Located on the scenic banks of the Tiber River, Italy’s capital city of Rome is home to more than half a million foreign residents. There are many reasons why the city now has the country’s largest expat community in the country.
Our insider’s guide to living in Rome covers everything that international citizens need to know before they move abroad — from the city’s best neighborhoods, to its cost of living, job market, and options for health insurance.
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What Should I Know About Italian Culture Before Moving to Rome?
Many expats fall in love with Rome’s rich culture and thousands of years of history. For a smooth transition, newly arrived immigrants should become familiar with Italy’s distinct cultural practices before they move. Below is an overview of what to expect.
Family is Everything
Italian life is centered around the family. It’s not uncommon for several generations of a family to live together under one roof.
Most adults live at home with their parents, either well into their thirties or until they get married. This practice can seem rather different from what’s typical in other Western cultures.
Language Barriers
Italian is the official language of Italy, and more than 90% of people in the city speak it. Many people in Rome also speak English, but it will serve you well to learn some Italian because it can open up opportunities for jobs as well as making friends.
Keep in mind that even immigrants who do speak fluent Italian often find it difficult to understand what the locals are saying. People in Rome speak many different regional dialects of Italian, each one significantly different from the next. It can take time to get used to the language’s region-specific differences.
How People Communicate
Romans are known for having passionate conversations and debates. However, that passion should not be mistaken for anger.
Many immigrants assume that because Romans tend to shout or speak at a loud volume, that they must be aggressive or angry. The truth is that Romans are simply more expressive than people in most other European cities.
You may notice that Italians use a lot of hand gestures when they speak. They also tend to stand much closer together, when talking to one another, than people do in other parts of the world.
Expect to Eat Later (and Longer) Meals
Romans are serious about their food and when they eat their meals. In Italy, meals are often long and very filling, and lunch and dinner typically conclude with fruit.
Most locals eat lunch between 1 and 2:30 p.m. and eat dinner between 8 and 11 p.m.
Rome Moves at a Relaxed Pace
Daily life moves slower in Italy — even in big cities like Rome. Lines can be long, and dealing with bureaucracy can be frustrating for foreigners who are used to faster service.
Even though Rome has an extensive public transportation system, the city’s traffic is so heavy that buses and trains are often delayed. This is yet another factor that forces locals to move at a slower pace.
Is It Easy to Make Friends in Rome?
Immigrants can make friends in Rome if they open themselves up to the culture, learn the language, and welcome conversations.
Rome has many open-air public spaces, and it can feel easier to strike up a conversation with a stranger outdoors than it does inside an indoor space like a bar. American and British foreign nationals sometimes find this odd because it’s more common to make new friends over a pint in the United States and the United Kingdom.
One great way to make friends in Rome is to participate in an Italian language exchange program. These programs provide opportunities to meet other foreign citizens as well as locals, and you can learn some Italian at the same time. You can also meet people by attending local events and taking classes, such as exercise, painting, or cooking classes.
Expats often find it easier to make new friends in Rome if they frequent the same places. For example, you might find that the people you see everyday at your favorite coffee bar or open-air market begin to say hello and make conversation once they see you as a regular patron.
What’s It Like to Raise a Family in Rome?
Rome is a family-friendly city with plenty of activities and events for families with young children. There are many outdoor spaces for kids, and most museums offer discounted rates for children. Some even allow kids to enter for free.
Because Italians put so much focus on family, foreign-born families with children feel welcomed in Rome. The primary school education system is good and public schools are free up to the age of 16. International schools exist, but they can be quite costly.
What Are the Best Neighborhoods to Live in Rome?
The beautiful city of Rome, known as “Roma” to the Italians, is home to more than 20 neighborhoods and districts. Each one has a different appeal, but some locations in the Italian capital make a better home for foreign citizens than others.
Prati
Prati is a great neighborhood for young families with children. This culturally diverse area is home to a large expat community, and it tends to feel more like a small village than part of a big city.
It’s also one of the safest neighborhoods in the city. Prati is conveniently located within walking distance of the Vatican, and has no shortage of top-notch restaurants, cafes, shops, and public spaces.
Trastevere
Known for its nightlife, entertainment, and bars, Trastevere attracts students and young adults. It’s also a hip and trendy neighborhood for international citizens who want to enjoy the city’s active nightlife.
Be aware that this part of the city does attract a lot of tourists. Some foreigners might love that, while others may not. Perhaps the biggest upside to living in the tourist-heavy Trastevere neighborhood is that the area restricts most car traffic, making its cobblestone streets even more walkable.
Monteverde
Monteverde is a spacious district of Rome that features one of the city’s largest parks. Its ample green spaces have made it one of the most calm and relaxed places in Rome — perfect for expats who prefer the simpler things in life.
Monteverde is also well-connected to Rome’s underground metro train system. Similar to Trastevere, it’s a great place to live if you want to be able to get around without owning a car.
Other Great Neighborhoods in Rome
In addition to Prati, Trastevere, and Monteverde, other neighborhoods in Rome that are great for immigrants include:
- Ostiense
- Testaccio
- Centro Storico
- Monti
Neighborhoods to Avoid in Rome
Overall, Rome is considered a safe city. Certain neighborhoods still have a higher rate of petty crime, as well as a reputation for pickpockets and scammers. These include the neighborhoods of:
- Esquilino
- San Basilio
- Corviale
Crowded train stations and landmarks, like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain, are hotspots for pickpockets who tend to prey on unsuspecting tourists. No matter where you choose to live in Rome, you’ll be safer if you remain aware of your surroundings at all times.
