Italy is an open-air museum and a gastronomic paradise. Every year, thousands of people arrange an Italian vacation for themselves, and many tourists return to the country of dolce vita again and again. In this guide, we will overlook the main features of Italy, including the climate, politics and prices.
General information about Italy
Official name of the country: Italian Republic
Area: 302,070 sq. km
Population: 59,283,968 people
Capital: Rome
Official language: Italian
Official currency of Italy: Euro
Membership in organizations: European Union, NATO, UN, OECD. Part of the Schengen area and the Eurozone.
Geography and Climate
Location of Italy on the map is well known to everyone from geography lessons: it is difficult not to notice the characteristic “boot” in Southern Europe. The country occupies the Apennine Peninsula, two large islands – Sicily and Sardinia, as well as several small island archipelagos. In the north, the country borders France, Switzerland, Austria and Slovenia.
From the north, Italy is protected by the Alps, the highest mountains in Europe, which contain the famous Mont Blanc (4,810 m). The Apennines stretch across the country, making the relief predominantly mountainous. The main rivers are the Po, which crosses the north of the country, and the Tiber, on the banks of which Rome stands.
Italy is washed by four seas: the Ligurian, Tyrrhenian, Ionian and Adriatic. Thanks to this, there is a mild climate and countless picturesque beaches that attract tourists from all over the world.
Italy’s climate is generally mild, but varies greatly depending on the region. In the north, it is temperate, with cold winters and hot summers; in the central part, it is Mediterranean, with mild winters and warm summers. In the south, summers are hot, and winters are short and warm. The Alps get a lot of snow in winter, making the region popular for skiing.
Administrative Divisions and Major Cities of Italy
The Italian territory is divided into 20 regions, which are called regions of Italy (regioni). The country formally became one in 1861, and Italians joke that the process of unification is still not complete: each region of Italy differs from its neighbors in dialect, traditions, and even cuisine. Five regions – Sicily, Sardinia, Trentino-Alto Adige, Valle d’Aosta and Friuli-Venezia Giulia – have a special status and more autonomy in matters of language and local government.
The regions are divided into 107 provinces and more than 7,900 communes, from the capital Rome with its 2.5 million inhabitants to the tiny town of Fiera di Primiero with a population of only about 500.
By the way, Rome is not the first capital of Italy. In 1861, Turin was proclaimed the capital, and then Florence in 1865. And only in 1871, Rome became the main city of modern Italy.
The north of the country is an industrial and economic engine. It is home to Lombardy with Milan (about 1.3 million inhabitants), a financial and fashion center, and the Veneto region with Venice, with its unique “water” lifestyle, palaces and canals. Piedmont is home to Turin, a major industrial city and the birthplace of the Fiat automobile concern.
Central Italy is famous for its cultural heritage. Tuscany is the birthplace of the modern Italian language, and the region’s capital Florence is where the Renaissance was born. Lazio is home to the country’s capital, Rome, and the Vatican, the cradle of the Catholic Church and home of the Pope. There are also the cozy hills of Umbria and the charming old towns of the coastal region of Marche.
The South is a contrast of bright colours, traditions and a relaxed pace of life. People come to Campania to see the bustling Naples, the birthplace of pizza, and the picturesque Amalfi Coast. In Apulia, there are the white houses of Alberobello and olive groves: this region is the leader in olive oil production in Italy. Calabria is known for its wild nature and crystal clear sea, and Sicily and Sardinia are a whole separate world with their own culture, dialects and unique cuisine.
Italians are so attached to the place where they come from that a special term has appeared in the Italian language – campanilismo. It denotes love for one’s own small homeland and the confidence that it is in one’s native village, city or region that one finds all the best and most “Italian”.
Population and Ethnic Composition
Italy is home to around 59 million people, most of whom are ethnic Italians. However, the country has always been a cultural crossroads, and today there are many immigrants living there, mainly from Romania, Albania, Morocco and China.
There are also small but distinctive ethnic minorities in the country – Germans in South Tyrol, French in Valle d’Aosta, Slovenes in the northeast, and Greeks in Apulia and Calabria. These communities maintain their languages and traditions, adding even more cultural colour to Italy.
Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. However, in some regions other languages are spoken: German in South Tyrol, French in Valle d’Aosta, Slovenian in the northeast. In addition, dialects are spoken in each region and even province of the country. Sometimes they differ from literary Italian so much that they seem like separate languages.
Culture and Traditions of Italy
Culture of Italy is not a frozen legacy of the past, but a living organism that continues to shape art, fashion, cinema and lifestyle. Here, ancient history is literally at every step: the Colosseum, the Sistine Chapel, the Duomo in Florence, the Leaning Tower of Pisa – for tourists, these are attractions, and for Italians, part of their everyday life and a source of pride.
