Life in Italy

Finding a place to live in Italy is possible, but it takes time and patience - especially in large cities or if you do not yet have legal status.

Online platforms:

1. Idealista.it - the largest platform, filters by region, price, availability of furniture

2. Immobiliare.it - for renting and buying

3. Facebook groups - “Ucraini a Milano / Roma / Italia” - often post verified ads directly

What you need to rent a house in Italy:

To officially conclude a rental agreement, you usually need:

• Passport or other identity document
• Codice fiscale - tax number (issued free of charge at the tax office or through CAF)
• Employment contract or other proof of solvency (certificate of income, pension, benefits, etc.)
• Permesso di soggiorno (if already obtained) - not always required, but welcome
• Caution (deposit) - usually 2-3 months of rent

Sometimes agents may ask for the address of your current residence or a basic questionnaire - even to view the apartment.

About the “black” rent

In Italy, it is quite common to rent an apartment without a formal contract (“off the books”). This may seem like an easier option, but it has serious risks:

• You will not be able to register at the address (residenza)
• You will not be able to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)
• You will not be able to access social benefits, health insurance, rent allowances
• You will not have any protection as a tenant

The terms of the lease agreement vary greatly: from the short-term “affitto transitorio” (for 6-18 months) to the long-term “4+4” (4 years with automatic renewal). Be sure to read the terms and conditions or consult a lawyer.

➡️ Need help with your lease or contract? Book a legal consultation on Visit Ukraine

Italy is known for quality and relatively affordable products. In 2026, prices for basic products remain stable - slightly higher in large cities, lower in smaller towns or in the south.

Average expenses per month:

• Single person - 250-350 euros
• A couple - 500-650 euros
• Family with a child - 700-900 euros

Shops and markets:

• Discounters: Eurospin, Lidl, Penny - the best prices for basic goods
• Coop, Conad, Carrefour - middle price segment
• Esselunga, NaturaSì - more expensive, but with a wider range of organic / premium products
• Markets (mercato settimanale) - excellent prices for seasonal vegetables/fruits, sometimes of higher quality, direct from farmers

The cost of food in Italy in 2026:

A loaf of bread (pane) - 1.5-2 €.

A liter of milk - 1.3 €

Pasta - 1-1.5 € / 500 g

Cheese (Parmesan or local) - €6-11/kg

Eggs (12 pcs.) - ~2.6 - 3.8

Chicken fillet - 8-10 €/kg

Household chemicals - approx. 30-40 € / month per 1 person

Tips:

- pay attention to “offerta”/“sconto” promotions

- use loyalty cards

- buy at markets and in bulk packages - this way you can save a lot of money

Italy has an extensive transportation network: trains, buses, subways, and trams. Public transportation is convenient but not always punctual, especially in the southern regions.

Public transportation

- The cost of a single ticket: 1.50-2.00 € (valid for 75-100 minutes)

- Monthly tickets:

• Rome - ~35 €.
• Milan - ~39 €.
• Naples - ~42 €.

Tickets can be purchased at Tabacchi kiosks, terminals at bus stops, or via apps(Trenitalia, Moovit, ATM Milano).

Intercity transportation

• Trains: high-speed Frecciarossa, Intercity, regional Trenitalia
• Buses: Flixbus, MarinoBus - cheaper, convenient for traveling between cities

Your own car

• Gasoline - 1.80-2.10 €/liter
• Parking - 1-3 €/hour (in the center - up to 4-5 €/hour)
• In cities, there are restricted entry zones (ZTL). Violation - a fine of up to 100-150 €.
• Toll highways - an average of 7-9 € per 100 km

You need an environmental sticker or car registration in the city system (for example, in Milan or Bologna)

💡 For cars with Ukrainian registration, be sure to take out a Green Card insurance policy. ➡️ Apply for Green Card online

For more information about traveling to Italy by car, see the section “To Italy by car”

After moving to Italy, one of the first steps is to open a bank account. Without it, it is impossible to receive a salary, subscribe to a mobile phone, pay rent, or receive social benefits.

The Italian banking system is quite traditional. Although more and more banks are moving online, most classic institutions still require a personal visit and paperwork. You usually need to make an appointment at a branch.

Different banks have different requirements, but in general you will need

• passport;
• Italian tax code (codice fiscale);
• proof of address (registration or at least a rental contract);
• in some cases, a residence permit or an application for it.

Students can use preferential accounts with no fees (a certificate from the university is required).

Foreigners are usually given a “conto corrente estero” account, while students get a simplified version without a monthly fee.

If you have just moved and do not yet have an address or documents, the easiest option is to open an account with a digital bank, for example:

• N26 is a popular German online bank that operates in Italy and supports English;
• Revolut - suitable for basic transactions, but sometimes not accepted for Italian contracts;
• Hype, Buddybank, Widiba - Italian online banks that work through applications.

