Italy’s health care system is consistently ranked among the best in the world, but it works very differently from what many expats are used to. Whether you're applying for Italian citizenship, gaining residency, or planning a move, here's what you need to know. This post covers hospitals in Italy , how to get health insurance in Italy , what’s actually free, and what to expect as a legal resident or the spouse of an Italian citizen. Is Health Care in Italy Free? Mostly, yes.