FAQ

Full Country Name: Italian Republic
Capital City: Rome
Head of State: Sergio Mattarella
Prime Minister: Paolo Gentiloni
Administration: 20 Regions, 110 Provinces, each subdivided into 7.978 districts or councils (Comuni)

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION

Located in the south of Europe, Italy is a vast boot shaped peninsula 1,100 kilometers long from south of the Alpine Arch down to the Mediterranean Sea, covering 301,230 square kilometers. Italy is bordered northwest by France, to the north by Switzerland and Austria, and to the northeast by Slovenia. The sea to the east is the Adriatic, to the southeast the Ionian Sea, to the west, running along the whole peninsula, the Tyrrhenian Sea, and to the northwest the Ligurian Sea. The country also has numerous islands; the largest are Sardinia and Sicily. The main mountain chains are the Alps in the north, and the Apennines which cross the peninsula from the north (Liguria) to the south (Sicily). Monte Rosa and Monte Bianco are the highest mountains in Europe and are both in Italy. There are two famous volcanoes in Italy; Vesuvius, near Naples in the Campania Region and Etna, close to Catania on the Island of Sicily. Mt. Etna is the highest volcano in Europe, 3323 meters.

POPULATION

Italy’s population is approximately 61 million inhabitants.

RELIGION

The most widespread religion in  Italy is Catholicism however all religions are acknowledged and respected by law in compliance with Art. 3 of the Italian Constitution.

LANGUAGE

The official language is standard Italian.  Descending from the Tuscan Dialect and a direct descendent of Latin (75% of Italian words are of Latin origin).   Each region of Italy has in own dialect with variations at town level.  The rich variety of Italy’s dialects are considered a great contribution to the country’s cultural heritage.
English and some European languages are spoken in hotels, shops, and restaurants in the major tourist destinations.

TIME

Italy is six hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time.  Daylight Savings Time goes into effect during the winter, however there generally is a one week lapse between the US time change and the Italian one. Italy is located in the Central European Time Zone.  UTC/GMT+01:00

Italy is part of the Euro Zone within the European Community.
The official currency is the Euro.

Banks are open Monday to Friday from 8:30AM until 1:30PM and a number of banks offer afternoon hours.
Please check with hotel staff for the closest bank and hours of operation.
ATM Cards are widely accepted however please check  with your issuing bank for service fees.
There are a number of money changing offices however they attract the consumer with extremely favorable exchange rates but add an exorbitant service fee.
Please read the fine print before using local money changers. 

The voltage in Italy is 220 volts and the electric sockets generally accept round prongs.
A power adaptor is recommended for US products that run on 110 volts.
Plug adaptors are available for cell phones and dual power accessories.

Prepaid Calling Cards are available at newsstands or bars.
SIM Cards may be purchased on arrival at major international airport in Italy.

To avoid steep calling charges, please consult with your cell phone provider to activate an international calling plan while vacationing in Italy and in Europe. 
Collect calls may be made however hotels may charge a service fee. 
Internet cafes offer VOIP or Skype calling services.

Every city offers conveniently located drug stores (farmacia) where prescriptions may be filled and other health needs met.  Pharmacies take turns to offer overnight services in case of need.

Please contact 113  for an emergency, 114 for an infant emergency, 115 for the fire department, 118 for a medical emergency and 112 for the Caaibinieri (State Police).

Stamps (francobolli) may be purchased at local pot offices (Poste), at a tobacco shop, or at the hotel’s front desk.
Ask for Air Mail (VIA AEREA) delivery, otherwise mail will travel by sea. There are also service providers such as FED EX, DHL, UPS, MAIL BOXES ETC. 
If shipping items, a manifest is required as well as the actual value of the contents by Italian Customs.

State museums are open every day except on Mondays. 
Church or religious museums such as the Vatican Museums are closed on Sundays and on religious holidays. 
Limited reservations are accepted by most major museums.
Some museums offer evening summer hours.  

