Exemption from health expenses

In Italy, some people have the right not to pay (in full or in part) healthcare costs, such as tickets for visits, tests, or medications. This benefit is called exemption and is recognized by the ASL/USL.

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🔹 Types of Exemption

1. By income

• E01: children <6 years and seniors >65 years with low family income.

• E02: unemployed and dependents with income within the limits. 👉 The DID (Declaration of Immediate Availability) issued by the Employment Center is required.

• E03: holders of social pensions and dependents.

• E04: holders of minimum pensions >60 years and dependents.

Duration: income-based exemptions have limited validity and must be renewed periodically. In many cases, they expire on March 31 of the following year, but some USL may indicate a shorter duration (e.g., 6 months). The expiry date stated on the certificate always applies.

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2. By illness

Those suffering from chronic or rare diseases are entitled to exemption for all services related to the illness (each disease has a specific code: diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, tumors, etc.).

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3. By disability

It is granted to those with recognized civil disability, work incapacity, or workplace injury (INAIL).

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4. For pregnancy and maternity

Some tests and checks prescribed by the Ministry of Health are free.

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🔹 How to request it

1. Ask your general practitioner or specialist to certify the illness (if exemption is for illness) or fill out the self-declaration (if for income).

2. Submit the documentation to the ASL/USL: self-declaration, medical certificates, DID if required, tax code, and identity document.

3. Receive the exemption code: it will be recorded on the Health Card and can be used by the doctor on prescriptions.

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🔹 Attention

• If the prescription was made before the exemption was activated, the doctor must redo it to apply the correct code.

• Without the exemption code on the prescription, the service is not recognized as free.

• Always check the expiry date of the certificate: if it is 6 months, remember to renew it to avoid losing the right.

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🔹 Where to get information

• Website of the Ministry of Health

• CUP/USL offices in your district

• General Practitioner

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In summary: you may be entitled to exemption based on income, illness, disability, or pregnancy. For E02 (unemployed), the DID is always required. Exemption is not unlimited: it lasts until the expiry date stated on the certificate (often 6 months or until March 31) and must be renewed.