If you are a EU/EEA citizen

• If your driving license is issued by an EU or EEA Country, it is generally recognized in Italy and you can usually drive in Italy with your primary license as long as it is valid.

• However, you may choose to convert your license into an Italian one. This might be useful for administrative purposes or if your primary license is nearing its expiration date.

If you are a non-EU citizen

• You can usually drive in Italy using your foreign driving license for a period of one year from the date you establish residency in Italy.

• An International Driving Permit (IDP), along with your original driving license, is usually required if you plan to drive in Italy within the first year of residency. The IDP is a translation of your driving license and must be accompanied by the primary license.

• Exchanging for an Italian Driving License: After one year of residency, you will typically need to convert your foreign driving license into an Italian one. Some Countries have mutual agreements with Italy, allowing a direct exchange of licenses. If no agreement exists, you will likely need to pass both a theory and a practical driving test in Italy.

Where can you get more Information?

• Motorizzazione Civile (Ministry of Infrastructure and Transport): This is the official government agency responsible for driving licenses and vehicle registration (link: https://www.motorizzazioneroma.eu/)

• ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia): The Italian Automobile Club offers assistance and information to drivers (link: https://www.aci.it/)

• Local Driving Schools (Scuola Guida): They can provide guidance on conversion of licenses or on driving tests.

Main driving rules in Italy

Maybe you are wondering: how dangerous is it to drive in Italy? Is it safe to drive a car in Italy and are the stories about crazy Italian drivers true?

Here you are with some practical tips for driving in Italy, avoiding fines and without losing your zen:

• Keep to the right and overtake to the left

• Low beam headlights must be used on two-way motorways

• The use of seatbelts is compulsory, also on backseats, and car seats are mandatory for small children up to 150 cm (approximately 4 feet 11 inches) in height.

• The alcohol limit for driving is 0.5 grams per liter of blood (if a driver is found to be above the limit, he is subject to fines, license suspension, and even imprisonment, depending on the level of alcohol in their blood).

• You cannot drive in a Zona Traffico Limitato (ZTL) without a special permit.

• When passing through towns and villages, the horn may only be used for an emergency - keep that road rage in check!

• Pedestrians, trams and trains have the right of way

What are Italian “Autostrade”?

Autostrade are the Italian highways, they are no for free! As you enter them, you will find a tall booth dispensing tickets with your point of entry (automated machine) and, when exiting at your destination, you will use the machine provided to pay the fee. Usually, both cards and cash are accepted.

How can you speed up the fee payment at toll booth?

You can use the TELEPASS, an electronic small device you keep in your car that communicates with toll gates and allows you to pay fees automatically without stopping at the toll booth.

Telepass users can use dedicated lanes at toll booths, which are usually much faster than the regular lanes.

How Does it Work?

• You subscribe to “Telepass” service, and you will receive a small device to attach to your windshield.

• When you approach a toll booth, look for the lanes marked 'Telepass'. Slow down, but you don't need to stop completely."

• The device beeps, the gate opens automatically, and the toll is charged directly to your bank account.

How can you get Telepass?

• You can subscribe to Telepass online though the official website (https://www.telepass.com/).

• You can apply in person at Telepass Stores/Centers ("Punto Blu"). You can find the centers locations on the Telepass website.

• Through your bank account: some Italian banks offer Telepass as part of their services. Check with your bank if they have this option.

Italian Autostrade usually have 2, 3 o 4 lanes and are open to cars, vans and trucks (no mopeds and slow vehicles).

The speed limit on Italian Autostrade is generally set at 130Km/h.

Restrictions for Italian cities historical center (ZTL)
Many Italian cities have ZTLs (Zona Traffico Limitato), or Limited Traffic Zones, in their historical centers. These zones restrict vehicle access to reduce traffic and pollution in those areas. Generally, only residents with permits, public transportation, and emergency vehicles are allowed to enter.
If you are planning to drive in the city, check where the ZTL areas begin and whether you are allowed to enter those areas. Usually, cameras will automatically fine your car if you enter without authorization.

And if you want to drive in Rome…
Good luck! And ask for the unofficial driving rules to HR privately!

If you spend more than 183 days in a calendar year (January to December) in Italy, even non-continuously, you are considered as an Italian tax resident. This means that you must declare and pay taxes in Italy on all your Italian income but also on the foreign one.

What taxes do you have to pay?

1)   Taxation of income from Employment: the amount of taxes and contributions to be paid is calculated by the Company on a monthly basis and withheld by the Employer on the pay slip.

• IRPEF: Personal Income Tax. This is the main taxation applied on income from Employment.

