Cost of Living in Italy

Italy is among the most popular study destinations for international students, not only for its stunning and picturesque locations but also due to the presence of a number of high-quality academic institutions across the country that witness a competitive rush of students every academic year. Another reason Italy is a popular country for study lies in its affordability – the cost of living and studying in Italy is much lower in comparison to other European countries. Want to pursue your higher education in this beautiful country? This blog will familiarize you with what to expect in terms of expenditure for pursuing a course in the country. Take a look!

Main Highlights

The excellent academic institutions in Italy offer high-quality education at a comparatively reduced cost. The cost of studying in Italy varies according to different programs and levels of study. Here is a simple overview of the costs of studying in Italy:

Tuition Fees – Public Universities	€900 – €4000/year (Approximately Rs. 85K to Rs. 3.80 Lakhs)
Tuition Fees – Private Universities	€6000 – €20000/year (Approximately Rs. 5.70 Lakhs to Rs. 19.02 Lakhs)
Accommodation Costs	€300 – €700/month (Approximately Rs. 28.5K to Rs. 66K)
Food and Transportation Costs	€150 – €250/month (Approximately Rs.14K to Rs. 23.7K)

How to pursue Engineering in Italy?

To know more about popular scholarships in Italy, check out our blog on Scholarships in Italy for International Students

Cost of Living in Italy for International Students

After getting a brief idea and insight on the cost of Living in Italy, let’s now get a brief idea of the cost of living in Italy as well for international students. International students in Italy should expect to pay between 700 and 1,500 EUR per month for living expenses. These expenses include things like lodging, meals, public transit, local travel, and/or entertainment. Living in Italy is a fantastic experience, but bear in mind that Rome and Milan are more expensive than other Italian towns. Check out the average monthly living expenditures for students in these Italian student cities:

Top cities in Italy	Cost of living in EUR (per month)	Cost of Living INR (per month)
Milan	900- 1500	75K- 1.25 Lakhs
Rome	870- 1400	66.8K- 1.16 Lakhs
Florence	850- 1300	71K- 1.08 Lakhs
Bologna	750- 1100	62K- 92K

Housing & Accommodation Costs in Italy

Accommodation costs in Italy vary widely depending on both the city you live in and the type of accommodation you opt for. Sharing an apartment with other students is a good way of cutting down costs, or you can opt to live with a local Italian family which would help you get to know their culture up close, along with saving you a considerable sum of money. On average, you can expect to pay anything between €300 – €700 per month for housing. Students living alone need to pay between €400 – €700 per month approximately, while those opting for shared accommodation can be expected to pay between €250 – €500 per month. Student accommodations are a much cheaper option, costing between €250 – €300 per month. 

Here is the list of top universities in Italy!

Cleaning Services in Italy

• The hourly charge for cleaning assistance in Italy is €12 (INR 1141).

Groceries Cost in Itlay

Other than accommodation, you will also need to spend on your food and transportation. On average, you will need to spend between €150 – €200 per month if you buy your groceries from cheap local supermarkets. A meal in any mid-range Italian restaurant will cost you something between €8 to €16 along with extra charges. Transportation is relatively cheap in Italy, with public transport being the most convenient method of commuting. A monthly bus, tram, or metro ticket will cost you somewhere around €25 to €45, depending on the city you are living in. Trains are another cheap mode of transport if you wish to visit other cities in Italy, and you can save up to 70% on the price of train tickets if you book early.

Utility Cost in Italy

Electricity, gas, and water for an 85-square-meter flat would typically cost between EUR 100 and EUR 150 (INR 8,358 to INR 12,540). The Internet would cost roughly EUR 20 (INR 1,672) or EUR 30 per month (INR 2,508). In Italy, the average monthly mobile phone cost is EUR 140 (INR 11,706). Price differences across communes are common, and they typically follow a progressive scale.

Mobile Bill/Wi-Fi Cost in Italy

Following are the average cost for internet and cellular use in Italy:

• 28 – 37 euros/month
• Router + installation: 50 euros + 25 euros one-off payment.

