Is Italy Safe? Essential Safety Guidance for Expats in 2026  

Yes, Italy is a safe country for expats, immigrants, families, and long-term residents. However, safety does not always mean risk-free, as residents should prepare for risks such as theft, burglary, scams, road accidents, extreme weather, earthquakes, and local differences in public safety. 

The latest full official homicide data available from Istat recorded 327 intentional homicides in Italy in 2024, equivalent to a rate of 0.55 victims per 100,000 inhabitants. This is drastically lower than the US’s 5.1 per 100,000 inhabitants in the same year. Istat described Italy as remaining among the European Union countries with the lowest historical homicide risks. 

Expats exploring residency frequently ask about safety in prospective countries when choosing where to relocate, and the good news is that Italy is, in general, a safe country. This is particularly true when comparing the country to the US.

Is Italy Safe? Key Takeaways

Italy is generally safe for long-term residents, although safety varies between regions, cities, neighborhoods, and transport hubs. 

Petty theft, residential burglary, online fraud, rental scams, and road-related risks are far more relevant to residents than violent crime. 

Expats should protect their identity documents, residence permits, tax information, bank details, and accommodation records. 

Women and families have access to legal protections and support services, and the emergency number for police, fire, or medical assistance is 112. 

Italy’s Entry/Exit System, or EES, became fully operational on 10 April 2026 for covered non-EU short-stay visitors. Holders of Italian residence permits, and long-stay visas are exempt from EES registration. 

Safety is only one part of an immigration decision. Visa eligibility, residence permit obligations, healthcare access, taxation, housing, and employment rights also require careful planning. 

Italy is, in general, a safe country for expats. The country has very low levels of violence, but residents can face non-violent and location-specific problems, but this is rare. This includes petty theft and other forms of non-violent crime. The 2026 Global Peace Index placed Italy 35th globally. This ranking indicates a safe country with a low tendency for violence as well as involvement in conflicts.  

Reported crime differs significantly between provinces and urban areas. Large cities and transport centers record more theft and fraud because they contain larger transient populations, busy stations, nightlife districts, and high volumes of visitors. For an expat choosing accommodation, the safety of the specific municipality and neighborhood is more relevant than Italy’s national ranking. 

New residents should research: 

• Street lighting and transport connections around the proposed home 
• Local crime reports and municipal services 
• Floods, landslides, wildfires, earthquakes, or volcanic risks in the area 
• Access to hospitals, pharmacies, schools, and police stations 
• Whether the property has secure doors, shutters, alarms, and reliable locks 
• The reputation of the landlord, estate agent, or employer 

Women, families, and vulnerable residents 

Italy has laws and public services addressing domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual violence. Nevertheless, these risks cannot be minimized by describing Italy as uniformly safe for women. A person experiencing immediate danger should call 112. 

The national 1522 service provides free, anonymous support for women affected by gender-based violence and stalking. It operates 24 hours a day throughout Italy and helps in several languages, including English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and German. The service can direct callers to anti-violence centers, shelters, and social or health services. 

Women moving to Italy should keep copies of identity documents, maintain access to independent funds and communication devices, and identify local support services before an emergency occurs. Parents and guardians should also learn about the emergency procedures used by their municipality, school, workplace, or accommodation provider. 

Theft, burglary, and scams 

Theft can occur in crowded city centers, railway stations, airports, buses, metro systems, markets, festivals, and nightlife areas. Residents may also encounter residential burglaries, fraudulent rental listings, fake employment offers, phishing messages, and scams involving immigration documents or appointments. 

Practical precautions include: 

• Keep your passport, residence permit, codice fiscale, bank cards, and other identity documents in secure locations. 
• Carry a copy of important documents while keeping the originals safely stored when possible. 
• Use a crossbody bag or a zipped bag in crowded places. 
• Do not leave phones, laptops, wallets, or bags unattended in cafés, cars, or shared accommodation. 
• Verify rental agreements, property ownership, registration details, and payment instructions before transferring money. 
• Never send passport scans or bank information to an unverified landlord, recruiter, intermediary, or social-media account. 
• Use two-factor authentication and separate passwords for email, banking, government, and immigration accounts. 
• Check bank statements and payment notifications regularly. 
• If a bank card or identity document is lost, contact the relevant provider and report the loss promptly. 

Be cautious with unsolicited help involving ATMs, ticket machines, card terminals, or immigration paperwork. Residents should also avoid accepting drinks or food from people they do not know and should seek urgent medical assistance or police help if they believe they have been drugged or robbed. 

Emergency numbers 

Italy’s single emergency number is 112. It is free to call and connects the caller with the appropriate emergency service. The traditional service numbers remain available for specific situations.

It is often better to call 112 rather than trying to determine which emergency authority is responsible. When calling, provide the exact address or location, explain what happened, and state whether anyone is injured or in immediate danger. 

Overall, Italy is a safe country, and this extends to everyday safety like public transport, driving, and climate. It is, in many regards, safer than the US, with much lower rates of crime. We explain what to watch out for, and how to stay safe in Italy: 

Public transport 

Italy’s trains, metro systems, buses, trams, and ferries are widely used by residents and are practical for commuting. The main safety issues that may be encountered are overcrowding, theft, poorly lit areas around stations, strikes, and service interruptions. 

Long-term residents should learn how their local transport authority handles ticket validation, fines, lost property, and service alerts. Transport strikes are a recurring feature of Italian public life, so commuters should check official notices before important appointments. 