Shops are open from 9:00AM to 1:00PM and from 3:30PM to 7:30PM.

Major department stores operate on continuous hours. Shops in main tourist destinations are also open on Sundays.
Beach resorts offer evening hours during the summer. 

The Italian Government offers a tax refund for store purchases.
You are eligible for the Tax Refund Service if:

• You are domiciled or resident outside the E.U.
• You make your purchases in an Italian store and spend at least €154,94 on the same day

You show your purchases at the Customs’ Officer and obtain the Customs’ Stamp on your Tax Refund yellow form upon departure from the last E.U. country you have visited within the end of the third month following the month of purchase (i.e. if you shop on January 15th, you must obtain the Customs’ Stamp by April 30th). If you leave by plane, you must go to Customs before check-in bringing the merchandise you have purchased and your yellow Tax Refund Form with you.
You mail back your Form, duly stamped by Customs, to Tax Refund as soon as possible.

Refund Offices are available at the following locations:

• Bergamo Airport – Departures Area – Open Daily 7AM – 9PM
• Bologna Marconi Airport– Check in area – Open Daily 6AM – 10PM
• Catania Downtown – Viale Africa, 14 – Monday –Friday 9AM –1PM+ 4PM-7PM Saturdays 9AM -12 Noon
• Catania Bellini Airport – Arrivals Area – Open Daily 7AM – 9PM
• Cortina D’Ampezzo – Piazza Roma 1 – Open 930AM – 1PM & 230PM-730PM Monday-Saturday / Sundays from 10AM-1PM
• Florence Porcellino – Piazza del Mercato Nuovo 2/R  - Open Daily 830AM-900PM
• Florence Avelli –Via Degli Avelli 10/R – Open Monday-Saturday 10AM-6P
• Florence Borgo dei Greci 10/R – Open Dally 10AM – 8PM
• Florence Calzaiuoli Best and Fast – Via Calzaiuoli 120r  Open Daily 830AM-900PM
• Florence Piazza San Giovanni – Piazza San Giovanni 7/8 R – Open Daily 830AM-9PM
• Florence Amerigo Vespucci Airport – Best and Fast – Open Monday-Sunday 500AM – 1000PM
• Florence Ponte Vecchio – Lungarno Accaiuoli, 6 r – Open Monday-Saturday 9AM-550PM & Sundays 9AM-4:50PM
• Forli’ Airport – Hotel Paradise – Open Monday – Sunday 24 Hours
• Genoa – Via Sottoripa, 32 – Open Monday-Saturday 830AM – 730PM
• Jesolo – Via San Trentin, 69 – Open Monday-Friday 9AM-1230PM & 3P)M-7PM
• Messina – Via Vittorio Emanuele II, 40 – Open Monday-Friday 9AM-1PM & 430PM-730PM
• Milan – Corso V. Emanuele – Via Larga, 4 – Open Monday – Friday 9AM-530PM
• Milan Linate Airport – Departures Area – Open Daily 6AM – 8PM
• Milan Malpensa Airport – Terminal 1 – Check In Floor – Open Daily 7AM-10PM
• Milan Malpensa Airport – Terminal 1 – Schengen Departures Area -  Open Daily 7AM-10PM
• Milan Malpensa Airport – Terminal 2 – Departures Area – Open Monday-Sunday 630AM-10PM
• Milan – Via Montenapoleone – Via Bigli, 10a – Open Monday – Saturday y 10AM-7PM
• Naples Capodichino Airport – Departures Area – Open Monday-Sunday 530AM-10PM
• Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport – Arrivals Area – Open daily 920AM – 8PM
• Palermo Borsellino Airport – Check in Area – Hours not posted
• Pisa Rail Station – Open Daily 10AM-6PM
• Pisa Galilei Airport – Departures Area – Open Daily 8AM-10PM
• Porto Cervo Marina – Piazza Clipper, 14 – Open Monday – Friday 9AM-1PM & 230PM – 630PM
• Rome Via Veneto – Via Lazio, 10 – Open Monday – Friday 930AM – 7PM and Saturdays 930AM-1PM
• Rome Fiumicino Airport - Terminal 3 – Check In Area – Open Daily 7AM-10PM
• Rome Fiumicino Airport – Terminal 3 – Departures Area – Open Daily 7AM-10PM
• Rome Fiumicino Airport – Satellite Gate C20 – Departures Area – Open Daily 730AM-1200PM
• Rome Piazza di Spagna – Piazza di Spagna, 38 – Open Monday-Friday 9AM-530PM and Saturdays 9AM-1230PM
• Rome Piazza di Spagna – Piazza di Spagna, 80 – Daily 930AM – 800PM
• Rome Via Condotti – Via Fontanella Borghese, 35 – Open Monday-Saturday 930AM-730PM
• Rome Via della Conciliazione – Via della Conciliazione. 23/25 – Open Monday-Saturday 10AM-6PM, Sundays 10AM-5PM
• Sanremo – Corso Mombello, 6 – Open Monday-Saturday 9AM-1230PM & 315PM-715PM
• Siena – Via di Citta’ 80/82 – Open Daily 10AM-630PM
• Sorrento – Via S. Cesareo, 26 – Open Daily 10AM-10PM
• Turin Airport – Departures Area – Hours not posted
• Treviso Airport – Departures Area – Open Daily 730AM-10PM
• Trieste Rail Station – Open Monday-Saturday 730AM-7PM
• Venice Canaregio – Sestriere Canaregio, 228 – Open Daily 8AM-9PM
• Venice Mercerie – San Marco, 4852 – Open Daily 9AM-830PM
• Venice Tessera Airport – Departures Area – Open Daily 6AM-8PM
• Venice Ponte di Rialto – Riva del Ferro, 5126 – Open Monday – Friday 10AM-6PM,  Saturdays 930AM-3PM (WINTER HOURS 10AM-3PM)
• Verona – Via Cappello, 4 – Open Daily 9AM-830PM

