The numbers to call, the pharmacists who act as first port of call, the free tourist clinic and how insurance works: the practical side of staying healthy in Rome.
Last updated August 23, 2026
In a nutshell: healthcare in Rome is easy to reach, and the system is well used to visitors. One number covers almost everything - 112 - and for anything minor, asking a pharmacist first (the local habit) will save you a lot of fuss. Sort the rest of the practical side via practical tips and the planning chapter, and check the FAQ for quick answers.
The one number that matters most is 112, Europe's emergency line, free to call from any phone and answered around the clock. The operators usually speak English, so you can describe the problem and they will connect you with the right service. It works across Italy, not only in Rome.
Call 112 for anything urgent - a medical crisis, a crime in progress or a fire. The operator sends your call to the right team; medical emergencies go to the ambulance service, which you can also reach directly at 118. Calling from a hotel? Hand the phone to the reception desk - they can explain where you are in Italian and will know exactly where the nearest medical help is.
| Service | Number |
|---|---|
| European emergency (ambulance, police, fire) | 112 |
| Medical emergency (ambulance) | 118 |
| Free tourist clinic (Guardia Medica Turistica) | Trastevere, Via Emilio Morosini 30 |
When the problem is more serious, there is a free tourist clinic in Trastevere where you can walk in without an appointment: the Guardia Medica Turistica at Via Emilio Morosini 30. It is the obvious next step between a pharmacy and an emergency room for things like fevers, infections or anything else a doctor should look at.
If you prefer a private consultation, Rome has clinics where doctors speak English and will see visitors for a fee. The hotel reception can usually recommend one nearby and help you arrange the visit.
When you feel unwell, the local approach works: ask the hotel staff first. Most hoteliers are walking encyclopedias of their neighbourhood and can help with everything from booking a great dinner to pointing you to the closest medical service, a late-night pharmacy or a doctor you can speak to in your own language.
Italy's public health service is obliged by law to give emergency treatment to anyone, so you will never be turned away. EU nationals qualify for discounted, sometimes free, medical treatment using a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC), issued by their home health authority. Visitors from Britain need the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card) instead. Non-EU citizens should take out medical insurance before they travel.
Travel insurance exists to take the sting out of the biggest financial risks of a trip - accidents and illness, a missed flight, a cancelled tour, lost baggage, theft, or an emergency evacuation that ends with you being flown home. Before buying, check what you are already covered for - plenty of premium credit cards bundle in generous protection, and some medical, home or renters policies extend to travel too. Then weigh how likely you are to want to postpone or scrap your plans, how large a share of your prepaid expenses you would lose, and how much risk you are comfortable carrying. As a rough guide, a policy costing around 10 percent of what the whole trip costs is a small price for peace of mind when set against the potential loss if something goes badly wrong.
Summer in Rome can be brutal: thermometers regularly climb past 40°C, and 18 July 2023 saw the mercury reach 42.9°C, a record for the city. Beat the heat with sun cream and a hat, keep drinking water throughout the day (the city's free drinking fountains are there for exactly that) and plan your sightseeing around the hottest hours, when the sun is at its worst. The tap water is fine to drink unless it is labelled 'acqua non potabile' (non-drinking water).