Documents

Foreign citizens who want to visit Italy must travel with:
- A valid I.D. card to travel abroad or passport (depenidng on the nationality of the traveler)
- VISA (depending on the nationality of the traveler). You can ask for the visa befor leaving in the Italian embassies of your own country. More information on Italian Foreign Ministery’s website (Esteri)

Driving in Italy

To drive in Italy EU citizens need only their own driving licence. Non EU citizens need an international driving licence or a certified translation of their driving licence.

To circulate vehicles must have an insurance, so, in case of an Italian travel, you should ask to your insurance company if your coverage is valid on Italian territory.

To drive somebody else’s car in Italy you need a written authorization of the vehicle’s owner. To rent a car driving licence since at least three years is needed.

In Italy people drive on the right side of the road, pass other vehicles on the left and give precedence to the right.

In Italy it is mandatory driving with fast belt and the alcohol limit in blood is 0,08%.

Speed limits.

Exceeding these limits may result even in driving licence retirement.

The presence of highways is indicated by signs with green background, while the background is blue for extra-city highways. On the highways is required to pay a highway toll in cash or by using automatic payment systems Viacard or Telepass card.

Customs

To enter Italy, EU nationals must hold a valid document for travel abroad or a valid passport. For periods longer than three months, you must register at the municipality of residence. You are freely allowed to carry objects for personal use. The luggage can be controlled both inbound and outbound from Italy. There are restrictions for drinks (spirits and wine), coffee, sugar and flavors.

Pets

Each pet for entry into Italy must be fitted with European veterinary certificate. As expected from the document, the pets will:

(A) be identified by legible tattoo or microchip;
(B) be vaccinated against rabies.

Remember that in Italy it is mandatory to use:

Health

For European citizens by showing the European Health Insurance Card TEAM are provided services and facilities of the Italian National Service under the same conditions as Italian citizens.

For tourists from other countries, we recommend an insurance company in your country that covers the costs of health assistance Italy in case of need.

Emergency numbers

Currency

The currency used in Italy is Euro, so as in other member countries of the European community.
The coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 50 cents, 1 euro and 2 euro; banknotes in the denominations of 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros.

You can pay with credit cards almost everywhere.

Hours and holidays

Usually the opening hour of shops in Italy is 9:00 am, to 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.. The opening hours of wine&food shops is longer, usually from 8.00 a.m. to 1.30 p.m. and from 3.00 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. . In the Southern Italy often opening hours are different, especially in summer. Closing day depends from region to region.

National Feasts:

Telephone and Internet

To call Italy you must dial the prefix 0039 followed by area code you want to call.
For Internet you can take advantage of wireless connections in certain businesses, airports and railway stations. On the whole Italian territory there are thousands of Internet cafes where you can browse for a fee.

Religion and language

The official language is Italian, although each region has its own specific dialect.
More widespread religion in Italy is Crhristianims, Catholicism confession.

Other useful information

Electricity Voltage: 230 V - Frequency: 50 Hz
Taxis: every city has its radio taxi service: you should use only official taxis and avoid abuse.
Trains: the rail connections are managed by Trenitalia