Italy

Entry

You are obliged to be able to always identify yourself with your passport or identity card.

Safety

Italy is considered as a safe country to travel to but beware of bag snatching or trick thieves who distract tourists at ATMs and so on. Also beware of deliberately causing minor accidents or damage, such as breaking off the side rear-view mirrors of your car.

Important phone numbers

+39 is the international code

112 - police

118 - ambulance

Language

Italian is the official language in Italy. In South Tyrol many people speak German.

Currency and means of payment

In Italy you pay in Euro (EUR). You can pay everywhere with credit cards. It is accepted as a means of payment in all shops, Restaurant or Hotels.

Tip

If no cover is included, it is usually to give five to ten per cent tip of the restaurant amount - otherwise not. Cover means on the bill there is the word: Coperto. In Italian bars is no tip expected. When driving a taxi, you round up.

Transport and infrastructure

The roads in Italy are basically good. However, sometimes the traffic is a bit chaotic. My tip, if you rent a car, be sure to take out insurance. Most of the time you will have parking damage.

Risks due to nature

Italy is in an earthquake zone and has several active volcanoes. In summer there is a risk of forest fires, especially in the south.

National holiday

2. June - celebrate the founding of the republic Italy