Living in Rome as an expat: A complete guide

Living in Rome as an expat is exciting! Learn more about housing, transport, healthcare, jobs, making friends and more in this Rome guide.

Angelina

6 minute read

·

Updated on 7 Oct 2024

·

Living

The far-reaching history and warm Mediterranean climate make Rome one of the most popular cities in the world. It’s also unarguably one of the best destinations in Italy for expats. Living in Rome can be a dream come true if you manage your expectations right from the get-go. And whether you're heading abroad to study or about to kickstart your career in the Italian capital, you came to the right place to learn some tips for getting the most out of your stay.

Before arriving in Rome, make sure that you have all the practicalities in check. Carefully go through our relocation checklist, so that having to arrange your residence permit, tax ID or health insurance doesn't catch you off guard. Oh, and have we mentioned that Italy offers some very attractive tax incentives for new foreign residents?

After you've got all your paperwork in place, it's time to prepare for your arrival in the Eternal City.

Are you looking for ways to move to Italy from the USA? Check out our guide for moving to Italy as an American citizen

Yes! There is very little violent crime in Rome. However, just as in any city popular among tourists, you should be watchful. Scams and pickpocketing are quite common in crowded places and at night.

Try to avoid neighbourhoods such as Tor Bella Monaca, Romanina, San Basilio, and Corviale. Also, the Termini train station tends to attract pickpockets, especially after the sunset.

In 2019, Rome was home to 509,000 expats! That said, around 12% of the city’s population is non-Italian. However, you’re still bound to experience a pretty steep language barrier.

Roughly, around 35% of Italians can speak English on a conversational level. So it’d pay off to get a hang of the basics of the Italian language before moving to Rome. It’ll also drastically increase your chances of finding a job in the capital's highly competitive job market.

Whether you know just a few words or can order your pizza in fluent Italian, consider participating in a language exchange program such as Tandem or Conversation Exchange once you arrive in Rome. This way you won’t only learn some Italian but also meet locals who want to improve their English. It’s a win-win!

Then there are also international communities that offer Italian lessons and frequently host meetups and events for expats living in Rome.__ If your stay in Italy still feels somewhat lonely, this is a good place to expand your network.

Finally, another proven way to make friends is finding people with common interests. So give a try to the Meetup app, or explore Rome's nightlife. Rashõmon Club and Lanificio 159 are some of the go-to places for a dance!

Rome is notorious for its roaring traffic. The confusing infrastructure of one-way streets, impossibly tight alleys buzzing with cars, and aggressive driving can be quite intimidating if you just relocated to Rome.

Public transportation in Rome can be a good travel option that can easily fit into your budget for living in Rome. One integrated ticket of €1.50 allows you to hop on any public transport for 100 hours after you validate your ticket.

However, if you're still exploring homes for rent in Rome, factor metro or tram coverage for a reliable and comfy commute to your study or work. Or consider living within a walking or biking distance from it. It might be worth paying a little extra to avoid the stress caused by a delayed bus. Plus, walking through the 'open-air museum' definitely beats being stuck in a traffic jam!

Pro Tip: Download URBI to get the most out of Rome's mobility ecosystem. Here, you can view the multitude of car, scooter and bike-sharing opportunities. And you’ll also save yourself the hassle of going to the ticket office. Instead, buy and store tickets directly on your phone!

Rome is relatively affordable to live in. To compare, the Italian capital is 12% less expensive than Amsterdam and on about the same level as Berlin.

Naturally, like anywhere in the world, your cost of living will depend on your lifestyle and location within the city. But let’s talk averages. You need to earn a minimum of €1,900 a month to live in Rome. To live comfortably, you should have an income higher than €2,500 a month.

Of course, as a student, your cost of living in Rome would be slightly lower. If you live in a shared flat, your expenses would amount to about €1,500 a month.

Some of the best neighbourhoods in Rome to live in are the central areas of Monti, Trastevere, Centro Storico, Ostiense, Prati, Testaccio, and Monteverde Vecchio. Each of them has its own charm and is a good location for expats.

You can also explore the up-and-coming nighbourhood of Pigneto. You'll benefit from lower rent prices and fall in love with its creative vibe and some of the best nightlife and LGBTQI+ spots in town.

Students will enjoy the buzzing nightlife and entertainment options of Trastevere and Testaccio.

Families looking for quieter neighbourhoods with a higher quality of life should look into Monteverde Vecchio, Ostiense and Prati.

Rent prices in Rome aren’t that steep compared to other European capitals. Here is an overview:

Unless you’re a student or an EU citizen, you’ll need to find a job before you arrive in Italy. Only citizens from other EU member states and EEA countries can work in Italy freely without a special visa or work permit. So, if that’s not the case, your main options include being sponsored by an employer in Rome or getting a self-employment visa.

In general, terms, looking for a job in Rome is way easier when you’re on the ground and through your network. But even then you’ll realise that English speaking jobs in Rome are hard to come by and the competition is fierce.

One of the most popular jobs for English speakers in Rome is teaching English. Check out TEFL jobs in Rome to explore the opportunities.

There is also a shortage of ICT, marketing and design professionals as well as health-related and STEM occupations. Good command of Italian will be most likely required everywhere. However, if you’re lucky, you might find some exceptions in the tourism or tech industry.

Some of the websites to look for work in Rome are:

• Glassdoor
• The Local It
• Reed
• Total Jobs
• TrovoLavoro.it
• Monster

The average salary in Rome is about €4,300 per month, which is a suitable amount to cover your living expenses. Take a look at our guide to Italian salaries for a better picture of salary expectations in different domains.

Higher education in Rome

The 3 most famous universities in Rome are Sapienza, Tor Vergata and Roma Tre. They’re also referred to as Roma I, Roma II and Roma III, respectively.

However, only Sapienza and Tor Vergata offer a wide range of English-taught programs. Most of them are Master’s courses in subjects of science, economics and engineering.

And if you’re into fashion and design, you might be interested in Rome’s private fashion universities such as Accademia Costume & Moda and IED.

Note that if you’re not from the EU, the fees for your education will be a notch higher. Also, you’ll need to start your application as early as possible to apply for your Italian student visa on time.

Secondary education in Rome

Expat parents who want to educate their children in an international environment and in English don't need to worry. Rome has plenty of international schools.

Some of them are bilingual, such as the Castelli International School or the Acorn House International. The New School Rome and the St George's British International School have British curriculums. And if you’re looking for a prestigious American secondary education, check out St. Stephen's School or the American Overseas School of Rome.

The Italian public healthcare system (SSN) is funded by taxes. That means that if you’re employed, your employer will deduct a contribution to SSN directly from your salary. And if you’re a self-employed expat, you can opt for a voluntary contribution.

Those who aren’t eligible for free healthcare or prefer a faster process should consider private medical insurance. It covers a broader range of conditions and specialists and provides access to English-speaking doctors.

One of the best international health insurance providers for expats is Cigna. They offer a vast network of doctors and hospitals and their services are specifically targeted at foreigners living in Italy. Some of the hospitals with English-speaking staff are Rome American Hospital, Salvator Mundi International Hospital, and International Medical Center.

Anothergreat way to get quick 24/7 access to an English-speaking doctor in Rome is MedinAction. It’s one of the most useful apps you can download as an expat living in Rome.

Some of the best things to do in Rome are:

• strolling through the ancient ruins,
• visiting historic and art museums,
• trying local products and street food at the Testaccio Market.

Adventure and wonders lurk around every corner of this wonderful city. We hope this short guide helps you start your life in Rome with nothing but joy!