Overview

Italy has a regionalized National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN), that provides universal coverage to all citizens and legal residents. The central government provides overall stewardship, sets the national benefits package and allocates funding for the regional health systems. The regions oversee financing, planning, and provision of services at the local level.

Health expenditure amounted to 9% of GDP in 2022, or US$ (PPP) 4675 per capita, slightly below the EU average. Spending on health from public sources accounted for 74% of the total in 2022. Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments accounted for 23% of total health expenditure in 2022, with significant contributions from outpatient care and pharmaceuticals.

The SSN faces acute challenges, including workforce shortages, particularly among nurses, and infrastructure disparities. Regional inequalities persist, with southern regions lagging in health outcomes and service quality. Recent reforms focus on strengthening primary and community care, improving digital infrastructure, and modernizing hospital networks. Italy’s National Recovery and Resilience Plan (2021–2026) has allocated €15.6 billion for these initiatives. Despite challenges, the SSN delivers efficient and high-quality care, with ongoing reforms aimed at addressing inequalities and enhancing resilience.