I move to Italy at the end of this month for a new (academic) job. My contract is for two years. I’ve found some place to stay (I’ve just returned after seeing the flat and paying a deposit and at least signing something — no “in nero” for me!).
Does anybody have any good advice? I ought to set up a bank account whilst there. What’s the best Italian bank? (Although setting up an account with Barclays may be an idea, as there’s a branch in the city I’m moving to, and I’ll be traveling back to the UK a lot). What’s the first thing I should do after moving? I think I have to register with the local police force or something for anti-terrorism purposes?
Do you already speak Italian? If not that would be my next move. ETA: I knew some people who lived there for up to two years. Some were diligent about learning Italian and a couple got by without trying and the experience was much more enhanced for first group. (The job didn’t require it, it was all in English.)
(I’ve been there for work once and vacation maybe three more times but never lived there, so I can’t offer specific advice on banks, etc.)
My job is all in English, but I’ll be living with an Italian, and have already had two terms of Italian lessons. I hope to take an intensive course when I get there.
Barclays Italy isn’t the same as Barclays UK; even if it’s a wholly owned subsidiary, it’s a different company. Ask the people from any banks you’re considering what their specific conditions are for the banking you’ll have to do with/from the UK: ATM withdrawals, e-transfers, etc.
I see that you’ve already been working on learning Italian. Ask your employers about Italian courses, they will be able to get a list of local schools and references for them / teaching style more easily than you would. You will probably meet people who love having a chance to practice their English; depending on the situation you may be able to propose an exchange: they speak in English (and you correct the biggest mistakes), you speak in Italian (and they correct the biggest mistakes).
Will you be driving while there?
If so, get used to most gas stations being closed around lunch time and on weekends. So if you are about a 1/2 of a tank on your way home Friday, then fill up.
Get used to everything being closed around lunch time. Don’t plan to run errands on your lunch hour or otherwise do anything at all during lunchtime other than going home and taking a nap.
When you are finished eating a restaurant, you have to ask for the check. It is assumed that you will want to sit for about an hour after your meal, relaxing and talking. Don’t think that your waiter sucks and has forgotten about you. It’s just that if you haven’t asked for the check, they will not bring it.
You’re from the UK, so you are probably already used to warm drinks and generally poor customer service… nothing to get used to there. But who knows, Italy will probably still surprise you. Actually, I am sure that it will.
Where are you going to be living? Visiting Rome is a must. Venice is kind of necessary, simply because its Venice. But going once was enough for me. No burning desire to go back, and I only live about an hour from there.
Pisa… Serioualy, this thing should not have ever been mentioned in any travel book, ever! Yet, somehow, its a World Famous tourist destination? I can’t figure that one out. I am baffled. It’s not even the only crooked building in Italy. I don’t understand why it is so special.
Hmmm. . . what else? Oh! Pepperoni is PEPPERS! “Salami” is Pepperoni. Learn that one right away or your pizzas will SUCK.
Yes, you officially have to register with the police - you’re supposed to do that every time you enter the country (I, and many others, never do, but it wouldn’t hurt none).
Big piece of advice - get to know your neighbours. Italians are extremely sociable and will do anything for you once they know you - and on the flip side will regard you with deep suspicion if you keep yourself to yourself. Be prepared for neighbours to drop in at any time. You just have to be patient about it.
Learning the language is essential as Italians are, outside of the tourist trade, as bad as we are at learning foreign languages.
When you visit someone’s home, take a gift of cake or biscuits, particularly if you’ve been invited to dinner - you’re expected to bring a shop bought dessert rather than a bottle of wine.
To get a bank account you need to get a Codice Fiscale, which you may already have. This is a bit like a National Insurance card, but much more - you need it to do anything in Italy (like getting a bank account).
I bank with Banco di Napoli, which is one of the big ones. No idea how it compares with others, mind you. Banking in Italy sometimes feels a bit like going back to the 50s in some of their practices, but on the plus side you will likely get to know your actual bank manager rather than just a voice in a call centre, which can be useful.
I’m sure there’s loads more I can’t remember at the moment.
Feel free to argue vehemently and loudly about football and politics. Italians like to take extreme stances - often, I think, just to keep a good argument going - and will happily describe themselves as ‘Communist’ or ‘Fascist’ even though they’re probably somewhere in the middle.
If you’re atheist, probably best to keep it to yourself, if only to stop them worrying about you. Italians are by no means evangelical, go to Church less and less, and won’t care if you’re CofE, Jehovah’s Witness or Jewish, but will think you’re weird and destined to burn in hell if you don’t believe in God (I have made this mistake in the past). Best not to slag off the Pope, too.
