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Your Expat Community in Italy

  • Connect with fellow expats in Italy

  • Join exciting events and groups for expats

  • Get information in our expat guides

  • Exchange tips about expat life in Italy

  • Brandon Le Clerk

    What I really love about InterNations? Making new business contacts and friends in real life. This is a unique plattform.

Welcome to the InterNations Community of Expats in Italy!

Ciao and welcome to our InterNations expat communities in Italy. InterNations has been developed to give expatriates in different places around the world all the help and advice they need to settle in a new country and make it easy for them to make new friends and contacts in their new location. With the help of the community you will be able to find your way through the obstacles of moving abroad. Many expats before you in Italy have made use of the variety of resources available on InterNations while adapting to a different way of life. When you join InterNations, you can search for answers to the questions you may have on your mind, such as, "how good is the healthcare system in Italy?”, “how do I go about securing somewhere to live long term?”, “in what areas should we live when moving to Rome?”, or “how about the overall safety in southern Italy?”. Through our guide articles and forums, you can find the answers to all these questions and more. Many expats settle in the big cities of Rome and Milan to work, while those seeking a relaxing retirement might choose the more rural areas and enjoy the fabulous and bountiful Italian countryside. InterNations will help you make the very best of Italy’s international community, either through one of our many events where you can meet members in person or simply by answering questions through the online forums. We want to give you a full understanding of the Italian way of life, La Dolce Vita!

With InterNations, you never stand alone. Whether you are moving to another country or going on a business trip somewhere — our communities around the world are there to make you feel at home wherever you are. Feel free to check out our vibrant InterNations Communities in countries like Malaysia or Qatar.

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Living in Italy: Your Questions, Answered

If you're considering a move to Italy as a new or soon-to-be expat, you may be curious about what life will be like in this captivating country. To help you get a better understanding, we've answered seven common questions about living in Italy. For more specific questions or to share your own experiences, consider joining InterNations, a community of expats who love to support each other.

1. Is it necessary to speak the local language?
While many Italians speak English, particularly in tourist areas and larger cities, learning Italian will greatly enhance your experience in the country. Being able to speak the local language will help you connect with locals, navigate daily tasks, and fully immerse yourself in the Italian culture.

2. What are the average rent prices in popular expat locations?

Rome:

  • Single-room flat: 700–1,200 EUR (790–1,350 USD) per month
  • Three-bedroom flat: 1,600–3,000 EUR (1,800–3,390 USD) per month

Milan:

  • Single-room flat: 800–1,400 EUR (900–1,580 USD) per month
  • Three-bedroom flat: 1,800–3,200 EUR (2,030–3,610 USD) per month

Florence:

  • Single-room flat: 600–1,000 EUR (680–1,130 USD) per month
  • Three-bedroom flat: 1,300–2,500 EUR (1,470–2,820 USD) per month

3. How safe is Italy for expats?
Italy is generally a safe country for expats. However, it's important to practice common-sense precautions, such as avoiding poorly lit areas at night, being cautious with your belongings, and staying informed about local security updates.

4. How does the healthcare system work in Italy?
Italy has a public healthcare system called Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), which provides free or low-cost healthcare services to residents. Expats with a residence permit are eligible to access the SSN. Private healthcare is also available, offering shorter wait times and more specialized care. Many expats choose to have private health insurance to access private facilities.

5. How can I open a bank account in Italy?
To open a bank account in Italy, you will typically need to provide identification (such as a passport), proof of address (such as a utility bill), a tax identification number (Codice Fiscale), and a valid visa or residence permit. Some banks may require additional documentation, so it's a good idea to check with the specific bank you plan to use.

6. What is the cost of living in Italy?
The cost of living in Italy varies depending on the location, with larger cities like Rome and Milan being more expensive than smaller towns and rural areas. Housing, food, and transportation are relatively affordable, but imported goods can be more expensive. As an expat, you can expect to live comfortably on a moderate budget.

7. Can I drive with my foreign driver's license in Italy?
Foreigners can drive in Italy using their foreign driver's license for up to one year. After that period, you'll need to obtain an Italian driver's license. This process may require taking a driving test, depending on your nationality and the type of license you hold.

Join Our Online and In-Person Events in Italy

Attend our many events to get to know like-minded expats, both in Italy and around the world! Our new online events even let you find connection and inspiration without leaving your home.

Mar 19, 2024, 7:15 PM
5 attendees
Nora e Hae Sung, due amici d’infanzia profondamente legati, si separano quando la famiglia di Nora emigra dalla Corea del Sud. Due decenni dopo si ritrovano a New York, vivranno una settimana cruciale
Mar 20, 2024, 5:45 PM
2 attendees
Are you interested in the street art in Bologna ? The author of Arte Avvolgibile will tell us how this art has developed in our beautiful city. Vi aspetto ! Ciao Laura
Mar 20, 2024, 8:00 PM
156 attendees
Join us for this new Official Event in this wonderful location!!! Meet expats and global minds from all over the world, enjoy finger food and amazing drinks, get to know new members, and make the bes
Come join me and enjoy at fullest one of the rear exceptional shows of the season, unmissable! ***** The diva (Whitney) will be reincarnated by the singer Belinda Davids who is one of the only cont

Want to see all the upcoming events in Italy?

Connect with Like-Minded Expatriates in Italy

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Learn More about Being an Expat in Italy

Italy is famed for its beautifully picturesque landscape. From the famous slopes of the snowy Alps on its borders with France, Switzerland, Austria, and Slovenia in the north to the sun-kissed blue sea of the Mediterranean in the south, it will enchant you every step of the way. Italy has something for everyone and often tops the lists of most desirable locations for travelers with a sense of adventure, as well as a penchant for culture. The largest proportion of expats who currently reside in Italy have chosen to do so because of the employment opportunities that it offers to international workers. Many different industries thrive across the country. Italy is the world’s sixth-largest manufacturing country, with activity mostly clustered around several industrial districts. The automotive industry in Italy is world famous thanks to the brilliant red Ferraris and sleek white Lamborghinis and it is an industry now dominated by the famous Fiat group. Italy has the eighth-highest standard of living in the world, and being an expat there will have great rewards.

InterNations is the largest global network for expatriates, with communities in 420 cities around the world. Meet fellow global minds in your city of residence or get to know local expatriates before you're moving or traveling abroad and never feel like a stranger. InterNations makes it easy for you to stay in touch with your expat friends, both online and offline, so you can grow your network of friends and contacts from all over the world. Whether they live in Bahrain or France, InterNations allows you to be close to them even if they are miles away.

Start Building Your Expat Network in Italy Today!

Each InterNations member goes through a careful approval process and respects our guiding principles of open communication, helpfulness, and embracing differences. At InterNations, nobody stands alone! Honesty, respectful behavior, and a friendly and welcoming attitude are therefore required components of the InterNations community. For new members, this means that you will feel safe and secure when interacting with fellow expats online and offline. Ask them anything that is on your mind about your new home and life in Italy. You should also keep up with your hobbies and joining one of the many real-life groups organized regularly in your community is a great way to do just that. Whether you live in Rome, Milan, or Venice, there will activities that interests you. Italy has a rich cultural heritage in opera and cinema, a famous wine and culinary tradition and all of these interests can be developed with fellow expats in one of our groups. It's easier to adjust to life abroad if you continue taking part in your favorite activities after your move. You can also attend our larger community-wide social events to meet expats and global minds from around the world. Join InterNations now to start living like a true Italian with the help of the community of expats available at your fingertips!