Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games Guide – Safety and health

The Milano–Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Games are designed to offer an accessible and inclusive experience for all spectators, including people with disabilities. All competition venues and ceremony locations will feature accessible areas and routes, dedicated services, and trained staff to support independent access and participation. Ticketing arrangements will also include reserved seating and concessions for spectators with disabilities and, where required, for accompanying persons.

Additional support services will be available, such as priority access at entrances, dedicated spaces, and signage designed to meet different mobility and orientation needs. The overall aim is to ensure equal access to venues, facilities, and Games-related services for everyone.

Further details on accessibility measures and services for people with disabilities are available on the official Milano–Cortina 2026 accessibility page.

In the event of a medical emergency during your stay in Milan or Cortina d’Ampezzo, you can rely on a well-established healthcare network that includes hospitals with emergency departments, public and private healthcare facilities, and licensed pharmacies capable of addressing most medical needs.

Milan
In case of a medical emergency, assistance is available at several major hospitals with emergency departments, including:

• Niguarda Ca’ Granda Hospital;

• Policlinico di Milano – IRCCS Ca’ Granda;

• San Raffaele Hospital

• Fatebenefratelli and Ophthalmic Hospital.

Detailed information on healthcare and hospital services in Lombardy is available on the official website of the Lombardy Regional Health Service.

Cortina d’Ampezzo
In Cortina d’Ampezzo, the Codivilla–Putti Hospital operates as the main healthcare facility, with a particular focus on traumatology and orthopaedics, which is especially important in a mountain and sports-oriented area.
For more complex emergencies, the regional healthcare system ensures access to referral hospitals in the province of Belluno and across the Veneto region.

Pharmacies are easy to identify by the illuminated green cross and are widely available in both urban centres and tourist areas. Many pharmacies offer extended opening hours, including night and holiday services. Information on the nearest pharmacy and current opening times can be found through official regional or municipal online portals.

Knowing that pharmacies offer the public vital health information on prevention, first aid, drug use, healthcare services, and local medical equipment, such as immunisation, blood tests, visits, and examinations, is also helpful. They are also permitted to offer further support in the form of free medical supplies for people with 100% impairment severe illness patient and food supplies for people with nephritis and celiac disease (a medical request and USL authorisation are required). Additional services include blood pressure checks, medical devices rental, self-diagnostic tests, etc.

Please note that the Continuity of Care Service (formerly Medical Guard) guarantees the continuity of non-urgent but non-deferrable care when General Practitioners’ surgeries are not active. The contact number for this service is: 116117

The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) is advised for all EU nationals. Access to urgent medical care is made possible by this card, guaranteeing the same degree of support as that given to Italian citizens. This means that all services provided by the National Health Service are either free or subject to a price (ticket), which varies depending on the location. Please be aware that, unless there is an exception or the emergency was brough on by a trauma or acute poisoning, a ticket of 25 euros will be charged even for non-urgent “white code” emergency services.

Before visiting Italy, if you live outside of the EU, it is best to check with your local insurance company to see if you need additional health insurance. Think about getting more health insurance if certain services are not covered. It’s crucial to verify whether you are already covered by insurance, such as through a credit card policy or membership in a sports, leisure or rescue organization. Although certain policies may only take effect after a specific amount of time, it is advised to obtain the insurance prior to departure in order to guarantee immediate coverage. To choose the most affordable and appropriate choice for your needs, always examine compare the options provided by insurance companies. After signing up for the coverage, save any pertinent documentation, including contact information for help and guidelines for any refund requests, in a safe place. You can deal with any unforeseen circumstances during your visit with assurance and security if you take these steps.

The 112 emergency number in Italy is a centralized system that enable you to rapidly and effectively contact a variety emergency services. Dialling 112 will connect you to the service that is best suited for your circumstance which may include:

• Emergency medical services, such as ambulance;

• Law enforcement such as the State Police and Carabinieri, for reporting dangerous situations, crimes, or threats to public safety;

• Firefighters for situations involving accidents, fires, or structural dangers.

For some circumstances, you can call the following numbers directly in addition to 112:

• 1500: a dedicated number for information on health. Support for non-urgent medical matters, like advice on healthcare services or information on national health emergencies, can be obtained here;

• 118: if you would rather speak with emergency medical personnel directly, this can be used in instead of 112 in medical situations;

• 113: State Police;

• 115: Fire Brigade;

• + 39 020202: Municipality of Milan (switchboard);

• +39 02 77401: Metropolitan City of Milan;

• +39 02 67651: Lombardy Region;

• +39 0436 866 666: Cortina d’Ampezzo Local Police;

•  +39 0435 501 673: Local Traffic Police

Embassy assistance

• Numerous nations have embassies in Italy. You can find an up-to-date list of accredited diplomatic representations in Italy on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MAECI). Additional information can also be found on the MAECI’s official website;

• Need help? The European Consumer Centre Network (ECC-Net) provides free assistance to consumers in the EU in the event that you require support or help for disputes or concerns that arise during your journey.

