Choice of general practitioner

30/09/2025 · Updated: 01/10/2025

The Importance of the Primary Care Physician

As soon as I returned to Italy, I had an urgent need: to obtain a general practitioner (or a general medicine doctor). It was not just a formality: for me, it meant accessing life-saving medications after a heart attack and a stroke.

Temporary Residence and the Request

Staying with my parents, I requested the temporary residence with the Municipality of Albinea. With that certificate, I filled out the regional form for Emilia-Romagna and sent it via PEC to the AUSL of Reggio Emilia.
After two days, they called me confirming that within a week I would have a doctor.

The Silence of the USL

After ten days, I was still not assigned. I sent reminders, first by email and then by PEC, without receiving a response. Meanwhile, my medication supplies were decreasing.

The Intervention of the Ombudsman

Thanks to the local news, I discovered the existence of the Regional Ombudsman. With an urgent PEC, I explained the situation, attaching all the correspondence.
The next day, I received a response: I was right, they would activate with the USL. For me, it was already a victory: a regional lawyer confirmed that my right was being unjustly denied.

The Position of the USL

The USL responded only on the last day: with temporary residence, they would not give me a doctor.
The Ombudsman replied that the law was clear: even in these cases, a doctor must be assigned.

The Legal Issue

With the Law 176/2024 (“Furfaro Law”), even those without a fixed residence have the right to register in the population register and receive healthcare, including the assignment of a general practitioner.
If it applies to those without residence, it must even more apply to me.

1. Law 176/2024 – assisted without residence

Enacted on December 14, 2024, the experimental law allows people without a population register residence, but regularly present on Italian territory, to register on ASL assistance lists, choose a general practitioner, and access LEA.
In this phase, the experiment involves metropolitan cities (Bologna, Milan, Rome, etc.), with a dedicated fund for 2025–2026.

✅ 2. Supporting Legislation

Art. 19 DPR 618/1980: allows continuous assistance in derogation for AIRE citizens with serious health reasons.
Art. 19 L. 833/1978 (as amended): recognizes the right to care even under conditions of temporary stay.
Constitution art. 32 and EU Charter art. 35: guarantee the fundamental right to health.
Regional legislation (“Mumolo Law” Emilia-Romagna, L.R. 10/2021): applies medical care even to the homeless, on an experimental or structural basis

The final solution

Decided not to waste any more time: I immediately requested the full ordinary residence from the municipality, it was Friday afternoon.
At the same time I wrote to the USL and the Civil Defender that I had found the Furfaro law, and in case of further denial, I would file a complaint.
On Monday morning at 9:00 I finally received confirmation: I had my general practitioner.

Where to request a general practitioner:

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My journey to obtain a general practitioner in Emilia-Romagna: residence, life-saving drugs, USL, and Civic Defender.