Travel essentials

This guide gives you the essentials you should know before your plane lands in the Eternal City.

🛂 Entry Requirements

Rome is in Italy and is part of the Schengen Area. This makes things easier if you are coming from Europe, but there are still clear rules.

• EU citizens: You can enter with a valid ID card or passport. Very straightforward.
• From Latin America and other regions: You need a valid passport (with at least 3 months’ validity beyond your planned departure date). Many countries do not need a visa for short stays (up to 90 days), but always check in advance.

🏥 Travel Insurance: Stay Healthy in Italy

Healthcare in Italy is good, but it is not designed for visitors without coverage. An emergency can be very expensive.

• Do you have a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC/TSE)? It covers basic emergencies in the public system, but expect co-payments (the "ticket sanitario") and waiting times.
• Coming from outside the EU? Travel insurance is mandatory for Schengen visas and strongly recommended even if you enter visa-free. It usually covers medical care, private clinics and repatriation.

💶 Money: Euros and Cash Culture

Italy uses the Euro (€). Compared with London, Rome is still a little more traditional when it comes to payments.

• Card vs cash: Cards are widely accepted, but it is still very useful to carry some cash in Rome.
• Small cafés, bus tickets bought at kiosks (Tabacchi) and local tourist taxes at smaller hotels often prefer coins or notes.
• ATMs (Bancomat): Withdraw money from machines inside banks such as Intesa Sanpaolo or UniCredit. Avoid independent ATMs like "Euronet", which often charge high fees.

📱 Internet and Connectivity

Want to upload your Vatican photos instantly? Here is what you should know.

• Roaming from the EU: Good news – in Italy the "Roam Like at Home" rules apply, so you can use your mobile data as if you were in your home EU country.
• Coming from outside Europe: Do not rely only on café Wi‑Fi (it can be slow or unreliable). A travel eSIM is usually the simplest solution.

🔌 Electricity and Plugs: Two or Three Pins?

In Italy the voltage is 230V, but socket types vary. You will usually see three main plug types.

• Type L (Italian): Three thin pins in a straight line (as in the photo).
• Type F (Schuko): The larger round plug widely used in continental Europe.
• Type C: The standard two-pin Europlug.

The easy solution: Bring a universal adaptor. Many modern hotel sockets accept slim two-pin plugs, but it is better not to depend on that.

Benvenuti a Roma – Your Adventure Starts Now