Know Before You Go to Rome: Money, Driving, Health and Local Laws

According to the U.S. State Department, U.S. citizens can stay in Italy for 90 days without a tourist or business visa. The passport is the part to check first: it must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned date of departure from the Schengen area, and a passport that has ever been reported lost or stolen, or is expired, can lead to denied entry.

At a glance

• Entry papers: a valid U.S. passport, valid at least 3 months beyond the planned departure from the Schengen area (6 months recommended), with 2 blank pages for the entry stamp
• Stay without a visa: 90 days
• Cash limit at the border: 10,000 euros on entry and on exit, or equivalent
• Vaccinations: no vaccination requirements
• Health insurance: U.S. Medicare or Medicaid don’t work abroad
• Emergency number: 112

Is Rome safe for travelers?

Petty crime is common, especially in popular tourist locations and on public transportation, including trains. Italy has a moderate rate of crime, and although there are incidents of theft, violent crimes are rare. Most crimes against foreigners are crimes of opportunity, like purse snatching, pickpocketing and car break-ins. Most reported thefts occur at crowded tourist sites, on buses, metros and trains, at major metro and railway stations, at airports, and from cars parked in city centers and tourist sites.

Organized groups of thieves and pickpockets operate at major tourist destinations, in train stations, bars and cafes. Thieves on motor scooters regularly snatch purses or bags off pedestrians, and resisting can be dangerous. Never leave baggage unattended in a car, including in a closed trunk. Demonstrations can be unpredictable, so avoid areas around protests and demonstrations. Strikes and other work stoppages often affect airlines, airports, trains and buses. If you’re traveling during a strike, reconfirm your reservations and check with your carrier. Before leaving the hotel, keep bags zipped and in front of you in crowded places.

Does your health insurance work in Rome?

U.S. Medicare or Medicaid don’t work abroad, so make sure your insurance plan works abroad. Hospitals and doctors often require payment up front prior to service or admission. Check with your insurer before the trip how a claim works from Italy.

Supplemental insurance to cover medical evacuation is strongly recommended.

Ambulance services are widely available. Foreigners can bring up to 30 days’ worth of personal medications into Italy, according to Italy’s Ministry of Health. Bring a copy of your prescription.

Can you drive in Rome with a U.S. license?

Seat belt use is mandatory in Italy. When driving outside of cities, you must always use headlights. In autumn and winter, you must have winter tires or snow chains on certain roads, especially in mountainous regions. Ask the rental company what the car carries for the season.

Authorities fine drivers without the proper permits in historic downtown areas of cities and towns across Italy. Cameras take pictures of license plates for cars driving illegally in areas that need a permit, and the fines are sent to the driver’s home in the United States. Ask your hotel and the rental company about permit zones before driving into the center of Rome.

Drivers often pass on superhighways (autostrada) at high speeds. Rural roads are generally narrow and often have no guardrails and inconsistent speed limits. If authorities stop you driving a car registered abroad, you must pay the ticket immediately under certain conditions, so be prepared to pay in cash in local currency.

Which local laws surprise visitors in Rome?

Tourists can be fined or detained for buying counterfeit goods (usually fashion accessories), defacing historic monuments, and using aerial drones. Many cities in Italy have rules for fountains and monuments that ban activities like eating, drinking, sitting, or bathing. There are also restrictions on drinking alcohol after certain hours.

Before boarding a train, bus or metro, you must validate your ticket at a machine, usually near the entrance. If you don’t, an inspector may fine you. If you don’t pay right away, the fine will double and be sent to your home address. Tickets are sold at tobacco stores, kiosks, or through apps or SMS, and some buses and trams accept contactless bank cards on board.

Should you use cash or cards in Rome?

Entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica is free of charge. Registration for groups of more than 4 visitors with their own guide costs €1.50 per visitor. Public toilets in the main stations cost €1, so keep a few coins handy.

Italy sets a 10,000 euro currency limit on entry and on exit, or equivalent. Cash in local currency is also what you need if you’re stopped while driving a car registered abroad and have to pay a ticket on the spot.

What are the emergency numbers in Rome?

• Single emergency number: 112, free and dialable without any prefix
• State Police: 113 (accidents, thefts, etc.)
• Fire brigade: 115 (fires, weather emergencies)
• Urgent and emergency medical attention: 118
• Roadside assistance, Automobile Club d’Italia (ACI), at all hours: 803.116
• U.S. Embassy Rome, Via Vittorio Veneto, 121, 00187 Rome: main and after-hours emergency telephone +39-06-4674-1