What to Do If You Get Sick or Hurt While Traveling in Italy

Getting sick or hurt while traveling in Italy can feel a little overwhelming, to say the least. You’ve heard the stories: a confusing system, a language barrier, and no idea where even to start. But once you understand how healthcare works in Italy, it’s actually very logical. Knowing what to do step by step can help you get the care you need quickly, calmly, and with much less stress.

A quick note: this is not medical advice. If you feel like you’re having a life-threatening emergency while traveling in Italy, call 112 immediately. That’s the main emergency number in Italy, similar to 911 in the United States. It’s free to call, and the operator will connect you with the appropriate emergency service. Assistance in a commonly spoken foreign language such as English is generally available.

But what if you feel a little under the weather? Maybe you have a sore stomach from that third gelato.

For most minor situations, such as a sore throat, headache, stomach issue, blister, or mild twisted ankle, you probably don’t need to turn it into an emergency.

Start With an Italian Pharmacy

One mistake travelers sometimes make is going straight to the hospital for a minor problem. That is usually not where you should start.

Instead, do what Italians do and go to the farmacia, or pharmacy.

If you’re used to American or Canadian pharmacies, an Italian pharmacy can look very different. In North America, you might find huge aisles filled with groceries, toiletries, stationery, and pretty much everything else.

Inside, many medications are handled through the pharmacist rather than being picked off a shelf.

In Italy, pharmacies are much more focused on healthcare. Outside, you’ll usually see the familiar green cross.

That can actually be a good thing because Italian pharmacists do much more than hand you a box of pills. Tell them your symptoms, and they can recommend an appropriate over-the-counter remedy, explain how to take it, and tell you when your symptoms warrant seeing a doctor.

For a sore throat, headache, stomachache, or another minor issue, a pharmacy can often be the easiest place to start.

One useful tip is to know the generic name of any medication you routinely take. Brand names can be different in Italy. Aleve, for example, contains naproxen, while Advil contains ibuprofen.

You can also tell the pharmacist what you normally take. In major cities and tourist destinations, pharmacists are accustomed to helping international visitors, and it is common to find someone who speaks at least some English.

Always tell the pharmacist about any allergies you have and any medications you’re already taking. This matters because medications can interact with each other.

You generally won’t find the same range of over-the-counter medications in an Italian grocery store that you might expect in North America, so look for the green cross when you need medicine.

There are also stores called parafarmacia, which fall somewhere between a pharmacy and a health and beauty store. These stores can sell non-prescription medicines such as certain pain relievers or antacids, but they cannot dispense prescription-only medicines. Their selection may also be more limited than a full pharmacy.

Unless you’re simply looking for something like sunscreen or another basic product, a full farmacia is usually the better place to start when you’re not feeling well.

When You Need More Than a Pharmacist

Italian pharmacists can be incredibly helpful, but they are not a substitute for a doctor or emergency care.

They can recommend over-the-counter medication and tell you when you should see a doctor, but serious medical problems require proper medical evaluation.

They also cannot dispense medication that legally requires a prescription without an appropriate prescription. In Italian, a prescription is called la ricetta.

If the pharmacist tells you that you need a ricetta, you’re not stuck. It simply means the next step is finding a doctor.

What If the Pharmacy Is Closed?

Suppose it’s Sunday, late at night, or a holiday and your nearest pharmacy is closed.

Look for the farmacia di turno, the pharmacy assigned to provide local coverage outside normal opening hours.

You can search your phone for “farmacia di turno vicino a me”, meaning an on-duty pharmacy near you.

You can also check the door of a closed pharmacy, where information about nearby pharmacies providing out-of-hours service is often posted. Another easy option is to ask your hotel concierge or front desk.

When you arrive, the pharmacy may not look open in the usual sense. During nighttime service, you may need to ring a bell, use a service window, or call a number displayed at the entrance.

In larger cities, you may also find pharmacies that operate 24 hours a day.

Prepare Your Medications Before the Trip

A little planning can save a lot of stress later.

First, bring enough of your prescription medication for your entire stay, plus a few extra days. Flights get canceled, delays happen, and you don’t want to run short.

Always keep important prescription medications in your personal item or carry-on luggage, not your checked bag. Checked luggage can be delayed or lost.

If you take medications containing controlled narcotic or psychotropic substances, Italy has specific documentation requirements. Depending on the medication and quantity, you may need documentation showing that the medicine was lawfully prescribed for your personal medical use. Check the requirements before traveling rather than assuming you can bring the medication into the country.

It is also useful to carry photos or copies of your prescription labels, a list of your medications, your allergies, and relevant medical conditions. If you end up in a hospital, that information can be extremely useful for the doctors treating you.

For common over-the-counter medications, you can find many familiar types of medicine in Italy. Still, consider carrying a small supply of whatever you routinely use, such as antacids, allergy medication, or ibuprofen.

That way, if you wake up with a headache at 2 a.m. on a Sunday, you don’t have to scramble to find a pharmacy.

How to Find a Doctor in Italy

Suppose the pharmacist says you need a prescription. The next step is finding a doctor who can evaluate you.

One option is a private medical clinic. These are easier to find in major cities and tourist destinations, where you may also find medical centers specifically geared toward international visitors.

In some tourist areas, you can also look for Guardia Medica Turistica, a medical service designed for tourists and other non-residents.

