The CUP, or Centro Unico di Prenotazione, is Italy’s centralised system for booking medical appointments through the public health network. If you need to see a specialist, schedule lab tests, or arrange a hospital visit, the CUP connects you to available services within your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale).
👉 For a full overview of how the Italian health system works, see our guide: Italian National Health System (SSN) Explained.
What the CUP Does
The CUP acts as a bridge between citizens and healthcare providers. Through it, you can book, reschedule, or cancel medical appointments in both public hospitals and affiliated private clinics. Each region manages its own CUP platform, so procedures may vary slightly. Once your doctor issues a prescription or impegnativa, you use the CUP to reserve your slot. It ensures your data, prescription code, and specialist type match correctly in the health database.
Where and How to Book
You can access the CUP in several ways:
- In person at local ASL counters or hospital booking offices.
- By phone, calling the regional or provincial CUP number.
- Online, through regional health portals or mobile apps.
- In pharmacies, which often act as intermediaries for CUP bookings.
Whichever option you choose, you’ll need your Tessera Sanitaria (health card) and the prescription from your doctor.
Required Information
When booking through the CUP, always keep these details handy:
- Codice Fiscale (Italian Social Security Code)
- Doctor’s prescription number
- Preferred location for your visit
- Type of service or specialist
- Any exemptions for income or chronic conditions
If your prescription is digital (known as a ricetta), the system automatically retrieves it via the prescription code, avoiding the need to hand in the paper copy.
Waiting Times and Priority
CUP systems assign priorities based on the doctor’s indications:
- U (Urgente) – within 72 hours
- B (Breve) – within 10 days
- D (Differibile) – within 30 to 60 days
- P (Programmata) – scheduled without urgency
These categories, printed on your impegnativa, influence how soon you’ll get an appointment. In some areas, if waiting lists are too long, you may request an appointment in a nearby facility within the same region or an affiliated private center.
Online vs In-Person Booking
Many regions, including Lazio, Lombardy, and Emilia-Romagna, have developed CUP online portals that let you manage appointments directly from your smartphone. They usually support SPID (digital ID) or Tessera Sanitaria login. However, elderly residents and foreigners often prefer in-person booking at ASL counters, where staff can verify documents and help with Italian forms. If you need English assistance, some major hospitals in cities like Milan and Rome have dedicated help desks.
👉 Related: to learn more about the ASL, see our guide: What is ASL in Italy.
Payments and Ticket Fees
Most visits booked through the CUP require a ticket, a co-payment that depends on the type of service and your income level. You can pay the ticket:
- Directly at the CUP counter (cash or card)
- At a self-service kiosk inside hospitals
- Online through the PagoPA system
- In some cases, at affiliated pharmacies
Once paid, your appointment is confirmed. You must present both your receipt and Tessera Sanitaria on the day of your visit.
Missed Appointments
If you don’t show up without canceling in advance, you may still be charged the full ticket. To avoid this, call or log in to your CUP account at least 48 hours before the appointment. Some regions automatically suspend your ability to book new visits until the missed appointment is cleared.
CUP in Le Marche
In Le Marche, the CUP system is managed regionally under Regione Marche Sanità . Appointments can be booked:
- Online through the MyCUPMarche portal
- By phone (free number 800 098 798)
- In pharmacies and ASUR health centers
The platform supports Italian and some English instructions. In smaller towns, local pharmacies are often the fastest way to book. Staff will print your confirmation slip immediately, including the appointment date, location, and room number. Waiting times are typically shorter in inland provinces like Macerata and Ascoli Piceno compared to Ancona and Pesaro during peak periods.
Common Issues and Tips
- Bring your Tessera Sanitaria and impegnativa every time; photocopies are not accepted.
- If you can’t find an available slot, ask staff to check nearby towns.
- Keep your appointment code safe, it’s needed for cancellations or payments.
- For specialized services, confirm whether a referral from your medico di base is required.
- Always verify that your chosen facility is part of the SSN network to ensure reduced or free costs.
Key Takeaways
- The CUP connects citizens with public healthcare services, allowing bookings for doctors, exams, and hospitals.
- You can book through counters, pharmacies, phone, or online portals with your Tessera Sanitaria and impegnativa.
- Priority categories define how soon you’re seen, and ticket payments confirm your booking.
- In Le Marche, the CUP system is efficient and accessible via the MyCUPMarche platform.
- Keeping documents organized and verifying your facility’s SSN affiliation will save you time and stress.