Cost of living in Italy: apartment rent, food prices, travel and medical services
Italy is a country with a high quality of life and a rich culture. A friendly population, a developed transport system and a high level of health care attract more and more expats here. Some people choose for themselves the restrained lifestyle of small villages, others - the cultural opportunities and mobility of big cities.
Regardless of your taste, the cost of living in Italy is not as high as many expect. Many tourists have the impression that Italy is expensive. Of course, a cup of coffee in a tourist center will cost you a fortune, but outside the tourist spots, you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a comfortable stay.
The average monthly budget of a married couple in Italy is €1,500. The cost of living in Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Verona and other large and touristic cities is higher. If you plan to move to one of these cities, we recommend adding about €400 to your budget. The cheapest places to live in Italy are small towns in the south of the country.
Also, in the first weeks of living in Italy, you may need to exchange hryvnias for euros - see the link for instructions.
Housing rent and utilities in Italy
The cost of renting real estate in Italy will depend on where you live: in big cities, the price is much higher. By choosing a small village, you will significantly save on real estate, which will become your main expense item. But this does not mean sacrificing the quality of life, because even in provincial cities there are cultural events, historical monuments, and you can feel the real Italian flavor of life.
Rent in a big city will range from around €400 to €700 for a furnished apartment. In small towns, you can find accommodation from €300. Renting an apartment in Italy is a rather complicated, bureaucratic procedure. Most government agencies ask for a minimum two-year contract. Also, you will have to pay about €70 for the execution of the lease agreement.
If you are planning to rent a new home, keep in mind that most apartments in Italy are completely unfurnished. Sometimes there may even be missing faucets and shower heads. In this case, you will have to invest a lot of money in the purchase of furniture and basic infrastructure.
The average cost of utilities is €100-150 per month.
Internet in Italy - 37 €/month. Tariff plan for a mobile phone – 25 €/month (3Gb of Internet + calls).
The cost of food
The food in Italy is of very high quality, you can easily eat well, and you don't have to spend a lot of money on it. The average budget of a couple who plans to cook at home is up to €200 per month. If you often eat at local cafes, you will need about €350.
Fares in Italy
To live in a small town in Italy, it will be enough to buy a bicycle. It can be found for around €80, but if you buy from street markets, make sure they are not stolen bikes.
The approximate cost of a public transport ticket is about €50 per month.
Gasoline, insurance and maintenance of one car - €250 per month. The price of 1 liter of gasoline ranges from €1.7 to €1.9. The cost of parking on city streets averages €1.5 per hour. And only the period from 8 am to 8 pm is subject to payment. Parking is free at night.
You can familiarize yourself with the basic rules of road traffic in Italy and the changes that will come into force in 2023 by following the link.
Medical services
The fee for a medical consultation with a doctor ranges from €20 for a quick online consultation to €150 for a full examination with tests. Prices vary depending on the clinic, doctor's experience, city and specialty. On average, a health insurance policy will cost you €35 per month.
Entertainment and other expenses in Italy
For entertainment and additional expenses, it is worth putting aside €60 per week or €240 per month - this is a bottle of wine, a trip to a restaurant with friends, a movie.
Also interesting is the fact that on the first Sunday of the month, visiting museums in Italy is free. This is a really great way to save some money and see the main sights.
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Für Flüchtlinge
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