Moving to Rome

Rome is without doubt one of the most captivating and eclectic cities in the world, with plenty of glorious places to live.

It’s absolutely packed with history and there are few places on Earth where you can explore over 1,000 years of Roman history in one city. Some of the best-preserved Roman monuments can be explored within walking distance of each other — hardly a surprise considering the city’s status as the birthplace of the then-largest empire the world had ever known.

The aptly named ‘Eternal City’ is one of the oldest continually inhabited settlements in the world and the first thrilling sight of the Colosseum, the opulent Vatican and Michelangelo’s Sistine chapel masterpiece leaves visitors awe-struck.

However there is more to Rome than history, art and hordes of tourists. Home to the Parliament, President of the Republic and Supreme Court, Rome is Italy’s political, religious and economic centre. With its population of 4.2 million people, the city produces 6.7% of the country’s GDP and boasts a large and thriving economy.

With all the chaos of the city, it is easy to forget that Rome is also within striking distance of the Mediterranean Sea, where a €7 ticket from Terminitrain station will take you to sandy beaches and small fishing towns. Rome is also the most internationally diverse city in Italy, with large numbers of expats attracted by the mild, dry climate, bustling cosmopolitan lifestyle, and extraordinary cultural heritage.

The job market

With unemployment at a rate of 12.6% (2015), finding work in Rome is not as easy as it was before the recession. Expats will find that Italians themselves are savagely competing for jobs in their chosen professions and many of the jobs that traditionally went to foreigners are now going to the locals. Italians take university qualifications very seriously so having a degree and fluency in Italian will put you ahead of the competition.

Job sectors that are more open to employing non-Italians are; marketing and communication, media, services and tourism and education (TEFL). Expats working for large multinational companies can also transfer to Rome through international business partnerships.

Finding a job in Rome can be significantly hampered by Italy’s nepotistic ‘who you know’ culture of awarding employment to friends and family. People in Rome are very sociable and rarely hire on the strength of an email so it’s advisable to be in Rome when searching for work. The job/accommodation search Wantedinrome.com is a great resource for expats arriving in Rome.

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Can you still move to Italy after Brexit?

You can still live in Italy, though it’s a two-stage process to make your move permanent.

First, you need to successfully apply for a Long Stay visa. Fill in this form created by the Italian government to see whether you’re able to apply, then be prepared to pay €116 (£102) if you choose to go ahead with the application.

A Long Stay visa is available to anyone who’s moving for work, education, family reunification or adoption, retirement, or religious purposes – but they’re not permanent.

You’ll be allowed to stay in Italy for a specific length of time, depending on which of the above reasons applies to you. The length of visas varies from three months to two years.

If you want to stay in Italy for longer, you must apply for a residence permit at what’s known as an ‘immigration one-stop shop’ and a police station – in that order – within eight working days of arriving in the country.

You should be able to book your appointment at the one-stop shop online, depending on where your local one is.

If you’re moving for work, you’ll need an Italian employer to get you a work permit, at which point you can apply for a work visa – as long as Italy is allowing foreign workers in, and as long as the national quota hasn’t been filled up.

Ask your local Italian Embassy about the quota’s current state before you apply.

Healthcare

Before your big move to Rome, it’s wise to think about medical cover for when you’re out there.

That way, you’ll be prepared when you arrive.

Living costs

Rome is a capital city and major tourist destination so it is not a cheap place to live. Rents, food, going out and transport all cost more in Rome than in other parts of Italy. However, you are likely to find more money in your pocket here than in cities such as London, Paris, Sydney and New York if you choose to live outside the centre and avoid tourist hotspots.

Those considering moving to Italy’s capital should also bear in mind that, although living costs are lower, the average monthly salary of €1270/month is considerably lower in Rome than other European capitals, resulting in less purchasing power. A cappuccino will cost around €1.50 and glass of beer around €3-5 (as long as you are not drinking it in a café next to the Trevi Fountain). Depending on where you live in the city, rents range from €700-€1000/month for a one-bedroom apartment and €1200-€2150 for a three-bedroom with basic utilities around €150/month on top.