Thanks to digital banks, you can get an IBAN, a bank card (physical or virtual) and make payments even if you do not yet have a residence registration(Anagrafe).

💡 Please note: classic banks in Italy may charge monthly fees ranging from 2 to 10 euros. Also, some services are paid separately (for example, card servicing, cash withdrawals from a “foreign” ATM, etc.) Digital banks usually have more transparent terms and conditions.

Tip: Before signing any contract, be sure to ask for an explanation of the terms and conditions in English - the Italian “fine print” can be quite confusing.

➡️ If you need help with opening an account or obtaining a Codice fiscale, you can get legal advice online at Visit Ukraine. 

After settling in, the first thing you want to do is call your family and find Wi-Fi. But communication in Italy has its own specifics: a large selection of operators, many tariffs, nuances with coverage, and the difference between contracts and prepaid.

Most Ukrainians use prepaid SIM cards (prepagato) in the first weeks, as they are easy to buy without a contract, without registering a place of residence, and even without a residence permit. A passport and Codice fiscale are usually all you need.

The most popular mobile operators:

• TIM - the largest state-owned operator, good coverage, slightly higher prices
• Vodafone Italia - stable internet, favorable international calls
• WindTre - often the cheapest tariffs, but sometimes poorer coverage in rural areas
• Iliad - a new player, cheap tariffs, lots of traffic, simple conditions

Tariff plans start from 6-8 € per month for unlimited calls in Italy and 30-50 GB of mobile internet. Some offers include minutes for calls to Ukraine or Europe.

You can choose a SIM card right at the airport, supermarket, or in a specialized store - there is almost always a tariff for “new customers” with additional bonuses.

Mobile Internet

Most 4G tariffs have stable coverage in large cities, slightly worse in mountainous and rural areas. 5G is still available in the largest cities - Milan, Rome, Bologna.

After the traffic is exhausted, the speed decreases significantly, so it is better to choose a tariff with a reserve of gigabytes or set up an automatic subscription to additional packages.

Home Internet (Wi-Fi)

Connecting Wi-Fi at home is not an instant process. Even in large cities, installation can take from 3 to 10 days, sometimes longer. You will need:

• passport;
• fiscal code;
• address of residence (registration or lease contract);
• sometimes, proof of solvency.

The main providers:

• TIM (still the leader)
• Vodafone
• Fastweb
• Eolo - an alternative for mountainous and remote areas

The cost of home internet:

• 35-50 €/month - depending on speed, provider and availability of promotions
• Some tariffs include a SIM card with mobile Internet

Pay attention to the duration of the contract: it is usually 12 or 24 months. Early termination is charged. If you plan to stay in Italy for less than a year, look for a tariff without a fixed term (senza vincoli).

If you have moved to Italy with children, sooner or later you will face the question: where to go - to kindergarten, school, Italian courses? The education system in Italy is structured, but it differs from the Ukrainian one, so it is important to understand the age stages and opportunities.

Preschool education

Kindergartens in Italy are divided into:

- asilo nido (for children from 3 months to 3 years)

- scuola dell'infanzia (from 3 to 6 years old)

Preschool education is not compulsory, but it is very common. The cost depends on the region, family income (ISEE) and type of kindergarten:

• public kindergartens: from 0 to 200 €/month
• private: 250-600 €/month and more

If the family has temporary protection status, partial or full payment is possible. There may also be benefits for meals.

To enroll, you need:

• application to the local municipality (comune)
• certificate of vaccination (mandatory vaccines!)
• child's fiscal code
• documents on status (e.g. temporary protection)

Primary and secondary school

In Italy, education is compulsory from the age of 6 to 16 and is divided into stages:

1. Scuola primaria (elementare) - from 6 to 11 years old

2. Scuola secondaria di primo grado (media) - from 11 to 14 years old

3. Scuola secondaria di secondo grado (superiore) - from 14 to 19 years old (lyceums, technical and vocational schools)

Enrollment is possible at any time of the year, especially for children from abroad. The decision is made by the local education authority based on the child's age, previous level of education and available places.

Language and adaptation

In most Italian schools, foreign children receive integration support:

• separate classes in Italian as a foreign language (L2)
• assistance of an interpreter (where possible)
• tutors for adaptation in the classroom

Even if a child does not speak the language, he or she will be accepted to school and will gradually be able to integrate. However, you should be prepared for the adaptation period, both emotionally and academically.

Extracurricular activities

Many schools organize clubs, sports clubs, language courses, as well as extended day (scuola a tempo pieno) - when school lasts until 16:30 with lunch at the school.

Communities also often have

- volunteer projects for children from Ukraine

- free Italian courses for children and parents

- activities organized by associations of Ukrainians in Italy

In large cities, there are even Ukrainian weekend schools where children can continue to study their native language, literature, and culture.

