Can visitors use public healthcare in Sardinia?

Visitors get limited public cover — emergency care is usually available, but routine care often is not. Emergency treatment is available to everyone regardless of status.

Do I need health insurance to travel to Sardinia?

It depends on your nationality and visa type; several routes require proof of medical cover. Without cover, emergency care costs €25-400.

How do I see a Doctor in Sardinia?

EU citizens: EHIC at ASL (local health authority) or Guardia Medica Turistica (tourist doctor service in summer). Private doctors in main cities. Good in Cagliari, Sassari, Olbia. Guardia Medica Turistica operates in resort areas Jun-Sep only. Very limited in interior and small coastal towns.

Healthcare in Sardinia: Costs & Emergency Numbers

Name: Healthcare in Sardinia: Costs & Emergency Numbers
Creator: ViscaCare

Emergency Numbers & Access

In an emergency, call 112 (European)

Call 118 for ambulance or 112. Italian ER uses triage colour codes: rosso (red — immediate), giallo (yellow — urgent), verde (green — minor), bianco (white — non-urgent). White-code patients may wait 4-8+ hours and pay €25. Coast Guard for maritime emergencies: 1530.

Response time: 10-15 minutes in Cagliari and Sassari. 15-30+ minutes in coastal resorts. 30+ minutes in interior. Helicopter (elisoccorso) available for remote areas.

Cost: Public ER (EHIC): FREE for urgent cases. Codice bianco (non-urgent): €25 ticket. Private: €100-400.

Healthcare System

Sardinia has adequate public healthcare managed by ATS Sardegna. Main hospitals: AOU Cagliari (university hospital, south), AOU Sassari (university hospital, north), Ospedale Giovanni Paolo II (Olbia — closest to Costa Smeralda). Costa Smeralda (Porto Cervo) has private clinics for wealthy tourists. Interior and rural areas have limited healthcare. English is limited — Italian essential in healthcare settings.

Designed for: Italian residents and EHIC holders. Major summer tourism destination.

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GP Access & Costs

EU citizens: EHIC at ASL (local health authority) or Guardia Medica Turistica (tourist doctor service in summer). Private doctors in main cities.

Typical wait: Guardia Medica Turistica: 1-3 hours (summer). Private: same-day. Public ER (non-urgent): 4-8+ hours.

Availability: Good in Cagliari, Sassari, Olbia. Guardia Medica Turistica operates in resort areas Jun-Sep only. Very limited in interior and small coastal towns.

GP Visit

Guardia Medica Turistica: €20-50

Private GP

€60-120

ER Without Insurance

€25-400

Medication

Italian pharmacy prices — moderate. Farmacie in all towns. Prescription (ricetta medica) needed for most medications.

Health insurance is strongly recommended

Pharmacy & Medication

Hours: Mon-Fri 8:30am-1pm, 4-8pm. Farmacia di turno for after-hours.

OTC: Moderate range. Italian pharmacies more restrictive than some EU countries.

Controlled substances: Standard EU regulations. Italian customs can be strict — carry prescriptions.

Practical Tips

AOU Cagliari and AOU Sassari — university hospitals with best care on the island
Ospedale Giovanni Paolo II (Olbia) — closest hospital to Costa Smeralda resorts
Guardia Medica Turistica — summer-only tourist doctor service in resort areas. Ask your hotel.
Learn key Italian: "Ho bisogno di un medico" (I need a doctor), "Ho male qui" (It hurts here), "Sono allergico a..." (I'm allergic to...)
Jellyfish treatment: Italian pharmacies sell specific creams (crema per meduse)
Bring own medications — pharmacy stock can be limited in small coastal towns

Who can get care in Sardinia?

Emergency care for anyone

Emergency departments in Sardinia treat everyone regardless of residency or insurance status. Charges can still apply afterwards.

Public system for visitors

Visitors get partial public cover — usually emergencies only, with routine care paid privately.

Seeing a Doctor as a visitor

EU citizens: EHIC at ASL (local health authority) or Guardia Medica Turistica (tourist doctor service in summer). Private doctors in main cities. Typical cost: Guardia Medica Turistica: €20-50. Private GP: €60-120. Specialist: €80-200. Typical wait: Guardia Medica Turistica: 1-3 hours (summer). Private: same-day. Public ER (non-urgent): 4-8+ hours.

Insurance needed for entry or visa

It depends on nationality and visa route — several routes require proof of medical cover.

Documents worth having ready

EHIC/GHIC
Passport/ID
Travel insurance
Italian phrases for medical situations

Local contacts in Sardinia

Emergency services

112 (European) / 118 (medical emergency — Italy)

Pharmacies

Mon-Fri 8:30am-1pm, 4-8pm. Farmacia di turno for after-hours.

Moderate range. Italian pharmacies more restrictive than some EU countries.

Can't get seen locally?

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What is the emergency number in Sardinia?

112 (European) or 118 (medical emergency — Italy) in Sardinia. Call 118 for ambulance or 112. Italian ER uses triage colour codes: rosso (red — immediate), giallo (yellow — urgent), verde (green — minor), bianco (white — non-urgent). White-code patients may wait 4-8+ hours and pay €25. Coast Guard for maritime emergencies: 1530.

How much does a Doctor visit cost in Sardinia?

Guardia Medica Turistica: €20-50. Private GP: €60-120. Specialist: €80-200. Private consultations: €60-120.

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Sources: ATS Sardegna, Italian Ministry of Health (SSN), European Commission EHIC

Last reviewed: March 2026 by ViscaCare

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