There are mainly 4 major mobile companies over there :

• Vodafone
• Tim
• Three
• Wind

Healthcare & Insurance in Italy

Italy’s healthcare system is often recognized as one of the best in the world. Furthermore, you will receive better treatment. Furthermore, private health insurance may be used to augment the national health insurance plan, making health care more accessible. As a result, a private doctor’s visit in Italy costs around EUR 80 to EUR 90 (INR 6,692 to INR 7,529), whereas over-the-counter drugs and antibiotics cost no more than EUR 8 (INR 669). If you have private health insurance, you may be able to obtain services sooner than if you had public health insurance. Private insurance may be divided into two categories: individual and corporate. The employee’s family is occasionally covered by the company’s insurance.

• Health Card

The Italian health insurance card (Tessera sanitaria) has replaced the Italian fiscal code card for all persons who are eligible for benefits from the Italian National Health Service and have a tax code. It has a European Health Insurance Card on the back. The Italian Ministry of Economy and Finance, in collaboration with the Italian Agency of Revenue, issued the Italian Health Insurance Card for Italian nationals in line with Article 50 of DL 269/2003, as amended by legislation 326/2003. The Italian Health Insurance Card’s goal is to improve social security services by controlling spending and improving performance, as well as maximizing residents’ usage of health care.

Commuting & Transportation Costs in Italy

The cost of transportation in Italy varies based on the city. In general, public transit is the simplest and most practical mode of transportation. Depending on where you reside in Italy, transportation costs range from EUR 25 to EUR 35 (INR 2,091 to INR 2,928) each month. Bicycle rentals are offered in several cities. Travelling by rail in Italy costs EUR 20 (INR 1,673), although there are some reductions available if you book ahead of time. The average cost of transportation in Italy is shown in the table below:

Transportation	Cost (EUR)	Cost (INR)
Monthly pass	35	2924
Taxi	EUR 5 with EUR 1.2 per Km	420+84 per Km
One-way local transport ticket	1.5	126
Premium Hatchback Car	23,000	19.35 lakh
Gasoline	1.62/ ltr	136

• Car Ownership Cost

In 2018, owners of a segment A car in Italy spent on average of 2,263 euros a year to keep their vehicle. Of these, over 1.6 thousand euros were spent on fuel, while the average costs for the vehicle tax and car overhaul amounted to 164 euros.

• Public Transportation Cost

Monthly Full Ticket for Public Transportation for those above the age of 26 costs between 30 and 40 EUR. In Milan, for example, it costs 35 euros.

Leisure/Entertainment Costs in Italy

Leisure/Entertainment Expenses	Cost (EUR)	Cost (INR)
Cinema ticket	8	669
Fitness club, monthly fee	48	4,010
Renting a tennis court, 1 hour	18	1,503
Pair of mid-range running shoes	80	6,683
Pair of top-quality jeans	77	6,433
Summer dress from a chain store	30	2,506

Cost of Studying in Italy

Tuition Fees – Public Universities	EUR 900 – EUR 4000/year (Approximately INR 78,363 to INR 3,48,28)
Tuition Fees – Private Universities	EUR 6000 – EUR 20000/year (Approximately INR 5,22,422 to INR 17,41,407)
Accommodation Costs	EUR 300 – EUR 700/month (Approximately INR 26,121 to INR 60,949)
Food & Transportation Costs	EUR 150 – EUR 250/month (Approximately INR 13,060 to INR 21767)

Public School

Mentioned below is the cost of studying in public schools in Italy

Tuition Fees – Public Universities

EUR 900 – EUR 4000/year (Approximately INR 78,363 to INR 3,48,28)

International/Private Schools

Mentioned below is the cost of studying in International/Private Schools in Italy

Tuition Fees – Private Universities

EUR 6000 – EUR 20000/year (Approximately INR 5,22,422 to INR 17,41,407)

Tuition Fees in Italy

The tuition fees in Italian universities are much lower when compared to some other European countries. Universities and institutes of higher education in Italy set their own rates for tuition fees, but they are subject to government guidelines on the minimum and maximum fees that can be levied. Public universities in Italy can charge an average tuition fee between €900 and €4,000 per year depending on the university, course, and level of study. Private universities are more expensive, charging anywhere between €6000 to €20,000 every year as tuition fees. The tuition fees in Italy not only differ in terms of different universities, courses, or degree levels but also for EU and non-EU students.  

