Home › Travel Guides › Europe Travel Guide › Italy › Italy health care and vaccinations
Image gallery

Tuscan vineyard

© 123rf.com / Temistocle Lucarelli

Italy health care and vaccinations

Vaccination identifier Special precautions
Diphtheria

No
Hepatitis A

No
Malaria

No
Rabies

No
Tetanus

Yes
Typhoid

No
Yellow Fever

No

For European visitors who are taken ill or have an accident, free or reduced-cost treatment is available - in most cases on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). These should be obtained before leaving for Italy. The EHIC gives access to state-provided medical treatment and replaces Form E111, which is no longer valid. Dial 118 for an ambulance in an emergency. Most dentists are private.

Food and drink: 

Tap water is generally safe to drink. Bottled water is available. The inscription 'Acqua Non Potabile' means water is not drinkable. Milk is generally pasteurised and dairy products are safe for consumption. Past outbreaks of brucellosis in southern regions means unpasteurised buffalo mozzarella is best avoided. Local meat, poultry, seafood, fruit and vegetables are considered safe to eat.

Travel Deals

Recommended Sites:

Protect yourself from malaria
Before you travel, find out if your holiday destination is in a malaria zone.
(An educational initiative organised and funded by GlaxoSmithKline Travel Health. UK/MARK/0173/10 September 2010)
Travel insurance
For residents of over 150 countries. High levels of medical, evacuation, emergency & most adventure activities covered.