Moving to Rome, Italy - City Guide

Rome is a city where ancient history meets modern life — a sprawling, sun-drenched capital that rewards those who embrace its chaos and charm in equal measure.

If you're drawn to world-class art, incredible food, and a lifestyle that values leisure and community, Rome delivers like no other city. It's less business-oriented than Milan but richer in culture, history, and everyday quality of life.

The Eternal City has been a crossroads of civilisations for millennia, and that international character endures today. Rome is Italy's political and administrative capital, home to the Vatican, the Italian government, and a huge number of embassies and international organisations. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage site, with layers of history spanning nearly 3,000 years.

The expat community is large and diverse — diplomats, academics, artists, and remote workers all find their niche here. The cost of living is moderate by European standards, the food is extraordinary, and the weather is among the best of any European capital.

This guide covers everything you need to know about moving to Rome — from housing and cost of living to healthcare, visas, and daily life. Whether you're relocating for work, study, or a lifestyle change, Rome has something for everyone.

Rome at a Glance

Why Move to Rome

Unmatched history: Walk past the Colosseum, Pantheon, and Roman Forum on your daily commute — nowhere else on earth offers this.
Food culture: Roman cuisine (cacio e pepe, carbonara, supplì) is legendary, and eating well here is surprisingly affordable.
Lifestyle pace: Rome encourages a slower, more social way of life — long lunches, evening passeggiata, and vibrant piazzas.
International community: Home to the Vatican, FAO, WFP, and numerous embassies, Rome has a deeply rooted expat network.
Climate: Over 250 days of sunshine a year, with mild winters and long, warm summers. Perfect for outdoor living.
Day trip access: Florence, Naples, and the coast are all within 1–1.5 hours by high-speed train.

Finding Housing in Rome

Rome's rental market is less aggressive than Milan's but still competitive in popular areas. Expect to pay a security deposit of 2–3 months plus the first month's rent. Agencies typically charge one month's commission.

Having a Codice Fiscale and proof of income ready is essential before you start searching.

Average Rents

How to Find Housing

Immobiliare.it: Largest Italian property portal — essential for Rome.
Idealista.it: Strong listings, especially for central apartments.
Bakeca.it: Classified ads with rooms and sublets popular with locals.
Casa.it: Another major portal with wide selection.
Real estate agents: Commission is typically one month's rent. Many landlords only work through agencies.

Tips for Expats

Rome's rental market moves fast in popular areas — have documents ready.
Contracts are often "4+4" (4-year renewable). "Contratto transitorio" offers shorter stays at higher cost.
Always get a registered contract (contratto registrato) — unregistered ones leave you unprotected.
Check water pressure, heating type, and energy class — older buildings can be drafty.
Avoid ground-floor apartments in the historic centre — humidity and flooding risk.
Ask about "spese condominiali" (building fees) — they vary widely between buildings.
Some landlords prefer cash — insist on a registered contract for legal protection and tax deductions.

Neighborhoods Guide

Trastevere: The quintessential Rome experience — winding lanes, ivy-covered walls, and buzzing nightlife. Ideal for young professionals and couples. Rents are above average but the atmosphere is unmatched. Best accessed by tram 8 from Largo Argentina.
Prati: Quiet, elegant, and steps from the Vatican. Well-suited for families and professionals who want order, good shopping (Via Cola di Rienzo), and proximity to parks.
Monti: Rome's hippest neighbourhood — vintage shops, wine bars, and artisan cafés. Popular with creatives, digital nomads, and young expats. The best area for aperitivo hopping.
Testaccio: The beating heart of Roman food culture. Home to the famous Testaccio Market. More affordable and authentically local. Great for foodies.
Parioli: Green, residential, and upscale. Good schools nearby. Favored by families and older expats who want a quieter base.
San Lorenzo: Student quarter near Sapienza University. Cheap eats, street art, and live music — energetic but rough around the edges. Great for budget-conscious younger expats.
EUR: Planned district south of the centre. Modern, quiet, and business-oriented. Popular with families and professionals working in the area. Well-connected by metro Line B.
Ostiense: Former industrial area near Testaccio. Growing arts scene, converted warehouses, and more affordable rents. Good for young creatives and artists.
Flaminio: Near the MAXXI museum and Stadio Olimpico. Quiet, residential, and well-connected to the centre by tram.

Cost of Living in Rome

Rome is moderately expensive — cheaper than Milan but costlier than Naples or Turin. Rent is the biggest expense. Groceries and dining are very reasonable by European standards.