Another option is to ask your hotel. Hotels often maintain lists of local doctors, including English-speaking doctors, and the front desk may help you contact one.

If you’re staying in an Airbnb or another vacation rental, ask your host.

You can also use the regular Guardia Medica, more formally called the Servizio di Continuità Assistenziale. This is Italy’s out-of-hours medical service for problems that need attention but are not true emergencies.

The service generally operates overnight on weekdays, commonly from 8 p.m. to 8 a.m., with extended coverage on weekends, public holidays, and the days before holidays. Exact access arrangements can vary by region.

Depending on the circumstances, the doctor may provide advice, arrange an appointment, or make a house call when appropriate.

Tourists or people not registered with the local health service usually pay a fee, and the amount depends on the region. In many areas, a typical tourist rate is around €20 to €25 for an office visit and around €35 to €50 for a house call, although local tariffs vary.

Another option is a service called Doctors in Italy. We haven’t used it personally, but it provides access to English-speaking doctors, including online consultations.

You go online, describe your symptoms, choose an available doctor, and have a video consultation. If medication is medically appropriate, the doctor can issue a prescription. Online consultations currently start at about €20, with the actual price depending on the provider.

When It Is a Real Emergency

If something is truly an emergency, such as chest pain, severe trouble breathing, or a serious injury, don’t start at the pharmacy and don’t spend time trying to find a regular doctor.

Call 112 as soon as possible.

The operator will assess what type of assistance you need and can dispatch emergency services when necessary.

The Italian emergency room is called Pronto Soccorso.

Unlike a normal queue, the emergency department does not operate simply on a first-come, first-served basis. Patients are triaged according to the severity and urgency of their condition.

When you arrive at Pronto Soccorso, whether by ambulance or as a walk-in patient, a healthcare professional will assess you, check your condition, and assign a triage priority.

The most serious cases are treated first. Non-urgent cases can face a long wait, particularly when the emergency department is busy.

That is another reason why a pharmacy, doctor, or out-of-hours medical service can often be faster when your problem is minor.

But if you have a genuine medical emergency, Pronto Soccorso is exactly where you want to be.

What Will Healthcare Cost in Italy?

Healthcare coverage for visitors depends heavily on where you come from and what coverage you carry.

Travelers from EU and EEA countries who have a valid European Health Insurance Card, or EHIC, can generally access medically necessary public healthcare during a temporary stay under the same conditions and at the same cost as people insured in Italy.

Eligible UK travelers can similarly use a valid GHIC or EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare in Italy. That does not mean every service is automatically free, since local co-payments can still apply.

If you’re traveling from the United States, Canada, Australia, or another country without reciprocal coverage that applies to your situation, it is safest to expect that you may have to pay medical expenses yourself and then seek reimbursement through your travel insurance, if your policy covers the expense.

The good news is that medical costs in Italy can be much lower than many North American travelers expect.

Some friends of ours were visiting Italy when one of them developed pneumonia and was admitted to a hospital in Florence. He spent several days in intensive care, and the entire treatment lasted about two weeks.

The bill that arrived a few months later was less than €8,000 for the hospital stay.

That is very low by North American standards.

Of course, one person’s hospital bill does not tell you what your own treatment would cost. Costs depend on the hospital, treatment, length of stay, insurance status, and other circumstances.

Travel Insurance Can Make a Huge Difference

If you have travel insurance, keep a few things in mind.

First, check your policy’s procedures for receiving medical care. Some travel insurance companies want you to contact their assistance line before receiving non-emergency treatment, when possible, or as soon as reasonably possible after an emergency.

Once you call, they can explain what to do, where you can receive treatment, and what documentation you’ll need for reimbursement. Failing to follow your insurer’s procedures can sometimes affect a claim, depending on the policy.

Second, keep everything. Keep your medical receipts, diagnostic reports, prescriptions, discharge papers, and any other documentation connected to your treatment.

Also keep receipts for related expenses such as taxis, additional hotel nights, meals, or other costs caused by the medical situation if your policy may cover them.

We once had to make a travel insurance claim ourselves, and our covered expenses were reimbursed, including taxis, meals, and even airport lounge expenses.

Finally, read your policy carefully before leaving home. Know what is covered and, just as importantly, what is not.

If your travel insurance comes as a credit card benefit, get a copy of the actual insurance policy and read it. You may discover exclusions for certain pre-existing conditions or find that the coverage limits are lower than you expected.

Keep your insurance information somewhere accessible while traveling, preferably with you in your carry-on bag or purse rather than somewhere difficult to reach.

Hopefully, you’ll never need it. But if you do, you’ll know exactly where it is.

Getting Medical Care in Italy Does Not Have to Be Intimidating

Getting sick on a trip is never fun. Still, Italy has an extensive healthcare system; pharmacies are easy to find, and several levels of medical assistance are available depending on how serious the problem is.

For minor issues, start with a pharmacy. If the pharmacist believes you need medical attention or a prescription, contact a doctor or the Guardia Medica. For a genuine emergency, call 112 immediately.

Prepare your medications before leaving home, keep your medical and insurance information accessible, and understand how your travel insurance works before you need it.

Once you know those basic steps, dealing with illness or an injury in Italy becomes much less intimidating, and you can focus on getting the care you need and getting back to enjoying your trip.

Ciao!