The health care system in Italy is a regionally based national health service known as Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). It provides free of charge universal coverage at the point of service.
While the national level ensures the general objectives and fundamental principles of the national health care system are met, regional governments in Italy are responsible for ensuring the delivery of a benefits package to the population. Health care facilities vary in terms of quality in different regions of Italy.
In 2013, Italy hosted an expert consultation on public health aspects of migration in collaboration with WHO/Europe.physicians.
EUROPEAN UNION
Capital: Rome
Geographical size: 301.336 km2
Population: 60.782.668 (2014)
Population as % of total EU population: 12 % (2014)
GDP: € 1.560 trillion (2013)
Official EU language(s): Italian
Political system: Parliamentary Republic
EU member country since: 25 March 1957
Seats in the European Parliament: 73
Currency: Eurozone member since 1 January 1999
Schengen area member? Yes, Schengen Area member since 26 October 1997
Presidency of the Council: Italy has held the revolving presidency of the Council of the EU 12 times between 1959 and 2014
| Total population (2013) | 60.990.000 |
| Gross national income per capita (PPP international $, 2013) | 34.100 |
| Life expectancy at birth m/f (years, 2012) | 80/85 |
| Probability of dying under five (per 1 000 live births, 0) | not available |
| Probability of dying between 15 and 60 years m/f (per 1 000 population, 2012) | 69/38 |
| Total expenditure on health per capita (Intl $, 2012) | 3.040 |
| Total expenditure on health as % of GDP (2012) | 9,2 % |