Only eat the food and drink the wine from the region you’re in. You will attract scorn for ordering Chianti in Abruzzo, as an example. As a *relatively *new country, Italy is still fiercely regional.
Enjoy yourself. Unlike many Europeans, Italians actually rather like the English - they think we’re polite and respectful. I think this is because they get the middle class British tourists rather than the package crowds who throng to Spain and Greece. They love London, too, and will often want to tell you about their visits there (even if you’re not from London).
Finally, outward appearance is of major importance. Italians tend to live in small houses so spend all their wages on clothes and cars which they show off every evening during La Passeggiata. Better to dress up rather than down, or they’ll think you’re a slob.
No, no driving. I’m also just back from Italy after trying to find a flat. Everywhere where I’m moving to (Bologna) was closed. Really strange to see the whole city shut down like that. Though, it was 37 degrees C last week, so it’s kind of understandable.
And Brits don’t drink warm beer
Venice, Pisa, Verona, Milan and Florence are at most 1.5 hours away from Bologna. I plan to visit all of them.
Ah, OK. I take it I get a codice fiscale from my employer?
Shouldn’t be too bad as a baptised Catholic, hopefully.
This shouldn’t be too hard. The food in Bologna is amazing. I’ve never seen a market like it.
Yes, your employer will furnish your Codice Fiscale. Needed for anything legal like bank accounts, phone, etc. Get a cell phone, everyone has them. Get a bank account. You pay rent, utilities, highway tolls, etc… electronically. Large US base in Vicenza, hi Bear Nemo, and up in Aviano if you want some American fix. Travel if solo by train is cheaper than car. Multiple people - car works cheapest. Know your local soccer/football team (what are the colors). Your Italian improves (and the local’s English) after a few glasses of wine.
Walking and bicycling is a Sunday pastime. Not much except tourism stuff and restaurants are open on Sunday. Don’t know if you golf, but NE Italy has lots of golf courses (I know most of them).
I’ll get back with more if you wish. I’ve spent 8 years there (with some deployments) though I’m back in the US now. My wife is over there now with our first grandaughter. I’m not military and lived on the economy the entire time.
You are not far from me at all. I will be back home this winter. Anytime you feel like you need to visit a Burger King or a Taco Bell (everyone always misses Taco Bell!!), let me know.
Italian food is amazing, but you will eventually miss stuff from home.
Also, American snacks, drinks, toiletries, etc… just shoot me a PM if you want to come up for a visit to Little America.
ETA: WTH am I talking about!? Forgot for a second you were British! Oh well… you are still invited!
Also, I wasn’t referring to Beer, actually. If I remember correctly, drinks (just any drink you get from the cooler at a store or gas station) aren’t too warm in Englad. But I have driven all over Europe and I always get something to drink anytime I stop for gas or a restroom. They are never cold, even from the cooler. Good luck finding a cold drink anywhere else in Europe. What Europeans consider cold, is pretty luke warm to me. Oh, except the Netherlands. Drinks were cold in both Eindhoven and Amsterdam. I loved The Netherlands!
Nitpick: Peperoni is peppers, Salami picante is more like pepperoni. And Italian pizzas never suck!
I’ll give you a chance to nitpick back though… It is mandatory to carry hazard signs in your car (that maybe France I’m thinking of) and in some Alpine areas it is mandatory to carry tyre chains at certain times of year (or maybe that’s Switzerland).
Always carry I.D.
I’d agree that learning the language is a must, relatively few of the locals will speak english. Though, like most Europeans, the majority will be appreciative of your efforts to speak the languague, even though you may not yet be fluent.
Visit the ‘San Siro’ if you’re in that neck of the woods…
I am not sure how much of it is Italian law, and how much of it is “US ARMY in Italy” Law, but we are required to have warning triangles in the car. Additionally, we are required to have a bright, reflective vest easily reachable by the driver. The vest cannot be in the trunk. Because you cannot exit the car without wearing the vest if you are disabled on the highway.
I don’t have a Visa. In fact, I didn’t even use a Passport to get there
I’m in the US Military and am stationed in Vicenza, Italy. Currently I am in Afghanistan, though. But I’ll be back in town this winter if you ever need anything.
I was actually asking the OP, as I’m just curious about the process. I wonder if having a family that’s pure Italian on my mother’s side would help me at all if I ever wanted to stay there for a while.