• Regional additional taxation:  this is an additional tax to pay to the Region in which you live, with rates variable according to the Region of residence.

• Municipal additional taxation: this is an additional tax to pay to the municipality in which you live, with rates variable according to the municipality of residence.

• Contributions to INPS (National Social Security Institute): these are compulsory contributions that you have to pay for your future pension and to get financial coverage in case of sickness.

How do you have to declare your income?

You must submit your annual tax return (called Modello 730) to the Revenues Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) with reference to income of the year preceding the one the declaration is filled in. This form must be completed between April and September, provided you have income additional to your Italian salary (such as foreign salaries, rents, real estate income, income from land etc.) and/or you have certain types of expenses to deduct (such as medical expenses, public transport pass, public and private nursery fees, subscriptions costs for sports activities, etc.).

After submitting your declaration, you may be entitled to:

• a refund, that you will receive directly on your pay slip;

• a tax adjustment that will be withheld from your pay slip.

How can you submit your declaration (Modello 730)?

• you can complete by yourself the pre-filled form online on the website:   www.agenziaentrate.gov.it

• you can contact a CAF – Tax Assistance Centre (e.g. Confagricoltura, Corso Vittorio Emanuele II, 87 - Roma),

• you can contact an Accountant

The first option is free, the second one is free if you contact the CAF Centre in agreement with the company (ask the contact references to your HR).

2)  IMU (Municipal Property Tax): is a municipal property tax in Italy. It's paid on the ownership of buildings (including houses, offices and shops) and land.
Who pays it? Anyone who owns property in Italy, whether they are residents or non-residents, may have to pay IMU.

Exemptions

The primary residence is generally exempt from IMU, BUT only if it's NOT a luxury property (i.e properties with cadastral categories A/1, A/8, or A/9). In addition there might be other exemptions or reductions depending on the municipality, such as for agricultural land owned by farmers

When is it paid? There are two instalments (one in June and one in December).

How can you pay it? Through the F24 form (a standardized form used in Italy to pay a wide range of taxes, duties, contributions, and other payments to the Italian government, regional authorities, and other public bodies)

You can pay:

• online via "F24WEB Service", an online service provided by the Italian Revenue Agency ("Agenzia delle Entrate") that allows taxpayers to fill out and submit F24 forms directly through the agency's website;

• by downloading the software made available by the “Agenzia delle Entrate”;

• at any Bank or Post Office;

• through the Home Banking service of your bank or Poste Italiane.
  
  

Be careful! Depending on your municipality, a payment notice may not be issued until the payment due date has passed.

Ensure timely payment to avoid potential penalties!

3) TARI (Waste Management Tax): this is the tax that covers the municipal waste collection and disposal services.
Who pays it? Everyone owning or using a property (even if it is rented) on a continuous basis. It also applies to main residence, offices, shops, etc.

When is it paid? This varies from municipality to municipality (generally it is paid in 2 or 4 installments between May and December)

How can you pay it?  The municipality sends a payment notice to your home with payment instructions, that is

• The total amount to be paid

• The due date

• Prefilled forms to be used for payment
  
  

Where can you pay for it?

• online, via the municipality’s portal or PagoPa (a digital payments platform in Italy designed to simplify and standardize payments to the Public Administration).

• at the bank or at the post office

• at tobacconists enabled with PagoPA

• Via home banking (F24)
  
  

4)  Wealth Tax on foreign properties and investments owned outside of Italy

The wealth tax applies to individuals who are tax residents in Italy, regardless of their nationality. Italian residents must pay property taxes on foreign real estate (IVIE) and on financial assets (IVAFE):

• IVIE (Imposta sul Valore degli Immobili all'Estero): tax on the value of real estate properties located abroad (1.06% on the value of real estate, or 0.4% for the main residence owned abroad)

• IVAFE (Imposta sul Valore delle Attività Finanziarie all'Estero): tax on the value of financial assets held abroad, such as stocks, bonds, and other investments (0.2% on the value).
  
  

Taxpayers must declare their foreign assets on their Italian tax return ("Modello 730). Italy has double taxation treaties with many countries, which may prevent double taxation on the same assets.

In addition, all foreign income must be declared and taxed in Italy:

• foreign compensation, foreign pensions and foreign rental are subject to Irpef (progressive rates 23%, 35% or 43% + additional Regional and Municipal income taxes).

• dividends or interest are subject to a substitute tax at 26%, without the possibility of deducting foreign taxes.
  

Tax Regime for repatriated workers

"The Inpatriates Regime” offers a tax benefit for European workers relocating to Italy from abroad, representing a significant opportunity for tax savings for qualified professionals who choose to transfer their residency to Italy.

