An individual, who is not an Italian citizen, but who is a holder of a resident permit in Italy, usually receives:
• All the civil and social rights attributed to Italian
citizens;
• The right to seek judicial remedy in case of breaches
to his/her civil and social rights.
As per the Italian Immigration Law (Testo Unico sull’Immigrazione), foreigner citizens residing in Italy are, based on the type of their stay permit, either mandatorily recorded or allowed to be recorded within the National Health System (Sistema Sanitario Nazionale).
Voting rights are accorded solely to Italian citizens. However, EU Nationals residing in Italy are allowed to vote and to be voted with respect to the election in the Italian town municipality in which they are currently residing. Holders of residence permits are entitled to the same benefits as nationals for as long as the permit is valid.
The Italian National Health Service (SSN) provides assistance to foreign nationals living or working in Italy. The services are differently provided depending on whether the foreign national is an EU citizen or a non-EU citizen.
EU citizen does have direct access to the medic care and assistance provided by Italian public facilities, while instead the EU Member State of citizenship will ultimately bear the cost of any medic care and assistance provided by the SSN.
Non-EU citizens, with regular residence permit valid for more than three months, as well as their dependent family members, are entitled to voluntary registration with the SSN following the payment of a yearly contribution charge.
