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Weather & climate
Weather in Italy
Italy
24°
Fog
Thu
12°
24°
Fri
12°
27°
Sat
15°
27°
Sun
13°
25°
Mon
12°
23°
Tue
14°
21°
Wed
14°
22°
SPF level in Italy
Recommended: SPF 50
Spring
SPF 30
Summer
SPF 50
Autumn
SPF 30
Winter
SPF 15
Suncream is often more expensive in tourist zones. Pack your preferred SPF from the UK, especially for beach holidays. Always carry travel-size (100ml max) for hand luggage.
Before you go
Entry requirements for Italy
What British travellers need to know
Your passport must be issued less than 10 years before you arrive in Italy and must be valid for at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area.
You can stay in Italy without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period for tourism.
You may need to show a hotel booking, proof of travel insurance, a return ticket, and proof of sufficient funds at border control.
The Entry/Exit System (EES) means you may need to register your biometric details, like fingerprints or a photo, on your first visit to a Schengen country.
Your accommodation provider must register your passport details with the police, so wait for them to do this before leaving your passport.
If your passport is missing an entry or exit stamp, show evidence like boarding passes to border guards so they can add the date and location.
Good to know:
Temporary checks at the Italy-Slovenia land border mean you should allow extra travel time and be ready to show your passport.
You cannot take meat, milk, or products containing them into Italy, with limited exceptions like baby food.
Safety in Italy
Tips when travelling
Italy is tourist-friendly but has some key cultural and legal rules:
Keep sight of your belongings at all times, especially in crowded tourist areas, as petty crime like bag-snatching is common.
Always carry photo ID with you, as police can stop you for identity checks at any time.
Do not take drinks from strangers or leave your drink unattended to avoid being robbed or assaulted from spiked drinks.
Validate your public transport ticket before starting your journey to avoid an on-the-spot fine.
Do not drop litter, eat or drink near historic monuments, or enter public fountains, as these actions can result in fines.
Bonus tips:
When visiting many Italian city centres by car, you need a special pass to drive within marked ZTL zones to avoid a fine.
Avoid leaving any luggage in your parked car, even in the boot, as thefts from vehicles are common.
More information
Driving in Italy
A valid UK driving license is accepted. An International Driving Permit is recommended, but not always required, especially for short stays.
Side of road
right
Motorway speed limit
130 km/h (may be lower during rain or for inexperienced drivers)
Urban speed limit
50 km/h
Alcohol limit
0.05%
Remember: Italy drives on the right. Take extra care at junctions if you normally drive on the left.
Health in Italy
As a UK resident, you can use a Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) or European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for state healthcare in Italy. However, it's still recommended to have comprehensive travel insurance to cover costs not covered by GHIC/EHIC, such as repatriation or private healthcare.
Generally, no specific vaccinations are required for Italy. Ensure your routine vaccinations are up to date. Tap water is generally safe to drink, but bottled water is widely available. Be aware of mosquito-borne diseases, especially during summer months, and take precautions to avoid bites.
Cards & payments
Widely accepted in larger establishments, hotels, and restaurants. Smaller shops and businesses may prefer cash.
Visa
High
Mastercard
High
American Express
Medium
Lost card? Call Visa: +1-303-967-1094
Tipping in Italy
Tipping is customary in Italy, but not mandatory. Service charges are sometimes included in restaurant bills (check for 'servizio incluso').
Restaurant
5-10% if service is not included. Rounding up is also common.
Bar/Café
Rounding up to the nearest Euro or leaving small change is appreciated.
Taxi
Rounding up the fare is customary.
Hotel Porter
€1-€2 per bag.
Hotel Housekeeper
€1-€2 per day, left at the end of your stay.
Tour Guide
€5-€10 per person for a good tour.
Mobile & roaming
Since Brexit, the EU's 'Roam Like at Home' regulation no longer automatically applies to UK mobile users. Check with your mobile provider about roaming charges in Italy. Some providers may still offer free roaming as part of their plans, but this is not guaranteed. Consider purchasing a local SIM card if you plan to use a lot of data.
Local SIM
20 GB for 30 EUR (~£26)
Network coverage
4G, 5G
Electrical in Italy
Voltage
230V / 50Hz
Plug types
Type C, Type F, Type L
WiFi & internet
Widely available in hotels, cafes, restaurants, and public areas in cities. Coverage can be spotty in rural areas.
Average speed
50 Mbps
Wi-Fi is readily accessible in most tourist areas. Many hotels and cafes offer free Wi-Fi to customers. Mobile data is also a viable option, but check roaming charges or consider a local SIM card.
Emergency numbers
Universal emergency
112
Police
113
Ambulance
118
Fire
115
Save 112 in your phone before travelling.
Calling Italy
Country code
+39
To call a Rome number 06 1234 5678 from the UK, you would dial 00 39 06 1234 5678.
The country code for Italy is 39. The exit code to dial out of the UK is 00.
Language in Italy
UK Embassy
British Embassy Rome
Via XX Settembre, 80a, 00187 Rome, Italy
Phone
Website
Recent updates
Entry requirements
6 days ago
Entry/Exit System (EES)
- The Entry/Exit System (EES) has begun implementation across the Schengen area, replacing the previous phased rollout.
- The statement that full operation was 'expected from 10 April 2026' has been removed.
Passport validity
- Clarification added: if your passport was renewed before 1 October 2018, its date of issue being over 10 years ago 'might' make it invalid for entry to the Schengen area.
Frequently asked questions
While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, AtoBeach cannot be held responsible for any inaccuracies. We recommend verifying details with official sources before travelling.