Read About: The Best Cities in Italy to Live in as a Foreigner or International Citizen
Does Rome Have a Strong Job Market?
If you’re a foreigner who’s thinking about moving to Rome for work, expect to face some challenges.
Some expats and immigrants may have trouble finding employment in Italy’s capital city. Italy’s country-wide job market isn’t much better, but has started to improve in recent years.
That doesn’t change the reality that many Italian employers prefer to hire locals over foreigners. Rome has the highest concentration of immigrants in the country, which means that expats living in Rome must not only compete for jobs against native Italians, but against other expats. Immigrants who speak fluent Italian may have a slight advantage.
If you speak English, you’re most likely to find work in one of the following industries:
- Hospitality and tourism. Because Rome attracts many English-speaking tourists, hotel concierge, restaurant server, and tour guide are common jobs for English speakers.
- Healthcare. In Rome, medical professionals are in high demand — especially skilled nurses.
- Education. Expats can put their English to good use by working as an English language teacher or translator.
- Technology. If you’re an immigrant who has experience in the tech sector, you may be able to find work as a web developer, software developer, programmer, or software engineer.
Read About: The Best Jobs in Italy for Expats
The Cost of Living in Rome
Depending on the country and city from which you’re moving, Rome can seem either very affordable or much more expensive than what you’re used to paying. One way to get a better sense of whether you can afford to live in Rome as an expat is to see where the city ranks on the worldwide cost of living index.
The cost of living index is a theoretical price index that measures how expensive or inexpensive a particular location is in comparison to other regions. The higher the number, the more expensive it is to pay for goods and services in that location. Figures above the cost of living baseline of 100 are considered more expensive, while figures below 100 are typically considered less expensive.
The cost of living index in Rome is 59.0, which is close to the average cost of living in Italy (58.9). Italy is the most expensive country in southern Europe, but it is considerably less expensive than many other countries across the globe.
Here’s a look at how the cost of living in Italy compares to that of other countries:
- Switzerland: 112.2
- Singapore: 81.9
- Denmark: 75.2
- US: 72.9
- Australia: 72.8
- France: 66.0
- UK: 63.7
- Rome, Italy: 59.0
- Romania: 38.8
- China: 34.1
- Morocco: 29.9
The Cost of Goods and Services in Rome
The estimated cost for one person to live in Rome (excluding rent) is $1,021 USD per month. Here’s what you can expect to pay for rent, groceries, transportation, and other daily expenses:
Rent
- One bedroom apartment in the city center: $1,262 USD
- One bedroom apartment outside the city center: $788 USD
Utilities
- Electric/heating and cooling/water/garbage: $253 USD
- Mobile phone plan: $15 USD
- Internet: $33 USD
Transportation
- Monthly public transport pass: $42 USD
- Gasoline: $2.12 USD per liter
Groceries
- Milk: $1.87 USD per liter
- Eggs: $4.28 USD per dozen
- Rice: $3.06 USD per kilogram
- Chicken filets: $12.60 USD per kilogram
- Bottled water: $0.45 USD per 1.5 liter bottle
Sales Tax/VAT Tax
- VAT tax standard rate: 22%
- Electric power and certain medications: 10%
- Healthcare and transport services: 5%
- Certain foods, drinks, and agricultural products: 4%
Note: All cost of living data comes from Numbeo. These numbers were up to date as of March 2024.
The difference between sales tax and VAT is that VAT is collected at every point in the production process. Sales tax is only collected at the point of purchase. For consumers, they are essentially one and the same, as the consumer pays the total VAT when they purchase a product or service.
Note: All cost of living data is current as of March 2024.
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How Do I Apply for a Visa to Live in Italy?
Italy has a two-tier immigration system that makes it easy for some foreigners to move there, but can be more challenging for others seeking entry.
Expats who are citizens of the European Union or one of the countries in the European Economic Area (EEA) can enter Italy without a visa and stay for three months. After three months, EU and EEA citizens must register their address of residence with the local Italian authority.
Global citizens from outside the EU and EEA need a long-stay visa if they intend to stay longer than 90 days. There are several types of long-stay visas for which you may qualify.
Learn more about visas and work permits in Italy.
How Do I Access Medical Care in Rome?
Expats who move to Rome will find that Italy has an excellent healthcare system with great patient outcomes. If you are an immigrant who has a valid visa and residence permit, you may be eligible for Italy’s universal Servicio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN) public insurance plan.
Rome has some of the best doctors and medical facilities in the country. The only downside to this publicly funded system is that there are often long wait times before patients can see a doctor.
A private health insurance plan can help expats avoid long wait times and access private healthcare facilities outside Italy’s public system. Learn more about buying private international health insurance in Italy.
In Conclusion
Living in Rome as an expat can provide a great quality of life — not to mention the opportunity to enjoy all the beauty, culture, and history that the Eternal City has to offer.
If you’re thinking about moving to Rome and haven’t begun to learn the Italian language, begin learning it as soon as possible to increase your job prospects. It’s also best to look for a job before you arrive. Finally, make sure you comply with the country’s visa requirements by purchasing private health insurance in Italy.
Related:
- Hospitals in Italy
- Pros and Cons of Living in Italy
- The Complete Guide to Moving to Italy
- Safest Places to Live in Italy
