Italy
Profiled in Rome · Western and Southern Europe
Rome hands you three thousand years of history, cheap espresso, and long golden dinners, all wrapped in glorious daily chaos.
Cost of living
What a month costs
Cheaper than Milan, but central rents keep climbing.
The scores
How it rates for a moving family
See and do
Top 10 in Rome
- ColosseumThe ancient amphitheater that still defines the skyline.
- Roman ForumThe ruined heart of the ancient city.
- PantheonBest-preserved Roman temple, free to enter.
- Vatican MuseumsMiles of art ending at the Sistine Chapel.
- St Peter's BasilicaVast church with Michelangelo's dome and Pietà.
- Trevi FountainBaroque marble spectacle, toss a coin in.
- Borghese GalleryBernini sculptures inside a leafy park villa.
- Spanish StepsThe famous staircase down to Piazza di Spagna.
- Piazza NavonaElegant oval square built over an ancient stadium.
- TrastevereCobbled riverside quarter made for evening wandering.
Where to go
Weekend escapes
- FlorenceRenaissance city under two hours by fast train.
- NaplesPizza, chaos and the coast an hour south.
- OrvietoHilltop Umbrian town with a stunning cathedral.
- SperlongaWhitewashed seaside village on the Tyrrhenian coast.
- TivoliHadrian's villa and fountain gardens just outside the city.
Coffee
Best cafes
- Sant'Eustachio Il CaffèCult espresso spot near the Pantheon since 1938.
- Caffè Tazza d'OroFamous for its granita di caffè by the Pantheon.
- Antico Caffè GrecoRome's oldest cafe, open on Via Condotti since 1760.
- Roscioli CaffèSerious coffee and pastries near Campo de' Fiori.
- Bar del CappuccinoOld-school neighborhood bar near Piazza Navona.
Restaurants
Where to eat
- RoscioliDeli and wine bar loved for carbonara and cheese.
- Armando al PantheonClassic Roman trattoria a step from the Pantheon.
- Da Enzo al 29Tiny Trastevere institution for Roman staples.
- PipernoHistoric Jewish-quarter spot for fried artichokes.
- Felice a TestaccioLegendary cacio e pepe in working-class Testaccio.
- La PergolaRome's three-Michelin-star fine dining above the city.
- Pizzarium BonciFamous pizza al taglio near the Vatican.
Morning
Best breakfast
- Pasticceria RegoliBeloved pastry shop for maritozzi since 1916.
- Bar Necci dal 1924Pigneto cafe with a leafy garden for brunch.
- Roscioli CaffèCornetti and cappuccino done properly.
- Il MaritozzaroTrastevere legend for the cream-stuffed maritozzo.
- Faro Luminaries of CoffeeModern specialty coffee and eggs near the Vatican.
- MarigoldScandi-Italian bakery and brunch in Ostiense.
- GingerBright all-day spot for juices and big breakfasts.
- Antico Forno RoscioliHistoric bakery for morning pizza bianca and pastries.
- Pasticceria BoccioneAncient Jewish-quarter bakery for ricotta tart.
Residency
Non-EU newcomers usually arrive on a national visa, such as self-employment, elective residence or a work permit, then convert it to a permesso di soggiorno within eight days of landing. EU citizens simply register at the local comune after settling in.
Tax
Italy taxes residents on worldwide income at progressive rates that climb to 43 percent, plus regional and municipal surtaxes. New arrivals may qualify for the impatriate regime or a flat 200,000 euro tax on foreign income, but both have conditions worth checking with an accountant.
Thinking about moving here for real? See the verified Italy residency and citizenship routes →
Curious what you would actually pay? See the Italy tax profile: income, corporate, VAT and exit rules →
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