Navigating Pregnancy in Italy: The Complete Expat Maternity Guide

Start with your healthcare entitlement

Pregnancy in a new country brings questions that deserve time, not rushed translation. The Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) is Italy’s public healthcare system, but your route to registration depends on residence, work and immigration status. A codice fiscale identifies you for administrative purposes; it does not on its own establish healthcare entitlement.

Contact the local health authority for your address, called ASL, AUSL or ULSS depending on the region. Ask which documents apply to your circumstances, whether registration is compulsory or voluntary, and how to obtain your tessera sanitaria. If you are temporarily in Italy, ask how your European Health Insurance Card or private cover applies: neither should be assumed to replace planned maternity arrangements.

Build a clear pregnancy pathway

Ask your clinician or consultorio familiare how to arrange pregnancy appointments, screening and hospital referral. Some appropriate maternity investigations can be covered with pregnancy exemption codes; the clinician must check eligibility and issue the correct prescription. Do not assume that every test is automatically free.

Keep a folder with your pregnancy record, test results, prescriptions and contact numbers. If your records are in another language, ask which documents require translation and which your clinical team can use as they stand. A short summary of allergies, medicines and previous pregnancies helps when changing providers.

Choose your hospital through questions, not assumptions

Discuss hospital choice with the team following your pregnancy, especially if you have a medical condition or need specialist care. Ask about registration, obstetric triage, partner access, pain-relief pathways and postpartum follow-up. Local arrangements change and should be confirmed directly with the maternity unit.

For families in Verona, the Ospedale della Donna e del Bambino at Borgo Trento is an important maternity reference. Ask AOUI Verona which site and clinic applies to your appointments rather than assuming that every service is offered at both Borgo Trento and Borgo Roma. Around Lake Garda, your residence and clinical needs may involve different health authorities and hospitals.

Prepare a bilingual birth plan

A birth plan is a conversation document, not a guarantee of a particular outcome. Keep it concise: your communication needs, support person, preferences for comfort and pain relief, feeding plans and any concerns the team should understand. Review it during pregnancy so the team can explain what is possible in your circumstances.

Discuss your preferences in Italian alongside your own language with your treating team. Decisions during labour remain with you and your treating team, taking account of consent, clinical assessment and safety.

Arrange support for the first weeks

Before birth, identify your discharge follow-up, a paediatric care pathway and someone to contact about feeding or recovery. Ask your local authority how and when to register your baby and choose a paediatrician. A manageable plan is more useful than a long list of products.

The Expat Midwife’s remote support is planned across Italy and before relocation, with future in-person care and home visits limited to Verona and Lake Garda. These services are currently in preparation and cannot be booked. Remote consultations can clarify preparation and feeding questions but cannot replace an examination or urgent medical assessment.

Your next practical steps

• Confirm SSN or insurance arrangements for your individual circumstances.
• Ask your clinician how appointments and hospital registration work locally.
• Put your records and maternity-unit contacts in one accessible place.
• Discuss your birth preferences and plan early postpartum support.

If symptoms are urgent, contact your maternity unit or emergency services rather than waiting for a consultation. This guide provides general information and does not replace individual medical, insurance or legal advice.