Monthly Budget Breakdown

Day-to-Day Costs

Coffee (espresso at the bar): €1.00–€1.30
Lunch (trattoria): €8–€13
Monthly transport pass: €35
Beer (bar): €5–€6
Cinema ticket: €8–€10
Pizza al taglio (per slice): €3–€5
Gelato: €2.50–€4.00

Best Areas for Different Budgets

Budget-friendly (€500–€800/month): San Lorenzo, Torpignattara, Centocelle — further out but connected by metro and bus.
Mid-range (€800–€1,200/month): Testaccio, Trastevere, Monti — lively central neighborhoods with character.
Premium (€1,200–€1,800/month): Prati, Parioli, EUR — elegant, quiet, and well-served.

Internet and Connectivity

Rome's internet infrastructure is good in the centre but can be patchy in older buildings or outer neighborhoods.

Major providers: TIM, Fastweb, Vodafone, WindTre.
Average speed: 50–200 Mbps (fibre in central areas). Some older buildings still use ADSL.
Cost: €25–€35/month for broadband.
SIM cards: Iliad plans start at €9.99/month. TIM and Vodafone are €12–€20/month.
Co-working spaces: Talent Garden, Impact Hub, WeWork, Nana Lab, and numerous independent spaces.
Supermarkets: Conad, Carrefour, PAM, and Esselunga are the main chains. Local markets are cheaper for produce.

Cost of Moving Your Belongings to Rome

Relocation costs vary by shipment size and origin. Typical mid-2025 rates:

Real-life case: "I relocated to Rome in June 2025 with around 28 cubic meters of personal belongings using a 20ft container. The total cost, including customs clearance and home delivery, was about €5,100. All my items arrived safely within four weeks." — Alessia B.

Getting Around Rome

Public transport: ATAC network — metro (3 lines: A, B, B1), buses, and trams. Monthly pass costs €35. Service can be unreliable, but coverage is wide. The metro is useful for covering long distances quickly.
Walking: Rome is best explored on foot. Most historic sites are within walking distance of each other.
Cycling: Limited bike lanes, but e-scooter and bike-sharing apps (Lime, Bird) are growing. Rome's hills can be challenging.
Driving: Not recommended for daily use — heavy traffic, limited parking, and ZTL restricted zones. Cameras fine unauthorised vehicles automatically.
Airport: Fiumicino (FCO) — main hub, 30 km from centre with Leonardo Express train (€14). Ciampino (CIA) — budget airlines with bus connections.
Intercity rail: Roma Termini — high-speed trains to Naples (1 hr), Florence (1.5 hrs), Milan (3 hrs). Trenitalia and Italo both operate these routes. Termini is also a major regional hub.
Taxis: White taxis are official. Use apps like FreeNow or itTaxi. Airport transfers from Fiumicino to the centre cost a fixed €50.

Safety and Security

Rome is generally safe for a large city, but petty crime is common in certain areas.

Pickpocketing: Very common on metro Line A, around Termini station, and in tourist hotspots like the Colosseum and Trevi Fountain.
Scams: Watch for unofficial tour guides, overcharging taxi drivers (insist on the meter), and bracelet scammers near tourist sites.
Areas to be cautious: Termini station area at night, parts of Esquilino, and some outer suburbs.
Police: Carabinieri (112) and Polizia are visible in the centre. Tourist police operate near major sites.
Emergency contacts: 112 for general emergencies, 118 for ambulance, 113 for police.

Healthcare in Rome

Hospitals/Clinics: Policlinico Gemelli (Catholic university hospital), Ospedale San Camillo, European Hospital, Villa Stuart.
English-speaking doctors: Available in private clinics and among GPs serving the diplomatic community.
Pharmacies: Abundant — green cross. Rotating night/weekend schedules (turno di notte).
Emergency number: 112 (general) or 118 (ambulance).
Private insurance: Recommended for faster access. Many expats use Cigna, Allianz, or Generali.

Visa and Residency Requirements

A visa is required for most non-EU/EEA nationals wishing to live, work, or study in Italy.

Common categories include:

National D-Visa (long-stay) for employment, study, family reunification, and self-employment
Short-stay Schengen visa (Type C) for tourism or business under 90 days
Elective Residence Visa for those with sufficient passive income (no work permitted)
Digital Nomad Visa (introduced April 2024) for remote workers and freelancers employed by or contracting with non-Italian companies. Applicants must demonstrate adequate income (approximately €28,000+/year), health insurance, and clean criminal record.

Each type has specific requirements such as valid accommodation, proof of income, and a reason for stay longer than 90 days.

Visa types and eligibility: vistoperitalia.esteri.it
Online application and consular booking: prenotami.esteri.it

Tax and Pension Obligations

Tax residents (183+ days per year or primary residence) are taxed on worldwide income. INPS contributions are mandatory.

