CUP (Centro Unico di Prenotazione): Who Qualifies and What You Get
Learn how to use the centralized booking system for public medical exams in Italy and what you need to prepare for your appointment.
The CUP is a centralized booking system used to schedule medical exams and visits within the public healthcare system.
Who it's for
This service is available to patients who have received a formal referral from their doctor.
What you get
You gain access to a single, coordinated system to book various medical examinations and specialist visits provided by the public health service.
What it costs you
There is no direct fee to use the booking service itself, but you must have the specific referral code provided by your general practitioner to complete a booking.
The catch to know
While this is the standard way to access public care, wait times for appointments can be extremely long. If you need a checkup urgently, private healthcare alternatives are often much faster.
How to apply
- Obtain a medical referral from your doctor.
- Locate your referral code on the document.
- Contact the booking service via their designated channels to find an available slot.