There are no restrictions on gifts purchased in Italy except for antiques and works of art that are over 100 years old. These items require authorization from the Minstero dei Beni Culturali e Ambientali .

Each U.S. tourist may bring back to the U.S. duty-free $400 worth of goods purchased abroad. The goods must accompany the traveler. A flat rate of 10% is assessed on the next $1,000 worth of goods purchased. Parcels containing gifts may be sent from abroad to the U.S. duty-free, providing the total value of such parcels received by one person, one day does not exceed $50. Each package should be marked "Unsolicited Gift". The amount paid and the contents of the package should be declared.

As part of our ongoing commitment to ensure the safety and security of travelers, the Italian Government Tourist Board strongly recommends that tourists do not, under any circumstances, attempt to purchase any counterfeit items, as this may end up costing them well more than an authentic product.

As of May 2005 a new legislation was implemented (which carries fines of up to 10,000 Euros for people caught purchasing counterfeit products, and criminal charges for anyone caught selling counterfeit goods.) It aims at a national wide crackdown on the sellers and buyers of counterfeit items, i.e. purses, sunglasses, watches, belts, etc bearing luxury labels such as Prada, Gucci, Fendi only to name a few.

Luggage is examined on entering and leaving Italy.
Free entry is allowed for personal effects: clothing (new and used), books, camping and household equipment, fishing tackle, 1 pair of skis, 2 tennis racquets, computer, CD player with 10 CD's, tape recorder or Dictaphone, baby carriage, 2 still cameras with 10 rolls of film for each camera, 1 movie camera, binoculars, personal jewelry, portable radio set (subject to a small license fee), 400 cigarettes and a quantity of cigars or pipe tobacco not exceeding 500 grams (1.1 lb).

