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General Information

Passport & Visa

European Citizens whose countries are in the Schengen Area can enter Italy on a valid identity card or passport. They include all the countries of the European Union and the European Economic Area: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, United Kingdom, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Bulgaria, Estonia, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Citizens from all other countries must show their passports and, where a visa is required, this must be presented to the border authorities, indicating the length of the holder's stay and his or her destination. Visa applications - specifying the reason for the trip - must be obtained at the Italian Consulate in the applicant's country of residence and are generally issued 90 days after application.

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belarus, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Chad, China, Colombia, Comoro Islands, Congo, Congo (Democratic Republic), Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Dominican (Republic), East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Granada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, Kiribati, Kosovo, Kuwait, Laos, Lebanon, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Maldives, Mali, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Micronesia, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nauru, Nepal, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Palau, Palestinian National Authority, Papua-New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Solomon, Sao Tome and Principe, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Suriname, Swaziland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Western Samoa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe.

Nationals of the following countries do not require a visa for visits up to a maximum of 90 days: Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Macedonia (the Former Yugoslav Republic of), Malaysia, Macao, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Northern Marianas, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Serbia, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan (non-recognized territorial entity), United States, Uruguay, Venezuela.

For additional information see: www.esteri.it

As visa regulations are continuously changing, we strongly recommend you to consult the official website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (www.esteri.it/visti/) for updated and detailed information for foreigners regarding entrance visas for Italy and permits of stay. Information is offered in English and other languages.

Climate & Clothing

August in Milan is relatively hot and sunny. The average low and high temperature in the third week of August is 20 - 30°C, respectively. Light clothing is suitable for day time, and a light jacket may be useful for the night.

Language

In Milan, visited year round by tourists from all over the world, English is currently spoken.

Money

The Italian currency is the Euro, "EUR = €." Exchange rates of participating countries are locked into a common currency.
Notes come in denominations of €500, €200, €100, €50, €20, €10 and €5. Coins are in denominations of €2 and €1, and 50, 20, 10, five, two and one cents.

ATMs

ATMs (known in Italy as bancomat) are widely available in Milan and most will accept cards tied into the Visa, Amex, MasterCard, Cirrus and Maestro systems. As a precaution, though, check that the appropriate logo is displayed on the ATM before inserting your card. Banks opening hours are 08:30 to 13:30 and 14:45 to 15:45, Monday to Friday.

Credit cards

Major cards such as Visa, MasterCard, Eurocard, Cirrus, Amex and Eurocheques are widely accepted.

Travellers cheques

Travellers cheques are accepted almost everywhere. Those in Euros, Pounds Sterling or US Dollars are the easiest to cash.

Taxes & refunds

A value-added tax of around 21% is included in the prize of just about everything in Italy.  Non-EU residents who spend more than €155 at shops with a ‘Tax Free for Tourists’ sticker are entitled to a tax rebate. You will need to fill in a form in the shop and get it stamped by customs as you leave Italy.

Tipping

In Italy service, which usually ranges from 1 to 3 Euros depending on the restaurant, is automatically added to the check and must be visible on the menu. Therefore, there is no need to tip. Normally, however, Italians just round up the bill, by a few Euros.
Hotel staff, such as luggage handlers, happily accepts a small tip. Generally, no other public service workers expect tips. 
Also remember to take your receipt, even if paying cash. It is required by the law as you must be able to prove that you paid and the owner rang it in for tax purposes.

Electricity

Electric appliances in Italy work at 220 volts, CA. 50 Hz and plugs conform to the European system of round pins with two holes.

Useful facts

Population: 1.331.807 inhabitants
Area: 181,76 km²
Time: GMT/UTC + 1 hour (+ 2 hours in summer)
Telephone area code: +39(02)
Emergency numbers: Dial 112 for Police, 118 for Ambulance, and 115 for Fire.
Airports: Malpensa (MPX) 45 km , Linate (LNT) 7.5 km and Orio al Serio (BGY) 45 km.
Smoking: Nationwide smoking ban in bars and restaurants.
Water: Tap water is safe everywhere.

Enjoying Milan with your kids

Your children will like this city as much as you will. Milan offers children-friendly spaces and events.