Country Information > Italy
Italy
- One of the 6 Founder Members of the European Union (EEC) in 1951
- Capital = Rome
- Government = Republic
- 83% Roman Catholic, remainder Jewish and Protestant with a growing Muslim community
- Italian is the main language, however German is spoken in the South Tyrol, French in the Valle d’Aosta region on the Swiss/French border and Slovene in the Trieste/Gorizia area on the Slovene border
- English is understood in the main cities and tourist areas only
- Many parts of Italy lie on a fault line, earthquakes and minor tremors are common
- Italy’s major industry is tourism
- Currency = Euro (EUR)
- Time = GMT + 1
Climate
The climate is typically Mediterranean in the south with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. The north is Alpine with more severe winters. Central Italy is temperate.
Healthcare
Italian healthcare rivals that of any country with well trained doctors operating to a very high standard. However, waiting lists on the national health system are long and thus private care is often preferred.
UK citizens qualify for emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Italian nationals via the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) which replaced the E111 form in January 2006. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is available free of charge through most United Kingdom post offices or through the UK Department of Health via their website at: www.dh.gov.uk or by telephoning 0800 555 7777. You will not be covered for medical repatriation, on-going medical treatment or treatment of a non-urgent nature. It is thus advisable to have travel insurance.
Visas/Travel Documentation
As UK citizens, only a valid passport is required to enter Italy and stay for up to 3 months. If staying longer, you will need to register with the local police and obtain a residents permit from them.
UK driving licences are accepted. Please note that it is obligatory to use dipped headlights during daylight when travelling on motorways.
Address:
British EmbassyVia XX Settembre 80a
I-00187 Roma RM
Telephone:
- (39) 06 4220 0001 or 4220 + extn if known
- (39) 06 478 141 British Council
- (39) 06 4220 2600 Passport & Visa Enquiries
- (39) 06 4220 2603 Out of Hours
Facsimile:
- (39) 06 4220 2347 Information
- (39) 06 4220 2333 Chancery
- (39) 06 4890 4285 Economic and Commercial
- (39) 06 4220 2335 Management
- (39) 06 4220 2334 Consular, Visas
- (39) 06 4220 2283 Defence
Email:
- RomeCommEnq@fco.gov.uk Economic enquiries
- visasrome@fco.gov.uk Visa enquiries
- ConsularRome@fco.gov.uk Consular enquiries
- ManagementRome@fco.gov.uk Management enquiries
- CommercialMilan.Milan@fco.gov.uk Commercial enquiries
- InfoRome@fco.gov.uk General enquiries