European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or TEAM in Italy

The EHIC or "Health Card" is for EU residents to use to access medical resources when travelling outside of their EU country of residence.

European residents who are covered by a social security scheme in their country of residence are entitled to a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card simplifies the procedure when receiving unforeseen medical assistance during their visit to a member state. It should be carried when travelling within the European Economic Area, (i.e. the European Union, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein) and Switzerland. Each person travelling should have their own card.

The EHIC entitles the holder to the same treatment at the same cost as a national of that country. For example, if medical care is provided free of charge in the member state where treatment is required, the claimant will be entitled to free medical care on presentation of the card or an equivalent document.

Presentation of the EHIC guarantees reimbursement of the medical costs on the spot, or soon after returning home.

The card is only valid for state provided services and not private hospitals or treatments.

Residents of new member countries may not be able to use their EHIC card in certain Switzerland. It is suggested to verify with the social security administration in the country of residence prior to travel.

For general information from the EU about the EHIC: Click here

Note: As of January 2010, third-country nationals (from outside the EU/EEA) resident in the EU and holding an EHIC cannot use their EHIC in Denmark, however they will be eligible for free treatment in a public hospital in the event of:

a sudden illness
an unexpected aggravation of a chronic condition
an emergency
childbirth

The Card

The only personal information on the EHIC is the card holder's surname and first name, personal identification number and date of birth. The card does not contain medical data. It contains the same information in all countries where it is issued.

The card validity period varies from country to country.

Replacement of E Forms

The European Health Insurance Card replaces forms previously used within the EU:

E111 and E111B used by tourists
E110 used by international road transporters
E128 used by students and people working in a Member State other than their own
E119 used by people registered as unemployed and seeking work in another Member State

Note: The forms E111 (and others) have not been valid since 31 December 2005.

The EHIC (TEAM) in Italy

The Tessera Europea di Assicurazione Malattia (TEAM) allows legal residents of Italy to benefit from emergency medical treatment and care when temporarily in a member country.

Applying for a EHIC (TEAM) in Italy

Applications are made to the local health authority, ASL. In some regions the TEAM card is printed on the reverse of the regional service card, the Carta Regionale Dei Servizi (CNS).

It is a plastic, non-electronic card and is valid for a maximum of one year. Each member of a family must have their own card, including children under sixteen.

This card is not to be used for Italian residents and nationals to obtain medical treatment in Italy; it is for use by Italian residents and citizens when visiting other EU/EEA countries.

For information from the Italian Ministry of Health: Click here (in Italian)

Foreign Residents of Italy

If a foreign national is a permanent resident of Italy (or on an E106) and paying into the Italian system, applications for the card must be made in Italy; the card will not be issued in Britain.

Claiming in Italy

When using an EHIC issued outside Italy in Italy the following applies:

Doctors and Dentists: present the EHIC card immediately and ensure that the medical professional is affiliated with the state national health service, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN); most dentists are private as are some hospitals, however there is a system of affiliation whereby refunds are still made in some cases; keep receipts for any payments made as this may be refunded from the Azienda Unità Sanitaria Locale (ASL)
Prescriptions: some medication prescribed by SSN doctors is free; some medications require a non-refundable payment
Hospital Treatment: the ASL can provide a list of SSN or SSN-affiliated hospitals; present the EHIC on arrival or ask the hospital to contact the ASL at once to confirm coverage; charges for ambulance travel and medication vary from region to region

All reimbursements can only be made by the ASL on presentation of original receipts.