Heading to Rome with kids and wondering about hospital? Read this first.

What to Know

Rome has several large hospitals. For emergencies, call 118 for an ambulance or go to the nearest Pronto Soccorso (emergency room). Policlinico Umberto I near Termini station is one of the largest and most central. Policlinico Gemelli in the north is considered one of Italy's top hospitals. For children, Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu on the Janiculum Hill is the main pediatric hospital and one of the most respected in Europe.

The Italian ER uses a color-coded triage system: red (immediate), yellow (urgent), green (minor), white (non-urgent). Non-urgent cases can wait several hours, especially at busy hospitals like Umberto I. If your situation isn't an emergency, consider the Guardia Medica turistica, a tourist medical guard service available in summer months that provides English-speaking doctors for visitors. For private and faster care, Rome American Hospital in the EUR district operates like a private facility with English-speaking staff. Bring your passport, EHIC if you have one, and insurance information.

Doctors at the major hospitals generally speak some English, especially at Policlinico Gemelli and San Camillo. Reception and nursing staff typically speak Italian only. Near the Vatican and tourist areas, clinics catering to visitors have better English support. Writing down your symptoms in Italian using a translation app saves time.

Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu is where you want to go for a child's emergency. It's a standalone pediatric hospital with a dedicated ER. The main campus is in Trastevere area (Gianicolo hill), and there's a second location at Palidoro on the coast. The Trastevere campus is reachable by taxi from the city center in about 15 minutes.

Hopefully you won't need any of this. But if you do, travel-er.app is built for exactly that moment.

This page is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Information may be outdated or inaccurate. Always call ahead to confirm. See our full disclaimer.

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Sources: Ospedale Pediatrico Bambino Gesu · CDC Travel Health: Italy · WHO Europe: Italy