All items mentioned above may be imported duty-free only on condition that they are for personal use and are not be sold, given away or traded. A maximum of two bottles of wine and one bottle of hard liquor per person may be brought in duty-free. The bottles must not be open. A maximum of 4.4 lbs. of coffee, 6.6 lbs. of sugar and 2.2 lbs. of cocoa are allowed duty-free.

Overseas tourists arriving in Italy after visiting other countries are allowed to carry with them souvenirs purchased in other countries up to a total value of $500 and only a verbal declaration is required. Purchases may include up to a half litre of perfume. 

As of October 2, 2004 a new European Union regulation (EC 998\2003) applies for the non-commercial movement of pet animals (cats, dogs, and ferrets) in the European Union Member States.

Pets may enter Italy only if accompanied by their owner or a person responsible for them on behalf of the owner during their movement in Italy, and are not intended for sale. Up to a maximum of five pet animals are permitted. 

In accordance with the above EC Regulation, it is mandatory to obtain, for each pet, a European Community Veterinary Certificate, issued, in the country of origin, by a certified veterinarian, containing information about the pet's general state of health and proving there is an effective vaccination protection against rabies: animals under the age of three months may not travel to Europe since the anti-rabies vaccine is not administered before the pet is three months old.

Pet animals must be identifiable by a clearly readable tattoo or an electronic identification system(microchip/transponder), which provides the pet owner's name and address. The certificate (issue date not to exceed 30 days prior to the departure date) is valid for 4 months from the date of the official veterinarian's signature or endorsement by the competent Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service(USDA U.S. Department of Agriculture's) or Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and is equivalent to the EU Pet Passport. The certificate forms are available from Italian diplomatic of consular representatives, whose authentication or certification is not needed.

To introduce pet animals in Italy from third countries, it is not necessary to subject the animals to tick or echinococcus treatments. Parrots, parakeets, rabbits and hares also require health certificates, and, upon entering Italy, are subject, to examination.

In Italy, it is mandatory to use a muzzle for dogs that walk on the streets or any open space without a leash, and a muzzle and a leash for dogs in public places and public transportation.

A visa is not required for a U.S. or Canadian citizens holding a valid passport unless they expect to stay in Italy more than 90 days.

The formality of registering with the police within 3 days of a tourist's arrival in Italy is attended to by the hotels one stays with. If staying with friends or in a private home, the visitor has to register in person at the nearest police station within a 3-day period. In Rome there is a special police information office to assist tourists.

All churches’ opening hours are generally from 7AM-12 Noon and from 430PM – 6PM.

Major catholic churches are open from 7AM to 6PM.

Size Tables

COMPARISON CHART 
United States & Italian Sizes
This is merely a guide. Sizes are not standardized. Always try on if possible.

* In most cases Italian women’s wear items are cut smaller than domestically produced items.
** Sizes are not standardized.
*** Several U.S. importers note that in most cases Italian children’s wear items are cut larger and wider than domestically produced items, resulting in Italian items being numbered improperly, i.e., too low for this market. As a consequence, the importer/retailer is often forced to add 1-2 numbers to the Italian sizes indicated, to obtain what they consider to be the correct size for the American market. Thus an Italian “2” will often be considered a “3” or even “4” by an American retailer.

The Mediterranean climate is hot, but not humid, during the summer and comfortably warm in the spring and fall.  Casual cottons and  easy care clothing is recommended.  For Papal Audiences, inside church visits, women should dress modestly, with arms and head covered, no mini skirts or shorts, and men should wear short sleeves  (no tank tops)  and pants (no shorts).  It is also customary for men and women to dress in a casual elegant fashion for dinner.  Formal attire is not required.

When visiting casinos, there is a dress code in place (jacket and tie for men, skirts or dress pants for ladies).

Italy is a country of extremely varied landscapes and consequently experiences a similarly varied climate. Between the north and south there can be a considerable difference in temperature, particularly during the winter. In Milan it could be −2°C and snowing, while at the same time 8°C in Rome and 20°C in Palermo. The differences are less extreme in the summer.