Roads and driving 

Road safety is an important consideration for expats, particularly those living outside major cities. Mountain roads may be narrow and winding, while urban areas can involve scooters, bicycles, pedestrians, restricted traffic zones, and heavy congestion. 

Residents who drive should: 

• Confirm that their license is valid in Italy and determine whether it must be converted 
• Obtain the legally required vehicle insurance and documentation 
• Learn the rules for ZTL restricted traffic zones before driving into historic centers 
• Wear helmets when using motorcycles or scooters 
• Never drive while tired, distracted, or under the influence of alcohol 
• Use extra caution in rain, fog, snow, and mountainous areas 
• Check for road closures, landslides, flooding, and winter equipment requirements 

Do not assume that a foreign driving license, international permit, or vehicle insurance automatically remains valid after establishing Italian residence. Requirements depend on the issuing country and your immigration status. 

Protests, strikes, and public disorder 

Demonstrations and strikes can affect public transport, airports, schools, hospitals, roads, and government offices. Most are peaceful, but a gathering can become congested or disruptive. 

Residents should monitor local authority, transport operator, airport, and employer announcements. Avoid entering a demonstration simply to observe it, keep identification secure, and follow police instructions. If a protest is taking place near your home or workplace, use an alternative route to avoid confrontations. 

Climate and natural hazards 

Italy’s regional climate creates different risks across the country. Depending on the location, residents may encounter heatwaves, wildfires, flooding, landslides, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic activity, and severe storms. Before signing a long-term lease, research the property’s exposure to: 

• Flooding or river overflows 
• Landslides and coastal erosion. 
• Wildfires in rural or island areas 
• Earthquakes in seismically active zones 
• Volcanic or ash-related disruption 
• Extreme heat and poor air quality 

Follow instructions from the local municipality and Civil Protection authorities. Keep water, medication, a torch, power banks, copies of essential documents, and basic emergency supplies at home. Residents should also know how to receive official alerts and where the nearest evacuation or emergency-assembly point is located. 

For hiking, skiing, boating, or climbing, use marked routes, check weather conditions, carry appropriate equipment, and share your route with someone you trust. A private accident or adventure-sports policy may be useful because ordinary health insurance does not necessarily cover every rescue or sporting incident. 

Online and financial security 

Expats are targets for scams involving accommodation, jobs, visas, residence permits, tax refunds, parcel deliveries, and bank accounts. Criminals may impersonate landlords, employers, police officers, consulates, immigration advisers, or public authorities. 

Do not pay for a residence permit, appointment, job, or property through an unverifiable link. You should always confirm official contact details independently, avoid sending one-time banking codes to anyone, and keep written records of payments and applications. 

Healthcare for residents 

Healthcare access depends on nationality, residence status, permit type, employment, registration, and regional procedures. New residents should contact the relevant local health authority, known as the ASL, to determine whether they can register with Italy’s National Health Service, the SSN, or whether they need private or other qualifying insurance. 

The European Health Insurance Card is designed for medically necessary treatment during a temporary stay for eligible people insured in an EU, EEA, or Swiss system. It is not a general substitute for arranging healthcare coverage after moving to Italy permanently. 

Once registered with the SSN, eligible residents can access the Italian healthcare system under the applicable regional rules. However, residents should expect administrative steps involving their residence documentation, codice fiscale, local address, and choice of doctor. 

Medication 

Before moving, check whether each prescription medicine is available in Italy and whether it contains a controlled or specially regulated substance. Bring medication in its original packaging, retain a copy of the prescription and a doctor’s letter, and ask the Italian consulate or competent Italian health authority about import requirements. 

Do not assume that a foreign brand name will be recognized by an Italian pharmacy. Keep a list of the active ingredients and required dosage and arrange continuity of treatment before supplies run low. 

The correct immigration route depends on your nationality, employment, income, family circumstances, qualifications, and intended activities in Italy: 

• Digital nomad or remote-worker visa: The rules for the Italy Digital Nomad Visa distinguish between self-employed digital nomads and remote workers. Applicants must demonstrate highly qualified work, sufficient lawful income, suitable accommodation, health insurance, and at least six months of relevant remote work experience. The official guidance states that the visa may be valid for up to 365 days and that the holder must apply for a residence permit at the Questura (police headquarters) within eight working days of arrival. 
• Elective Residence Visa: The Elective Residence Visa is intended for applicants with substantial, stable private income, and a genuine intention to reside in Italy. It does not authorize employment in Italy, so applicants cannot rely on Italian work income to support the application or residence. 
• Investor Visa: The official Investor Visa for Italy, also called the Italy Golden Visa, is a renewable visa for non-EU nationals who make a qualifying investment. The listed routes include €2 million in Italian government bonds, €500,000 in an Italian limited company, €250,000 in an Italian innovative startup, or a €1 million donation to a philanthropic initiative. 
• Employment, family, and study routes: These have separate eligibility rules, documentation requirements, and residence permit procedures. A tourist stay does not automatically convert into the right to work or live in Italy long term. 

Non-EU nationals entering Italy on a national long-stay visa must apply for the relevant permesso di soggiorno within eight working days of arrival. The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirms that the residence permit is obtained through the relevant Questura and renewed in Italy. 

The EES became fully operational on 10 April 2026. It records the travel and biometric data of covered non-EU nationals entering or leaving participating European countries for short stays and replaces passport stamping for those covered by the system. 

The EES does not apply to non-EU nationals who hold a residence permit or long-stay visa. Those residents should travel with their valid passport, visa, residence card, or official residence documentation and should verify requirements before crossing an external Schengen border.