Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Bologna is the capital of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy, known for its rich history, culture, and cuisine. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is around 400,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is approximately 50-100 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD. Major banks include Unicredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, and ING. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality throughout the city. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include TIM, Vodafone, and Iliad. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Services like Revolut, N26, and Wise are widely accepted. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, Booking.com, and local real estate agencies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in shops, restaurants, and cafes. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and HomeAway are popular for short term rentals. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Villa Margherita and Dune Hotel are good budget options. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Historical city center around Piazza Maggiore. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Bologna city center or areas such as Santo Stefano and Saragozza. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Coworking Sapienza located in Via F. Rizzoli. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafè Terzi is highly recommended for its atmosphere and quality coffee. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Bologna Digital Nomads Meetup actively organizes gatherings. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | International Clubs Bologna hosts regular meetups and events. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | MyTaxi (now Free Now) is the most popular ride-hailing app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bologna's bike-sharing service 'Ciclomedia' is efficient for city transport. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Rimini Beach is a major coastal destination, approximately 1 hour away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Airitaly operates regional flights from Bologna. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and Lufthansa connect Bologna internationally. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E45 and A14 highways provide major road connections. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Bologna Centrale is the primary train station. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bologna offers monthly passes for Bus and Tram services. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains to nearby cities like Florence and Verona (Frecciarossa service). |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Ospedale Maggiore is the main healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga in Bologna offers various classes for all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness First is a popular gym with modern facilities. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Wash & Go provides reliable laundry services in the city center. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Deliveroo and Glovo are the most used food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Tagliatelle al Ragu, a traditional Bolognese pasta dish. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | La Veglia is a top-rated vegan restaurant in Bologna. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Pasticceria Atti is known for its delicious pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercato delle Erbe is a local market offering affordable fresh produce. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Amazon.it and eBay are popular online marketplaces. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Supermercato24 offers grocery delivery services. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The area around Via Zamboni is lively with bars and nightlife. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Birrificio del Ducato focuses on local craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Enoteca Italiana offers a wide selection of Italian wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Mercato di Mezzo features various street food vendors. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pizzeria Ristorante Le Mura offers excellent Italian and international dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Two Towers (Le Due Torri) are iconic symbols of Bologna. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Accademia di Belle Arti houses important art collections. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Basilica di San Petronio is a remarkable historical site. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | San Domenico Basilica is known for its art and architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Bologna Children's Book Fair occurs every April, attracting global visitors. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Quadrilatero is a historical market area with cultural significance. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Arena del Sole is a prominent performing arts venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercato di Mezzo is a vibrant market with local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Locomotiv Club features a dynamic live music scene. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The area around Via Oberdan showcases vibrant street art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cucina Bolognese offers authentic cooking classes for tourists. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galleria d'Arte Moderna exhibits contemporary local art. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Palazzo Comunale showcases Renaissance architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city is known for its rich medieval heritage and important universities. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Colli Bolognesi is a beautiful hilly area ideal for hiking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Parco Regionale dei Laghi di Suviana e Brasimone offers stunning nature. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Giardini Margherita provides scenic walking paths. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | San Luca Sanctuary offers breathtaking views of Bologna. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Parks like Giardini della Montagnola are good for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | The areas near the hills have designated bonfire spots. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Poste Italiane and DHL provide reliable delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech & Go offers comprehensive electronic repairs. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Paddles Club Bologna is a well-known facility for table tennis. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | L'Italiano offers Italian language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Salaborsa is a popular library with study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Civic Center of Bologna hosts various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | GameStop is a gaming lounge with a wide selection. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino di Bologna is the main gaming venue in the city. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €112,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €150,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €184,000). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 24% standard corporate tax rate. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 26% is the tax rate applied to dividend distributions. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Italians are taxed on world income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Maximum personal income tax rate is 43%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard Value Added Tax rate is 22%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules govern taxation of foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation is based on tax value estimates. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Tax applied during property purchases is typically 9%. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Tax benefits for digital nomads include potential exemptions for income earned abroad depending on treaties. |