Italy Health and Vaccinations Guide for Travellers

Italy is a safe, well-developed country with good public healthcare. No exotic vaccinations are required, tap water is drinkable, and pharmacies are widespread. There are a few specific health considerations to know - particularly around summer heat, pharmacy hours, and altitude in the Dolomites.

Vaccinations

Required vaccinations

None. Italy has no entry requirements for vaccinations.

Recommended vaccinations

Hepatitis A - recommended for travellers who eat street food, plan rural travel, or visit southern Italy and the islands. Routine shots (two doses) provide long-term protection. Check with your GP or travel clinic at least four weeks before departure if you haven’t had it.

Routine vaccinations - MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), diphtheria-tetanus-polio, and flu should be current. Italy had a measles outbreak in 2017 and maintains vaccination records.

Hepatitis B - recommended for travellers planning longer stays (over a month) or who may have medical treatment in Italy.

No malaria risk exists in Italy. No antimalarials are needed.

The EHIC and GHIC

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) - or the UK’s GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) - entitles holders to emergency medical treatment in Italian public hospitals on the same terms as Italian residents.

What it covers:

• Emergency treatment at any Italian public hospital (ospedale pubblico)
• Emergency GP visits at ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) clinics
• Emergency dental treatment

What it does not cover:

• Treatment at private hospitals or private clinics
• Repatriation or medical evacuation costs
• Trip cancellation, lost luggage, or other travel expenses
• Non-emergency or elective treatment

EU and EEA citizens should check their card is still valid before travel - cards expire. UK citizens should apply for the GHIC at no cost through the NHS website before departure.

Both cards are supplements to travel insurance, not replacements. A medical evacuation from Italy to the UK can cost from £15,000 upwards. Good travel insurance covers this.

Travel Insurance

A standard policy for Italy should cover:

• Medical treatment and hospitalisation (€5 million minimum recommended)
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Trip cancellation and interruption
• Baggage loss or delay
• Personal liability

Pre-existing conditions: Disclose all pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing. Most insurers offer add-ons; failure to disclose can invalidate a claim.

Cost as of 2026: Single-trip Europe policies with €5 million medical cover typically run from approximately £20–£40 per week for a healthy adult, depending on the provider and any add-ons. Annual multi-trip policies covering Europe range from approximately £50–£120 per year.

We compare policies at Italy travel insurance guide.

The Italian Pharmacy System

Italian pharmacies (farmacie) are excellent. Pharmacists are well-trained, often speak basic English in tourist areas, and can advise on minor illnesses without a doctor’s appointment. The green cross outside identifies them.

Over-the-counter access: Many medications available only on prescription in the UK or US are sold over the counter in Italian pharmacies. Common examples include antibiotics (though pharmacists will ask about symptoms), stronger anti-inflammatories, and certain allergy medications.

Opening hours: Standard pharmacy hours are approximately 08:30–13:00 and 16:00–19:30, Monday to Saturday. Each area operates a rotation system (farmacia di turno) for nights, Sundays, and public holidays - a notice posted on every pharmacy door lists the nearest open pharmacy.

24-hour pharmacies in Rome:

• Farmacia della Stazione - Piazza dei Cinquecento 51, adjacent to Roma Termini, open 24 hours.
• Farmacia Internazionale Capranica - Piazza Capranica 96, near the Pantheon, open 24 hours.

24-hour pharmacies in Florence:

• Farmacia Comunale 13 - Stazione di Santa Maria Novella (inside the station), open 24 hours.
• Farmacia Molteni - Via dei Calzaiuoli 7r, near the Duomo, open 24 hours.

If you take regular prescription medication, bring enough supply for your trip plus extra, along with a copy of your prescription. Italian pharmacies cannot dispense foreign prescriptions directly, though in emergencies an Italian GP can issue a local prescription.

Emergency Numbers

Number	Service
112	All-purpose emergency (police, ambulance, fire) - EU standard number
118	Medical emergency (Emergenza Sanitaria)
113	Police (Polizia di Stato)
115	Fire service (Vigili del Fuoco)
1515	Forest fire or environmental emergency

112 works from any phone, including mobiles without a SIM card or signal on some operators. It is the number to know.