What are the advantages?

The benefit stipulates that only 50% of the taxable income is subject to IRPEF taxation, and the percentage can decrease further to 40% for employees with dependent children.

The benefit lasts for 5 consecutive years and applies to income up to 600,000 euros per year.

What conditions must be met to be eligible for this regime?

• Have resided outside of Italy for at least 3 years (requirement extendable by the Italian State up to a maximum of 7 years under certain circumstances);

• Transfer tax residency to Italy and commit to maintain it for at least 4 years;

• Conduct the primary work activity within Italian territory; 

• Possess a high professional qualification, as defined by European legislation

How does Healthcare work in Italy?

Italy has a public healthcare. Our Country provides a mixed public-private healthcare system, so you can choose between the two at any time, as long as you are eligible.

The health services are usually free-of-charge or subject to a symbolic cost and are provided by the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), the Italian National Health Service. SSN’s enrollment is mandatory if you work in Italy.
The Public healthcare is provided through regional health branches called ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale – Local Health Authority) and Public Hospitals which manage a set of public clinics and medical services (e.g. vaccination centers, public walk-in clinics, labs for analysis and X-rays, etc.).

link: https://www.salute.gov.it/

What does public healthcare cover?

Italy’s Healthcare covers most medical procedures:

• Primary Care: Doctor visits, general check-ups, basic medical advice, and referrals to public specialists.

• Dental care is free in emergency cases and for all children up to 16 years of age.

• Prescription medications’ cost is partially or fully covered, depending on the type of medicine and your level of income.

• Hospital Care: Inpatient services (hospital stays), surgeries, emergency care, diagnostic tests (X-rays, MRIs, blood tests), and maternity care.

• Preventive Care: Vaccinations, screenings (e.g., cancer screenings), and health education programs.

• Maternity and Newborn Care: Prenatal care, childbirth services, and postnatal care for both mother and child.

• Mental Healthcare: Access to mental health professionals, therapy, and psychiatric service.

How much do you have to pay?

You don’t pay to get a visit from your family’s doctor or pediatrician. Treatments that require surgery or hospitalization in public hospitals are also free of charge. However, you are asked to co-pay some prescribed procedures and specialist visits. This co-payment varies according to the type of medical service.

Suggestion: as you may deduct many medical expenses for tax purposes, always keep the receipts even if you are not sure they are deductible!

How can you sign-up for Italy’s Public Healthcare System?

You have to sign-up the SSN the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), your local health Unit.  You have to provide the following documents:

• Your residency document or the receipt for your residency application;

• Passport;

• Tax code (Codice Fiscale);

• Residence permit;

• Evidence of your dependants, that is family members who are economically dependant on you (i.e. a translated marriage certificate for your spouse or your child’s birth certificate for your children child).
  
  

What can you do after the registration to SSN?

Still at your ASL office, you can:

• Obtain a Health Card "Tessera Sanitaria"

• Choose a public primary care physician (medico di base)

• Choose a pediatrician for your children, if applicable
  
  

If you have any medical emergencies, what do you have to do?

• you should call 118. They will send an ambulance to your location. You can also go to the nearest hospital emergency room (Pronto Soccorso).

• If you have less urgent medical needs (for example if you need medical advice or a prescription), you can contact the "Guardia Medica", which is a service for out-of-hours medical assistance.
  
  For minor illnesses or injuries, the "Guardia Medica" can provide a more appropriate level of care than a busy emergency room, where resources are focused on critical cases.
  
  Furthermore, the "Guardia Medica" typically has shorter waiting times than the "Pronto Soccorso," which can be very busy, especially during peak hours.
  
  

Both the services are usually free.

New Year (1st January) 
Epiphany (6th January)​ 
Easter day 
Easter Monday (Monday after Easter Day)​ 
Liberation Day (25th April)​ 
Labor Day (1st May)​ 
Republic Day (2nd June)​ 
Ferragosto (15th August)​ 
All Saints (1st November) 
Immaculate Conception (8th December)​ 
Christmas (25th December)​ 
Santo Stefano (26th December)​ 

In case of an emergency, who should you contact? 

You can call Guardia medica H 24: 116117 

The Guardia Medica (also known as Servizio di Continuità Assistenziale) is an on-call medical service that provides urgent, non-emergency medical care when a family doctor is unavailable, especially during nights, weekends, and holidays. They can provide consultations, home visits, prescribe medications, issue medical certificates (for a maximum of three days), and refer patients to a hospital if needed.