:) Hello - My husband took a 3-year job in Florence, Italy and I am trying to find out lots of details of living in Italy with 2 kids (age 15 and 13). They are already in a school but I have so many questions about other things like orthodontists in Florence and medical care, etc.

We are visiting Florence in late January and will move over the summer. I'm really looking forward to it. We've lived in Argentina, Japan and Africa.

If anyone could help me out with the questions I have, I would appreciate it.

Thanks, Vicki

Hi Vicki, welcome to the forum!

Paolo will, hopefully, see your message and answer your questions - he's the best man to do that for you.

Vicki

Italy is a full member of the European Union and forms part of the European Economic Area (EEA). Reciprocal healthcare agreements between EU Member States means that EU visitors are entitled to urgent treatment either at a reduced costs or free. Urgent medical treatment is also available to citizens from countries outside the EU that have bilateral agreements with Italy. Citizens from these countries requiring medical treatment will need to obtain the relevant certification of entitlement, which is issued by the Aziende Sanitarie Locali (ASL).

Citizens from countries that have no bilateral healthcare agreement with Italy will need to have medical insurance. Countries with bilateral healthcare agreements with Italy are listed on the Ministero della Salute web site.

Each region in Italy has its own Azienda Sanitaria Unica Regionale or regional area health authority (sub-divisions of the SSN), which are further divided into ASL (Aziende Sanitaria Locale). You will need to visit your local one in Florence. The following link contains a list of all ASL addresses:

http://www.ministerosalute.it/servizio/documenti/Indirizzi_ASL_1_Gennaio_2005.pdf (http://www.ministerosalute.it/servizio/documenti/Indirizzi_ASL_1_Gennaio_2005.pdf)

Hi Mrs Vicky,

In Italy there is a public medical care but orthodontists is up to you and it's expensive but private is better.
If you want to know something else specific, ask me!

Good luck florence is beautifull joniosea