Major Public Hospitals

In Rome:

• Policlinico Gemelli (Largo Agostino Gemelli 8, Rome) - one of Italy’s top hospitals, with a 24-hour emergency department. Operated by the Catholic University. Has an international patients office.
• Ospedale San Camillo-Forlanini (Circonvallazione Gianicolense 87, Rome) - large public hospital with 24-hour emergency (Pronto Soccorso).
• Ospedale Santo Spirito in Sassia (Lungotevere in Sassia 1, Rome) - central location near the Vatican; 24-hour Pronto Soccorso.

In Florence:

• Ospedale Careggi (Largo Brambilla 3, Florence) - Florence’s main university hospital; 24-hour emergency. The largest hospital in Tuscany.
• Ospedale Santa Maria Nuova (Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1, Florence) - central location in the historic centre; 24-hour emergency. The oldest hospital in Florence (founded 1288), still fully operational.

At any Italian public hospital, go to Pronto Soccorso (emergency room). Show your EHIC/GHIC if applicable. Triage works on a colour-coded urgency system (red/yellow/green/white); non-emergencies wait longer.

Common Health Concerns

Summer heat

Italy in July and August can reach 35–40°C in cities, with high humidity in coastal areas. Heat stroke is a real risk, particularly in Rome and Naples where stone streets and buildings retain heat.

• Avoid outdoor sightseeing between 12:00–16:00 in peak summer
• Carry a reusable water bottle - Rome’s nasoni fountains are free and continuous
• Take breaks in museums or churches, which are heavily air-conditioned
• Salt tablets or electrolyte sachets are available at pharmacies and can help if you experience significant sweating

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes (zanzare) are present throughout Italy in summer, particularly near lakes and in Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, and coastal wetland areas. They are a nuisance rather than a health risk for most travellers - no malaria risk, and dengue is not endemic.

DEET-based repellents are widely available at pharmacies and supermarkets. Zanzariere (mosquito nets) are standard in many budget and mid-range hotels in affected areas.

Tiger mosquitoes (zanzara tigre): These are active during the day, not just at dusk. They are present in northern Italy from May to October and bite more aggressively than common mosquitoes. DEET repellent remains effective.

Altitude in the Dolomites

The Dolomites in Trentino-Alto Adige include peaks above 3,000m. Most visitor areas and cable car endpoints reach 1,500–2,500m - altitudes where mild altitude sickness (headache, fatigue, slight nausea) can affect some travellers, particularly those arriving directly from sea level.

• Spend one night at an intermediate altitude before ascending
• Descend if symptoms worsen
• Acute mountain sickness medication (acetazolamide, brand name Diamox) is available on prescription in Italy; consult your GP before travel if you plan serious high-altitude hiking
• Altitude above 2,500m in the Dolomites is cold year-round - hypothermia risk exists regardless of season

Via ferrata routes (fixed-rope climbing routes) require appropriate equipment and experience. Rescue helicopter operations in the Dolomites are covered by Italian emergency services (118), but rescue costs are not covered by EHIC/GHIC - ensure your travel insurance covers mountain rescue and helicopter evacuation, which can cost €4,000–€8,000 per call-out as of 2026.

Food and water safety

Tap water in Italy is safe throughout the country. Restaurant tap water (acqua del rubinetto) is drinkable everywhere. Street food quality is generally very high. Standard food hygiene precautions apply - avoid shellfish from informal vendors in hot weather.

Sun and Skin

Italian sun from May to September is strong. UV index reaches 8–10 in summer.

• Factor 30 minimum for adults; factor 50 for children
• Sunscreen, aftersun, and antihistamine creams are available at any farmacia or supermarket
• Hats and loose linen clothing significantly reduce heat strain for all-day sightseeing

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For packing decisions around health items: Italy packing list covers what to bring by season. For transport logistics once you arrive: getting around Italy guide covers trains, buses, and regional flights. For general trip planning: Italy first-time guide covers what to know before you go. For travel insurance comparison: Italy travel insurance guide.

We recommend taking out travel insurance before visiting Italy - it covers medical costs, trip cancellation, and lost luggage. The EHIC/GHIC covers EU emergency treatment but not all private clinics, repatriation, or trip disruption.