In Italy there are several ways to reduce the cost of a rollator or obtain a contribution: the reduced 4% VAT rate, supply or contribution through the ASL, and the 19% IRPEF tax deduction. Here is how they work.

Reduced 4% VAT

Mobility aids necessary for walking qualify for 4% VAT instead of 22% for people with disabilities. To benefit, you need to present to the seller before the purchase:

• a copy of the certificate of permanent functional disability, issued by the ASL or the integrated medical commission (for example a Law 104 assessment or equivalent certification);
• the buyer's codice fiscale (tax code);
• if the link between the impairment and the aid is not stated in the certificate, a medical prescription or certificate confirming that the rollator is necessary for walking.

Contact our customer service before ordering: we will check your documentation and apply the reduced VAT directly on the invoice. If you already have a hospital prescription, send us a copy (redacting any unnecessary sensitive data) and we will help you work out which documentation is needed in your case.

Supply or contribution through the ASL/USL

Italy's national health service provides the rollators listed in the Nomenclatore Tariffario free of charge. These are normally standard models, but under the «riconducibilità» principle you can choose a superior model such as a Trionic rollator: the ASL may cover the amount up to the tariff of the corresponding standard device, and you pay the price difference yourself. Here is how to proceed:

1. Obtain a medical prescription. See a specialist doctor within the national health service (for example a physiatrist or orthopaedist), who writes the prescription with the diagnosis, the Nomenclatore Tariffario code for the rollator and the therapeutic programme.

2. Request a quotation from us. On request we are happy to issue a detailed quotation – model, price, VAT and delivery costs – to attach to your application to the ASL. Contact our customer service and let us know which model you are interested in.

3. Submit your application to the ASL. Hand in the prescription and the quotation to the prosthetics office (ufficio protesica) of your local ASL for authorisation. Check in advance whether your region accepts quotations from non-contracted suppliers or only grants the contribution through accredited dealers: procedures vary considerably between regions.

4. After authorisation: delivery and inspection. Once the supply has been authorised, you receive the rollator. Within about 20 days of delivery you must return to the prescribing doctor for the collaudo, an inspection confirming that the device supplied matches the prescription. Note that for adults the ASL normally does not authorise a new supply until the minimum renewal period has passed.

Contracted orthopaedic dealers

Many Italian orthopaedic stores (sanitarie/ortopedie) have agreements with the regional health service. Through them it is sometimes possible to obtain the standard reimbursed model, or pay the difference to upgrade to a superior model.

19% IRPEF tax deduction

Expenses for mobility aids necessary for walking qualify for a 19% IRPEF deduction on the full amount, with no threshold, and this can be combined with the 4% VAT rate. If the purchase is made by a family member, the person with the disability must be a fiscal dependant. Keep the invoice.

Our practical advice: the simplest route

In most cases the simplest and fastest option is to buy directly from us with 4% VAT: send us your documentation, we apply the reduced rate on the invoice and ship the rollator straight to your home, with free delivery and free returns. That way you can try the rollator with complete peace of mind and, by keeping the invoice, you are still entitled to the 19% IRPEF deduction. The ASL route remains a valid alternative, but it takes longer and depends on your region's rules.

The information above is general in nature: legislation and procedures may vary. For your specific situation we recommend contacting your ASL, a CAF tax assistance centre or the Agenzia delle Entrate.