Living in Italy: the ultimate expat guide
Everything you need to know for a successful life in Italy.
Italy is one of the most popular European countries, both historically and culturally. Being one of the Eurozone's biggest economies and one of the European Union's most densely populated and dynamic countries, it welcomes expatriates with open arms.
By moving to Italy, whether alone or with your family, you will enjoy quality living as well as an unparalleled cultural and culinary diversity.
Italy is home to a large expatriate community, particularly in major cities such as Milan, Turin and Rome, as well as in historical tourist destinations such as Florence. As Italy is also a founding member of the EU, citizens of all other EU Member States have the right to live and work here.
Italy's regions
Italy is made up of 20 regions: Abruzzo, Valle d'Aosta, Puglia, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Liguria, Lombardy, Marche, Molise, Piedmont, Sardinia, Sicily, Tuscany, Trentino-Alto Adige/Südtirol, Umbria and Veneto. Each of these regions is divided into provinces, 110 in total. Of the 20 regions, five have an autonomous status, allowing them to legislate locally. These are:
- Sicily
- Sardinia
- Trentino-Alto Adige/SüdTirol
- Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Valle d'Aosta
Climate in Italy
Italy is divided into two climatic parts: in the north, continental Italy, with hot summers and cold winters; in the center and south, Mediterranean Italy, with higher and more constant temperatures thanks to the presence of the sea. Italy is surrounded by the sea and has several thousand kilometers of coastline (7,500 km). It also has mountain ranges in the north with the Alps and in the center with the Apennines.
Snow is more common in the north at the foot of the mountains. In the south, summer temperatures can reach 45°C.
Economy of Italy
Italy suffered severe damage during the global financial crisis and following the Covid-19 pandemic. It lost almost 9% in 2020, but its GDP rebounded by about 5.8% in 2021 to reach about 2 billion euros in 2022. The GDP per capita is about €35,000 (IMF - World Economic Outlook Database).
Italy is the largest European producer of rice, fruit, vegetables and wine. The primary sector represents 2% of GDP. The secondary sector accounts for 21.6% of GDP, with the majority of industries located in the north of the country. Finally, the service sector contributes the majority of Italy's GDP, with 66.7%, and employs 70% of the country's workforce.
Indeed, the northern regions of the country, such as Lombardy, Piedmont and Emilia-Romagna, have diverse sectors of activity, services and industry, while the south is essentially agricultural, although it is increasingly dependent on the tourist industry, particularly in cities such as Rome or in regions such as Puglia, Sicily or Campania with the Amalfi coast near Naples.
Rome is the capital of Italy and also the country's largest city. Milan is Italy's economic capital and financial powerhouse and is also a city that is growing in modernity and dynamism.
Cost of living in Italy
Expatriates should bear in mind that the cost of living in Italy varies from region to region and tends to be higher in the north, where salaries are also higher, particularly in Milan, the country's economic capital. Rome, on the other hand, is less expensive, but wages are also lower.
Languages spoken in Italy
Italian is the main language in Italy, although German is spoken in the northeastern part of the country, near the Austrian border. You will also hear some French in the northwest, Valle d'Aosta and Piedmont regions. In the larger cities, the population has a good command of the English language, unlike the smaller towns. Each region of Italy also has its own dialect, some of which have been recognized as official languages, such as Sardinian or Neapolitan.
Getting to and around Italy
You can reach Italy by land, sea and air. In the north of the country, there is a well-developed road infrastructure, making towns and streets easily accessible, while in the south, it is less so, although still developing. The rail network extends some 15,000 kilometers across the country. To reach the islands, such as Sicily, Sardinia, and other smaller ones, there is a well-developed ferry system. In addition, on the northern lakes such as Lake Maggiore, Lake Como and Lake Garda, it is also possible to travel by boat.
The country also has a wide network of airports in the major cities, the most important being Malpensa and Linate in Milan, Fiumicino and Ciampino in Rome. These are served by daily and frequent flights from all over the world.
Useful links:
Italian Tourist Office
Economic forecasts for Italy
Europe
Key facts
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Generalities
Get an overview of living in Italy with general information to discover the destination.
Formalities
Find out more on visas, passports and entry requirements to travel to Italy.
Visas
All you need to know on work visas, work permits, working holiday visas and residence permits to live and work in Italy.

Long-term visas for Italy
If you have decided to move to Italy, the question of a residence permit arises first. Depending on ...

Residence permits in Italy
If you have decided to settle in Italy, you may need to apply for a visa, especially if you come ...

Short-term visa for Italy
If you have decided to stay in Italy for 90 days or less, depending on your nationality, your ...
Work
Dive into the Italy labour market, legal framework and tips on how to find a job in Italy.

Working in Italy
Are you looking to move to Italy and find a job there? In this article, we will give you tips for ...

Working conditions in Italy
Unless you have decided to move to Italy for retirement or study, you are probably looking for a ...

Jobs in Italy
Discover professional opportunities in Italy and boost your career.
Accommodation
Explore real estate or temporary rentals in Italy. Find out more about renting or buying a house or a flat, real estate agents, leases and rental agreements.

Accommodation in Italy
If you decide to move to Italy, the question of accommodation will naturally arise. Most foreigners ...

Buying a property in Italy
If you want to sell your home as part of your move to Italy, why not buy again once you are here? ...

Find your ideal home in Italy
Explore real estate listings in Italy to buy or rent your next home.
Study
Universities, training courses, student visas, registration procedures: all you need to know about being an international student in Italy.
Health care
Understanding the healthcare system in Italy: public and private health system, health insurance...

Healthcare in Italy
Italy has an efficient health system, but the level of care varies from one region to another. For ...

Emergencies in Italy
When relocating to Italy, apart from all the administrative formalities, knowing where to go and ...

Health insurance for expats in Italy
Protect your health during your expatriation.
Bank
Navigate the banking system in Italy: how to choose a bank and open a bank account.
Tax
All you need to know about income tax, the tax system and filing your taxes as an expat in Italy.
Transport
From public transports to renting or buying a car, explore the best options to getting around in Italy.

Travelling around Italy
As an expatriate in Italy, you will naturally need to travel on a daily basis. It's interesting to note that Italians travel a lot out of necessity, ...
Driving
Essential information on driving requirements in Italy, driver's license exchange and international permits.
Removal
Moving to Italy? Find useful information and tips to organize your move.

Relocating to Italy
Relocation is one of the most important stages of settling in Italy, requiring proper planning, ...

Moving with pets to Italy
Traveling with your pet may seem complicated, but you should be able to get away with it with ...

Free quotes for your move
Get the best offers to easily organize your relocation to Italy.
Communications
Internet and phone providers, plans, and everything you need to stay connected in Italy.
Leisure
Sports, leisure, culture and other activities expats can enjoy in their spare time in Italy.

Leisure in Italy
Living in Italy also means benefiting from a multitude of leisure activities. Between museums, art cities, archaeological areas, natural parks, bars, ...
Everyday life
Eager to discover what life in Italy looks like? Here's a taste.
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