP, private doctor, Guardia Medica, farmacia di turno, and Pronto Soccorso.

If you’re registered with the SSN

Once you join the public health system, your primary doctor handles most everyday care. Your medico di base writes your standard prescriptions, manages ongoing refills, and arranges referrals when you need a specialist. For step-by-step advice on choosing a doctor, check Expatica’s guide to doctors and GPs in Italy.

Bring your Tessera Sanitaria and ID. If a specialist is needed, you may first need a referral, called an impegnativa, and then book through the regional Centro Unico di Prenotazione (CUP). Public prescriptions may lead to subsidized medicine or a health ticket, but co-pays can vary by region.

If you’re new to Italy or using private care

If you are still waiting for residency, do not yet have SSN access, or simply need care faster, the private route is usually the most practical. A private GP, a specialist, or an online doctor can easily issue an Italian private prescription whenever it is medically appropriate.

Bring as much proof as you can:

• The medicine box or blister pack
• An old prescription or refill record
• The active ingredient name, not just the brand name

Having these details on hand makes a huge difference because brand names frequently change from one country to another. Many expats use private insurers like Cigna Healthcare or Allianz Healthcare to cover these consultations while settling in, though keep in mind that insurance covers the bill rather than overriding the doctor’s decision.

If it’s outside office hours

Turn to the Guardia Medica (also known as continuità assistenziale) for non-emergency care when your regular doctor is unavailable. When you already hold a valid prescription and simply need an open counter, head to a local farmacia di turno. Emergency rooms and ambulance services should be reserved strictly for urgent, life-threatening situations.

For chest pain, breathing trouble, loss of consciousness, a severe allergic reaction, or heavy bleeding, call 112 or go to the nearest Pronto Soccorso. Expatica also has a useful guide to emergency numbers in Italy and a separate guide to hospitals in Italy.

Can you use a foreign prescription in Italy?

Sometimes, but you should not rely on it without checking first. An EU cross-border prescription may be recognized if it includes the required details, but the medicine still has to be available in Italy and Italian dispensing rules still apply.

Non-EU prescriptions are often where expats run into problems. A pharmacist may ask for an Italian prescription instead, especially if the medicine is controlled, the wording is unclear, or the product name differs from the Italian version. The safest move is to ask the pharmacist what is missing, then take that information to a local doctor.

EU and EEA prescriptions

EU-issued prescriptions offer the most straightforward recognition when traveling or living in Italy. For an Italian pharmacist to dispense your medication legally, the document needs your full details, the prescriber’s credentials, the generic ingredient name (rather than a local brand name), dosage, strength, and issue date.

Digital formats can present an unexpected hurdle at the pharmacy counter. Electronic systems rarely sync smoothly across international borders, so carrying a physical paper copy signed by your doctor avoids delays when picking up your medicine.

Non-EU prescriptions and what to bring

While US, UK, Canadian, and other non-EU prescriptions are rarely accepted directly at Italian pharmacies, a local doctor can easily review your records and issue a valid Italian prescription instead.

Bring:

• Your passport or other ID
• The medicine box or label
• The active ingredient name
• An old prescription or refill proof
• A short doctor letter or summary if you have one

This is especially important for chronic medication. If the medicine is controlled or restricted, expect extra checks and do not assume it can be refilled quickly.

How to refill chronic medication or replace lost medicine

Getting a routine refill for ongoing treatment is usually straightforward. SSN-registered expats can arrange this directly through their medico di base, while newcomers without public coverage will find private clinics or telemedicine services much faster. Replacing lost medication involves a bit more preparation, as a doctor needs to verify your medical history before issuing a new prescription. If you are dealing with a local supply shortage, the solution often comes down to finding an Italian alternative that uses the exact same active ingredient and dosage.

The risk here is waiting too long. If you are still setting up care in Italy, do not wait until the last pill. You may need time to find the right doctor, confirm the Italian equivalent, or handle regional booking delays. Whatever the situation, do not start, stop, swap, or change the dose of medication without speaking to a licensed clinician.

