The Cost of Living in Italy in 2026
The estimated monthly costs for a single person in Italy, excluding rent, are approximately EUR €880 (USD $1,021), 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.
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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 EUR €744 a month. If you are looking to buy an apartment in the city centre, the price per square meter is approximately EUR 3,690.
Estimated rent per month in Italy
| Apartment | Rent |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) in the city centre | EUR €728 (USD $845) |
| Apartment (1 bedroom) outside the centre | EUR €569 (USD $660) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) in the city centre | EUR €1,273 (USD $1,478) |
| Apartment (3 bedrooms) outside the centre | EUR €944 (USD $1,095) |
Estimated Apartment Cost in Italy
| Apartment | Cost |
| Price per square meter to buy an apartment in the city centre | EUR €3,322 (USD $3,856) |
| Price per square meter to buy an apartment outside of the city centre | EUR €2,075 (USD $2,409) |
Food and Groceries Costs in Italy
The average cost of groceries for food and non-alcoholic drinks in Italy is about EUR €525 (USD $590) per month. Chains like Coop, Conad, Esselunga, and Carrefour offer a wide range of products, including fresh produce, groceries, and household items.
When eating out in Italy, the average cost for a meal in an inexpensive restaurant is about EUR €16 (USD $18.5), and a three-course meal for two people at a mid-range restaurant will cost around EUR €70 (USD $81).
Transportation Costs in Italy
The average cost for a monthly pass for public transport in Italy ranges from EUR €30 to EUR €53 (USD $35 to USD $61). 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.
Alternatively, you can take a taxi to travel around the city. Taxi fares in Italy start at EUR €5 (USD $5.81) and increase by EUR €1.50 (USD $1.74) every 1km. Ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Free Now are also widely available in Italy, and the prices will vary depending on demand.
Should I Drive in Italy?
Whether you should drive in Italy depends on where you live—public transport is sufficient in cities like Rome and Milan, while driving is more practical in rural areas with limited connections.
The cost for a liter of gasoline in Italy is approximately EUR €2.06 (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 EUR €232 (USD $217). Mobile phone plans with 10 GB+ data will cost approximately EUR €12.35 (USD $13), and internet plans for homes will cost approximately EUR €31.60 (USD $30.65).
Healthcare Expenses in Italy
Healthcare costs in Italy include free GP visits under the SSN, public consultations at around EUR €36, private specialist visits from EUR €50–€200, blood tests from EUR €20–€100, and hospital stays in private facilities ranging from EUR €500–€1,000 per night.
Specialist Consultations Costs in Italy
Standard public consultations and checkups in Italy cost about EUR €36 (USD $40), while private specialist visits are more expensive, ranging from EUR €50 to EUR €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 EUR €20 to EUR €100 (USD $22 to USD $112).
Costs of common diagnostic tests in Italy:
- X-rays: EUR €50–€150 (USD $56 to USD 1$68)
- MRI Scans: EUR €300–€800 (USD $336 to USD $896)
- CT Scans: EUR €200–€600 (USD $224 to USD $672)
- Ultrasounds: EUR €50–€200 (USD $56 to USD $224)
- Endoscopies: EUR €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 EUR €500 to EUR €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 in 2026
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 tailored to the needs of expats in Italy seeking 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 (EUR €228,030.63)
- The Formule plan annual limit is about USD $525,488.83 (EUR €456,061.24)
- The Essential plan annual limit is about USD $1,050,977.67 (EUR €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 (EUR €138,860)
- Standard: USD $1,600,000 (EUR €1,388,608)
- Comprehensive: USD $2,400,000 (EUR €2,082,912)
- Prestige: USD $3,200,000 (EUR €2,777,216)
- Prestige Plus: USD $8,000,000 (EUR €6,943,040)
Cigna
Cigna Global provides international health insurance through their four core plans—Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Close Care. 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 (EUR €867,880) for the Silver plan
- About USD $2,000,000 (EUR €1,735,760) for the Gold plan
- Unlimited annual coverage for the Platinum plan
- About USD $500,000 (EUR €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 (EUR €867,880) for the SimpleCare Core tier
- USD $1,500,000 (EUR €1,301,820) for the SimpleCare 100 tier
- USD $1,500,000 (EUR €1,301,820) for the SimpleCare 250 tier
Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:
- USD $3,000,000 (EUR €2,603,640) for the Essential tier
- USD $3,500,000 (EUR €3,037,580) for the Advance tier
- USD $4,000,000 (EUR €3,471,520) for the Excel tier
- USD $4,500,000 (EUR €3,905,460) for the Apex tier
Frequently Asked Questions
What is considered a decent salary in Italy?
Earning more than EUR €43,000 in Italy annually is considered a good salary. The living wage for an individual in Italy is approximately EUR €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 low cost or free of charge.
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.
How long can I stay in Italy if I own a house there?
Stays longer than 90 days require a visa, as property ownership does not grant additional residency rights. Anyone staying more than 90 days within 180 days must obtain the proper visa. Spending over six months in Italy may also make you a tax resident, meaning you could be liable for taxes there.
What is the safest city in Italy?
Although no city is officially named Italy’s safest for 2026, places such as Oristano, Potenza, Treviso, Trento, Bolzano, Bologna, and Udine are often recognized for their strong quality of life, social stability, and overall livability.
Conclusion
Starting a new chapter as an expat in Italy can be both exciting and challenging. Wherever your journey takes you, it is important to have 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 gives 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.
After obtaining his Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, International Relations from Mahidol University International College, Veerabhatr has forged his career as a content writer in the travel, lifestyle, and real estate industries, writing in both English and Thai. He now continues to hone his skills as a writer at Pacific Prime, looking to engage and educate the audience by simplifying insurance.
Writer by day, and a DJ by night, Veerabhatr is a staunch music lover, and listens to all spectrums of genres available. He also loves to drink beer (moderately), eat all types of food, go to the beach, and learn about different cultures across the globe. He is also a die-hard fan of football and motorsports.
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