Painting, sculpture, architecture – Italy gave the world Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli. Opera was born here, and Verdi and Puccini made it world famous. Italian cinema changed the way we look at cinema: the neorealism of Fellini, De Sica and Rossellini showed life as it is, and Antonioni, Bertolucci and Tornatore created films that remain in history. Today, their work is continued by directors like Paolo Sorrentino, turning every scene into a work of art.
Italy has always set the style. Milan is one of the main fashion capitals, and Gucci, Prada, Versace, Armani and Dolce & Gabbana have been synonymous with elegance for decades. But Italian design is not only about clothes. It is here that iconic furniture and interior items are created: Kartell and Poltrona Frau set trends, and Milan’s Salone del Mobile brings together designers and architects from all over the world every year.
Family is sacred in Italy. Leisurely Sunday dinners with family are a must, and at Christmas and Easter all roads lead home, no matter where you live. The folk traditions of Italy also deserve special attention. Such holidays as the Venice Carnival, the Battle of the Oranges in Ivrea and the Palio in Siena reflect regional customs and the country’s historical heritage.
Politics
On June 2, 1946, Italy chose a new destiny: in a referendum, the country rejected the monarchy and became a republic. This election made history for more than just that: for the first time, women were given the right to vote, and millions of Italian women took advantage of it to determine the future of their country.
Today, the Italian state is a parliamentary republic, where power is distributed between the president, parliament and the government of Italy. President Sergio Mattarella is the guarantor of the Constitution and a symbol of national unity, while the real levers of power are concentrated in the hands of the prime minister and the Council of Ministers. Parliament consists of two chambers – the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate, which pass laws and control the work of the government.
Political life in Italy is in full swing: governments change with enviable regularity, and coalition crises have become a familiar backdrop. But despite this, the system works, democracy remains stable, and the country continues to move forward.
Economy of Italy
Italy is one of the largest economies in Europe and the world, with a GDP of about 2T euros, a member of the G7 and the Eurozone. The main sectors are industry, services, fashion, tourism and agro-industrial complex. Brands such as Fiat, Alfa Romeo, Ducati, Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati have appeared here, creating high-quality cars and motorcycles.
In the field of technology, Italian innovation is represented by giants Olivetti and Leonardo. Important sectors of the economy also include the chemical industry (for example, Eni) and the production of steel and aluminum at companies such as Ilva and Alcoa.
Italy is also well known for its food industry – its wine, olive oil, cheeses and pasta are popular around the world. But the country has its own problems: high levels of public debt, bureaucracy and an economic gap between north and south, where unemployment remains a pressing issue.
The Italian tax system is progressive. For individuals, the income tax rate ranges from 23% to 43%, depending on income. VAT (IVA) is 22%, but reduced rates of 4-10% apply for certain goods and services. Businesses pay a corporate tax (IRES) of 24%, plus a regional income tax (IRAP) of about 3-4%.
Average salaries vary greatly by region and industry. In the private sector, the average salary is around €1,800–2,000 per month (before taxes). In IT and finance, specialists can earn from €2,500 to €4,000, in industry and trade – €1,500–2,500, in tourism and catering – €1,200–1,800. In government agencies, the average salary is lower, but there are job guarantees.
The Costs of Living in Italy
The cost of living in Italy varies by region, but is generally quite high, especially in larger cities such as Rome, Milan and Venice.
Renting a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center will cost on average €800–1,500 per month. In more remote areas or smaller towns, you can find housing for €500–800. Prices for buying real estate vary, but in larger cities the price per sq. m starts from €3,000 and up. Utilities (water, electricity, gas, internet) usually cost around €150–250 per month for a 50–70 sq. m apartment.
You can spend about €250–400 on food per person per month, if you don’t eat out at restaurants and cafes. Supermarkets offer a variety of products, from local vegetables and cheese to imported goods. If you eat out at cafes and restaurants often, your expenses will be significantly higher – a meal at an inexpensive restaurant usually costs about €15–25 per person.
Medicine and Education in Italy
Medicine in Italy is one of the best in Europe and is available to everyone who lives in the country. Emergency care in emergency situations is free: anyone, regardless of status and income, can go to the nearest emergency department (pronto soccorso).
Citizens and residents can use the services of the national health system (SSN – Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). The services of a family doctor (medico di base) are available under state insurance, to whom you should contact for referrals, prescriptions and sick leave.
Education in Italy is also at a high level. The country has both public and private schools and universities. Students with a residence permit have the right to study at public educational institutions. By European standards, the cost of education in them is low and is calculated based on the income of the student’s family. Private universities and schools are usually more expensive, but most often they offer greater opportunities for internships and employment.
