Understanding Private vs. Public costs for Expats Moving to Italy as an expat or long-term resident often feels like stepping into a dream - until you have to navigate the healthcare system. For those used to the high-stakes, high-cost American insurance market, Italy’s Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN)  sounds like a paradise of "free" care. However, by 2026, the financial reality for residents has shifted. While the public system remains a sturdy safety net, the "out-of-po