- Brandon Le Clerk
What I really love about InterNations? Making new business contacts and friends in real life. This is a unique plattform.
British citizen in Rome? Meet other Brits!
Are you a British citizen living in Rome or thinking about moving there? Read on to explore the ins and outs of life in Rome, drawn from the experiences of fellow Brits in our InterNations community.
While Rome offers a fun and exciting experience with much to discover, sometimes you might find yourself missing the familiarity of home. Are you in search of classic British snacks like Walkers crisps? Looking for a buddy to watch football with? Our community has got you covered.
Why you'll love InterNations in Rome
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
The pros and cons of living in Rome according to Brits
No place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad and the ugly — find out what our British members love about Rome as well as the challenges they face.
Pros:
Cost of living: The cost of living in Rome is much cheaper than in the UK, and is a great economic choice when compared to major cities in the UK like London. Rome is comparatively more expensive than other European cities, though.
Healthcare: The affordability of healthcare is a plus for Brits. Expats have access to both public and private healthcare in Italy.
Public transport: Public transport can get you pretty much anywhere and is cheaper than in the UK.
Italian food: Living in Rome is a major plus if you love Italian food. You have unlimited access to authentic pizza, pasta, and gelato to your heart’s content.
Work–life balance: Rome’s work–life balance is something many Brits appreciate. Italians enjoy a slower pace of life, often referred to as the “dolce vita” lifestyle.
Cons:
Wages: Local wages certainly don’t compare to the levels our Brit members are used to but the lower cost of living makes up for it in most cases.
Bureaucracy: This is likely to cause you a headache due to the extensive rules and standards in place. You'll probably need to carry a substantial number of documents with you, and there’s still a chance that you might miss one, which can make the process lengthy and difficult.
Language barrier: This a major issue for expats who find it difficult to connect with other Italians or carry out daily tasks without any knowledge of Italian.
Tourists everywhere: Especially in the summer months, the city is crowded with tourists, making daily life a challenge for both locals and expats.
Expat stats: The Brits that move abroad
Every year we release the results of the biggest global survey among expats, which asks about various aspects of expat life. Learn what motivated our Brit members to move abroad including some interesting stats.
Meet British expats at our weekly events in Rome
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. At our events everyone is from somewhere else and it’s completely normal to introduce yourself and talk to others about their expat journeys. You’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time and get first-hand information about your new home, Rome.
Check our upcoming events and become part of Rome’s large expat family. Our Newcomers’ Events are geared specially towards people that are new to the city. Our Ambassadors will greet you with open arms and introduce you to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in Rome.
Want to meet other Brits at our events?
Frequently asked questions by Brits interested in living in Rome
You want to make friends with other Brits in Rome but you’re not sure how or where to meet them? Then let us help you out.
It’s common for Brits to meet each other in popular Irish bars during game season. We recommend “Scholars Lounge” to watch most football games, or “Highlander” and “Abbey Theatre” to watch the Six Nations Championship games.
You could also try joining events specifically for Brits or other English-speaking expats. Our InterNations events are a great opportunity for you to meet other Brits and make friends. In particular, our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community, which makes making friends easier — simpler than trying your luck in a bar!
As with most expats, quite a few of our British members live in the more international parts of town. Both international companies and opportunities for socializing tend to be located in the center of the city. Here are some of the most popular parts of Rome:
Monti: Close to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, it’s perfect for those who enjoy local shops, small restaurants, and being in the center of everything. The proximity to Termini station is a plus for commuters.
Centro Storico: Rome’s most prestigious area, surrounded by historical sites. It’s the most expensive neighborhood but offers easy access to public transportation.
Aventino: Ideal for families, Aventino is peaceful, close to the city’s ancient sites, and home to international schools and foreign offices.
Trastevere: Known for its safety, exclusivity, and abundance of dining and shopping options. Well suited for public transport.
Monteverde: A family-friendly neighborhood known for its green spaces. It’s affordable and offers spacious living areas. Public transportation is readily available, connecting residents to central Rome.
San Giovanni: Despite being on the pricier side, its central location makes it attractive for expats who want to be close to the action and English-speaking locals.
Rome is an international city that receives a substantial number of international tourists every year. So, it’s not too hard to get around with no to limited Italian. But this will feel limiting at some point. You’ll run into the proverbial language barrier, which is frustrating.
So ideally, treat your time in Rome as an opportunity to learn some Italian. There is a wide variety of affordable language schools to get you started, as well as apps that allow you to improve on your own time and budget.
To help with the most challenging moments, like getting official paperwork done, finding a flat, visiting a doctor, etc., we’ve have collected some services that cater to English speakers (none are affiliated with InterNations):
Rome: English-speaking resources | Description |
General practitioner (GP) | First Med An English speaking multi-specialty medical clinic in Rome |
Dentist | Studio Odontoiatrico An English speaking dentist in Rome. The first visit is free |
Urgent care | First Med English-speaking doctors are prepared to treat a variety of minor injuries and illnesses to quickly get you on the road to recovery |
Immigration assistance | Global Immigration Immigration lawyer in Rome |
Tax advisor | International Firm Hooman Domestic and international tax consultancy |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native Italian speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you |
Meet other Brits in Rome
Our Global Partners
Find friends to pursue your hobbies & passions with
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Rome? There’s a variety of InterNations Groups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to running. These are run by dedicated Consuls who host at least one activity per month, such as dinners in Rome’s finest restaurants or outings with other expats to explore all the Italian capital has to offer — from the Colosseum, one of the biggest sights in Rome, to the Pantheon, a major public space in the heart of Rome with plenty of cafes and bars, and much more.
Find other Brits to share your hobbies with
Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just in Rome! InterNations has lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.
So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply in the mood for a nice night out while traveling, InterNations is your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our InterNations Communities](https://www.internations.org/all-internations-cities/).
- Brandon Le Clerk
What I really love about InterNations? Making new business contacts and friends in real life. This is a unique plattform.
- Li Wang
At my first InterNations Rome Get-Together I met more expats then expected. InterNations made is so easy to settle in.
