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Why book with us?Find out what currency is used in Italy.
Local currency
Italy uses the Euro (EUR).
Currency exchange
Foreign currency exchange services are available at banks, tourist offices, post offices in cities and some of the larger hotels. There are also bureaux de change, but they tend to charge much higher commission and fees.
For awareness, you can see current conversion rates at xe.com.
The first thing to do, though, is to check with your own bank about what their rules are for using your bank card and money abroad. These days, there's often a free allowance for cash withdrawal up to a certain limit and no fee for foreign card transactions.
Alternatively, various banks and large FinTechs, such as Wise and Revolut, allow you to convert currency very cheaply and quickly. They will also issue you with a card for ATM withdrawals. This is a good option if you don't want to bring your domestic bank cards abroad with you.
Credit cards and payments
In Italy, all businesses are legally required to accept card payments – even small businesses. However, in practice, it doesn't always work like this. It's a good idea to have a sensible amount of cash on you just in case, especially in rural areas.
Most major brands of credit and debit cards, like Visa and Mastercard, are accepted widely, but local debit cards and Amex credit cards may decline. You'll find that mobile payments, like Apple Pay, are also widely accepted throughout the country.
ATMs
ATMs are points where you can withdraw cash. The Italian for ATM is "bancomat".
They can be found adjacent to many banks and near busy public places, like shopping centres and central train stations. You can withdraw cash using major credit cards or debit cards with a 4-digit PIN.
Banking fees for ATM withdrawals and foreign transactions vary widely. So please check the rates with your own bank before travelling. Please also be aware that, even if your own bank won't charge you a fee from their side for any cash withdrawals, the operator of the ATM machine may still charge a separate fee.