Like other tourist destinations Milan demands extra care to guarantee individual safety, particularly in congested and when using public transport. Here are some tips for having a safe trip and safeguarding your belongings.

Keeping personal property safe

• Bags and backpacks: to prevent them from being opened without your knowledge, use crossbody bags with zippers and always keep them in front of you;

• Cash and cards: use payment cards whenever you can and just have the bare minimum of cash on hand.  Store the remainder in a secure place, such as the hotel safe;

• Valuables: never leave your electronic device, wallet, or phone unattended, especially when you are sightseeing, using public transportation, or in hotel lobby areas.

How to avoid pickpocketing

• Congested areas: pay special attention to your personal belongings and be on the lookout for any suspicious activity in crowded areas;

• Public transport: for increased security, keep your backpack or bag in front of you when riding buses, tram or the subway, especially during peak hours;

• Main stations: Transit hubs such as Milano Centrale and Garibaldi are frequently packed. Watch your bag carefully luggage and be and be wary of individuals who offer uninvited assistance.

Additionally, to avoid scams or uncomfortable circumstances, do not accept tickets, transportation, or services from unapproved. When planning your trip or buying tickets, always rely on reputable or accredited companies.

It is advised that those with disabilities or limited mobility enquire beforehand about the availability of facilities like elevators, ramps, and modified public transportation, particularly during special events. Wheelchairs, electric scooters, and other mobility aids can also be rented in Milan. It is recommended to reserve these devices in advance, particularly during peak times. Additionally, there are designated parking spots or people with disabilities close to popular tourist destinations, although access to these spots requires a European Disability Card.

• Keep the European Health Insurance Card, or TEAM: the TEAM guarantee that EU citizens have the same access to urgent medical care as residents of Italy. Think about getting more health insurance if you live outside of the EU or if you want more extensive coverage;
• Keep your phone’s emergency numbers handy: learn the number 112 by heart, along with other helpful numbers such as like 118 (medical emergencies) and 1500 (health information);
• Maintain a list of useful contacts: includ your embassy or consulate contacts, emergency numbers, and health insurance information in your documents;
• Select approved pharmacies: pharmacies are distinguished by their bright green cross, and many of them are open around the-clock. Look up the closest one online and verify the hours of operation;
• Watch out for pickpockets: keep your bags and backpacks close to hand when travelling by public transportation and in tourist locations. Carry only what you need and don’t flaunt your stuff.

It is crucial to manage cash safely and in accordance with current regulations, if you are going to bring it to Italy. In particular, you must notify customs officials if you bring €10,000 or more in cash, into or out Italy. This requirement applies to cash as well as to checks, money orders, and bearer securities. Additionally, you can be asked to shoe evidence of the fund’s legitimate source and intended purpose.

Be cautious! Carrying big amounts of cash on a trip has dangers that are hard to recover from, such as loss or theft.  Furthermore, losing money is usually not covered by travel insurance.

Incomplete information or incorrectly declaring amounts beyond the limit can result in harsh penalties, such as having some of the money seized. Before crossing borders, the customs declaration, which is available online or at customs offices to prevent issues. Additionally, you can use the official Italian customs portals to electronically submit the declaration ahead of time. 

We advise referring to the Traveler’s Customs Guide, which is accessible on the Customs and Monopolies Agency’s official website, for additional details on processes and relevant rules.

The free mobile app “Dogane IT,” which enable you to get ready ahead of time for any required customs documentation, is another useful resource for travellers coming to or leaving Italy. This app offers a quick and simple overview of the primary customs regulations pertaining to traveler-accompanied dogs, luggage and products. You can get information straight from the official website and download it.

You can travel in peace and adhere to the host nation’s legal obligations if you plan ahead and gather information beforehand.

• Verify the required documents: make sure you have all the documents you need to enter Italy;
• Handle cash carefully: don’t forget to notify customs officials if you have more than 10,000 euros in cash on you;
• Speak with consulates and embassies: a list of embassies and consulates in Italy can be found on the Ministry of Foreign affairs website if you need help.