Choosing the Right Health Insurance for a Study Visa in Italy: Key Factors to Consider

Health Insurance for the Study Visa in Italy: What It Is, What It Is For and Why It Is Essential

Italy is one of the most sought-after destinations for international students who wish to continue their academic path abroad. However, for non-EU students, obtaining a study visa requires meeting certain essential requirements, including taking out adequate health insurance.

But what exactly is health insurance for the study visa? It is a mandatory policy that provides students with medical coverage during their stay in Italy, protecting them from any unexpected medical expenses. This insurance not only gives access to medical services when needed, but is also a fundamental requirement for obtaining the visa and maintaining a regular stay in the country.

Understanding the role of the health insurance policy is essential to ensure a safe and worry-free study experience in Italy.

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Health insurance for non-EU students in Italy: what has changed?

Since 1 January 2024, the rules on enrolment in the National Health Service (SSN) for non-EU students in Italy have undergone a significant change: the annual contribution has risen from 149.97 euros to 700 euros.

For students with dependent family members, the cost has risen to 2,000 euros per year. This change directly affects those who stay in Italy for study purposes and are not entitled to compulsory enrolment in the SSN.

Why is it important to have health coverage in Italy?

Non-Schengen students residing in Italy for a period of more than three months are required to hold health insurance in order to access medical care. Enrolment in the SSN allows you to:

• Choose a general practitioner
• Access hospital and specialist care
• Use Italian health services on the same terms as Italian citizens

New procedures and bureaucratic difficulties

With the entry into force of the new law, several practical issues have emerged:

• Payment only via the F24 form: it is no longer possible to pay by postal payment slip, causing problems at post office counters.
• Self-certifications not valid for foreign citizens: non-EU students must continue to submit original certificates, making the administrative management of the residence permit more complex.

Alternatives to SSN enrolment: private health insurance policies

Faced with rising costs, many non-EU students are considering the option of private insurance. These policies offer health coverage at prices ranging between 135 and 600 euros per year, but with limitations compared with the SSN, such as the absence of a general practitioner.

Criticism and calls to revise the rules

Many student organisations, including the Union of University Students (UDU), have strongly criticised the government’s decision. The increase in fees risks penalising the internationalisation of Italian universities, making them less attractive to foreign students. Some non-EU researchers and doctoral candidates, already burdened by low salaries and a lack of protections, now face additional expenses for health coverage.

Studying in Italy: figures and prospects

According to data from the Ministry of University and Research, in the 2022-2023 academic year there were over 21,600 foreign students enrolled in Italian universities. With the rising costs for healthcare, there is a risk that many students will choose other European countries with more favourable conditions.

Health insurance for non-EU students is a fundamental component of the study path in Italy. However, the rising costs and the bureaucratic difficulties represent significant obstacles.

Students must carefully weigh up the options available between SSN enrolment and private policies in order to secure the best possible health coverage during their stay in Italy.

What is NOT insured?

Activities involving the use of mines, weapons and/or hazardous substances, access to mines, excavations and/or quarries and earth- or sea-based extraction activities; travel undertaken to practise professional/extreme sports and to take part in races/competitions/training sessions.

Under Assistance and Medical Expenses, claims caused by the following are excluded:

−  chronic or pre-existing illnesses;

−  illnesses related to pregnancy beyond the 26th week of gestation and to the puerperium;

−  nervous and mental illnesses, organic brain syndromes, schizophrenic disorders, paranoid disorders, manic-depressive conditions;

−  illnesses and injuries resulting from and arising out of the abuse of alcohol or psychotropic drugs, as well as the use of narcotics and hallucinogens;

−  attempted suicide or suicide;

−  injuries arising from carrying out the following activities: mountaineering involving rock climbing or access to glaciers, ski-jumping or water-ski jumping, the driving and use of bobsleds, kite-surfing; the driving and use of hang-gliders and other types of ultralight aircraft, paragliders and similar, sports involving the use of motor vehicles or watercraft, air sports in general, reckless acts, the related tests and training, as well as all injuries suffered as a result of sporting activities carried out on a professional basis or in any case not on an amateur basis (including races, trials and training sessions

−  car, motorcycle or powerboat races and the related trials and training sessions

−  the removal and/or transplantation of organs;

−  the correction of physical defects or congenital malformations and procedures of an aesthetic nature;

−  your wilful misconduct;

−  floods, inundations, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, atmospheric phenomena having the characteristics of natural disasters, phenomena of transmutation of the atomic nucleus, radiation caused by the artificial acceleration of atomic particles;

−wars, strikes, revolutions, riots or popular uprisings, looting, acts of terrorism and vandalism.

−  epidemics or pandemics as declared by the World Health Organization, with the exception of Covid-19

−  the indirect consequences of the Covid-19 epidemic/pandemic. The following are also excluded under Medical Expenses:

−  all expenses incurred where you have not notified Europ Assistance of the hospital admission or emergency treatment that took place;

−  expenses for treating or correcting physical defects or congenital malformations, procedures of an aesthetic nature, supplementary nursing care during hospitalisation, physiotherapy, spa and weight-loss treatments, dental care (not due to injury);

−  expenses for glasses, contact lenses, orthopaedic and/or prosthetic appliances;

−  expenses for transport or transfer to the place where you are staying.

Are there coverage limits?

INTERNATIONAL SANCTIONS (applicable to all Covers)

The insurance company shall not be required to provide any insurance cover, nor to settle claims, nor to provide the benefits or services described in the Insurance Conditions if doing so would expose it to any sanction, prohibition or restriction under United Nations resolutions or under the trade or economic sanctions, laws or regulations of the European Union, the United States of America, the United Kingdom or the applicable national jurisdictions governing these Insurance Conditions.

This clause shall prevail over any conflicting clause that may be contained in these Insurance Conditions.

TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS

You are not covered if you travel to a country, region or geographical area to which the relevant government authority in your country of residence, or in the country of destination or host country, has advised against travelling or, in any case, against staying, even temporarily

UNDERWRITING LIMITS

The insurance applies to persons domiciled but not resident in Italy. However, for those who obtain residence in Italy during the term of the contract, the Insurance remains valid until its expiry.

For Medical Expenses, coverage is limited to:

–  Euro 200.00 per day for hospital accommodation charges;

–  Euro 200.00 for urgent dental care;

–  Euro 200.00 for the repair of prostheses;

A deductible of 20% applies to the reimbursement of medical expenses, with a minimum of Euro 52.00 and a maximum of Euro 2,600.00.

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