Italy Health Insurance Market Size (Gross Written Premium, New Business Premium), Share & Trends Analysis Report By Insurance Type (Public, Private), By Policy Type (Corporate, Retail Policy), By Distribution Channel, And Segment Forecasts, 2025 - 2030

Italy Health Insurance Market Size & Trends

The Italy health insurance market size in terms of gross written premium (GWP) was estimated at USD 52.38 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 2.1% from 2025 to 2030. The market size in terms of new business premium (NBP) was estimated at USD 1.56 billion in 2024 and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 1.8% from 2025 to 2030. The market is driven by several key factors, including the country’s rapidly aging population, increasing adoption of digital health solutions, rising health awareness, changing consumer needs, and ongoing technological advancements in healthcare and insurance services.

These drivers collectively drive demand for more comprehensive, specialized, accessible health insurance products. Insurers are innovating offerings catering to chronic disease management, preventive care, and personalized health plans, while leveraging technology to improve service delivery and patient engagement. Together, these trends are driving the growth and evolution of the sector. According to the Italy 2024 Digital Decade Country Report by the European Commission, the nation is making steady progress in digital infrastructure, with Fiber to the Premises (FTTP) reaching 59.6% coverage and Fixed Very High-Capacity Networks (VHCN) at 64%. These advancements support the foundation for digital health, positively driving the market outlook.

As digital capabilities improve, healthcare providers adopt telemedicine and electronic health records (EHRs) to enhance care delivery. In response, insurers recognize the value of digital tools in streamlining healthcare and adjust their products accordingly. Improved data management and easier access to medical services allow insurers to design personalized plans tailored to individual health needs and life stages, helping them better serve Italy’s diverse population.

Long wait times and limited access to certain elective or specialized services in the public system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) drive consumers to purchase supplementary insurance for faster access and broader service coverage. Chronic conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and respiratory ailments are on the rise in Italy, impacting a large share of the population. Data from the Italian Ministry of Health indicates that around 25% of adults are affected by chronic illnesses, a number that has steadily grown over the last ten years. This increasing burden underscores the need for robust health insurance plans that provide sufficient coverage for long-term treatment and care.

Despite universal healthcare coverage, Italian households are increasingly exposed to out-of-pocket payments for diagnostics, specialist visits, private hospitals, and dental services. This pushes more individuals, especially middle- and high-income groups, toward private health insurance as a financial safeguard.

According to the IVASS Statistical Bulletin titled “L’attività assicurativa nel comparto salute (2018-2023), Italy’s total healthcare spending reached USD 197.09 billion (Euro 176.1 billion), showing minimal growth from the previous year (+0.25%), but its share of GDP dropped to 8.3% from 8.8% in 2022. As households seek financial protection, this gap presents opportunities for insurers to expand coverage, introduce tailored products, and promote private policies especially collective ones. Growth in insurance intermediation eases pressure on the public sector, making the system more sustainable overall.

Italy's health insurance market in 2023 remains highly concentrated, with the top five companies controlling 66% of premiums and the top five groups 80%. Most premiums are collected via collective health fund policies (51.8%), followed by other collective (11.3%) and individual policies (36.9%). Claim frequency continues to rise, especially in collective segments, while average claim costs have slightly decreased. Premiums have increased overall, reflecting varying levels of coverage. It reflects that the market is concentrated among a few major insurers, with collective health fund policies leading premium collection. Increasing claim frequency and steady loss ratios signal stable operations, aiding assessments of risk, performance, and competitiveness for stakeholders.

Insurance Type Insights

The insurance type segment comprises the public and private segments. Public insurance is further cross-segmented into corporate policy and retail policy. The public segment dominated the market in 2024 and accounted for the largest revenue share of 91.14% in 2024. Italy's public health insurance system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), plays a central role in healthcare delivery. The country allocates more than 9% of its GDP to healthcare, surpassing the average spending of many developed nations. Funded primarily through general taxation, the SSN guarantees essential health services to all residents, reducing the need for private insurance. The system covers many services, including hospitalization, outpatient care, and medications, facilitating public reliance on state-provided coverage. Its vital infrastructure, equity-focused access, and consistent government investment sustain its dominance. As demand for healthcare services increases due to aging demographics, the public segment remains the backbone of Italy's health insurance framework.

The private segment in the Italian health insurance industry is anticipated to register the fastest growth over the forecast period. Private insurance is cross-segmented into corporate policy and retail policy. Factors such as Italy's aging population, increasing prevalence of chronic diseases, and longer public healthcare wait times drive individuals to seek private insurance solutions. Insurers are responding by offering tailored plans that include telemedicine, wellness programs, and chronic disease management. According to an article published in May 2023, major insurers are integrating digital health tools to improve service delivery and customer engagement. This shift reflects a broader trend towards consumer-centric healthcare in Italy.

Moreover, government initiatives promoting personal wellness provide an environment where private health insurance becomes increasingly relevant. This combination of factors is expected to sustain robust private health insurance sector growth.