The coastal regions, where most of the large towns are located, have a typical Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot and generally dry summers. The length and intensity of the summer dry season increases towards the south. The coastal areas throughout Italy experience largely similar conditions from north to south with mild winters and hot, dry summers. The western side of the country experiences more rain than the eastern side which is windier, especially north of Pescara where Italy is subject to the strong, Bora wind that gusts across the Adriatic from Central Europe.

In contrast to the settled days of summer, the weather throughout Italy can be very changeable in the autumn, winter and spring. This unpredictable weather can continue until the end of May and can start anytime after the beginning of September. The winter months tend to alternate between clouds and rain and warmer, sunnier weather.

Inland, throughout the peninsula, the weather is often colder and wetter with frequent snow on the mountains during the winter. 

In the extreme north, the climate can drop to below freezing in the winter and rise to 30° in the summer. This is a similar climate to that of Alpine Switzerland and Austria, although the Italian side tends to experience more precipitation and also slightly warmer weather in both summer and winter. In this area, summer tends to be the rainiest season and thunderstorms are frequent in spring, summer, and autumn. Lower down, the lake area in Lombardy tends to experience the mildest winter weather and the warmest, sunniest summers. Sunshine levels here are around 3 to 4 hours a day in the winter and around 9 hours a day in the summer.

The area of the Po valley and the Padan Plain has its own distinctive climate and can experience rain at any time through the year. Although the winter months can be surprisingly cold, and can experience fog, frost and snow, the summer months can be almost as hot and sunny as southern Italy. Thunderstorms are frequent in the summer and autumn but the rain falls infrequently.

The south of the country, particularly Sardinia and Sicily, can get very hot indeed, with long periods of settled weather and continuous sunshine. During the daytime, sea breezes can lower the temperatures on the coast, but in the evening and overnight it can be extremely hot and humid, especially inland. As can be imagined, the south of Italy has the least rain and the most hours of sunshine of any other area in Italy. In Sardinia and Sicily, there is an average of 4 hours of sunshine a day during the winter and 9 hours a day in the summer.

Here are average temperatures, sunlight hours, and rainfall statistics.

Climate in Abruzzo

Climate in Aosta

Climate in Basilicata

Climate in Calabria

Climate in Campania

Climate in Emilia-Romagna

Climate in Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Climate in Lazio

Climate in Liguria

Climate in Lombady

Climate in Marche

Climate in Molise

Climate in Piedmont

Climate in Puglia

Climate in Sardinia

Climate in Sicily

Climate in Trentino-Alto Adige

Climate in Tuscany

Climate in Umbria

Climate in Veneto

Most deluxe and first class hotels offer laundry and dry cleaning services for guests.
If hotel does not provide these services, the front desk staff can direct you to a nearby laundry mat, tentoria, lavanderia, or lava secco.

Italy has a long history of gambling, dating back to the days of the Roman Empire, when the predecessor of today’s Backgammon was a very popular form of gambling among the Roman soldiers. The first public gambling establishment was opened in Venice in 1638. It is also said that the games of Baccarat and Bingo were invented in Italy towards the end of the 15th century. Italian gambling has also strongly influence the development of betting throughout Western Europe. In fact, the word “casino” is Italian in origin.

It is surprising, then, that today there are only five land-based casinos in Italy, none in the capital city of Rome. Casino de la Vallee, located in Saint Vincent, a summer holiday resort in the north of Italy, close to the Swiss border, is the largest casino in Italy, with nearly 100 game tables and some 500 slots machines. Other casinos can be found in Venice, Sanremo and Campione d’Italia. 

Italian casinos offer all the classic casino games, such as Roulette, Blackjack Punto Banco / Baccarat and Poker. You may also enjoy the game of Trente et Quarante (Thirty and Forty, also known as “Red and Black), a French card game dating back to the 17th century, popular with the locals.

The minimum gambling age in Italian casinos is 18, and a valid photo ID is required. The dress code and opening hours vary significantly.