What to bring to the doctor or pharmacy

Bring:

• A passport or other ID
• YourTessera Sanitaria, if you have one
• Your old prescription
• Medicine packaging
• The generic or active ingredient name
• The dosage and schedule
• Any relevant medical notes

The active ingredient is important because brand names often differ in Italy. If language is a barrier, translation or booking tools can help while you settle in. Expatica also has a useful list of must-have apps in Italy.

What if the medicine is controlled or restricted?

Extra checks: Some medicines, including certain stimulants, benzodiazepines, opioids, and other controlled drugs, can involve stricter rules, more documentation, or an in-person assessment.

Do not assume a refill: This is different from a standard blood pressure or thyroid refill. Controlled medicines need more verification because the rules are tighter and the risk of misuse is higher.

Plan ahead: If you rely on a restricted medicine, arrange a local medical review early and travel with clear documentation.

What prescriptions and medicines cost in Italy

Prescription costs in Italy depend heavily on whether you use the public healthcare system or go private, alongside regional rules. Joining the SSN gives you access to subsidized medications and low-cost GP appointments, whereas private care offers much faster appointments at a full out-of-pocket rate. The state subsidizes many essential prescription drugs entirely or partially through co-payments called a ticket, but patients pay full price for non-essential and over-the-counter items.

Your payment method also varies depending on how you access care. Private consultations involve paying the doctor or clinic upfront before purchasing the medication at full cost from the pharmacy. Public SSN care typically splits these costs, relying on a small administrative co-payment when booking specialist visits and a standardized fee at the pharmacy counter when picking up your prescription.

Route	Typical payment point	Cost pattern	Main trade-off
Public SSN GP	Usually no GP fee, then pharmacy	Lower costs, possible tickets	Slower access in some areas
Public specialist	Often at booking or through CUP	Ticket may apply	Referral usually needed
Private doctor	At the visit	Full private fee	Faster access
Pharmacy pickup	At collection	Subsidized or full price	Depends on prescription type

If you are still moving money from another country while settling in, some expats use the Wise account and card to keep euros ready for health expenses in Italy, including private doctor visits and pharmacy purchases.

When private insurance helps expats access care faster

Private insurance is most useful when you are waiting for SSN access, want faster appointments, prefer a wider provider choice, or need easier access to English-speaking care. It can also help if you expect to use private consultations and then claim reimbursements later. For a wider overview, see Expatica’s guide to getting health insurance in Italy in 2026.

This is not the same as getting a prescription automatically. Insurance may make access smoother, but a doctor still decides whether a prescription is appropriate. If you are comparing policies, it can also help to review Expatica’s health insurance quotes page.

How Cigna healthcare and Allianz healthcare can fit

Provider	How it may help	What it does not do
Cigna healthcare	May support private access, reimbursements, and continuity of care for expats	Does not issue prescriptions or replace a doctor
Allianz healthcare	May help with private appointments, provider choice, and reimbursement processes	Does not approve medicines on the spot or override clinical judgment

Frequently asked questions about getting a prescription in Italy

Can tourists get a prescription in Italy?

Yes, usually through a private doctor, telemedicine consultation, or an urgent care route rather than through SSN registration. Tourists often pay out of pocket, and routine prescription access is different from emergency care.

Can you use a US or UK prescription in Italy?

Sometimes, but often not directly. A US or UK prescription may not be accepted at an Italian pharmacy, so many people need an Italian doctor to issue a local prescription after reviewing the medicine details.

Can a pharmacist prescribe antibiotics in Italy?

No. Pharmacists in Italy can advise on non-prescription products, but antibiotics require a doctor’s prescription.

What is a ricetta bianca in Italy?

A ricetta bianca is a private prescription. It is different from an SSN prescription because it usually means you pay privately for the medicine and any reimbursement rules are different.

Where can I find a farmacia di turno?

Check the notice posted on the door of your nearest pharmacy, search by area online, or use local ASL information. Farmacia di turno means the on-duty pharmacy that stays open after normal hours.

Useful resources

Information checked 21st July 2026

• Ministry of Health English portal for official healthcare information in Italy
• Your Europe for cross-border prescription rules in the EU
• Italian Ministry of Health prescription FAQ for official dispensing rules
• Italian Ministry of Health on parafarmacie for the legal difference between farmacia and parafarmacia
• GOV.UK Italy health advice for supplemental English-language travel health guidance