The Cost of Living in Italy
The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Italy, excluding rent, are approximately €881 (USD 988), but the cost of living in Italy ultimately depends on the city you reside in. Major expat hubs such as Milan and Florence will have a higher cost of living than cities like Naples.
Discover the world's top
health insurers.
Compare quotes with
a click of the button.
Suppose you’re looking to move to some of the best cities in Italy. In that case, this article will give you a general idea of the cost of living in Italy, from housing costs to the cost of food and groceries, as well as tips on how to budget and save money while living in Italy.
Housing Costs in Italy
Housing and rent will be among your most expensive expenses each month. Renting a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre will set you back approximately €744 a month. If you are looking to buy an apartment, the price per square meter for an apartment in the city centre is approximately €3,690.
Estimated rent per month in Italy
| Apartment | Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in city centre | € 744 (USD $864) |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside of centre | € 572 (USD $641) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in city centre | € 1,309 (USD $1,467) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside of centre | € 945 (USD $1,059) |
Estimated apartment cost in Italy
| Apartment | Cost |
| Price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre | € 3,690 (USD $4,135) |
| Price per square meter to buy an apartment outside of the city centre | € 2,340 (USD $2,622) |
Food and Groceries Costs in Italy
In Italy, grocery shopping can be done at various places. Chains like Coop, Conad, Esselunga, and Carrefour offer a wide range of products, including fresh produce, groceries, and household items. The average cost of groceries for food and non-alcoholic drinks is about €525 (USD $590) per month.
When eating out in Italy, the average cost for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is about €15 (USD $17), and a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant will cost around €70 (USD $77).
Transportation Costs in Italy
In major hubs such as Rome, Milan, and Florence, the public transport system has extensive coverage, making it easy to get around without a car. The average cost for a monthly pass for public transport in Italy ranges from €35 to €55 (USD $39 to USD $40).
Alternatively, you can take a taxi to travel around the city. Taxi fares in Italy start at €5 (USD $5.62) and increase by €1.50 (USD $1.68) every 1km. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Free Now are also widely available in Italy, the prices will vary depending on demand.
Should I Drive in Italy?
There are several things to consider when deciding whether you need to drive or not in Italy. If you are moving to major cities such as Rome or Milan, the public transport system can take you around the city. In rural areas, the need to drive may be higher.
The cost for a liter of gasoline in Italy is approximately €1.79 (USD $2).
Utilities and Bills: Managing Monthly Expenses in Italy
Basic utilities such as electricity, heating, cooling, water, and garbage for an 85-sqm apartment average at €193 (USD $217). Mobile phone plans with 10 GB+ data will cost approximately €11.60 (USD $13), and internet plans for homes will cost approximately €27.29 (USD $30.65).
Healthcare Expenses in Italy
While many foreign residents can benefit from Italy’s public healthcare, many expats still prefer private facilities due to their international services and shorter wait times. In Italy, a visit with a general practitioner is free for all residents registered with the National Health Service (SSN).
Specialist Consultations Costs in Italy
Standard public consultations and checkups in Italy cost about €36 (USD $40), while private specialist visits are more expensive, ranging from €50 to €200 (USD $56 to USD $225) per consultation. Treatment costs will vary depending on the severity of the illness.
Common Diagnostic Tests Costs in Italy
The cost of common diagnostic tests in Italy can vary based on the region and whether you visit a public or a private facility. Common blood tests can range from €20 to €100 (USD $22 to USD $112).
Costs of common diagnostic tests in Italy:
- X-rays: €50–€150 (USD $56 to USD 1$68)
- MRI Scans: €300–€800 (USD $336 to USD $896)
- CT Scans: €200–€600 (USD $224 to USD $672)
- Ultrasounds: €50–€200 (USD $56 to USD $224)
- Endoscopies: €300–€1,000 (USD $336 to USD $1,120)
Hospital Stay Costs in Italy
Italian residents are generally covered by the SSN, and public hospital stays are typically covered. Private hospitals in Italy can range from €500 to €1,000 (USD $56 to USD $1,123) overnight.
Why Getting Health Insurance is Important in Italy
Getting health insurance in Italy is essential for ensuring quicker access to medical services and specialists, which can significantly reduce wait times. It also offers financial protection against the high costs of hospital stays, treatments, and diagnostic tests.
Private insurance allows you to choose your healthcare provider and facilities, giving you more control over your care. Having health insurance provides peace of mind, knowing you can receive necessary medical attention without facing overwhelming expenses.
