Anyone who books an appointment at the Social Security Institute (ISS) and then fails to show up without notice could face a 50-euro fine. The rule already exists: it is Regulation No. 16 of 2026, which imposes an administrative fee on patients who fail to notify the institute at least two days in advance that they cannot attend. This was recalled in Committee IV by the Institute’s Administrative Director, Manuel Canti, who noted, however, that the mechanism is not yet actually in force: the IT implementation is still missing, as is a clear framework for handling data in compliance with privacy rules.
The issue had been raised by Paolo Crescentini of the PSD, who argued that giving timely notice when unable to attend an appointment should be «simply a civic duty for every citizen». Director General Claudio Vagnini played down the scale of the problem, noting that no-shows without cancellation are not particularly numerous, but adding that they can still affect certain waiting lists: every slot left empty without warning is one that no one else could use.
The reminder comes as the Institute works specifically on reducing waiting times. Of the 47 types of services for which ISS is required to publish waiting times, 17 still fall outside the standard, and the Director of Health and Social-Health Activities, Alessandro Bertolini, estimated that within a month this figure could drop to seven or eight, while cautioning that both demand and healthcare supply remain variable.
On the application of the penalty, Gaetano Troina of Domani Motus Liberi called for very clear advance communication to citizens and asked for the legal basis of the measure to be verified. Canti responded that the regulation stems from an act of the State Congress grounded in primary legislation, and assured that an adequate information campaign will be launched before it comes into force.
