How to Get Your Tessera Sanitaria in Italy – Step-by-Step Guide (Tassa Sanitaria + ASL Process)

 

If you're living in Italy and want to access public healthcare (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), you must register with the health system. For many people, this requires paying something called the Tassa Sanitaria.

 What is Tassa Sanitaria?

Tassa Sanitaria is a yearly health contribution tax for foreigners living in Italy who are not automatically covered under the Italian health system (SSN). Once you pay it, you can register at your local health office (ASL) and get your Tessera Sanitaria (health card).

Who Needs to Pay Tassa Sanitaria?

You need to pay if you belong to one of these categories:

1. Students

If you’re in Italy for studying (with permesso di soggiorno per motivi di studio), you must pay Tassa Sanitaria each year to access the public health system.
 The fee is usually €150–€200/year.(Note:Traditionally, the student Tassa Sanitaria was about €150-€200 per year.However, recent updates (2024–2025) show that some regions like Lazio (which includes Rome) and Lombardia have increased the fee to around €700 per year for international students.This higher amount reflects updated regional policies and the full cost of voluntary health insurance contributions for students.)

 2. Dependents

If you're a family member (spouse, parent, or child) of someone who works in Italy but you don’t have your own income, you also need to pay this to access healthcare.
 The cost is usually €387.34/year.

 3. Job Seekers

If you are staying in Italy with a permesso di soggiorno per attesa occupazione (permit for job search), you must pay the full voluntary contribution.
The cost can go up to €1,987.67/year.
(This is because you are not working, not a student, and not a dependent. You’re paying the full contribution to use public health services.)

 Step-by-Step Guide to Apply for Tassa Sanitaria

Let’s go step by step so it’s easy to follow.

 Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

Before paying, keep these documents ready:

  • Passport

  • Permesso di soggiorno (or postal receipt)

  • Codice fiscale

  • Proof of residence (rental contract or residency certificate)

  • Self-declaration of no income (called autocertificazione reddito zero)

  • Pen and photocopies of the above documents

 Step 2: Pay the Tassa Sanitaria using the F24 Form

 What is the F24 Form?

It’s a government payment form used in Italy for taxes. You must fill this form to pay your health contribution.

 Where to Get It?

You can:

 How to Fill the F24 Form

In the “Sezione Erario” of the form:

  • Codice tributo (Tax Code): 8846
    (This is the code used for healthcare payments)

  • Regione: Write your region (e.g. Lazio, Lombardia)

  • Anno di riferimento (Year): 2025

  • Importo a debito versati (Amount):

    • €150–€200 for students

    • €387.34 for dependents

    • Around €2000 for job seekers (standard full amount if no income declared)

 You can ask for help at the post office. Just say:

“Devo pagare la tassa sanitaria tramite F24.”

 How to Pay the F24 Form

You can pay:

  • At any post office

  • At your bank

  • Or online via:

    • Poste Italiane

    • PagoPA

    • Your online banking app

After payment, they’ll give you a receipt  keep it safe.

 Step 3: Register at Your ASL (Health Office)

Now go to your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) office.

 How to Find Your ASL?

Google:

ASL + your city or area + iscrizione SSN
For example:
ASL Roma 1
 ATS Milano

 Important Note for Rome and Big Cities

In cities like Rome, there are multiple ASL offices (ASL Roma 1, Roma 2, Roma 3, etc.).

Your ASL depends on your address or CAP (postal code).

 Before going, check which ASL covers your street by searching: Quale ASL per CAP [your postal code] Or ask at the local pharmacy  they often know which ASL applies to your area.

 What to Bring to ASL:

  • Passport

  • Permesso di soggiorno

  • Codice fiscale

  • Proof of residence

  • F24 payment receipt

  • Self-declaration form (dichiarazione di reddito zero)

At the desk, say:

“Vorrei iscrivermi al Servizio Sanitario Nazionale come straniera non comunitaria.”

They will register you and ask you to choose a medico di base (family doctor).

You will get:

  • A temporary paper health card

  • Your plastic Tessera Sanitaria will arrive by post

 Can You Register Online?

Yes, in some regions (like Lazio, Lombardia, Emilia-Romagna), you can email your documents.

Example – ASL Roma 1 (Rome):

 Each region is different — check your ASL’s official website to confirm.

 Step 4: Renew Every Year

  • The Tassa Sanitaria is valid only until 31 December, even if you register in July.

  • You must pay again in January of the new year, and repeat the registration process.

 Summary

  • Tassa Sanitaria = yearly payment to access Italy’s public health services

  • Required if you are a student, dependent, or job seeker

  • Pay using F24 form (tax code: 8846)

  • Then go to your correct ASL (based on your postal code) to complete the registration

  • Choose your family doctor and get your health card

  • Renew every January

 Helpful Links

My Real Experience (Rome – ASL Roma 2)

When I got my job in Italy, I didn’t have to pay Tassa Sanitaria because I was employed — my health contributions were already covered through INPS by my employer.
So here’s what I did:

  1. I went to ASL Roma 2

  2. I said:

    “Sono lavoratrice. Vorrei registrarmi al SSN e ricevere la Tessera Sanitaria.”

  3. They checked if I was registered in their area (based on my address)

  4. Once confirmed, they asked for my Carta d’Identità

  5. They printed a temporary paper health card for me immediately

  6. During the registration, they asked me to choose a family doctor (medico di base)
     I chose a doctor close to my home, so it’s easy for me to visit when needed

  7. After that, I received the plastic Tessera Sanitaria by post in about 15 days

Tip for Readers:

  • Go early in the morning to avoid long queues
  • Carry  photocopies of all documents
  • Check which ASL/ATS applies based on your postal code
  • Choose a family doctor close to your home
  • Make sure your name is on your doorbell or letterbox
  • Keep digital copies of all receipts and forms
  • Write important Italian phrases in advance if you don’t speak the language
  • Students: check with your university for updated fees or support
  • Ask the ASL staff politely  many are willing to help
  • If applying online, follow up by email or phone after a few days

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