Living in Italy: Cost of Living, Quality of Life, and French Expat Perspectives

Published on July 6, 2026 and written by Cyril Jarnias

Sun, pasta, heritage on every corner… Living in Italy is a dream for many French people. But behind the postcards, one question always comes back: how much does it really cost, and is the quality of life there when you settle for good, with a local salary, bills, and sometimes baffling bureaucracy?

A country very popular with the French, but highly contrasted

It is estimated that about 70,000 French people are officially registered as residents in Italy, a figure that is underestimated because registration with the consulate is optional. The French community is very diverse: young graduates and executives in northern metropolises, families in Tuscany, retirees in the South, freelancers and digital nomads in medium-sized towns.

But Italy is not a homogeneous block: cost of living gaps between regions are among the highest in Western Europe. According to compiled data, the gap between Milan and a small town in Calabria or Sicily can reach 50 to 100% on rent, food, and daily expenses.

To give an idea, ISTAT estimates that Italian households spend on average about 2,800 € per month, but this average hides opposing realities.

Cost of living: major categories and sample budgets

Studies agree: Italy, on average, is slightly cheaper than France and significantly cheaper than the United States for daily living, especially thanks to lower rents and real estate outside major cities.

On an annual basis, this gives for expats:

For comparison, in France, a single person typically needs 1,900 to 3,000 € per month for an equivalent standard of living, compared to 1,500 to 2,500 € in Italy. Italy is also slightly below the European average in overall cost, while being the third largest economy in the EU.

Housing: the item that changes everything

This is THE determining factor of the budget. Rents and property prices explain almost all of the North/South gap.

Rents: Milan almost at Paris level, the South much more affordable

Real estate portals show a surge in rents over the past few years. In 2026, the average advertised rent nationally is around 14.5–15 €/m². But major cities far exceed this average.

Some benchmarks for a one-bedroom apartment (furnished):

The difference is striking: the same studio that costs 1,400 € in central Milan can be rented for as little as 350–400 € in a small Sicilian town. Overall, rents in the South and islands are 30 to 50% lower than in the North, and 20 to 35% lower than central cities.

These gaps are also reflected in price per square meter for purchases:

For the French, these levels explain the massive appeal of regions like Calabria, Sicily, Basilicata, or Apulia, where some properties sell for under 1,000 €/m². This is especially true for retirees, especially when combined with the highly advantageous tax regime of 7% flat tax on foreign income in towns with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants in the South.

A few concrete examples of housing budgets

Rent simulations for an 80–85 m² apartment illustrate the gaps well:

It quickly becomes clear why, at the same income, a retired couple can maintain the same lifestyle in Lecce with 1,900 €/month as another couple in Milan with 3,200 €/month. The cost of housing, multiplied by two between North and South, is decisive.

Utilities, food, transport: reasonable daily costs… depending on the region

Apart from housing, Italy remains generally moderate in prices, with strong geographic nuances.

Energy and services: stable but not negligible expense

Utilities (electricity, heating/air conditioning, water, garbage) for a small apartment average around 140 to 220 €/month. For an 85 m², estimates converge around 150–200 €/month, with an observed average of about 195 €. Older, poorly insulated apartments in cold northern cities drive the bill higher.

Forecasts for 2026 speak of a range of 125 to 310 €/month depending on size, condition of the home, and usage. Add to that:

– Home fiber internet: 25–35 €/month

– Mobile plan with decent data: 10–20 €/month

In this area, Italy is rather competitive compared to France.

Grocery shopping: significantly cheaper in the South

For a single person who cooks and shops at the supermarket, the monthly bill generally ranges between 250 and 350 €. For a family of four, the typical range is 900–1,300 €, depending on consumption of meat, fish, and brand-name products.

Studies indicate:

Weekly markets in Rome, Naples, or Palermo still allow for substantial savings (20–30% less than the supermarket on fresh fruits and vegetables).

Transport: metro in the North, car in the South

Public transport passes remain affordable: generally expect 35–55 € per month, with Milan offering a monthly pass at 39 €. Single tickets are around 1.50–2.20 €.