➡️ If you need advice on adapting your child to school, paperwork, or finding a kindergarten, contact our lawyers at Visit Ukraine.

The Italian healthcare system is considered to be one of the best in Europe, and for Ukrainians who have temporary protection or stay in the country legally, it is mostly available free of charge or on preferential terms. However, there are many nuances that should be taken into account in order to receive timely assistance or avoid unnecessary expenses.

Public healthcare system (SSN)

Italy has a public healthcare system - Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). If you are officially residing in Italy (even temporarily), you have the right to register with the system and access healthcare services.

What is included

- visits to a family doctor (medico di base)

- consultations with specialists (by referral)

- laboratory tests

- hospitalization, ambulance service

- vaccination, basic examinations

Registration takes place at the local medical office - ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale). You will need

• a residence document (temporary protection, permesso di soggiorno, rental contract)
• fiscal code
• application (in some regions - online)

After registration, you choose your family doctor, who then refers you to narrow specialists or prescribes tests.

Paid services and “ticket”

In the SSN system, some services are partially paid for: you pay a ticket, a fixed fee for tests or consultations. The amount depends on your income (ISEE) and the region where you are registered.

There are also waiting lists - sometimes it takes 1-3 months to get an appointment with a narrow specialist.

In private clinics, you can get an appointment faster, but it costs much more: a consultation costs from 70 to 150 €, and tests - depending on the type of examination.

Insurance for Ukrainians

If you are in Italy for a short trip, do not have temporary protection, or are just planning to move, public healthcare may not be available to you, and then any visit to a doctor will be very expensive without an insurance policy.

At Visit Ukraine you can take out health insurance for Italy:

• covering the costs of treatment, diagnostics, hospitalization;
• fast online registration;
• suitable for traveling, studying, moving, paperwork.

➡️ Apply for health insurance in Italy online

Pharmacies and medicines

Pharmacies in Italy are marked with the Farmacia sign (green cross). Some drugs are sold freely, but many are available only with a prescription.

Even with a minor request (fever, cold), you may be advised to see a doctor to get a prescription.

Prices for medicines are higher than in Ukraine, especially without insurance.

A prescription from an SSN doctor allows you to get a drug with partial or full reimbursement.

Emergency services

The emergency number in Italy is 118. The call is free of charge. In case of a life-threatening emergency, you will be admitted to the hospital even without documents - but you may be billed later if you are not insured or do not have a registration with SSN.

Moving is not just about documents, housing, and logistics. It's also a daily adaptation: a new culture, a different language, rules that didn't exist before. It is these little things that often determine whether life will be comfortable.

Language: is it possible to live without Italian?

Italians value their language very much, and although in big cities you can still get along in English, in everyday life - in a pharmacy, hospital, post office, or commune - Italian is almost indispensable.

Therefore, for those who plan to stay longer than a few months, knowledge of the language is the key to adaptation.

Where to learn Italian:

• free courses at municipalities, associations, volunteer organizations
• schools for adults (CPIA)
• online platforms: Duolingo, Preply, iTalki
• classes at Ukrainian communities - with native speakers or volunteers

To apply for permanent residence or citizenship, you will need proof of language proficiency at least A2 (sometimes B1 - depending on the region).

Penalties and household rules

Italy is a country where it is often possible to “come to an agreement”, but this does not negate the existence of strict rules and fines. It is often domestic violations that become a source of trouble for migrants.

Here are some common situations that can be costly:

• Disposing of garbage out of schedule or without sorting - fine 50-300 €.
• Driving in restricted traffic zones (ZTL) - a fine of 100-150 €.
• Hanging laundry on the balcony in a prohibited place (yes, it's real) - fine up to 50 €
• Walking with a dog without a leash or pet fee - fine 25-100 €.

Sometimes the fine arrives in the mail a few weeks later, so you should not ignore paper correspondence from the Comune or Prefettura.

If you are not sure of your rights, it is better to consult a lawyer.

➡️ Order a legal consultation at Visit Ukraine

Free time and leisure activities

Italy is not only about bureaucracy and everyday life. It is also a country of incredible culture, gastronomy and travel opportunities.

In many cities:

• museums are free on the first Sunday of the month
• there are free events organized by municipalities - concerts, exhibitions, excursions
• discounts for young people, students, and pensioners to theaters, transportation, and museums

Many things are simply free:

- parks, beaches, promenades, mountains;

- summer movie screenings in the open air;

- excursions as part of integration projects.

The Ukrainian diaspora in Italy is large and active. There are communities in almost every city:

• communities that help newcomers;
• churches with Ukrainian-language services;
• volunteers who help with clothing, food, and translation;
• weekend schools for children;
• legal, language and psychological counseling.