Rome: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Rome is Italy's capital and largest city, with about 2.75 million people. Its economy rests on government, tourism, culture, film and television, services and international organisations: the UN food agencies have their headquarters here, along with embassies to Italy and to the Vatican. Business life is slower than in Milan, but the quality of everyday life, food, climate and culture are among the best in Europe.

Rome suits people with passive income and retirees, remote workers, families who value climate and culture, and wealthy new residents interested in the Italian lump-sum tax. It suits less those seeking a corporate career and fast bureaucracy.

Districts

• Historic centre - the Pantheon, Piazza Navona, narrow streets and the most expensive flats, with crowds and noise.
• Trastevere and Monti - atmospheric quarters with restaurants and bars, popular with foreigners but loud in the evenings.
• Prati - a respectable district near the Vatican with wide streets, shops and the metro, comfortable for daily life.
• Parioli - a quiet upmarket district with villas, embassies and international schools.
• Testaccio and Ostiense - former working-class quarters with a market and food scene, rents slightly below the centre.
• Monteverde and the EUR district - green residential areas for families, a transit ride from the centre.

Housing and prices

Rents in Rome are rising faster in 2026 than in most Italian cities: the average is about 20-22 euros per square metre a month. A 50-square-metre two-room flat costs about 1,000 euros, roughly $1,121; in the historic centre the rate reaches 30 euros per metre, and the same flat costs about 1,500 euros, roughly $1,681. Leases are usually for 4 years with renewal, and the deposit is up to three months' rent.

A personal monthly city pass costs 35 euros, about $40. Market food, trattorias, coffee at the bar and wine are cheaper than in Paris or London, while utility bills rise in summer because of air conditioning.

Taxes

Income tax in 2026 is 23% on income up to 28,000 euros, 33% on the part up to 50,000 euros and 43% above, plus regional and municipal surcharges. Dividends and interest are taxed at 26%. New residents with large foreign income can choose the lump-sum tax: 300,000 euros a year on all foreign income instead of the normal scale. More on the page about taxes in Italy.

Practicalities

• Documents. The first step is an Italian tax code. Within 8 working days of entering on a national visa you apply for a residence permit at a post office, then register your residence with the municipality.
• Healthcare. Residents with a permit enrol in the national health service and choose a family doctor. Many add private insurance to avoid waiting for specialists.
• Transport. Three metro lines, trams and buses, but transport is overloaded and the centre is closed to cars without a permit. Fiumicino Airport is 30 kilometres away, served by an express train.
• Climate. Summers are hot, often above 30 degrees by day; winters are mild and rainy, with snow once every few years.
• Language. Without Italian, government offices and daily life are hard, and not everyone speaks English.

Moving and legal status

European Union citizens register with the municipality. Others can use the digital nomad visa with income from 28,000 euros a year, the visa for living on one's own means without the right to work, employment, study or family reunification. The investor visa has been suspended for Russian and Belarusian citizens since 14 July 2023. Citizenship by naturalisation comes after 10 years in the country. More on the pages about the Italian digital nomad visa and the investor visa.

Buying property and family

Foreigners buy property in Italy on the principle of reciprocity: if Italians can buy homes in your country, you can buy one in Italy. Purchase tax is calculated not on the price but on the cadastral value, which is usually several times lower than the market value: 9% for a second home and 2% for the first home of someone who moves their residence there. The deal is certified by a notary.

State schools are free and teach in Italian, and Rome has many international schools teaching in English, French and German, especially in Parioli and the north of the city. Children with residence permits enrol in the national health service together with their parents.

Is Rome worth considering for life

Pros: climate, food, culture and history at every step, international schools, mild winters and a lump-sum tax for wealthy newcomers. Cons: rising rents, overloaded transport, slow bureaucracy, high taxes on the normal scale and tourists in the centre all year. Rome is an excellent choice for living on passive income or with remote work and a weaker one for a corporate career. Write in the chat and we will choose a visa for your income.