In addition to standard coverage for general practitioner visits and inpatient care, securing private health insurance also includes preventative services, such as mental health coverage. Maternity benefits are often available as add-ons for expats looking to start a family.
Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Italy
Some of the best private insurance providers for expats in Italy are April International, AXA, Bupa Global, Cigna, and NOW Health. These providers offer flexible insurance solutions catered to the needs of expats living in Italy, looking for comprehensive medical coverage.
April International
April International offers international health insurance with five tiers of coverage through their Emergency, Formule, Essential, Comfort, and Premium plans. Hospitalization for accidents and emergencies as well as repatriation are covered on all plans. The annual limits for each plan are:
- The Emergency plan annual limit is about USD $262,744.42 (€228,030.63)
- The Formule plan annual limit is about USD $525,488.83 (€456,061.24)
- The Essential plan annual limit is about USD $1,050,977.67 (€912,122.50)
- The Comfort and Premium plans offer no annual limit
AXA
AXA offers five international health insurance plans: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. Evacuation and repatriation come standard with AXA’s plans, and they offer second medical opinions and virtual doctor services. The annual limits for each plan are:
- Foundation: USD $160,000 (€138,860)
- Standard: USD $1,600,000 (€1,388,608)
- Comprehensive: USD $2,400,000 (€2,082,912)
- Prestige: USD $3,200,000 (€2,777,216)
- Prestige Plus: USD $8,000,000 (€6,943,040)
Cigna
Cigna Global provides international health insurance through their four core plans—their Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care plans. Some of the standard benefits for these plans include mental health care, cancer care, and private hospital room coverage. Annual limits for each plan are:
- About USD $1,000,000 (€867,880) for the Silver plan
- About USD $2,000,000 (€1,735,760) for the Gold plan
- Unlimited annual coverage for the Platinum plan
- About USD $500,000 (€433,940) for the Close Care plan
The Close Care plan offers coverage only in the expat’s country of residence and country of nationality.
NOW Health
NOW Health offers four tiers of coverage through its WorldCare plan and three tiers of coverage through its SimpleCare plan.
Under the SimpleCare plan, annual limits are:
- USD $1,000,000 (€867,880) for the SimpleCare Core tier
- USD $1,500,000 (€1,301,820) for the SimpleCare 100 tier
- USD $1,500,000 (€1,301,820) for the SimpleCare 250 tier
Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:
- USD $3,000,000 (€2,603,640) for the Essential tier
- USD $3,500,000 (€3,037,580) for the Advance tier
- USD $4,000,000 (€3,471,520) for the Excel tier
- USD $4,500,000 (€3,905,460) for the Apex tier
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a decent salary in Italy?
Earning more than €43,000 in Italy annually is considered a good salary. The living wage individual in Italy is approximately €950 per month.
Does Italy have good healthcare?
Italy’s healthcare consistently ranks among the best in the world. Italian residents benefit from the country’s National Healthcare Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale), which provides healthcare at a low cost or even for free.
What are the emergency numbers in Italy?
The emergency number in Italy is 112. The operator will connect you with the most appropriate authority or service depending on your emergency.
Conclusion
Starting a new chapter as an expat in Italy can be an exciting and challenging undertaking. Wherever your journey brings you, it is important to give yourself a reliable safety net so you can pursue your career opportunities with peace of mind.
One way to do this is to secure a comprehensive international health insurance policy. Having the right international plan can give you peace of mind knowing you have access to quality healthcare services wherever your next challenge takes you.
Pacific Prime is a global insurance broker with over 25 years of experience in the insurance industry. Our insurance experts can help you filter through different insurance plans from our extensive list of insurance partners to help you find a plan that suits you.
Contact us today for impartial advice or an obligation-free quote!
If you’re still deciding between where to move in Europe, check out our cost of living guides for Europe or our cost of living guide for more specific countries, such as France and the UK.
Born and raised in the cultural melting pot that is Hong Kong, and having studied at an international school, Vista has developed a multicultural perspective that he uses in his writing and strives to connect to people of different backgrounds.
In his free time, Vista enjoys immersing himself in different worlds, from video games to light novels and movies. His hobbies help him expand his writing style by putting himself in the point-of-view of different people and characters.
- HealthCare International: Expat Thai Health Insurance - July 11, 2025
- What Are the Key Elements of Successful Global Benefits Strategies? - July 11, 2025
- A Complete Guide to Travel Insurance for Mexico - June 25, 2025
Comments
Comments for this post are closed.
We'll notify you
when our team replies!