Cost of Living in Italy: A Guide For International Students

"WHEN LIFE GIVES YOU TWISTS AND TURNS, CHIQUE YOURSELF UP IN ITALY!" – BARBARA CONELLI

Are you ready to chique yourself up in this gorgeous country? Not quite feeling it yet? Well, let's delve into why you absolutely should! Italy is one of the most beautiful and sought-after educational destinations to visit for international students, given its culture, style of lifestyle and affordable cost of living in Italy. So, if the idea of relocating to Italy has been dancing around in your mind, buckle up for a journey that transforms hesitation into resounding affirmation! Starting from the average cost of living in Italy, to shedding light on the cost of food, groceries, travel and more, we will learn about it all!

Average Cost of Living in Italy: Major Cities

Before diving into the intricacies of various aspects, let's take a look at some of the popular cities and the average cost of living in Italy. We have listed the top ten cities along with their cost of living in Italy index.

Annual Cost of Living in Italy!

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City	Average Monthly Cost (€)	Cost of Living Index	Rent Index	Grocery Index	Restaurant Price Index
Milan	€1,700 - €3,000	68.9	39.2	55.2	79.6
Bologna	€1,300	65.6	23.9	55	63
Florence	€1,300	64.6	25.7	53.8	62.1
Genoa	€1,100	61.8	12.7	52.7	55.7
Padova	€1,200	59.7	19.3	54.3	65.3
Turin	€1,100	59.3	14.1	53.5	56.9
Rome	€1,400	57.5	30.4	50.4	68.5
Verona	€1,200	56.2	20.6	50.8	62
Naples	€1,100	55	18.1	48.1	56.1
Palermo	€1,000	53	12.6	48.4	54.2

Annual Cost of Living in Italy for International Students

The average cost of living in Italy for international students ranges from €7,500 to €8,500. It generally covers the cost of housing, food, entertainment, and personal expenses, which may be approximately €3,000. Before diving into the blog, let's take a look at an overview of the cost of living in Italy:

Cost of Housing in Italy

Milan and Rome are some of the most expensive cities in Italy when it comes to housing. In fact, a lot of Italian residents spend almost 40% of their income on housing. It proves that housing holds a major chunk of the cost of living in Italy. Imagine you're looking for a studio or a private room in one of the top cities. Here is how much rent you would have to pay:

1. Single Occupancy: €300-€400/month

2. Shared occupancy: €200-€250/month

‍Fun Fact: The rent you pay fluctuates not just depending on the city but also on the locality. For example, if you live in the city centre, the rent will be higher than in the outskirts of the city.

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Cost of Food in Italy

The cost of food in Italy depends on your living standard. It varies depending on whether you're looking for the best price: quality ratio or saving a few euros. In either scenario, Italy has you covered. Shop your groceries at markets, greengrocers, or supermarkets such as Lidl! We have listed the average price of groceries you may require on a daily basis.

Cost of Food in Italy!

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Grocery	Amount (€)
Bread	1.5
1 Litre Milk	1.6
1 Kg White Rice	2.61
1 KG Tomato	2.5
1 Kg Potato	1.4
1 Kg Local Cheese	13.4
1 Kg Fruits (apples/banana/oranges)	2.8
1 Dozen Eggs	4

Dining out or ordering takeout sounds really exciting but can leave you worrying, too. Due to the expenses you already bear living alone in another country, you might not always go for a takeout option. To help you include a few takeouts in your budget, here are some estimated costs:

1. Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: €15

2. Three-course meal at a mid-range restaurant: €50

3. Average cost of dinner in Italy: €40

4. Regular Cappuccino: €2

5. Soda: €2.5

Cost of Transportation in Italy

The transportation system in Italy is one of the most efficient and is conveniently spread throughout the cities. Offering great connectivity and low cost compared to other countries, the cost of transportation in Italy is quite affordable for international students. The ticket fares or gas prices are more or less the same in all cities.

Transport Costs in Italy!

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Factor	Amount (€)
One way bus ticket	2
Day ticket	7
Monthly pass	35
1 Litre Gas	1.7
Taxi (1 Km)	1.5

Cost of Utilities

On average, a student living in Italy would spend €200 - €300/month on utilities. To better understand, we have further separated the basic cost of living in Italy for utilities:

1. Basic Utilities (electricity, heating, cooling, water, garbage): €199.59
2. Monthly plan for mobile: €13
3. Internet: €30

Cost of Healthcare in Italy

The basic Italian health insurance for foreigners costs only €10- €13! Isn't that great? For EU students, healthcare is free; however, non-EU students have to sign up for public insurance. Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), the national health service in Italy offers students to register by paying €149.77 per year.

Tuition Fees at Top Universities in Italy

For international students, tuition fees play an important role since they take up a major chunk of your budget after housing costs in the cost of living in Italy. Home to some of the most reputed universities, Italy offers affordable tuition without hampering the quality of education. If you're looking to apply to universities in Italy, these are your best picks!

Tuition Fees in Italy!

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University	Undergrad Courses Fee (€)	Postgrad Courses Fee (€)
University of Milan	5,500	3,000
Politecnico di Milano	4,000	36,000
Università di Padova	3,000	2,500
Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna	4,000	3,600
Sapienza University of Rome	800	3,000

Cost of Living in Italy: Entertainment & Leisure

How does exploring the streets of Italy sound? Maybe a way to unwind from the hectic university life. Or just a new way to bond with your peers! Well, Italy has a lot of recreational hubs and places to visit to keep you entertained. Take a look at the estimated costs to help plan your budget:

Entertainment Costs in Italy!

