Waiting lists improve but nearly 3 million Italians wait too long for visits and exams

Italy's healthcare system is showing signs of improvement in tackling long waiting lists, with public and accredited private facilities delivering 1.6 million more medical visits and exams within guaranteed times in the first six months of 2026 compared to the same period in 2025. This progress is detailed in the Agenas Bulletin on waiting lists.

While the overall situation has improved, with 78.5% of first visits and 84.6% of diagnostic exams now completed on time, a significant challenge remains. Approximately 2.81 million Italians still face waits exceeding recommended periods for medical consultations or tests. The delays can extend beyond 300 days for "programmed" visits, which should ideally be completed within 120 days.

Urgent visits, scheduled within three days, generally adhere to timelines, with over 80% completed on time. However, even here, some delays occur, with nearly 8% of cases experiencing first availability more than a month later. For "short" visits (due within 10 days), about 20% are delayed, and for "deferred" visits (within 30 days), over 26% exceed the deadline, with 8.3% facing waits longer than six months.

Diagnostic exams also show mixed results. While urgent colonoscopies, electromyography, and abdominal MRIs often exceed the three-day deadline, mammograms for urgent cases are largely on schedule. The bulletin indicates that most regions are making progress, but persistent critical issues remain, and some areas are experiencing setbacks. The data highlights the ongoing effort to balance timely access with the demand for healthcare services across Italy.