Italy has the second-largest Indian population in Continental Europe. According to the data provided by the Ministry of External Affairs of India, there are over 200.000 residing Indians in Italy. With an Agreement for Migration and Mobility signed between the two countries, thousands of Indian students and workers will be moving to Italy, increasing the immigration rates in the coming years. Hence, the question of what the best cities to live in Italy are becomes as relevant as ever.
If you’re only considering moving, our complete guide for Indians in Italy might be extremely helpful in starting your relocation journey. And if you are looking for a reliable application for -sending money from Italy to India, we hope you choose Profee: check out the favourable terms we offer.
Every city, even within one country, has a different vibe, culture, and composition. When choosing the right city for you, there are many factors to consider to ensure you have a positive living experience and a smooth transition. Deciding what the best places to live in Italy are for you should be based on your personal needs. For example, some may dream of moving to Rome, which is considered one of the top beautiful cities in Italy. However, if you’re looking for the cheapest city to live in Italy, it is common sense to avoid relocating there.
Today, as we discuss top cities in Italy for Indians to settle in, let’s take a closer look at key aspects such as job and educational opportunities, cost of living, climate, community and diversity, security, and language. It will help you make an informed choice and make the relocation process smoother.
Career and educational opportunities for Indians in Italy
Pursuing a career and increasing income are probably the biggest reasons why Indians move to Italy and other countries worldwide. It is also often the case that those who moved support their families back home by sending money to India. Make a transfer to India with Profee for the most efficient and secure experience.
Your job options in the country may vary depending on your industry and work experience. Let’s take a look at the top cities in Italy, their most developed industrial sectors and universities.
| City | Population | Largest industries | Top-ranked public universities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rome | 2.8 million | Tourism, fashion and design, TV and cinema, services, tech, research, construction, banking and commerce | Sapienza University of Rome, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Roma Tre University |
| Milan | 1.35 million | Finance and banking, technology, manufacturing, fashion, art, commerce, entertainment, healthcare, R&D and tourism | Polytechnic University of Milan, University of Milan, University of Milano-Bicocca |
| Naples | 909 thousand | Tourism and hospitality, services, maritime and shipping, manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare and biotechnology, creative industry | University of Naples Federico II, Second University of Naples, Parthenope University of Naples |
| Turin | 843 thousand | Automotive and manufacturing, technology and innovation, aerospace, design and fashion, banking and finance, renewable energy, food and beverage industry | Polytechnic University of Turin, University of Turin |
| Palermo | 705 thousand | Tourism and hospitality, agriculture and food production, trade and commerce, renewable energy, education and research | University of Palermo |
While it is true that bigger cities offer more opportunities both career and education-wise, the cost of living there is also high. If you’re more comfortable living in a smaller city or only starting your career, here’s a breakdown of the most developed sectors in Italy by region.
- Northern Italy: manufacturing and industry, finance and banking, technology and innovation.
- Southern Italy: Agriculture and agri-food industry, tourism and hospitality, renewable energy.
- Islands: HoReCa, agriculture and agri-food industry, tourism and hospitality.
Cost of living
It goes without saying that top cities in Italy in terms of size and population will involve higher prices. Your lifestyle choices and habits will also add to your overall cost of living. Let’s compare three different cities from North, South, and Island, and see how much it would cost a single person to live in Italy.
| City | Milan | Naples | Palermo |
|---|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom apartment in the city centre | €1,419.26 | €666.67 | €562.50 |
| Utilities | €237.84 | €169.41 | €200.76 |
| Transportation monthly pass | €39.00 | €35.00 | €33.50 |
| Mobile phone plan | €10.07 | €12.76 | €13.55 |
We have included the most basic monthly expenses to give you an approximate estimate of the living costs. As you can see, Rome being the capital is not the cheapest city to live in Italy.
Banking can also be pricey, especially when it comes to international transfers. Many Indians living in Italy send money home to help out their loved ones. However, higher fees charged by traditional banks can often stand in the way of a smooth transfer experience. To avoid paying extra, try Profee:
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Climate
If you’re looking for the best places to live in Italy, we highly recommend taking climate into consideration. Broadly speaking, there are three climate zones in Italy each with its own characteristics and specifics:
Alpine climate — Northern Italy, including areas around the Alps. If you’d like to live in some of the top beautiful cities in Italy, you should be ready for colder temperatures, especially in winter, with significant snowfall. Summers are generally mild to warm.
Mediterranean climate — beautiful coastal Southern areas as well as parts of central and southern mainland Italy. If you’re most comfortable with hot and dry summers above 30°C and mild temperatures in winter, this might be your perfect choice. Many believe cities in this climate range are the best places to live in Italy.
Continental climate — parts of northern Italy, including the Po Valley. Summers in this area are hot and dry while winters are cold with temperatures occasionally dropping below freezing.
Indians in Italy. Strongest communities and diversity
If you’d like to live in Italy while being able to remain part of the Indian community, consider cities like Bergamo, Brescia, Latina, Mantua, and Rome. These are the ones with the largest populations of Indians living in Italy. These cities could be the best places to live in Italy for families if it’s important for you that your family members remain more in touch with their culture and traditions.
When moving to a new country, some may feel more comfortable in a city with a diverse population coming from different backgrounds. If that’s your case, the best cities to live in Italy for you would be Milan, Rome, Turin, Bologna, Naples, and Palermo. These are known to be the country’s melting pots of cultures, due to either historical, economic, or cultural reasons.
Security
Safety is an important factor, especially if you’re searching for the best places to live in Italy for families. The country is considered relatively safe with a crime index of 47.28, which is moderate, and a safety index of 52.72. The majority of crimes are those of financial opportunity, for example, pickpocketing and stealing, which often occur in bigger cities like Rome, Florence, Venice, etc.
At the same time, the crime rate is low when it comes to physical attacks based on discrimination, i.e. your ethnic origin, religion, or skin colour. Your chances of being assaulted or experiencing an armed robbery in Italy are also low. The top cities in Italy in terms of safety are Trieste, Florence, Palermo, and Bologna.
Language
Indians living in Italy can experience difficulties related to the language barrier. If you don’t speak any Italian yet, you may want to consider bigger Italian cities as your destination. Opt for Milan, Florence, Rome, Venice, Bologna, and Turin — the top cities in Italy in the number of English speakers. It will make your transition less stressful due to the language barrier with the locals.
Conclusion
Choosing the right city for you is one of the first things to decide on when relocating. Figure out what your priorities are when selecting your destination. Are you looking to boost your career or are you just at the beginning of your professional journey? Do you prefer larger or smaller cities? How much are you willing to pay for rent? What climate are you most comfortable with? Would you rather live in an international environment or stick to an Indian community? Analysing key factors we brought up in today’s article can make the process of moving easier and less stressful.
Hopefully now you have a clearer idea of what the best cities to live in Italy specifically for you might be. And don’t forget — with Profee you can make fast, safe, and cost-effective money transfers to India to support your family and friends.