U.S. Citizen Services in Italy

Rome: The U.S. Embassy in Rome offers a full range of services for U.S. citizens in the regions of Lazio, Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, and Sardegna.

Non-emergency services (e.g. renewal of U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and notarials) provided by the American Citizen Services Unit at U.S. Embassy Rome are available through an online appointment system. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Milan: The U.S. Consulate General in Milan offers a full range of services for U.S. citizens in the regions of Valle D'Aosta, Piemonte, Lombardia, Veneto, Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Liguria, and Emilia-Romagna (Provinces of Piacenza and Parma only).

Non-emergency services (e.g. renewal of U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and notarials) provided by the American Citizen Services Unit at U.S. Consulate General Milan are available through an online appointment system. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Florence : The U.S. Consulate General in Florence offers a full range of services for U.S. citizens in the regions of Tuscany, and Emilia-Romagna (all except the Provinces of Piacenza and Parma).

Non-emergency services (e.g. renewal of U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and notarials) provided by the American Citizen Services Unit at U.S. Consulate General Florence are available through an online appointment system. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Naples: The U.S. Consulate General in Naples offers a full range of services for U.S. citizens in the regions of Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Calabria, and Sicilia.

Non-emergency services (e.g. renewal of U.S. passports, Consular Reports of Birth Abroad and notarials) provided by the American Citizen Services Unit at U.S. Consulate General Naples are available through an online appointment system. Please click here to schedule an appointment.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Genoa (Consular Agency): Limited consular services provided.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Palermo (Consular Agency): Limited consular services provided.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Venice (Consular Agency): Limited consular services provided.
Contact Information and Office Hours

Please Note:

Citizens with lost or stolen passports must go in person to apply for a same-day emergency passport at one of the following Consulates General in Italy: Rome, Milan, Florence or Naples. Consular Agencies in Genoa, Palermo and Venice are unable to accept or process emergency passport requests.

Americans staying in Italy over three months are encouraged to sign up with the Consulates. See the "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program" webpage for information.

Disclaimer: The list of documents provided here is for general guidance only.  The applicable law on marriages is one and the same all over Italy.  However, local town halls may interpret the law in slightly different ways and waive certain requirements.  Please contact the Registrar’s Office of the town hall where you intend to get married to obtain a definitive list of documents as well as to learn how many days prior to the date of the ceremony you need to submit them. A complete list of town halls in Italy is available here.

Please note: Marriages involving U.S. citizens cannot be performed by American consular officers or take place on the premises of the U.S. Embassy or Consulates General.

Documents:

1. Valid U.S. passport (active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces can present their military ID card instead).  

2. Birth certificate (original or certified copy).

3. Evidence of the termination of any previous marriage/s if applicable (e.g., final divorce decree, annulment decree, or death certificate of former spouse).  If you are a female whose previous marriage was terminated within the last 300 days, you must obtain a waiver from the Italian District Attorney's Office (Procura della Repubblica presso il tribunale) at the court in the city where the new marriage will be performed.  The waiver is issued upon presentation of medical evidence that you are not pregnant.

4.   Affidavit or “Dichiarazione Giurata” sworn to before an American consular officer commissioned in Italy, stating that there is no legal impediment to your marriage according to the laws of the U.S. state in which you are a resident.  Your legal status must be such that you can legally marry under both Italian and U.S. law.  (Note that a pending divorce, for example, would be an obstacle.)  You will need to schedule an appointment for a notary service with one of the U.S. Consulates General in Italy or with the U.S. Embassy in Rome to obtain the “Dichiarazione Giurata.”  Please click here to schedule your appointment in Milan, Florence, Rome or Naples. Please contact the Agent in Genoa, Venice or Palermo directly to schedule an appointment at one of the Consular Agencies.  

The “Dichiarazione Giurata” is valid for six months and costs $50 or the equivalent in euro.

Where will you be going to obtain your Dichiarazione Giurata?