On the other hand, gasoline in Italy is among the most expensive in Europe, with prices hovering between 1.70 and 1.95 €/liter. And importantly, car use is almost unavoidable in many southern regions or rural areas, while you can almost do without a vehicle in large northern cities with good tram, metro, and regional train networks.

For a French expat, this point weighs in the calculation: living in a Calabrian village with cheap rent often involves significant fuel costs and sometimes buying two cars for the couple.

Italy vs France: where is life more expensive?

Comparing cost of living indices, Italy sits about 9–12% below the United States and slightly below France. Italian rents are, on average, nearly 48–49% lower than those in major US cities, with a more moderate gap compared to France but still real, especially outside Milan.

A few global figures help provide context:

In practice, a single person in France needs about 1,900–3,000 €/month, compared to 1,500–2,500 €/month in Italy for a comparable lifestyle. For a family of four, the gap also widens: data shows a family spends about 4,450 €/month in Italy (including rent), which is about 44% less than in the United States and about 25% less than in the United Kingdom, with orders of magnitude close to France.

Salaries, work, and work-life balance

Italian salaries are on average lower than those in France. The average household income is around $31,600 annually, with over $35,000 in the North and under $26,000 in the South. Precarious contracts are common for young workers, especially in Mezzogiorno, where youth unemployment can exceed 40% in some provinces like Taranto.

Despite this, Italy is regularly cited as one of the OECD countries with the best work-life balance. OECD data indicate:

The standard workweek is 40 hours, with a legal maximum of 48 hours (including overtime). Typical office hours are often from 9–9:30 a.m. to 6–6:30 p.m., with a lunch break that can last two hours or even longer in some southern regions. Collective bargaining agreements generally provide at least 20 paid vacation days per year, plus 12 national holidays, so many employees effectively get four to six weeks of vacation.

However, expats temper this picture: in some low-skilled jobs, especially in restaurants, retail, or small family businesses, long hours, low pay, and short-term contracts remain the norm. In large cities, commuting times also reduce effective free time, especially in Rome or Milan where traffic jams lengthen the day.

Healthcare system: a huge advantage at a relatively low cost

For a French person used to a high-performing healthcare system, this is often a key criterion. On this point, Italy offers a generally very positive picture.

The Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), created in 1978, is a universal public system funded by taxes, guaranteeing access to essential care for all legal residents, often free at the point of service. The World Health Organization regularly ranks Italy in the global top 10, and some indices give it a score of 98.3/100 for infrastructure and health professionals, placing it first in Europe in this category.

The results are impressive:

Once registered as a resident in Italy, a French person is entitled to the same coverage as an Italian citizen: choice of a primary care physician, free primary care, free hospitalization in public facilities, highly subsidized preventive exams and vaccinations. Only small co-payments are required for certain tests, prescriptions, or specialist consultations, typically around 20–50 €, with a cap per prescription for tests (about 36 €).

For non-EU expats or those outside the SSN, a voluntary annual contribution allows access to the public system, with scales roughly between 400 and 800 € depending on declared income for some profiles, and specific higher scales for others (up to about 2,000 € for non-EU high earners). Children are always covered free of charge.

However, there are two important limitations:

Despite this, for a French person used to Social Security, Italy represents a reassuring environment: universal, high-performing, and much cheaper than the US system or even some private expat insurance plans.

Quality of life: Italy ranks well overall, but a country of two speeds

Italian well-being indicators paint a nuanced picture. The national statistical institute has built a vast dashboard (nearly 152 indicators grouped into 12 domains: health, education, work, income, environment, services, social relations, etc.). Over the past few years, more than half of these indicators have improved, especially in the areas of safety, services, and work-life balance.

Italy shows:

But territorial disparities are massive:

Concretely, a French person settling in Milan, Bologna, or Trento benefits from an environment close to the best European regions in terms of services, employment, health, and education. Conversely, settling in certain southern areas, while offering a very low cost of living and an enviable climate, can also mean fewer job opportunities, higher youth unemployment, and sometimes deficient public services.