Where to Go in Italy
The list of attractions in Italy is not limited to the Colosseum and the Sistine Chapel. The country has many lesser-known but no less impressive places. For example, the amphitheater in Verona, where opera performances are still held, or the ancient ruins of the city of Herculaneum near Pompeii. In the Abruzzo region, you can find not only beautiful mountains, but also such gems as the rock monastery of San Giovanni in Venus. Cinque Terre is five colorful fishing villages on the coast of the Ligurian Sea, and in Sicily, it is worth visiting the Valley of the Temples in Agrigento and the thermal springs on Etna.
Italian cuisine is varied, and each region has its own traditions. In the north, butter is
used more often and hearty, substantial dishes are prepared. In the south, olive oil and more vegetables are preferred – in a warm climate, light food seems more appropriate.
Tuscany is famous for its meat dishes, especially cold cuts and the famous steak bistecca alla fiorentina. Sicily, Sardinia and Puglia have plenty of fresh seafood, and Milan is the birthplace of all types of risotto. Italy is also famous for its wine and desserts. Among the most famous sweets are tiramisu and cannoli, which will be appreciated by lovers of pastries.
The best time to travel to Italy is spring and early autumn. There are fewer tourists at this time, the weather is comfortable for walks, the gardens are in bloom, and prices are lower than at the height of the season. To travel, you need a passport, a tourist visa, and medical insurance. If you want to stay in Italy longer, you can consider options for obtaining a residence permit or citizenship.
How to get a residence permit in Italy?
For a long-term stay in Italy, you need a residence permit, which allows them to stay in the country for more than 90 days. What does a residence permit in Italy provide? For example, access to a high standard of living, quality medicine and career opportunities. Depending on the reason, a residence permit is issued for a period of 1 to 5 years, then it can be extended.
How to obtain a residence permit in Italy?Italy offers more than 30 types of residence permits: work, student, business, financially independent, and family reunification. Buying real estate itself does not give the right to a residence permit, but it can help when submitting documents. Usually, a national visa of category D is issued first, and then upon arrival in the country, an application for the residence permit itself is submitted.
Select the basis for the residence permit. Each category has its own requirements, so it is important to figure out in advance which option is right for you.
Apply for a national visa type D. This is the first step towards moving. You need to submit documents through the Italian consulate at your place of residence. The standard package of documents includes:
- Foreign passport.
- Proof of income (bank statement, employment contract, etc.)
- Lease agreement or housing documents
- Medical insurance
- Documents confirming the basis for a residence permit (work contract, invitation from a university, etc.)
Come to Italy and apply for a residence permit. A D visa gives the right to enter the country, but does not replace the residence permit itself. Within 8 days of arrival, you must apply for a residence permit. This is done through the post office, where you will receive a special package of documents to fill out (kit per il permesso di soggiorno). After that, you will be called to the immigration police to give fingerprints.
One of the most reliable ways to obtain a residence permit in Italy is to become a participant in the Italian Golden Visa programme. It offers wealthy investors the opportunity to obtain a residence permit in Italy through the following options:
- Investment in an Italian startup: from €250,000
- Business investment: investments in small and medium-sized enterprises from €500,000
- Investment in Italian government bonds: from €2,000,000;
- Investment in a charitable initiative: from €1,000,000.
Obtaining a residence permit in Italy can take many months, so it is worth preparing in advance. We wrote in more detail about how the process of obtaining a residence permit in Italy works.
Next, we will look at what is needed to obtain Italian citizenship.
How to Obtain Italian Citizenship?
The benefits of Italian citizenship include visa-free entry to over 190 countries and the right to live, study and work in any EU country. Italy allows dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your home country’s citizenship.
After 5 years of residence in Italy, you can apply for a permanent residence permit (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo), and after 10 years, apply for citizenship.
Here are the main ways to obtain Italian citizenship:
- By birth or adoption: Children of Italians automatically receive citizenship, regardless of where they were born.
- By origin: If you have Italian ancestors, you can obtain citizenship by collecting the necessary documents.
- Through marriage. In this case, citizenship can be requested in 1-3 years, depending on the family’s place of residence.
- Through naturalization. In order to apply for an Italian passport for this reason, you must live in Italy and maintain continuous registration for 10 years. Other conditions for obtaining Italian citizenship include the need to pay taxes, not have problems with the law and prove a stable income (in 2025, at least €8,263.31 per applicant.
You can submit an application online. You will need the following documents for Italian citizenship:
- Birth and marriage certificates (if applicable).
- Proof of income or stable financial situation.
- Certificate of no criminal record.
- Documents confirming legal residence in Italy.
- Certificate confirming knowledge of the Italian language at level B1.
This list may vary depending on the situation of each applicant. The application will be reviewed in 2-4 years, its status can be tracked online. If the decision is positive, you will be invited to take the oath. You can read more about the citizenship application process.
