As with every country, there are pros and cons to living in Italy. Decades of Hollywood films have created an image of the country that's hard to shake. While Italy certainly is a sophisticated and beautiful place to live, not everything is always as perfect as the silver screen may make things seem.
Here are a few of the ups and downs of living in Italy.
Accommodation in Italy
+ PRO: Well-maintained apartments
While the décor is often dated, it would be difficult to criticise the state of most of the apartments available to rent. Italians tend to be discerning buyers and tenants, and they expect their apartments to be in good working order.
- CON: Accommodation is expensive, small and dated
The vast majority of Italy's apartment blocks were built in the 1960s and 1970s from the same grey concrete mould. Although these apartments are small and sparse on modern furnishings, they still go for a premium.
+ PRO: Great variety of housing options
Even though the majority of rental properties in Italy are apartments, plenty of other options are available, ranging from beautiful villas and farms in Tuscany to modern studio flats and semi-detached houses in Milan.
Finding Expat Accommodation in Italy
Lifestyle in Italy
+ PRO: Buzzing social life
Italians tend to be incredibly social. Only torrential rain and snow can keep them indoors. Whether they're chatting to friends over a late dinner or going for a stroll down the main street, Italians don't tend to be homebodies. This enthusiasm for socialising is contagious, and you're likely to find yourself, gelato in hand, admiring the shops and impromptu street concerts late into the night.
+ PRO: World-class food
Italian food is one of the world's most well-known and distinctive cuisines. Regardless of where you choose to settle in Italy, you're likely to be spoiled with excellent restaurants, cosy cafés and bustling markets. The flavour doesn't stop at home – groceries and produce are generally fresh and high quality.
- CON: Few English speakers
Very few Italians are fluent in English. Expats in big cities will naturally be better off as city dwellers are more accustomed to tourists, but in some towns, there can be no English speakers for miles. You might also come across people who are abrupt when spoken to in English. This usually happens in the more popular cities such as Florence, Rome, and Venice, where the jaded locals can sometimes view tourists as a nuisance.
+ PRO: Amazing surroundings
No matter where you live in Italy, you'll be surrounded by natural beauty, incredible architecture, or a combination of both. From the picturesque shores of Lake Como to the historical sites of Rome or Venice, you'll never run out of fascinating things to look at.
- CON: Streets can be dirty
While it isn't fair to expect centuries-old cities to be spotless, Italy does have a real problem with grime. The mess is a combination of age, overcrowding and an inefficient approach to superficial cleaning.
Cost of living in Italy
+ PRO: Cheap and tasty food
Italians have amazing supermarkets. Even the smallest supermarket in the smallest town has an incredible selection of fruit, vegetables, meat and cheese at affordable prices.
+ PRO: Free public schools and healthcare
Both public schools and public healthcare are free in Italy. As an added benefit, the public schools and hospitals in Italy are highly regarded. Many locals who can afford private schools and healthcare opt for public institutions instead.
- CON: Expensive amenities
Italy has limited resources, so while products made in the country might be affordable, imported goods are much more expensive. Resources such as fuel, gas, and electricity are also pricey.
Education in Italy
+ PRO: Excellent and affordable public schools
In Italy, children start learning to read and write at the age of three. Public education is free. Students are provided with a well-rounded education in the sciences, arts and history, as well as nutritious and varied school lunches. Most Italian cities also have reputable international schools, but in contrast to public schools, these can be expensive.
- CON: Expensive international and private options
Those looking for international or alternative curriculum schools will have plenty of options in Italy. That being said, international and private schools are expensive and often have extensive waiting lists. If your children are young enough to pick up Italian easily and you intend to stay in the country for a long time, public schools might be the better option.
Education and Schools in Italy
Working in Italy
- CON: Finding a job can be challenging
Quotas on foreign workers make it difficult for expats to find employment in Italy. Many employers also require qualifications and the ability to speak Italian, further disadvantaging those without degrees or knowledge of the local language.
- CON: Slow bureaucratic processes
As bureaucracy permeates Italy, getting anything official done can be a confusing, frustrating, and drawn-out process. To avoid this, many expats ensure that they always have a reputable bilingual lawyer on hand whenever they sign documents.
+ PRO: Employers handle work authorisation
When hiring a foreign employee, the company does most of the legwork to secure work authorisation. Once an expat is given the green light to work in Italy, they can enter the country and apply for a residence permit.
Working in Italy
Doing Business in Italy
Visas for Italy
Work Permits for Italy
Transport and driving in Italy
+ PRO: Good public transport
Although people love to complain about the state of Italian public transport, it is generally quite good. It might not be as efficient as some neighbouring countries' systems, but it's cheap, safe, and reliable and connects the entire country from north to south.
- CON: Driving can be risky, expensive, and time consuming
Italian driving culture can be aggressive, and drivers often speed and disregard the rules of the road. In major cities, traffic can be heavy, and good parking is expensive and hard to find. Despite this, many expats opt for a pricey personal vehicle to explore further afield.
Transport and Driving in Italy
Healthcare in Italy
+ PRO: High-quality public healthcare
Public healthcare in Italy is an unheralded success story. The country's public hospitals are excellent, and expats can easily access doctors, specialists, and dentists in even the most rural areas. Care is either completely free or heavily subsidised, meaning