·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Consulate MILAN
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Cons Agent GENOA
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Cons Agent VENICE
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Consulate FLORENCE
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata EMBASSY ROME
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Consulate NAPLES
·       Marriage Dichiarazione Giurata Cons Agent PALERMO

Please select the appropriate Post and complete the form before your appointment in order to save time, but do not sign it as it must be signed in front of the consular officer.

If one of the parties is an Italian national resident abroad and registered with an Italian Embassy or Consulate (Anagrafe Italiana Residenti all’Estero - AIRE), please contact the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate for specific instructions.

Once the “Dichiarazione Giurata” has been issued, you must bring it to the Legalization Office (Ufficio Legalizzazioni) of the local prefettura to legalize it.  You will need to purchase a €16 revenue stamp (marca da bollo) from any tobacco shop (tabacchi) and present it to the clerk of the Legalization Office (Ufficio Legalizzazioni) at the Prefettura (an Italian government office) for each document to be authenticated. A complete list of Prefettura offices is available here.

5. Atto Notorio: This is a declaration, in addition to the “Dichiarazione Giurata” described under point 4, stating that according to the laws to which you are subject in the United States, there is no obstacle to your marriage. This declaration is to be sworn to by two witnesses (who may be of any nationality, must be over 18, possess valid photo identification, and know the applicant; they cannot be family members, future family members or affines) before an Italian consul outside Italy or, in Italy, before a court official in the city where the marriage will take place.  If you are coming to Italy to be married, you should obtain this declaration at the nearest Italian Embassy or Consulate before leaving the United States, as some courts may have long waiting lists for this service.  If you decide to request the Atto Notorio in Italy, you should contact the Notary Services Office (Ufficio Atti Notori) of the court (tribunale ordinario) having jurisdiction over the city where you intend to marry, or any other court in Italy, and make an appointment in advance. If the applicant or even only one of the witnesses does not speak Italian, the presence of an interpreter is required. You, as well as the witnesses and the interpreter, must show proof of your legal presence into Italy by presenting, for example, your plane ticket, visa or permit to stay (permesso di soggiorno).  You will need two revenue stamps of €16 each and one of €10,62 to apply for the Atto Notorio, which generally will be ready for pick up after four to 10 days.  For an urgent Atto Notorio, issued on the spot, you will need two revenue stamps of €16 each and one of €31,86.

Contact information for the Notary Services Office in Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, Rome, Naples and Palermo is available at the Getting Married in Milan, Venice and Genoa, Getting Married in Florence, Getting Married in Rome, and Getting Married in Naples and Palermo links below.

Declaration of Intention to Marry: You should present all the above-listed documents to the Marriage Office (Ufficio Matrimoni) of the town hall (municipio) in the city where the marriage will be performed, and make a "Declaration of Intention to Marry" (Dichiarazione di Matrimonio) before a civil registrar (ufficiale di stato civile).  If you do not speak Italian, an interpreter should accompany you.  When all this is completed, you can finally set the date of the wedding.

Civil banns must be posted at the town hall for two consecutive weeks, including two Sundays, before the marriage can take place.  Please note that banns are posted only after the Declaration of Intention to Marry has been filed.  However, if neither party to the marriage is an Italian citizen or a resident of Italy, banns are automatically waived or posted for a shorter period of time which may vary from one day to a week depending on the town hall regulations.

Civil Ceremony: A civil ceremony is performed by the mayor or one of his deputies.  Two witnesses and, if necessary, an interpreter must be present at the ceremony.  Witnesses may be of any nationality, but must be over 18 and possess valid photo identification.  A witness cannot serve as interpreter.  You will have to pay a rental fee for the marriage hall, which varies according to the location, the season and the day of the week.  The fee ranges from a minimum of €500 to a maximum of €9,200.

Religious Ceremony: A religious ceremony is considered valid if performed by a Roman Catholic priest.  A separate civil ceremony will not be necessary, as the priest will register the marriage with the civil authorities.