Customs and Importing Belongings

Used personal belongings can be imported duty-free if owned and used for at least 6 months and intended for personal use.

Required documents:

Detailed inventory list
Proof of residence or residency registration
Bill of lading or airway bill
Customs declaration form

New items or commercial goods are subject to duties and VAT. Ensure declarations are complete to avoid delays.

Pet Relocation

Dogs, cats, and ferrets must be microchipped, vaccinated against rabies, and have a veterinary health certificate issued within 10 days of travel.

Additional requirements:

Pets from non-EU countries may need endorsed veterinary certificates
Notify Italian customs in advance
Follow EU pet travel regulations carefully
Consider a professional pet relocation service for complex cases

Importing a Car and Driver's Licence Exchange

Vehicles from outside the EU may face import duties and VAT and must comply with EU safety and environmental standards.

Key points:

Register with the Motorizzazione Civile after a technical inspection
Historic vehicles (30+ years) may qualify for tax exemptions
EU/EEA licences are valid for short-term stays
Long-term non-EU residents must exchange their licence — may require written and driving tests

Opening a Bank Account and Tax ID

You need a passport, proof of Italian address, and a Codice Fiscale to open a bank account.

Major banks in Rome:

UniCredit: Strong branch network, multilingual support
Intesa Sanpaolo: Largest Italian bank, good online services
BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro): Popular with newcomers, competitive fees
Poste Italiane: Basic banking accessible to everyone, including non-residents

The Codice Fiscale (from the Agenzia delle Entrate) is required for employment, healthcare, and rental contracts.

Culture & Lifestyle

Living history: The Colosseum, Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel, Trevi Fountain, and hundreds of churches with Caravaggio and Bernini masterpieces.
Piazza life: Romans socialise outdoors — evening passeggiata and lingering over espresso are cultural staples. Piazza Navona, Campo de' Fiori, and Piazza del Popolo are gathering points.
Nightlife: Testaccio and Ostiense for clubs, Trastevere and Centro for bars. Dinner at 9 PM, clubs at midnight. Rooftop bars are a Roman specialty.
Green spaces: Villa Borghese, Villa Ada, and the Appian Way for parks and ancient ruins. The Janiculum Hill offers panoramic city views.

Food & Dining

Must-try: Cacio e pepe, carbonara, amatriciana, supplì (fried rice balls), and pizza al taglio.
Best areas: Testaccio for traditional Roman trattorias, Trastevere for variety, Jewish Ghetto for carciofi alla giudia (fried artichokes).
Budget options: Pizza al taglio (€3–€5), market lunches (€6–€10), aperitivo deals.
Markets: Campo de' Fiori (morning produce market), Mercato Testaccio, Mercato Centrale Roma (Termini food hall).
Supermarkets: Conad, Coop, Todis, and Carrefour are the main chains in Rome. Esselunga has only a handful of stores in the capital. Local markets are cheaper for produce.
Wine: Roman trattorias serve house wine (vino della casa) for €5–€8 per litre — usually perfectly good local wine.

Expat Community

Strong InterNations and Meetup presence — regular language exchanges, cultural events, and networking.
Large Anglophone, French, and South American communities.
International organisations (FAO, WFP, IFAD) employ thousands of expats.
Co-working spaces and digital nomad communities are growing rapidly.
The "Expats in Rome" Facebook group is very active for advice and meetups.
Many international embassies and cultural institutes host events open to the public.

Job Market in Rome

Main industries: Government, tourism, international organisations, media, education, tech.
Major employers: Italian government agencies, FAO, RAI, LUISS and Sapienza universities, hospitality chains.
Freelancing: Rome has a growing freelance and digital nomad scene, particularly in media, design, and consulting.
Average salaries by sector:
Job search: LinkedIn, Indeed Italia, UN Careers, Language Jobs, local recruitment agencies.

Education in Rome

International schools: American Overseas School of Rome, St. George's British International School, Marymount International School.
Universities: Sapienza (one of Europe's largest universities), LUISS (business and law), Roma Tre, John Cabot University (English-language, American-accredited).
Language schools: Torre di Babele, Dilit International House, Italiaidea, and Dante Alighieri Society.
Libraries: The Biblioteca Nazionale Centrale and numerous public libraries offer free access.

Related Guides

[Moving to Italy] — comprehensive country guide
[Moving to Naples] — southern Italy city guide
[Moving to Milan] — northern Italy's financial capital
[Moving to Florence] — central Italy's cultural jewel
[Moving to Turin] — Alpine gateway with lower costs

Moving to Rome