Out-of-region transplants: Emilia-Romagna reimburses meals, accommodation, and travel

The Emilia-Romagna Region reimburses travel, food, and accommodation expenses incurred by its residents receiving treatment at transplant centers in other Italian regions. This is established by regional law no. 4 of May 29, 2026, promulgated by President De Pascale following approval by the Regional Legislative Assembly and published in the Official Gazette, 3rd Special Series, no. 36 of September 19, 2026, on page 7, with reference 26R00183. The measure applies to those awaiting or who have already undergone an organ transplant outside the region.

Context and Financial Coverage

The provision, already published in the Official Bulletin of the Emilia-Romagna Region (Part One no. 134 of May 29, 2026), comes into force the day following its publication in the BURERT. The law states its intent to promote equitable access to transplant pathways by removing the economic and territorial obstacles that weigh on families forced to travel.

The coverage is 400,000 euros for each of the 2026, 2027, and 2028 financial years, charged to Mission 13 “Health Protection” - Program 2 “Regional Health Service,” as additional current funding for levels of care exceeding the LEA (Essential Levels of Assistance). The resources are obtained by reducing the allocations authorized by regional law no. 13 of December 29, 2025 (Budget Forecast 2026-2028).

Eligible Services and Companions

Expenses related to the following are reimbursable:

• preliminary examinations, typing, and list registration (pre-transplant work-up);
• transplant and re-transplant surgeries, including those resulting from any complications;
• subsequent check-ups (follow-up).

The reimbursement extends to the companion for the entire duration of the stay if the patient is under eighteen years old, is not self-sufficient according to current legislation, or if the presence of a companion is required by the protocols of the extra-regional transplant center. In other cases, the companion is reimbursed only for the day of the service and the following two days. For the living donor and their potential companion, the reimbursement always covers the totality of the costs incurred, within the established limits.

Amounts

• Train or air travel: maximum 150 euros per person per leg.
• Private vehicle: mileage cost according to ACI tables, always within 150 euros per leg.
• Daily food and accommodation: up to 200 euros for the patient with a companion and up to 150 euros for the patient or the companion.
• Stays exceeding six days: up to 1,000 euros per week (and 143 euros per day for fractions of a week) for the patient with a companion; up to 800 euros per week (114 euros per day) for the patient or the companion.
• Sanitization of accommodation outside the region: included in reimbursements if required by the center’s protocols.

The amounts are adjustable by resolution of the Regional Council, which also defines the criteria for the progressive nature of the reimbursement, commensurate with the access thresholds for socio-health services.

How to obtain the reimbursement

The competent Local Health Authority (AUSL) provides the reimbursement according to the procedures established by a resolution of the Regional Council, upon presentation of:

• documentation from the extra-regional hospital care center proving the execution of the services, with certification of the treatments and tests and the care plan;
• documentation attesting to the subjective conditions provided for by law;
• travel tickets, invoices, receipts or fiscal vouchers, paid for using traceable payment methods.

Verification and impact

The law introduces an evaluation clause: the Legislative Assembly monitors implementation and results, while the Regional Council presents a report every three years on the number of beneficiaries, the resources committed and liquidated, the critical issues, and the reduction of indirect economic burdens on households.

For families from Emilia-Romagna undergoing a transplant in a center in another region, the measure transforms a cost currently borne entirely by the household into a structured reimbursement, with weekly caps designed for long stays and a dedicated fund of 400,000 euros per year.

Official Gazette of the Italian Republic, 3rd Special Series - Regions, no. 36 of September 19, 2026, page 7 — Emilia-Romagna Regional Law May 29, 2026, no. 4, reference 26R00183.