Policy Type Insights

The corporate policy segment dominated the largest revenue share in 2024, driven by employers' increasing focus on employee well-being and retention. Companies offer comprehensive health coverage as part of their benefits packages, enhancing job attractiveness. These policies often provide quicker access to private healthcare services, reducing reliance on the public system. In addition, such policies offer tax advantages, incentivizing their adoption and contributing to market growth.

The retail policy segment is the fastest-growing in Italy's health insurance GWP market, driven by increasing consumer demand for personalized and accessible coverage. Factors such as the aging population, rising healthcare costs, and a preference for private healthcare services contribute to this growth. In addition, advancements in digital platforms enable insurers to offer tailored products, enhancing customer engagement. Furthermore, demographic shifts, including an aging population and urbanization trends, influence the demand for health insurance. Older individuals seek better protection due to health concerns and increased vulnerability to health. Urbanization leads to higher accidents due to increased city traffic and activity levels, prompting residents to secure adequate coverage.

Private Health Insurance Market (GWP), By Distribution Channel Insights

The employer-sponsored group plans segment held the largest revenue share in 2024, driven by increasing corporate focus on employee well-being and cost-effective healthcare solutions. Employers offer group plans as part of comprehensive benefits packages to attract and retain talent, especially in competitive industries. These plans provide broader coverage and lower premiums than individual policies, making them appealing to companies and employees. Rising healthcare costs and growing awareness of preventive care drive demand.

The brokers and intermediaries segment is expected to be the fastest growing for the forecast period. This growth is driven by the increasing complexity of health insurance products, which necessitate expert guidance. Consumers seek personalized advice to navigate policy options, making brokers essential in matching clients with suitable coverage. In addition, the rise of digital platforms has enhanced brokers' efficiency, enabling them to offer real-time comparisons and tailored solutions. This digital transformation and the demand for customized insurance plans position brokers as pivotal players in Italy's evolving health insurance landscape.

Key Italy Health Insurance Company Insights

A mix of established domestic providers and international players compete to offer comprehensive coverage solutions amid growing demand. Market share is influenced by digital innovation, customer service quality, product diversification, and the ability to adapt to evolving healthcare needs. Insurers that leverage advanced technologies for claims processing, policy management, and personalized health services are gaining a competitive edge. In addition, those offering flexible plans tailored to aging populations and individuals with chronic conditions are seeing increased uptake.

Recent Developments

• In September 2024, Berkshire Hathaway Specialty Insurance (BHSI) opened a new office in Milan, Italy, as part of its regional expansion strategy. The company aims to provide sustainable, long-term solutions to the local insurance market.

“Since opening our first European offices in 2016, BHSI has been growing thoughtfully and strategically across the region, always with an eye on bringing sustainable, long-term solutions to the marketplace. We are pleased to now expand into Italy with Leo leading our business, building a team with exceptional talent, and bringing the BHSI brand, balance sheet, and service to the marketplace.”

- Alessandro Cerase, Head of Europe, BHSI

• In June 2024, Ardonagh finalized the acquisitions of Italian insurance brokerage firms Mediass S.p.A. and Mansutti S.r.l. These acquisitions bring a combined customer base of approximately 128,000 clients and add nearly 60 employees to Ardonagh’s operations, positioning Ardonagh Italia among Italy's top ten insurance brokers.

“The completion of Mediass and Mansutti S.r.l deals heralds the arrival of Ardonagh Italia into the top ten brokers of size in Italy. This newly enhanced Italian outfit is reflective of Ardonagh’s commitment to building in-country platforms across Europe that are powered by best-in-class talent with deeply entrenched relationships with clients and partners.”

- Conor Brennan, Executive Chairman, Ardonagh Global Partners

Italy Health Insurance in Terms of GWP Market Report Scope

Italy Health Insurance in Terms of NBP Market Report Scope

Italy Health Insurance Market Report Segmentation

This report forecasts revenue and volume growth at a country level and provides an analysis of industry trends in each of the sub-segments from 2018 to 2030. For this study, Grand View Research, Inc. has segmented the Italy health insurance market report based on insurance type, policy type, and distribution channel:

• Insurance Type Outlook (Revenue USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Italy Health Insurance Market {Gross Written Premiums (GWP)}

    • Public

      • By Policy Type

        • Corporate Policy

        • Retail Policy

      • By Distribution Channel

        • Employer-Based Enrollment

        • Direct Enrollment via SSN (ASL/INPS)

        • Family Member Inclusion

        • Self-Employed / Freelancer Enrollment

    • Private

      • By Policy Type

        • Corporate Policy

        • Retail Policy

      • By Distribution Channel

        • Employer-Sponsored Group Plans

        • Brokers & Intermediaries

        • Direct-to-Consumer (DTC)

        • Credit Institutions

        • Mutual Aid & Non-Profit Funds

  • Italy Health Insurance Market {New Business Premiums (NBP)}

    • Public

    • Private

• Policy Type Outlook (Revenue USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Corporate Policy

  • Retail Policy

• Distribution Channel Outlook (Revenue USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

  • Traditional Distribution Channels

  • Digital/Online Distribution Channels