“Quality of life” rankings by city reflect this:

Trieste, Trento, Bolzano, or Bologna show excellent overall scores, while Naples, despite its extraordinary culture and sociability, suffers more on economic and environmental variables.

Inflation, purchasing power, and pressure on households

As elsewhere in Europe, Italians have experienced price increases in recent years. Overall inflation has eased (around 1.7% in 2025 and 1.3% in 2026), but the perception remains very negative: 8 out of 10 Italians believe prices have risen, often by more than 8% for 39% of them.

The items where increases have been most felt:

– food: + reported by more than 93% of respondents

– fuel: more than 91%

– dining out: more than 83%

– travel, transport, clothing, personal care: over 70%

Expenses causing the most difficulty:

For a French expat, these figures should be interpreted with caution: they reflect the situation of Italian families often earning local wages. A French person arriving with French or international income is in a much more comfortable position, especially in low-cost regions.

Bureaucracy: the flip side of the coin for expats

It’s hard to talk about daily life in Italy without mentioning “burocrazia”. Italy consistently ranks below the OECD average for administrative efficiency. Slow procedures, fragmented responsibilities, heavy reliance on paper, physical counters, and certified intermediaries… For foreigners, and even for many Italians, the administrative machine can be exhausting.

For a French person, settling in involves, at a minimum:

– obtaining the codice fiscale (Italian tax number)

– registering residency at the town hall (anagrafe) for stays longer than three months

– registering with the SSN at the ASL (local health authority)

– opening a bank account, registering a vehicle, possibly specific tax procedures (impatriate regime, 7% retirement option, etc.)

For French EU nationals, at least, the essentials are simpler: no visa, no work permit, freedom to settle and work, and the ability to buy property without any nationality-related restrictions.

Testimonials from French expats: between love at first sight and disillusionment

The feedback from French people living in Italy is mixed, sometimes even violently opposed.

Those who love it: cuisine, pace of life, and sociability

Many expats first and foremost highlight:

– the quality of the cuisine, fresh produce markets, affordable restaurants

– the climate, especially in the South and islands, with mild winters and sunny summers

– the omnipresent heritage (Italy has 58 UNESCO World Heritage sites, a global record)

– the slower pace of life, priority given to family, meals, and the evening passeggiata

– the ease of traveling all over Europe from Italy, often at low cost

Platforms like InterNations or local French associations play a key role: they help meet other expats, exchange tips for dealing with bureaucracy, find a French-speaking doctor or a French school (there are schools in five cities in the country).

Those who are disappointed: precariousness, salaries, administration, and sometimes hostility

Conversely, some accounts are very harsh. They mention:

There are also strong nuances depending on the region: several expats note that it takes much longer to “break through the shell” in the North, where people are more protective of their private sphere. Once trust is gained, however, many describe friendships of great loyalty.

Finally, some admit to loving Italy without wanting to stay “forever,” citing for example the climate (too hot in summer), a sluggish job market, or fatigue with bureaucracy.

Regional focuses: which profile for which area?

For a French person considering a move, a rough but useful pattern emerges from data and testimonials.

North (Lombardy, Piedmont, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna…)

– Strengths: higher salaries, more dynamic job market, high-performing hospitals, quality services, dense transport infrastructure, close proximity to France (high-speed train to Milan and Turin, land borders).

– Drawbacks: very high housing costs in big cities (Milan comparable to Paris in some areas), higher overall cost of living (food, leisure), colder winters, more stressful pace of life.

Center (Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria, Marche…)

– Strengths: good compromise between services and cost of living, human-sized cities (Florence, Bologna, Perugia) with a very rich cultural life, highly sought-after landscapes (rural Tuscany). Rome remains a culturally vibrant capital but generally more affordable than other comparable European capitals.

– Drawbacks: some very touristy historic centers (Florence) drive rents up; congestion and pollution in Rome; lower salaries than the North for many professions.

