• Population: 62 million
• Capital: Rome
• Type of government: A parliamentary government that is perfectly bicameral: the two houses (the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate of the Republic) have the same powers.
• Regional Membership: Italy is part of the European Union and the Schengen region
• Currency: Euro
• Common foods: Pizza, pasta, gelato, wine, and coffee

Italian is the official language spoken in Italy.

As Italy is a top European tourist destination, it is common for locals to speak English, especially in large cities and at most restaurants, hotels, and airports.

As a University of Illinois student, you have access to library resources (such as Rosetta Stone and Libguides). You may also want to consider free sources to learn basic phrases, or to refresh your language skills prior to departure.

It is each students responsibility to independently verify the visa information below and ensure they apply and secure the appropriate documentation to travel and stay in their host country for the duration of their program.

U.S. students studying abroad in Italy for the fall or spring semester will need to get a student visa. U.S. passport holders do not need a visa to study in Italy over the summer (less than 90 days), but many non-U.S. passport holders will need a visa for the summer.

To read more on passport and visa terminology see the Passports & Visas page of this website.

Phones

• Check with your service provider about purchasing an international plan, though a local number may be useful for safety and communications purposes.
• Pay-as-you-go SIM cards might be the most affordable option for longer stays and will be available for purchase once you arrive in Italy. These no-contract plans are commonly used in Italy by locals. Most pay-as-you-go plans will have data options for internet use.
• Make sure you have the Duo Mobile app set up on your phone. If you get a new SIM card, use the passcode options instead of PUSH, or go to UI Verify website to enter your new phone information.

Internet

• Internet infrastructure in Italy is well developed, and you will likely have internet access through your housing and on campus.
• WiFi service is widely available throughout the country in bars, restaurants, and hotels. It may not be available for free in as many locations as U.S. students are accustomed to.

Electricity

• Italy uses the plug types C, F and L, but mainly type C (pictured below on the left). You will need to purchase an adapter for type C or a universal adapter (pictured on the right).
• While an adapter makes your device fit into the local outlet, a converter converts the voltage. The voltage will not be the same as in the U.S. For that reason, it is recommended that you do NOT bring appliances such as hair dryers or hair straighteners with you unless you also purchase a voltage converter.

The Euro is the official currency of Italy.

Using Money

• Credit/debit cards are the preferred payment method for many young Italians, and both are widely accepted. Cash is also common and can be used anywhere.
• Many U.S. banks will allow you to exchange dollars for Euros before departure at little to no cost. It is recommended that you travel to Italy with enough Euros to last you several days, or exchange dollars for Euros directly at the airport upon arrival as an emergency back-up option if you have issues with your card(s).
• While paying with a card, choose to keep your payment in the local currency, rather than USD, to prevent extra costs.
• If you plan to use a U.S. credit or debit card while in Italy, be sure to notify your bank that you will be using it abroad and find out how much of an international surcharge will be added for each card swipe.

Banking Tips

• Try to avoid using ATMs that are part of a store, for security and fee purposes. It is better to use an ATM at a bank, even if the ATM is inside the bank and you have to swipe your card to enter the building.
• Internet banking/bank transfers are the most common payment method for regular bill payments.

Geography

• Italy is a member of the European Union and is bordered by France, Slovenia, Austria, Switzerland and the enclave micro-states of Vatican City and San Marino. Much of it borders the Mediterranean Sea.

Climate

• Italy has a Mediterranean climate: hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.

Packing

• Light T-shirts and cotton clothes are recommended for the summer, while warmer clothes are necessary for the winter.
• For more packing considerations, view the Packing List (PDF).

Traveling Locally

• Within Italy, you should take advantage of the excellent public railway system to get from city to city. All trains are part of the national rail line: Trenitalia.
• There is no national bus network, but buses can be useful to get to towns in the countryside between the big city centers.

Trains

• Regionale/interregionale: Slow and often cheaper, stopping at all or most stations.
• InterCity (IC): Faster services operating between major cities. Their international counterparts are called Eurocity (EC).
• Alta Velocità (AV): State-of-the-art, high-velocity trains, including Frecciarossa, Frecciargento, Frecciabianca and Italo trains, with speeds of up to 300km/h and connections to the major cities. Marginally more expensive than some InterCity express trains, but journey times are cut by almost half.

Airports

• Bologna: one medium-sized airport
• Florence: one small airport
• Rome has two airports: one large (Fiumicino) and one medium (Ciampino)
• Milan has three airports: one large (Malpensa) and two medium (Bergamo-Orio al Serio and Linate)
• Pisa: one medium-sized airport

Each student faces different barriers and unique challenges based on their identity. For example, how you identify in the United States may not be how you choose to identify abroad because of the local social culture. We encourage all students to reflect on the different aspects of their identity and consider how they may play a role in their study abroad experience. To help with this thought process: visit the State Department website and look into the Identity & Inclusion resources available on this website.

International Safety and Security provides important wellness tips, along with using your insurance and the emergency phone number. Be sure to become familiar with this website and the resources available to you. Review the U.S. Embassy page and the Department of State website for additional safety resources.

Enroll yourself in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) with the U.S. Department of State. Registration in STEP will allow you to get alerts on the latest safety and security information. In addition, the information you provide enables the U.S. embassy or consulate to contact you in an emergency.