Here’s a look at some of Italy’s most popular universities, as well as the fees they charge from international students:

University	Average Tuition fee per year in euros	Average Tuition fee per year in INR
University of Pavia	€5,000	INR 4.75 Lakhs
University of Padua	€3,000	INR 2.85 Lakhs
University of Milan	€4,000	INR 3.80 Lakhs
University of Genoa	€3,000	INR 2.85 Lakhs
Sacred Heart University	€15,800	INR 15.03 Lakhs
Sapienza University	€1,000	INR 95K
The Polytechnic University of Milan	€4,000	INR 3.80 Lakhs
IULM University of Milan	€9,800	INR 9.32 Lakhs
Ca’ Foscari University of Venice	€2,000	INR 1.90 Lakhs
University of Trento	€4,000	INR 3.80 Lakhs

Most Affordable Universities in Italy

Check out this list of Italian colleges with some of the lowest tuition fees:

1. University of Camerino
2. University of Pisa
3. Free University of Bozen-Bolzano
4. Mediterranean University of Reggio Calabria

Can you Study for Free in Italy? 

In Italy, there are various chances to study for free or for extremely modest prices. Tuition at public colleges is determined by your household income. Depending on your particular circumstances, you may be able to study totally tuition-free or spend next to nothing on your degree. Each Italian university determines its own income criterion – the level of earnings below which there are no tuition costs. To qualify, you must submit a number of papers in order for your family income to be assessed (the “ISEE” evaluation). Unfortunately, this option is not available to non-EU students at several universities. And if you can’t find a way to learn for free, don’t give up. Even the most expensive program costs are less expensive than in other prominent European destinations. And it will undoubtedly be worthwhile when you consider how much fun you will have studying in Italy! International students can also apply for scholarships. 

Student Visa

International students who want to study in Italy will need to apply for a type ‘D’ visa and will have to obtain a residence permit within 8 days of reaching Italy. The cost of applying for a student visa for studying in Italy is around €50 (around Rs. 4354). For those individuals who are not from Schengen countries, their travel or health insurance should necessarily include repatriation and medical expenses. In the event, the person fails to produce the travel insurance, a visa for entry into Italy will not be granted in any case. International travellers possess similar rights to enjoy free medical treatments in public hospitals as that countrymen of Italy. In order to initiate such services for yourself, it is essential to have a European Health Insurance Card which provides suitable proof that you are fully insured. You should remember this while you’re planning the cost of studying in Italy.

Note: The above costs are for indicative purposes only – the actual costs may vary according to different cities, universities, and courses of study. 

Extra Costs while Studying in Italy

• Phone and internet services might cost between 30 and 50 EUR per month.
• Entertainment and social events cost an additional 30 – 40 EUR each week.
• Books and other study materials might cost between 40 and 50 EUR per month.

Also Read: Bocconi University in Italy

Average Cost of Living in Italy

Miscellaneous Expenses	Cost (EUR)	Cost (INR)
Cinema ticket	8	669
Fitness club, monthly fee	48	4,010
Renting a tennis court, 1 hour	18	1,503
Pair of mid-range running shoes	80	6,683
Pair of top-quality jeans	77	6,433
Summer dress from a chain store	30	2,506

Key Tips to Reduce Overall Living Costs in Italy

Overall, the cost of living in Italy is moderate but not cheap, particularly for students from countries with low exchange rates. Here are some helpful hints for lowering your total cost of living in Italy:

• Students pursuing a graduate degree or a PhD from one of Italy’s prominent institutions might consider living in the relevant institution’s dormitory to save money.
• Students can utilise public transportation and share trips with other students instead of paying for private transportation. It will undoubtedly assist international students in lowering their living costs in Italy.
• Certainly, eating at upscale restaurants or cafés on a regular basis may be costly. As a result, you must seek a cost-effective choice. The university cafeteria and street food are both substantially less expensive options. Furthermore, certain bars and restaurants have higher drink/dinner costs. Takeout is a preferable alternative if at all feasible.
• When Living in Italy, students can usually work part-time for roughly 20 hours per week. Students are hired as interns and freelancers by a variety of workplaces and businesses. As a consequence, you’ll be able to support yourself comfortably and cover your living expenses in Italy.

FAQs

Hopefully, this blog has successfully brought to you everything you needed to know regarding the cost of Living in Italy. Are you looking forward to being a part of a vibrant educational landscape in Italy? Let our experts at Leverage Edu empower you to choose the best-matched career & study abroad options, with one-touch access to personalized mentors and leading global universities. Book your free 30 minutes of e-counselling with our experts today! Call us immediately at 1800 57 2000 for a free 30-minute counselling session.