Transferring money to Rome

If you’re thinking of moving to Rome, you’ll probably need to convert some of your British pounds into euros.

That’s why we’ve teamed up with Wise, an easy-to-use online international money transfer service which uses the real exchange rate, and charges low fees.

How much could you save? Well, its service can be up to 8x cheaper than high street banks.

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Moving to Rome from the UK

When in Rome, do as the Romans do’ is a proverb commonly attributed to St Ambrose, a 4th Century archbishop of Milan. Those moving from the UK to Rome would do well to take heed, since the Italian capital makes most British cities look like a sleepy country village. The stoic British reserve on roads and in restaurants will have to be abandoned in favour of the use of the horn, a raised voice and demonstrative gestures; plummy vowel sounds in favour of the punchy Romanesco dialect of Italian; expectations of efficient bureaucracy with a mixture of resigned shrugs and a willingness to get stuck in.

Living in Rome then is not without its difficulties – obtaining documents for ID, registering for schools, getting a driving licence, setting up a bank account and sorting accommodation can all be vexing operations, often requiring multiple attempts and the ability to spot a raw deal. (Many Italians eschew the notoriously slippery estate agency business by letting out their properties directly.)

But the chances are you’ve been attracted to Rome not by promises of an easy life but by the vivid appeal of its history, cuisine and culture. Maintain your affinity for those and you’ll never fall out of love with Roma.

Comparing Rome vs London

Rome’s mediterranean climate is a lot warmer than London’s with average high temperatures in the summer months of July and August averaging around 31 °C, or a good eight degrees higher than in the UK capital. While Rome sees 36% more rainfall than London it almost all falls in the winter, leaving the summers both hot and dry. Roman winters are also less cold than London’s, with average lows of around 3-4 °C in December and January (compared to 2-3 °C in London).

The cost of living in Rome is, on the whole, considerably lower than in London. This is largely due to property prices and rents (which are about 36% lower) but lower prices for groceries, consumer goods, utilities, public transport and entertainment also contribute.

Because of lower salaries though, the average Roman has less purchasing power than the average Londoner. They also, on average, report feeling less safe, receiving poorer healthcare, and experiencing more pollution.

Ranking against the world

The seat of the Roman Empire and credited for being the true birthplace of Western civilisation, Rome has earned its place in history as one of the most important cities in the world. Although its power and reach are diminished, Rome remains a major player on the global economic and cultural stage. It was ranked 32nd on the Global Cities Index, the highest ranking city in Italy. Rome contributes 6.9% of Italy’s GDP, second only to Milan. As well has being home to Italy’s central political, judicial and religious institutions, Rome is also the seat of the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, multinational corporations and global banks.

Rome also ranked in the top ten of most educational, historical, cultural and beautiful cities by the City Brands Index (2013). Indeed its ancient monuments and heritage attract millions of tourists every year and it is the 3rd most visited city in the EU. It also has the largest amount of green space among the European capitals. However, despite its unparalleled reputation for culture and history, Rome was ranked in 51^st place on the Mercer Quality of Living Survey, far below London, Sydney, Paris and Berlin, particularly in the categories of traffic, pollution and healthcare.

A day in the life

The saying goes ‘when in Rome do as the Romans do’ which is good advice for survival in this frenetic but remarkable city. Expats will find they are in perpetual awe of Rome, where daily life offers sumptuous architecture, food and lifestyle coupled with choking traffic jams, eye-watering bureaucracy and a ‘what will be will be’ attitude. There simply is no city on earth like Rome.

A typical day may start with joining the thousands of commuters on the Metro or those who take life in the own hands by traversing the ancient cobbled streets by bicycle. Italy’s famous extended lunch hour is less common in Rome so lunch might be panini and salad in a café. After work you can shop for the freshest vegetables, cured meats, fish and cheese at the ancient Mercato di Testaccio, or head to one of the rooftop terrace restaurants overlooking the Dome of St. Peter for a glass of chilled Frascatiand a plate of gnocchi . You can then party all night with the artsy crowd in Trastevere, before watching the sun rise behind Colloseum.