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Activity	Amount Per Person (€)
Movie Ticket	8.5
Gym Membership for a Month	55
Ticket for Theatre/ Play	36
Shopping	30
Entry Fee for Museums	11

On-Campus vs Off-Campus Cost of Living in Italy!

Typically, on-campus costs include accommodation, utilities, and sometimes meal plans as part of the university fees. Costs may vary by university and accommodation type. When it comes to off-campus costs of living in Italy, rent and utilities are additional expenses. Food, transportation, and internet costs are estimates based on average expenses in Italian cities. The table below will help you better understand the living expenses in Italy based on your choice:

On-Campus & Off-Campus Costs in Italy!

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Expense Category	On-Campus Cost	Off-Campus Cost
Rent	Included in fees	€300 - €700/month
Utilities	Included in fees	€50 - €150/month
Food/ Groceries	Included in fees	€200 - €400/month
Transportation	Included in fees	€20 - €50/month
Internet	Included in fees	€20 - €50/month
Total Monthly Cost	Varies by university	€590 - €1350/month

(Source: VisitItaly, Numbeo)

Cost of Living in Italy for Indian Students

The cost of living in Italy for Indian students differs based on individual choices and lifestyle. On average, monthly expenses, including accommodation, food, transport, and other necessities, range from approximately €700 to €1200 (equivalent to about ₹60,000 to ₹1,00,000). The estimate excludes tuition fees and personal expenses like travel and entertainment. By budgeting accordingly based on your location and specific needs, you can feel confident about managing the cost of living in Italy.

Top Part-Time Jobs in Italy!

Italy is one of the best countries to study in Europe. You can explore part-time job opportunities to help manage your living expenses while studying. Popular options often include roles in hospitality, retail, tutoring, and administrative support. While the income from these jobs can contribute to covering costs such as rent, groceries, and leisure activities, it's essential to balance work commitments with academic responsibilities. Below is the list of top jobs you can go for as a student:

Top Jobs in Italy!

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Job Sector	Salary Range (Approx. per hour)
Hospitality	€8 - €12
Retail	€7 - €10
Tutoring	€10 - €15
Administrative	€9 - €12

Scholarships Can Reduce Fee Burden!

Explore various scholarships available for students studying in Italy, ranging from prestigious programs like DAAD ( German Academic Exchange Service) to Erasmus+. Awards from Bocconi University and Scuola Normale Superiore, covering tuition and providing stipends, help in saving a lot of money. Below are some of the scholarships you can apply for:

Scholarships to Study in Italy!

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Scholarship	Award Amount (Approx.)	Universities	Overview
DAAD Scholarships	€1350 and other benefits	German students studying in Italy	Scholarships funded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Erasmus+	€400 - €500 per month	Participating universities in EU	European Union program offering mobility grants for students.
European University Insititute Scholarships	€1505 per month or Full Tuition Fee in case of non-contracting state's citizen.	European University Institute (EUI)	Scholarships for PhD studies at EUI, covering tuition and providing a stipend.
Bocconi Merit and International Awards	€12,000 (Undergraduate) and €13,000 (Post-Graduate)	Bocconi University	Merit-based scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students at Bocconi.
Politecnico de Milano Merit-Based Scholarships	€1000	Politecnico di Milano	Scholarships awarded based on academic merit at Politecnico di Milano.
Politecnico di Torino International Scholarships	€5000	Politecnico di Torino	Scholarships for international students studying at Politecnico di Torino.
Scuola Normale Superiore PhD Scholarships	€18000	Scuola Normale Superiore	PhD scholarships covering tuition and providing a stipend at Scuola Normale Superiore.

Tips to Save Money in Italy as a Student

Living alone comes with its share of challenges and difficulties. Managing finances is one of the most common student problems. Figuring out where you can save might become tedious! You don't have to worry about that anymore! We have listed down a few ways you can save money in Italy as a student! Let's discuss some money-saving tips that will help you save some extra euros!

1. Book your Housing Early

Booking early allows you to save up! Go through student accommodation websites like amber to find comfortable and affordable student housing in Italy.

2. Utilise Public Transport

In Italy, the high connectivity of routes and affordable ticket prices allow you to explore and navigate the city. Utilise public transport as much as you can and even enjoy student discounts with your student ID.

3. Talk to Locals

Local people will offer some insightful knowledge about the place, which you may not know while surfing through the internet. Right from shorter routes to travel, to the best street food and cafes, the locals will tell you all! Initiate conversations with the locals to learn more about the city.

4. Install Student Apps

There is an array of must have apps for students that can assist students in learning languages and more! These apps help students organise and learn the Italian language for free instead of paying for classes. It will be a huge help when it comes to communicating in the local language.

5. Shop Locally

Shopping locally is one of the best money-saving tips you can incorporate. May it be groceries or other items you look forward to shopping for, and the price will vary depending on the place. For instance, you may get vegetables at a more affordable price as compared to shopping at the supermarket.

Several aspects, including location and lifestyle choices, influence the cost of living in Italy. It may vary slightly depending on the city, but a careful budgeting or expense planning with careful planning and budgeting, students can manage their monthly expenses.

Individuals can also get help from various budgeting apps for students to help them plan their expenses well! While the cost of living in Italy is an important consideration, with proper money management, you can enjoy it without breaking the bank! The experiences, memories and beautiful culture in Italy will definitely be worth it! So, let's pack our bags and fly away to this stunning education destination!