South and islands (Campania, Apulia, Calabria, Sicily, Sardinia…)

– Strengths: very low cost of living (especially housing and food), exceptional climate, spectacular coastlines, affordable real estate (often < 1,000–2,000 €/m²), attractive tax schemes (7% flat tax on foreign retirement income in small towns), relaxed pace of life, strong local sociability.

– Drawbacks: fragile job market, low salaries, high youth precariousness, uneven public services (health, transport), longer wait times for hospital care, frequent need to own a car.

Suitable profile: retirees with a French pension, well-paid teleworkers from abroad, families looking for a cheaper life while already having an external income, long-term real estate investors.

Tax peculiarities: advantageous regimes for new residents and retirees

The Italian tax system is complex, mixing a national income tax (IRPEF), regional and municipal surtaxes, VAT, taxes on foreign assets for residents, etc. But to attract talent and capital, Italy has set up several very advantageous regimes for newcomers.

“Impatriate” regime

This regime targets people who transfer their tax residency to Italy (workers, entrepreneurs, freelancers, sometimes high-level athletes) after several years abroad. The new rules, reformed by a decree in late 2023, apply to arrivals from 2024 onward.

The scheme is regulated:

– obligation to remain a resident for at least four consecutive tax years, under penalty of having to repay unduly received benefits

– prior non-tax residency conditions (three years for the general case, more if returning to an employer already present in Italy)

– possibility of an enhanced benefit (extended exemption) if there are dependent minor children residing in Italy

For a highly qualified French person, this regime can significantly reduce the tax bill, especially if settling in an expensive but dynamic region like Lombardy or Emilia-Romagna.

7% flat tax for retirees in the South

Particularly commented on in France, this scheme provides a flat tax of 7% on all foreign-source income (especially pensions) for ten years, for individuals who:

In other words, a French retiree who chooses a small town in Calabria or Sicily will pay 7% tax on their French pension, instead of the standard progressive rates, while enjoying a very low cost of living.

Flat tax for “high net worth individuals” (HNWI)

For very high international incomes, there is also a “non-dom” regime: individuals who have not been Italian tax residents for at least nine of the last ten years can opt for an annual flat tax on their foreign-source income, unrelated to its actual amount.

As of 2026, this flat tax increases to 300,000 €/year (from 200,000 previously), with the option to include family members for 50,000 €/year each. This regime, valid for up to 15 years, explicitly targets large fortunes and international entrepreneurs.

French community and integration: valuable support

Italy regularly ranks in the top 10 preferred destinations for French-speaking expats. Geographic proximity (less than two hours by plane from Paris, TGV connections to Turin and Milan, road border from Nice or Grenoble) and cultural proximity play a major role.

On the ground, the French presence is structured:

Experience reports often emphasize the importance of quickly connecting with these networks: they provide practical advice (French-speaking doctors or lawyers, tips for the residenza, help deciphering local taxes) and also play an essential role in avoiding isolation and cushioning the culture shock.

In summary: for whom is Italy a good idea?

The economic data, well-being indicators, and testimonials converge on a few main points.

Italy can be an excellent choice if:

It can be more challenging if:

– you rely solely on the local job market, especially in the South, in low-skilled sectors;

– you are very sensitive to administrative clarity and speed;

– you associate success with high salaries and rapid career progression.

The key, ultimately, is not to confuse vacation Italy with everyday Italy, to honestly calibrate your budget based on the chosen city, and to rely on data – and experience reports – to turn a crush into a viable life project.

Cyril Jarnias

Cyril Jarnias is an independent expert in international wealth management with over 20 years of experience. As an expatriate himself, he is dedicated to helping individuals and business leaders build, protect, and pass on their wealth with complete peace of mind.

On his website, cyriljarnias.com, he shares his expertise on international real estate, offshore company formation, and expatriation.

Thanks to his expertise, he offers sound advice to optimize his clients' wealth management. Cyril Jarnias is also recognized for his appearances in many prestigious media outlets such as BFM Business, les Français de l’étranger, Le Figaro, Les Echos, and Mieux vivre votre argent, where he shares his knowledge and know-how in wealth management.

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