The Euro (€) is Italy’s official currency. Notes are in denominations of €5, €10, €20, €50, €100, €200, €500. Coins come in 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents, €1 and €2.

You can change money at banks, post offices, or exchange office (cambio). Banks are generally the most reliable and tend to offer the best rates. Commission fluctuates and depends on whether you are changing cash or traveller’s cheques. Exchange offices often advertise ‘no commission’, but the rate of exchange is usually inferior to banks and post offices. Traveller’s cheques incur higher exchange fees.

Most ATM cards, credit cards or debit cards can be used in ATMs throughout Rome as a convenient way to extract Euros. Check with your bank before you leave home.

Credit Cards are widely accepted at the major tourist areas but there are still many restaurants, small shops or bars that only accept cash.

Traveller’s Cheques are no longer the cheapest or most convenient option. Traveller’s cheques in issued in euros is the best option, since these can be cashed without incurring exchange service charges.

There is no limit to the amount of Euros you can bring into the country.

Goods brought in and exported within Italy and the European Union (EU) incur no additional taxes, provided duty has been paid somewhere within the EU and the goods are for personal consumption.

Duty-free sales within the EU no longer exist. Visitors coming into Italy from non-EU countries can import the following duty-free items:

1 litre of spirits, 2 litres wine, 60ml perfume, 250ml eau de toilette, 200 cigarettes, other goods up to a total value of €175.50. Anything over these limits must be declared on arrival and the appropriate duty tax paid.

On leaving Italy and the EU, non-EU citizens can reclaim any Value Added Tax (VAT) on expensive purchases.

220 volts AC, 50Hz; round two-pin or three-pin plugs are standard.

Tap water is safe to drink throughout Rome. One of the joys of strolling around Rome is the abundance of refreshing drinking water fountains. Cool, clean water spouts out as it has done for thousands of years. 

No immunizations are required to enter Italy.

Excellent health care is available, although standards can vary. An English speaking doctor is available 24 hours a day at International Medical Services telephone: 06 488 2371. If you need an ambulance anywhere in Italy, call 118. For emergency treatment, go directly to the Pronto Soccorso (emergency/casualty) sections of a public hospital, where you can also get emergency dental treatment.

Pharmacists can give valuable advice and sell over-the-counter medication for minor ailments.

If you are taking any medication, bring it in the original, clearly labelled container. A signed and dated letter from your physician describing your medical conditions and medications, including generic names, is also a good idea and sometimes required by certain airlines.

If you are an EU citizen, you can receive free or reduced-cost necessary treatment on production of a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC). The card gives access to government-provided medical treatment only and the scheme gives no entitlement to emergency repatriation costs, nor does it cover ongoing illnesses of a non-urgent nature, so comprehensive travel insurance is advised.

Citizens from other countries should find out if there is a reciprocal arrangement for free medical care between their country and Italy. Otherwise, travel health insurance is advised.

Italian is the official language, with some English and French spoken.

A 10% service charge is included in restaurant bills. There is a bread charge called pane - usually €1-2 per person. As in most of Europe, additional tipping is not a general practice; however you can leave the small change at your discretion. 

Value Added Tax (IVA in Italy) is 20% on clothing and luxury goods. Foreign tourists from non-EU countries can claim a tax refund, provided they spend at least €155 at the same shop on the same day. Those who are eligible should ask the shop assistant for a receipt with a description of the articles purchased and a ‘tax-free cheque’. Upon departure from the EU (no later than 90 days after the date of purchase), these documents and goods should be presented to customs. For more details, visit the Global Refund website at: www.globalrefund.com.

Country dialling code: 39
City Code: 6
Emergency Numbers
Emergencies (police, fire, etc): 113
Ambulance: 118

GMT +1 (GMT + 2 from last Sunday in March to Saturday before last Sunday in October).

Like all big cities, Rome has its share of petty crime, but is a safe destination. Try to avoid wearing flashy, expensive jewellery, carrying open purses, or making your wallet easily accessible. Pickpockets are not uncommon in crowded tourist areas. Hold on tightly to purses and briefcases and keep them away from the traffic side of the street. If your pocket is picked on a bus, start screaming as loudly as you can. The bus driver should stop the bus and lock the doors. Often if the pickpocket is still aboard, he will drop your wallet on the floor of the bus. 

It is wise to photocopy all valuable documents, such as passports (including the visa page), credit cards, driver's licenses, etc. and keep these copies in a safe place separate from the originals, or entrust them with someone back home.

Romans enjoy the most enthusiastic forms of greeting. Hugs, kisses and handshakes are all performed upon meeting a friend or even a mild acquaintance, regardless of sex. However, foreign visitors are not expected to join in with these warm hellos except, of course, for the handshake which is compulsory both socially and in business. 

Italians take style and fashion very seriously. Therefore, smart clothing should be worn, especially in business settings where it is recommended that both men and women dress in suits. Outside business, casual clothing is ok, but dress neatly if you don't want to feel out of place. Italians dress up whenever possible.

Passports must be valid for at least three months beyond the length of stay. EU nationals need only a valid national ID card to be granted entry.

Italy is a signatory to the 1995 Schengen Agreement. Legal residents of one Schengen country do not require a visa to enter another Schengen country. Citizens of the UK and Ireland are also exempt from visa requirements for Schengen countries.

Citizens of Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the USA do not require a visa for tourist visits of up to 90 days in Italy or any Schengen country.

Contact the Italian Embassy in your home country for information regarding stays for different purposes other than tourist and for stays over 90 days.

All other nationalities require a visa to enter Italy. A standard tourist visa is valid for up to 90 days. Apply at any Italian Embassy or Consulate.