Italy is one of the better countries in Europe for gay and bisexual men's sexual health infrastructure — particularly in northern and central cities. PrEP has been free since late 2023, the Checkpoint network is excellent, and the SSN covers HIV treatment and most STI-related care. Navigation is the main skill you need.
Three Golden Rules for Italy
1. PrEP Is Free — But Goes Through Malattie Infettive
Since late 2023, PrEP is fully funded (Fascia A) by the SSN. You cannot get it from a GP — you need an Infettivologo (infectious disease specialist) at an authorised centre. Use prepinfo.it to find your nearest centre. The Checkpoints in Milan, Bologna, and Rome can dramatically accelerate your access and cut through waiting lists.
2. The Checkpoints Are Your First Call
BLQ Checkpoint (Bologna), Milano Checkpoint, and Roma Checkpoint are community-run, non-judgmental, fast, and well-connected to the hospital system. For testing, PrEP navigation, vaccines, and psychosocial support — go to a Checkpoint before trying to navigate the public system alone.
3. For PEP, Any Pronto Soccorso with Malattie Infettive Works
PEP (called PPE in Italian) is available at emergency departments across Italy. You don't need to be in Milan or Rome. Go to the nearest hospital with an infectious disease unit, say "Ho bisogno della Profilassi Post-Esposizione per HIV," and they'll handle it. EHIC covers EU tourists.
Getting Tested
The Checkpoints (BLQ Bologna, Milano, Roma) provide free, rapid HIV testing plus syphilis and hepatitis. No ticket, no waiting list, no judgment.
Three-site rule: Every STI screen needs throat, rectal, and urethral swabs — not just blood. Ask explicitly for "tampone faringeo, rettale e uretrale." Most infections at these sites are asymptomatic.
Testing frequency: Every 3 months if sexually active with multiple partners. The Checkpoints are designed for this rhythm.
PrEP
Free since late 2023 through the SSN. Route: Malattie Infettive centre → infettivologo prescription → hospital pharmacy. Use prepinfo.it for centre list. Checkpoints fast-track the process significantly. Monitoring every 3 months (may have a ticket co-pay depending on region).
PEP (Emergency HIV Prevention)
Go immediately to the Pronto Soccorso of a hospital with Malattie Infettive. Within 72 hours — sooner is better.
Key centres:
- Milan: Ospedale Sacco (Via G.B. Grassi 74)
- Rome: Spallanzani (Via Portuense 292)
- Bologna: Sant'Orsola-Malpighi (Via Albertoni 15)
- Naples: Ospedale Cotugno (Via Quagliariello 54)
- Turin: Amedeo di Savoia (Corso Svizzera 164)
EHIC covers EU citizens. Non-EU: emergency care is provided, insurance covers cost.
General Education
HIV Basics Modern treatment makes HIV manageable. Undetectable = untransmittable. → HIV Facts
The STI Landscape What's circulating, how it spreads, what symptoms to watch for. → STI Landscape
Testing Protocol Why three sites, how often, and what to ask for. → Testing Protocol
PrEP — How It Works Daily and on-demand (2-1-1) approaches. → PrEP Mechanics
PEP — Emergency HIV Treatment The 72-hour window explained. → PEP Emergency
Prevention Stack All tools together — condoms, PrEP, treatment as prevention, vaccines. → Prevention Stack
Vaccines What's recommended for gay and bisexual men and why. → Vaccines Guide
Vaccines
Mpox is free for high-risk groups — prepinfo.it for current hubs. HPV is free up to 26 (sometimes 45) in Lombardia and Veneto; ask at your local Centro Vaccinale for the risk-group pathway. Hepatitis A and B are free or low-ticket for gay and bisexual men at ASL vaccination centres. Italy's system is good here — ask for it.
Mental Health
Arcigay's national network provides community connection and affirming therapist referrals. BLQ and Milano Checkpoints offer psychosocial support alongside testing. For HIV-related support: Lila (lila.it) and PLUS Onlus (plusonlus.it). Crisis line: Telefono Amico 02 2327 2327.
→ Mental Health Support in Italy
Chemsex
GHB emergencies: call 118 immediately. Milano Checkpoint and BLQ have begun addressing chemsex alongside sexual health. Arcigay's local chapters can connect you with SERD (drug treatment services). Non-judgmental help is available.
DoxyPEP
Available via your infettivologo or through Checkpoint referral. Cheap generic antibiotic, effective for chlamydia and syphilis. Ask your PrEP doctor.
Outside Major Cities
Turin, Florence, Naples, Palermo, and Sardinia all have Malattie Infettive capacity and Arcigay chapters. Use prepinfo.it for centres, arcigay.it for local community navigation.
→ Sexual Health Outside Major Cities
Italian Healthcare Vocabulary
SSN, impegnativa, ticket, CUP, Pronto Soccorso, tampone — the terms you need.
→ Italian Healthcare Vocabulary
Emergency Contacts
| Service | Contact | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Emergency (general) | 112 | English operators |
| Ambulance (118) | 118 | Pronto Soccorso ambulance |
| Spallanzani Rome | 06 5517 0400 | HIV/PEP national reference |
| Ospedale Sacco Milan | 02 3904 2651 | Infectious disease Milan |
| Sant'Orsola Bologna | 051 214 1111 | PEP/PrEP Bologna |
| Cotugno Naples | 081 290 4111 | Infectious disease Naples |
| BLQ Checkpoint | blqcheckpoint.it | Testing/PrEP navigation |
| Milano Checkpoint | milanocheckpoint.it | Testing/PrEP navigation |
| Roma Checkpoint | romacheckpoint.it | Testing/PrEP navigation |
| Arcigay | arcigay.it | LGBTQ+ community/support |
| prepinfo.it | prepinfo.it | PrEP centres + vaccine hubs |
| Telefono Amico | 02 2327 2327 | Mental health support |
About This Guide
Written for gay and bisexual men navigating Italian healthcare. Italy's system is genuinely good but requires knowing how to access it. The Checkpoints and prepinfo.it are the keys. Verify current information with your local Checkpoint.