British citizens should ensure they have their complimentary European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC), which can be used while traveling in Italy. This will cover necessary medical treatments you may receive at public hospitals and health centers during your trip.
It is still essential to remember, though, that having a robust travel insurance plan is vital for any unforeseen medical treatments the EHIC/GHIC might not cover, as well as repatriation costs if needed.
Look for the green cross - pharmacies are readily available and easy to spot!
Instead, you can visit a Guardia Medica Turistica or Italian GP (if available) to get an Italian prescription. Unfortunately, prescription drugs are not free in Italy; however, with the help of either an EHIC or GHIC and the local prescription that comes alongside it, you will be able to pay a discounted rate!
Italians are fortunate to have access to high-quality healthcare, with fees that remain quite affordable. Moreover, Emergency Medical Assistance is available for anyone in need; regardless of nationality or payment status! The country's medical care is unparalleled according to international standards. (ranked 2nd according to the World Health Organization's report).
Italy provides universal healthcare coverage, but you need to bear in mind that only a few services are completely free. For the majority of medical treatments and procedures, you'll be asked to share part of the costs; some will even come at your full expense. This cost-sharing is referred to as “Ticket” and covers several types of visits such as specialist consultations or laboratory analyses, among others.