Entry Visa for Italy
The existing law includes a number of provisions indicating that non-EU citizens are required to respect even before their arrival in Italy, including purchasing "adequate insurance coverage for medical care and hospitalisation" (Art. 39 c.3 Act no. 286/1998 and Directive 01.03.2000 of the Ministry of the Internal Affairs). Non-EU citizens can obtain visa entry for study purposes and a residence permit upon arrival in Italy in one of these three ways:
1) obtaining an official statement from the local Italian Diplomatic Representation in the form of a consular declaration stating the right to health care under current agreements between Italy and the student’s country of origin;
2) drawing up a foreign insurance policy, accompanied by a consular declaration of its validity in Italy, its duration and the forms of assistance provided, that should not lead to limitations or exceptions to the rates established for urgent hospitalisation for its entire duration;
3) drawing up an insurance policy with companies or national agencies, such as the National Insurance Institute (INA) which has established an agreement with the Ministry of Health for a special insurance policy to cover specific risks (€ 49 for 6 months, € 98 for 12 months); in case of other agencies or other companies different from INA, the policy must be accompanied by a statement from the insurance institute that specifies the absence of limitations or exceptions to the rates for urgent hospitalisation for its entire duration.
Having health insurance, whether Italian or stipulated in the student’s country of origin and stamped by the Italian Embassy, students may go to any doctor among those available from the list published on the website of the Lazio Region. If students need to see a specialist, they can directly choose which doctor to consult. The specialist visit must be paid directly and students can later seek reimbursement from their private insurance provider.