🛡️ The Situation

Italy has functional, genuinely accessible sexual health infrastructure for gay and bisexual men — particularly in northern and central cities. PrEP has been free since late 2023, the Checkpoint network is excellent, and the public health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) covers HIV treatment and most STI-related care. The skill you need is navigation: knowing which door to knock on first and what to say when you get there.

For health insurance and registration:

  • EU Citizens: If living and working in Italy, you can register with the SSN for free. If not working, you may need an S1 form from your home country or private insurance.
  • Non-EU Citizens: You must hold a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) and a tax code (codice fiscale). Legal employment makes registration mandatory and free (iscrizione obbligatoria), while students or unemployed individuals can pay an annual fee for voluntary registration (iscrizione volontaria).
  • National Health Hotlines: For public health info, call +39 1500. For non-emergency medical advice, dial +39 116 117 (in regions where active).

⚖️ The Golden Rules

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 your 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 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 attempting 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.

⚖️ The Reality of the System

The Pros:

  • PrEP has been fully funded by the SSN since late 2023.
  • PEP is widely available at emergency departments across the country, and EHIC covers EU tourists.
  • Excellent, LGBTQ+-friendly Checkpoint network in major cities (Milan, Bologna, Rome) for rapid testing and support.
  • Comprehensive SSN coverage for HIV treatment and STI care for registered residents.

The Cons:

  • PrEP cannot be prescribed by GPs; it requires seeing an infectious disease specialist at an authorised centre, which can mean waitlists.
  • Sexual healthcare access and quality can vary significantly between the north/central regions and the south.
  • Full SSN coverage for non-EU citizens requires navigating bureaucracy for a residence permit and tax code, or paying an annual fee.

💬 Anonymous Partner Notification

If you test positive for an STI and absolutely cannot face the direct message (e.g., safety concerns, extreme anxiety), you must still ensure partners are warned.

Italy does not currently have a centralized, public anonymous notification portal. The most effective route is to ask the clinic or doctor who diagnosed you to assist; many local sexual health units, Checkpoints, or NGOs can facilitate confidential partner notification on your behalf without revealing your identity. It's always better than silence. Search for local Checkpoint providers or regional clinics for guidance.

🗺️ Guide Map

Testing & Clinics

Prevention

Emergencies & Support

Result Management

Support & System