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Exercise a high degree of caution
Exercise a high degree of caution in Italy due to the threat of terrorism.
Italy
From Rome’s ancient stones to Milan’s modern pulse, Italy is a tapestry of regions, dialects, and living history.
Overview
Italian life unfolds across Renaissance cities, Alpine villages, and sun-drenched southern coasts, each with distinct traditions and flavors. The Italian language and euro currency are constants, but each region—whether Sicily’s shores or the hills of Tuscany—offers its own rhythms and cultural heritage.
At a glance
Languages
- Italian(Official)
- Albanian(Recognized)
- Catalan(Recognized)
- Greek(Recognized)
- Slovene(Recognized)
Population58,850,717
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
1 EUR = 1.1404 USD
1 USD = 0.8769 EUR
Cost of living
Numbeo publishes these source indexes relative to New York City.
Cost of LivingPotentially much less expensiveSource category: All | 2026
RentPotentially much less expensiveSource category: Rent | 2026
GroceriesPotentially less expensiveSource category: Grocery | 2026
RestaurantPotentially less expensiveSource category: Restaurant | 2026
Local Purchasing PowerSimilar local purchasing powerSource category: Purchasing Power | 2026
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Quality of life
Quality of LifeStrongSource category: Quality Of Life | 2026 | Overall quality of life index
SafetyMixedSource category: Safety | 2026 | Safety index (100 = safest)
HealthcareGenerally favorableSource category: Healthcare | 2026 | Healthcare quality index (100 = best healthcare)
PollutionModerateSource category: Pollution | 2026 | Pollution index (100 = most polluted)
TrafficHighSource category: Traffic | 2026 | Overall traffic index (considers time + inefficiency + CO2)
Sources
- Numbeo Cost of Living Index
Entry requirements
Visa and residency reference data is available for Citizenship, Digital Nomad, EU Blue Card, and 7 more.
Citizenship
- Citizenship Application
Italian citizenship application portal guidance. The page says applicants submit the request online and include identity, birth and criminal-record documents, Italian-language proof, and the required payment receipt.
Digital Nomad
- Digital Nomad Visa
Italian digital nomad and remote worker route for highly specialized workers.
- 1 year, renewable
- Remote/foreign employment only
EU Blue Card
EU Blue Card route for highly qualified workers. The official guidance says applicants need a post-secondary qualification of at least three years, and the employer submits the nulla osta request through the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione. The Blue Card is valid for two years for indefinite employment or for the contract term plus three months when the contract is fixed-term.
- 2 years
- Employer-sponsored only
Permanent Residency
- EU Long-Term Residence Permit
EU long-term residence permit route for foreign nationals who have lived legally in Italy for more than five years and meet the Italian-language requirement.
- 5 years
Passive Income / Rentista
- Elective Residence Visa
Long-stay visa for applicants planning to move permanently to Italy using documented passive income. The official page states that it does not permit work.
- No work rights
Family Reunification
Family reunification visa for relatives of a non-EU citizen holding a regular Italian permit of stay. Requires a nulla osta issued no more than 6 months earlier.
- Limited work rights
Golden Visa / Investor
- Investor Visa for Italy
Investor route for non-EU citizens making qualifying investments in Italy. The official programme page lists government bonds, joint-stock-company investment, innovative start-up investment, or a philanthropic donation as qualifying options.
- 2 years, renewable
Self-Employment
- Self-Employment Visa
Self-employment route for professionals and entrepreneurs who intend to perform an independent commercial or professional activity in Italy.
- Limited work rights
Tourist / Visa Waiver
- Tourist and Transit Visa
Schengen tourist and transit visa guidance for short stays in Italy of up to 90 days.
- 90 days
- No work rights
Work (Employer-Sponsored)
- Work Visa (Nulla Osta)
Employer-sponsored subordinate work visa route described by the Italian consular services page for Boston. The page says the employer must first obtain a nulla osta entry clearance through the Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione in Italy.
- Employer-sponsored only
Languages
- Italian(Official)
- Albanian(Recognized)
- Catalan(Recognized)
- Greek(Recognized)
- Slovene(Recognized)
- Corsican(Regional)
- French(Regional)
- Friulian(Regional)
- German(Regional)
- Ladin(Regional)
- Sardinian(Regional)
Sources
- Country language reference
Safety
3 source-backed travel advisories are available for Italy.
United Kingdom
No destination-wide FCDO travel warning
FCDO travel advice currently has no destination-wide warning for Italy. Review the full FCDO travel advice before travelling, including safety, entry, health, and insurance guidance.
United States
Level 2Exercise increased caution
Exercise increased caution in Italy due to terrorism. There is risk of terrorist violence, including terrorist attacks and other activity in Italy. Visit the U.S. Department of State's country reports on terrorism to learn more. Terrorists may attack with little or no warning.
Common targets include:
- Tourist spots
- Transportation centers
- Shopping malls and markets
- Local government buildings
- Hotels, clubs and restaurants
- Religious sites
- Parks
- Sporting and cultural events
- Schools
- Airports
- Public areas
Start planning your move
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