The Embassy\u2019s Consular Office provides assistance to Italian citizens who find themselves in situations of difficulty or financial hardship while abroad.<\/p>\n
The main forms of assistance available to Italian citizens abroad are outlined below.<\/p>\n
Assistance to detainees<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Italian citizens who are arrested or detained abroad have the right to request assistance from the competent Embassy or Consulate.<\/p>\n At the request of the person concerned and in accordance with local law, the diplomatic or consular mission may:<\/p>\n The Embassy or Consulate cannot:<\/p>\n For further information on the assistance provided by Embassies and Consulates to Italian citizens detained abroad and their families, please refer to the Practical Guide to Consular Assistance<\/a>.<\/p>\n Financial assistance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In exceptional circumstances and subject to the availability of funds, the Consular Office may grant financial assistance<\/strong> to Italian citizens who:<\/p>\n Italian citizens who are temporarily abroad<\/u>, whose residence is in Italy or in another consular jurisdiction, and who face unforeseen and documented financial difficulties may be granted a loan subject to a commitment to repay<\/strong>, provided that they are unable to obtain assistance from family members or third parties (for example, through authorised money transfer services).<\/p>\n The loan may be granted only after verifying the Italian citizen\u2019s financial hardship and confirming that family members who are legally required to provide support are unable to do so (Article 433 of the Italian Civil Code).<\/p>\n The recipient undertakes to repay the amount provided by the Italian State within 90 days of the loan being granted.<\/p>\n Healthcare assistance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Italian citizens travelling to countries such as Sri Lanka and the Maldives, where no bilateral healthcare agreements are in force, are advised to take out health insurance before travelling.<\/p>\n Reimbursement of healthcare expenses for workers abroad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Italian citizens employed abroad under an employment contract governed by Italian law may apply for reimbursement of expenses incurred for healthcare services received abroad. For further information on eligible categories and reimbursement procedures, please refer to the website of the Italian Ministry of Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n Highly specialised medical treatment abroad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n In exceptional circumstances, the Italian National Health Service (SSN)<\/strong> may cover the cost of highly specialised medical treatment abroad where such treatment cannot be obtained in Italy within a timeframe compatible with the patient\u2019s clinical needs or with adequate standards of effectiveness. Access to this benefit is subject to prior authorisation by the competent Local Health Authority (ASL). For further information, please refer to the website of the Italian Ministry of Health<\/a>.<\/p>\n Healthcare for AIRE-registered citizens during temporary stays in Italy<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Italian citizens who are permanently resident abroad and registered with AIRE and who temporarily return to Italy are not, as a general rule, entitled to healthcare at the expense of the Italian National Health Service. They are therefore required to pay the applicable regional fees for all healthcare services, including emergency care.<\/p>\n However, Italian citizens registered with AIRE who receive a pension from an Italian social security institution, as well as Italian citizens who emigrated abroad and were born in Italy, are entitled to urgent hospital treatment free of charge for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year, provided that they do not have their own health insurance coverage. To receive free urgent hospital treatment, they must sign a self-declaration certifying their status as an emigrant (supported by their date and place of birth in Italy, residence abroad and Italian citizenship) and declaring that they do not have public or private health insurance coverage.<\/p>\n Transfer of residence abroad<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Italian citizens who transfer their residence to a country with which Italy has no healthcare agreement in force lose their entitlement to healthcare under the Italian National Health Service and must therefore arrange their own healthcare coverage in accordance with the rules applicable in their country of destination.<\/p>\n Legal assistance<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n The Consular Office may provide Italian citizens who have been detained, arrested or imprisoned with a list of legal professionals whom they may contact for representation in legal proceedings. Legal expenses are borne by the citizen concerned. In cases of proven financial hardship and particular seriousness, financial assistance towards legal expenses may be provided in the form of:<\/p>\n Before providing financial assistance to Italian citizens detained abroad, the Consular Office will first establish whether family members in Italy are able to cover the relevant expenses.<\/p>\n Assistance in the event of loss or theft of documents<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n If an Italian citizen temporarily abroad has lost their documents or had them stolen and there is insufficient time to complete the necessary procedure for issuing a new passport, the Consular Office may issue a temporary travel document, also known as an E.T.D. \u2013 Emergency Travel Document.<\/p>\n Please note that, within the Schengen Area, some airlines may, depending on their own commercial policies, allow passengers to board upon presentation of the police report relating to the loss or theft of their documents.<\/p>\n\n
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