The Roman Catholic Church requires baptismal and confirmation certificates in addition to the documents listed above.  For complete information, you should check with your priest.

For English-language marriages at the Vatican, also known as the Holy See, contact the parish priest of Santa Susanna Church by visiting their website at www.santasusanna.org.  Marriages at the Vatican will be registered with the Vatican civil authorities, and marriage certificates are issued by the Civil Registry of Vatican City (Ufficio di Stato Civile, Anagrafe e Notariato, Governatorato, Citta del Vaticano).  Because the Vatican is a separate State and not part of Italy, the notarized “Dichiarazione Giurata” is required but does not need to be legalized by an Italian prefettura office.

A religious ceremony performed by non-Roman Catholic clergy requires that a civil ceremony be performed prior to the religious one to ensure the legality of the marriage.  If you are planning such a religious ceremony, you should consult with the priest, minister, or rabbi far in advance of the actual ceremony.

Important Note on the Validity of Foreign Documents in Italy: All documents originating outside of Italy (birth certificate, divorce decree, etc.) must be legalized for use in Italy and must be translated into Italian.

To legalize a U.S. document for use in Italy, you need to have it stamped with a so-called Apostille stamp by the secretary of state in the state where the document was issued, in accordance with The Hague Convention on the legalization of foreign public documents.

·       What is an Apostille
·       Where to get an Apostille stamp in the U.S.

Under Italian law, all public documents originating from outside the EU are considered valid for only six months from the date of issue.  Therefore, you should make sure that all documents to be submitted to Italian authorities have not been issued more than six months ahead of the marriage. 

Important Note on the Validity of the Italian Marriage Certificate in the U.S.: A foreign marriage that is valid in the country where it is performed is automatically valid in the U.S.  An Italian marriage certificate is sufficient to prove your marriage and it is considered valid once legalized through the Apostille procedure.  The Apostille stamp can be obtained from the Legalization Office of the Italian Prefettura having jurisdiction over the area where you were married.  A complete list of Prefettura offices is available here.

Additional Information: U.S. consular officers are not trained in Italian law and consequently are not qualified to interpret Italian marriage requirements.  If you wish more detailed information, you should consult the appropriate Italian authorities, such as an Italian consular officer in the U.S., civil registrars at town halls, or a lawyer licensed to practice in Italy. 

Please note that you may need several days to complete all of the procedures so you should plan ahead. The timing will vary depending upon the number of marriages to be performed by civil authorities. Waiting lists are not uncommon, particularly in more popular towns and at certain times of the year, such as May, June or September.

Specific information for marriages performed in Milan, Venice, Genoa, Florence, Rome, Naples and Palermo is available at:

·       Getting Married in Milan, Venice and Genoa
·       Getting Married in Florence
·       Getting Married in Rome
·       Getting Married in Naples and Palermo

Tipping at hotels in Italy is not required but appreciated. You can tip the porter, usually no more than 5 Euros. You can tip the concierge, 1 – 2 Euros if he provides good service. You can tip the housekeeper, in which case 0.75 – 1.50 Euros per day is appreciated. It is recommended you tip around 0.50 Euros for a valet and the same for room service.

You are not expected to tip in Italy. A service charge is sometimes added to the bill, ranging from 1 to 3 Euros, or 10% - 15%. This charge must be indicated on the menu. Some may also add an extra charge for the diner ware and extras (tablecloth, silverware, plates, bread, etc.), this is normal. But check your bill!

Tipping isn’t expected in Italian Spas, but if the service exceeds your expectations, you can tip up to 10%.

Tipping tour guides is very much appreciated but not expected. Common practice is in the range of 5 Euros for half a day, or 10 Euros for a full day, per person.

In Italy you can tip your cab driver, but it isn’t expected nor is it common. Feel free to tip if they are extra helpful, they will appreciate it. It is good practice to agree a final fare before the journey begins.