https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Allergy season is upon us in Italy – cue the endless sneezing coupled with red and itchy eyes. Here's what you can ask for at the pharmacy to help you fight off the pollen. https://www.thelocal.it/20260317/allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-italian-pharmacies Tue, 17 Mar 2026 14:00:15 +0100 allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-italian-pharmacies Life expectancy data reveals that people are living longer in Europe on average, but major differences in gender and geography remain. https://www.thelocal.it/20260315/where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Sun, 15 Mar 2026 15:20:07 +0100 where-in-europe-are-people-likely-to-live-longer Environmental pollution is linked to several mental health disorders in Europe, the European Environment Agency (EEA) has warned, arguing that enforcing legislation would result in Europeans being both less depressed and less anxious. https://www.thelocal.it/20260305/pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems Thu, 05 Mar 2026 14:10:55 +0100 pollution-exposure-in-europe-linked-to-mental-health-problems An Italian toddler who received a faulty heart transplant died on Saturday, in a case that has caused outrage in Italy over alleged medical malpractice. https://www.thelocal.it/20260221/toddler-with-faulty-transplant-that-shocked-italy-dies Sat, 21 Feb 2026 15:21:34 +0100 toddler-with-faulty-transplant-that-shocked-italy-dies Swiss food giant Nestlé has announced a recall of batches of infant formula in several European countries, notably France, Germany, Austria, Denmark, Italy and Sweden, as a precautionary measure. https://www.thelocal.it/20260106/nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries Tue, 06 Jan 2026 08:35:35 +0100 nestle-recalls-infant-formula-in-several-european-countries Getting your tessera sanitaria or health insurance card as a foreign resident in Italy can be a challenge. Where's all the official information? And do you really have to go to the office in person – twice? https://www.thelocal.it/20251009/explained-how-to-register-for-healthcare-in-italy Thu, 09 Oct 2025 11:43:20 +0200 explained-how-to-register-for-healthcare-in-italy Making an appointment with a doctor is usually an uncomplicated task, but everything gets a little harder when you're in a new country. https://www.thelocal.it/20221122/key-points-what-you-should-know-if-you-need-to-see-a-doctor-in-italy Tue, 22 Nov 2022 13:50:54 +0100 key-points-what-you-should-know-if-you-need-to-see-a-doctor-in-italy Sardinia became Italy's second region to approve a law regulating end-of-life issues on Wednesday, after Tuscany passed a similar law in February. https://www.thelocal.it/20250918/sardinia-becomes-second-italian-region-to-pass-assisted-dying-law Thu, 18 Sep 2025 12:48:38 +0200 sardinia-becomes-second-italian-region-to-pass-assisted-dying-law New rules on the products used in nail salons came into effect across the EU on September 1st - here's what that means for manicure fans in Europe. https://www.thelocal.it/20250902/mythbuster-has-the-eu-really-banned-gel-manicures Tue, 02 Sep 2025 18:15:58 +0200 mythbuster-has-the-eu-really-banned-gel-manicures UK residents can access free healthcare in Italy with the Global Health Insurance Card – but when and how can you use it? https://www.thelocal.it/20250828/what-brits-visiting-italy-need-to-know-about-the-ghic-health-card Thu, 28 Aug 2025 12:39:20 +0200 what-brits-visiting-italy-need-to-know-about-the-ghic-health-card Summer in Italy brings with it heatwaves, thunderstorms and, in parts of the country, those little creatures that can be as dangerous as annoying: ticks. https://www.thelocal.it/20210729/ticks-in-italy-how-to-avoid-them-and-protect-yourself Thu, 29 Jul 2021 19:12:13 +0200 ticks-in-italy-how-to-avoid-them-and-protect-yourself Cases of West Nile virus infection are on the rise in Italy, with nine deaths linked to the mosquito-borne disease so far. But how severe is the outbreak and what can you do to protect yourself? https://www.thelocal.it/20250730/qa-what-you-need-to-know-about-italys-west-nile-virus-outbreak-2 Wed, 30 Jul 2025 15:31:46 +0200 qa-what-you-need-to-know-about-italys-west-nile-virus-outbreak-2 From ear piercings to flu jabs, Italian ‘farmacie’ are among the most useful stores in the country, but they can also be very odd places. https://www.thelocal.it/20230120/living-in-italy-five-tips-to-help-you-survive-the-local-pharmacy Fri, 20 Jan 2023 17:48:44 +0100 living-in-italy-five-tips-to-help-you-survive-the-local-pharmacy Regular visitors who spend extended periods of time in Italy, own property in the country, or have dual citizenship are sometimes unsure of their healthcare rights or the type of policy they’ll need. Here's a look at the available options. https://www.thelocal.it/20240206/second-home-owners-what-are-the-options-for-healthcare-in-italy Tue, 06 Feb 2024 11:29:46 +0100 second-home-owners-what-are-the-options-for-healthcare-in-italy Europe has thousands of incredible swimming spots around its beaches, lakes and rivers, but which countries have the cleanest and dirtiest waters? https://www.thelocal.it/20250621/revealed-where-in-europe-has-the-cleanest-and-dirtiest-swimming-spots Sat, 21 Jun 2025 11:12:22 +0200 revealed-where-in-europe-has-the-cleanest-and-dirtiest-swimming-spots Italian writer Daniele Pieroni was the first to die through medically assisted suicide under Tuscany’s new right-to-die law, campaigners said on Wednesday. https://www.thelocal.it/20250611/italian-writer-first-to-die-under-tuscanys-assisted-suicide-law Wed, 11 Jun 2025 16:42:17 +0200 italian-writer-first-to-die-under-tuscanys-assisted-suicide-law In Italy, when a child falls ill, parents are entitled to take time off work to care for them. These parental leave rights vary depending on the child’s age and, in most cases, whether the parent works in the public or private sector. Here’s how the system works. https://www.thelocal.it/20250425/explained-how-much-time-can-parents-in-italy-take-off-for-sick-children Fri, 25 Apr 2025 17:15:26 +0200 explained-how-much-time-can-parents-in-italy-take-off-for-sick-children Seeing a doctor can be a challenging experience if you’re new to the Italian healthcare system, but possibly even more so if your 'dottore' doesn't have a good command of English. https://www.thelocal.it/20240417/the-key-italian-vocabulary-youll-need-for-a-doctors-visit Wed, 17 Apr 2024 14:16:38 +0200 the-key-italian-vocabulary-youll-need-for-a-doctors-visit Measles cases doubled in Europe in 2024 to a 25-year high, the World Health Organization said on Thursday, stressing the importance of vaccinations to curb the illness' spread. https://www.thelocal.it/20250313/measles-cases-in-europe-double-to-reach-25-year-high Thu, 13 Mar 2025 15:47:30 +0100 measles-cases-in-europe-double-to-reach-25-year-high Italy is known for having one of the best healthcare systems in the world, but when it comes to hospitals there are significant regional differences. A new ranking reveals which area has the country's best. https://www.thelocal.it/20250227/what-are-italys-best-hospitals-for-2025 Thu, 27 Feb 2025 12:47:15 +0100 what-are-italys-best-hospitals-for-2025