Italy · visa health insurance
Health insurance for an Italian long-stay visa
Which visa are you applying for?
Pick your path — we’ll show you the exact rule for your case.
Italy: the published rule
The rule in writing
“The elective residence visa requires health insurance valid across the Schengen area with minimum cover of €30,000, including hospitalisation and repatriation, for the full visa year.”
Official source: Italian consulate elective-residence guidance (via The Italian Lawyer & Global Citizen Solutions) — Last verified:
The rule in writing
“Travel insurance is not accepted for the elective residence visa. Cover must be a health policy valid in Italy and the Schengen area; some consulates ask for a letter confirming validity in Italy.”
Official source: Italian consulate guidance & documented ERV rejection reasons (Future Italian) — Last verified:
The rule in writing
“For the first year, consulates commonly require zero deductible or co-pay, and cover of the whole Schengen area including repatriation of remains.”
Official source: Consulate application language & applicant reports (b2 forum pass) — Last verified:
Italy insurance guides
Health insurance for the Italy elective residence visa (ERV)
Italy's elective residence visa needs Schengen-valid health insurance: €30,000 minimum, hospitalisation, repatriation, and zero deductible in year one.
Read the ruleItaly visa insurance requirements, by the rule
Italian long-stay visas need a Schengen-valid health policy, €30,000 minimum, with hospitalisation, repatriation, and a zero-deductible year one.
Read the ruleHealth insurance in Italy for Americans
Your US health plan and Medicare don't cover you in Italy. See what an Italian long-stay visa actually accepts: a Schengen-valid health policy, €30,000 minimum.
Read the ruleHealth insurance for Italy's retirement (elective residence) visa
Italy's retirement route is the elective residence visa. It needs a Schengen-valid health policy, €30,000 minimum, with hospitalisation and repatriation.
Read the ruleExpat health insurance for living in Italy
Choosing expat health insurance to live in Italy? Start with the visa rule: a Schengen-valid health policy, €30,000 minimum, valid before you join the SSN.
Read the ruleHealth insurance for Italy's digital nomad visa
Italy's digital nomad visa needs Schengen-valid health insurance, not travel insurance — the same core cover the elective residence visa requires.
Read the ruleHow the Italian healthcare system works for foreigners
How Italy's public health service (SSN) works for foreigners: residency, voluntary enrollment, and the tessera sanitaria — plus the gap private cover fills.
Read the ruleUnderwritten by Regency Assurance · regulated by the FSRC (Nevis)
99% of claims paid 
Clients in more than 120 countries 
Same-day cover, no medical exam 
14-day cooling-off period Ratings, certifications and figures are Regency Assurance’s — our underwriter — quoted from public sources and verified July 2026. Independent scores update over time: see Regency on Trustpilot (4.4/5) and Reviews.io (3.92/5). Covered Abroad’s own reviews appear here once we have them.
Common questions
How much health insurance do I need for an Italian visa?
At least €30,000 of cover valid across the Schengen area, including hospitalisation and repatriation, for the full visa year.
Does travel insurance work?
No. Travel insurance is not accepted for long-stay Italian visas. You need a health policy valid in Italy and the Schengen area.
Do Americans need health insurance in Italy?
Yes, for the visa. The requirement is coverage-based, not tied to the insurer’s country. Cover excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are excluded.
Get a certificate that meets the published rule
Tell us your destination, visa, and who’s moving. Our team reviews it against the current requirement and calls you with a quote — no obligation.
Before you request a quote: cover is worldwide but excludes treatment in the United States, and pre-existing conditions are not covered — including conditions you did not know about. We say this up front so a quote is worth your time.