* Article updated on 18/11/2025
The debate over whether the Meloni government truly protects its citizens abroad has taken a new turn in Rome.
A bill is currently under consideration in the Italian Chamber of Deputies that aims to modify the 1978 legislation on the healthcare system.
The text, already approved by the Social Affairs CommitteeIt establishes an annual payment of two thousand euros for Italian citizens residing outside the European Union and registered in AIRE, the registry of Italians living abroad.
Fees would be optional, says Congressman Fabio Porta.
According to Representative Fabio Porta (PD), there is confusion about the content of the proposal. He stated that the bill does not change the current rules for accessing emergency medical care, nor the ninety-day coverage period for Italians temporarily residing in Italy.
“What the proposal does is offer a new option. Today, those registered with Aire are not entitled to a health card. With the new rule, they will be able to obtain it by paying an annual fee. But this will be optional, not mandatory,” Porta explained.
The parliamentarian opposed three points in the text: the tax rate, considered high for residents of South America; the lack of exemption for students; and the exclusion of retirees. Amendments proposing adjustments were presented by the Democratic Party, but rejected by the government and the author of the bill, Deputy Andrea Di Giuseppe.
Proposal exposes inequalities
The justification presented by the authors of the proposal is that the charge reflects the average per capita cost of healthcare in Italy.
However, the measure does not take into account the income disparity in countries where many Italians live. In regions such as Latin America, Africa, or the Caribbean, monthly income can range from $150 to $400. In these cases, the tax amount is equivalent to several salaries and becomes inaccessible.
The current system remains valid for emergencies.
Current legislation guarantees free, urgent medical care for up to ninety days for Italian citizens who temporarily return to the country without public or private health insurance coverage abroad. This rule will not be altered by the proposal under consideration.
The novelty would be the possibility of paying the fee to obtain the health insurance cardwhich allows full access to the healthcare system during stays in Italy.
What do the authors of the project say?
Andrea Di Giuseppe, from the Fratelli d'Italia party, is the author of the proposal. He states that the goal is to allow Italians living abroad to have regular access to public healthcare.
According to the deputy, this is an "act of respect" and a "step forward for those living outside of Italy." Di Giuseppe also argued that the system would help curb abuses by people accessing the healthcare system without contributing.
The debate must continue.
The text will continue to be debated in Parliament. Fabio Porta, who does not support the proposal as it stands, advocates adjustments to make it fairer. According to him, it is necessary to prevent the measure from excluding those who most need access to Italian public healthcare.
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WRONG
The previous version of this article stated that Italians living abroad would lose their right to non-urgent medical care if they did not pay the annual fee. This information is incorrect.
According to clarification from Congressman Fabio Porta, the proposal creates a new option without altering the rights already guaranteed. Emergency care and the three months of coverage for those temporarily returning to Italy remain valid for everyone.
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