The Italian national health system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN, offers low-cost healthcare of a good standard, for all residents and their families.
This service is extended to citizens of all EU countries. Emergency care is given to visitors, irrespective of their nationality.
For emergencies, you can be treated in hospital with an European Heath Card or E128 form (or Irish equivalent). A European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) entitles you to reduced-cost, sometimes free, medical treatment that becomes necessary while you're in a European Economic Area (EEA) country or Switzerland.
You will need a residence permit to register with the local health authority, the L'Unita Sanitaria Locale or USL to obtain your national health number. Private health insurance is also very popular in Italy.
As far as health care is concerned, Italy ranks among the World Health Organization's top 10 countries for quality health care services (by contrast, the U.S. only holds 37th place, despite being the highest spender).