Permit for Medical Treatment

Residence permit for medical treatment in Italy: the main routes

Italian law allows a stay for medical treatment on different legal grounds, each with its own requirements. The first step is to understand which one applies to your situation.

1. Coming to Italy for treatment (Article 36 of the Immigration Act)

This route is for people living abroad who plan to be treated in an Italian hospital or clinic. A visa for medical treatment is requested from the Italian consulate, normally with:

• a statement from the Italian healthcare facility indicating the type of treatment, the starting date and the expected duration;

• proof of an advance deposit of at least 30% of the estimated cost of the treatment;

• proof of sufficient means to pay the remaining costs, board and lodging outside the facility and the return journey, also for any accompanying person;

• medical certificates describing the condition.

The residence permit is issued for the expected duration of the treatment and can be renewed for as long as the documented therapeutic needs continue. An accompanying person may apply on the same grounds.

2. Already in Italy with a serious health condition (Article 19)

A foreign national who is already in Italy and suffers from a particularly serious condition that cannot be adequately treated in the country of origin may not be expelled and can ask the Questura (police immigration office) for a permit for medical treatment. It is based on certification from a public or accredited healthcare facility, is granted for the time stated in the certificate (no more than one year), can be renewed while the condition persists and is valid only in Italy.

Pregnancy and childbirth

A woman who is pregnant, and for six months after the birth of the child, cannot be expelled and may obtain a permit for medical treatment. The same protection extends to the cohabiting husband.

Can you work with this permit?

It depends on the legal basis of your permit, and the rules have been amended several times in recent years. Whether you may work, or convert the permit into another type, must be checked case by case against the legislation in force.

How we can help

Studio Legale Beggin assists with visa applications, first issue and renewal of the permit and appeals against refusals, dealing with consulates, the Questura and healthcare facilities. If you or a family member need treatment in Italy, contact us for an assessment of your case.

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