Italy Travel Guide

Language

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

Currency

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureau de change. ATMs are widespread. Travelers checks can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

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Electricity

Electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.

Communications

The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers over 17 years from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on Travelers from EU countries traveling within the EU are limited to 110 liters of beer, 90 liters of wine (of which 60 liters may be sparkling), 20 liters of fortified wine, 10 liters of spirits, 1kg of tobacco, 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco and 400 cigarellos, perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette, and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. EU citizens are also able to claim tax back if the VAT rates in Italy are higher than those in their country of residence. Prohibited items include narcotic drugs, medicinal products, arms and weapons, explosives and protected animal and plant species.

Tourist Office

Italian Tourist Board: +39 06 49711 or www.enit.it

Embassies in Italy

• United States Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4674 2420/ 2421.
• British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001/ 4220.
• Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 85444 2911.
• Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721.
• South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541.
• Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121.
• New Zealand Embassy, Rome: +39 06 853 7501.

Italy Embassies Abroad

• Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400.
• Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200.
• Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401.
• Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333.
• Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 0000.
• Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744.
• Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 5339.

Emergency

Emergencies: 113 (Police); 118 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

Currency

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureau de change. ATMs are widespread. Travelers checks can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

0.6887

Electricity

Electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.

Communications

The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers over 17 years from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on Travelers from EU countries traveling within the EU are limited to 110 liters of beer, 90 liters of wine (of which 60 liters may be sparkling), 20 liters of fortified wine, 10 liters of spirits, 1kg of tobacco, 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco and 400 cigarellos, perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette, and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. EU citizens are also able to claim tax back if the VAT rates in Italy are higher than those in their country of residence. Prohibited items include narcotic drugs, medicinal products, arms and weapons, explosives and protected animal and plant species.

Tourist Office

Italian Tourist Board: +39 06 49711 or www.enit.it

Embassies in Italy

• United States Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4674 2420/ 2421.
• British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001/ 4220.
• Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 85444 2911.
• Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721.
• South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541.
• Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121.
• New Zealand Embassy, Rome: +39 06 853 7501.

Italy Embassies Abroad

• Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400.
• Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200.
• Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401.
• Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333.
• Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 0000.
• Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744.
• Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 5339.

Emergency

Emergencies: 113 (Police); 118 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

Currency

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureau de change. ATMs are widespread. Travelers checks can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

0.6887

Electricity

Electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.

Communications

The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers over 17 years from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on Travelers from EU countries traveling within the EU are limited to 110 liters of beer, 90 liters of wine (of which 60 liters may be sparkling), 20 liters of fortified wine, 10 liters of spirits, 1kg of tobacco, 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco and 400 cigarellos, perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette, and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. EU citizens are also able to claim tax back if the VAT rates in Italy are higher than those in their country of residence. Prohibited items include narcotic drugs, medicinal products, arms and weapons, explosives and protected animal and plant species.

Tourist Office

Italian Tourist Board: +39 06 49711 or www.enit.it

Embassies in Italy

• United States Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4674 2420/ 2421.
• British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001/ 4220.
• Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 85444 2911.
• Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721.
• South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541.
• Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121.
• New Zealand Embassy, Rome: +39 06 853 7501.

Italy Embassies Abroad

• Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400.
• Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200.
• Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401.
• Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333.
• Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 0000.
• Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744.
• Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 5339.

Emergency

Emergencies: 113 (Police); 118 (Ambulance)

Language

The official language of Italy is Italian. English is understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of the country.

Currency

The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into 100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureau de change. ATMs are widespread. Travelers checks can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.

0.6887

Electricity

Electrical current in Italy is 230 volts, 50Hz. A variety of plugs are in use including the European-style two-pin plug.

Communications

The international access code for Italy is +39. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). All numbers must be preceded by 0, whether originating in Italy or out, unless calling a mobile phone. City/area codes are in use, e.g. 02 for Milan and 06 for Rome. There can be high surcharges on calls made from hotels and it is generally cheaper to use a calling card. Public telephone boxes take phone cards for local and international calls, which can be bought from newsagents. The local mobile phone operators use GSM networks and have roaming agreements with most international operators. Internet cafes are available in the main towns and resorts.

Duty-Free

Travelers over 17 years from non-EU countries do not have to pay duty on Travelers from EU countries traveling within the EU are limited to 110 liters of beer, 90 liters of wine (of which 60 liters may be sparkling), 20 liters of fortified wine, 10 liters of spirits, 1kg of tobacco, 800 cigarettes, 200 cigars, 1kg of tobacco and 400 cigarellos, perfume up to 50g or 250ml eau de toilette, and other goods for personal consumption to the value of EUR175 per adult or EUR90 for children under 15 years. EU citizens are also able to claim tax back if the VAT rates in Italy are higher than those in their country of residence. Prohibited items include narcotic drugs, medicinal products, arms and weapons, explosives and protected animal and plant species.

Tourist Office

Italian Tourist Board: +39 06 49711 or www.enit.it

Embassies in Italy

• United States Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4674 2420/ 2421.
• British Embassy, Rome: +39 06 4220 0001/ 4220.
• Canadian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 85444 2911.
• Australian Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 721.
• South African Embassy, Rome: +39 06 852 541.
• Irish Embassy, Rome: +39 06 697 9121.
• New Zealand Embassy, Rome: +39 06 853 7501.

Italy Embassies Abroad

• Italian Embassy, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 612 4400.
• Italian Embassy, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7312 2200.
• Italian Embassy, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 232 2401.
• Italian Embassy, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6273 3333.
• Italian Embassy, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 423 0000.
• Italian Embassy, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 660 1744.
• Italian Embassy, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 473 5339.

Emergency

Emergencies: 113 (Police); 118 (Ambulance)