Essentials
- City
- Brescia, Lombardy, Italy
- Population
- Approximately 197,000
- Internet Speed
- Average 95 Mbps (Fiber available widely via Open Fiber)
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include Intesa Sanpaolo and Unicredit.
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Fontanelle available throughout the city)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/F/L sockets
- SIM Card
- TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, and Iliad (Iliad offers 150GB for €9.99/month)
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut, Wise, and Fineco Bank are popular for low fees
- Accommodation
- Average 1-bedroom apartment: €700 - €950 per month
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted in 95% of establishments; small cafes may prefer cash for coffee
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agency SoloAffitti
- Budget Accommodation
- Ostello di Brescia (approx. €30-€40/night)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Storico (near Piazza della Loggia and the Roman Forum)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Carmine District (vibrant, central) or Mompiano (quieter, well-connected by Metro)
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Talent Garden Brescia (Via S. Eustacchio, 15) - Approx. €20/day or €250/month
- Best Cafe for Work
- Cheesecake & Coffee (Via Pace, 25) - Laptop friendly with power outlets
- Networking Events
- CSMT Innovative Community events at University of Brescia campus
- Social Events for Expats
- Brescia Expats Facebook Group and 'Language Exchange Brescia' meetups at local bars
Other Services and Amenities
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Admiral Interactive (Porta Venezia area)
- Gaming Lounges
- PC Hunters (Via Mantova)
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Poste Italiane, DHL Express Point, Amazon Lockers
- Tech Repair Services
- iRiparo Brescia (Via Francesco Crispi)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Centro Sportivo San Filippo
- Language Classes
- CLA (Centro Linguistico di Ateneo) - University of Brescia
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Queriniana (Via Musei, 13)
- Community Centers
- MO.CA - Centro per le nuove culture (Via Moretto, 78)
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,100 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €124,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €76,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €168,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,750 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €105,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €2,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €208,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,600 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €128,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24% IRES + 3.9% IRAP (Total approx. 27.9%)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 26% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (>183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 43% for income over €50,000
- VAT
- 22% standard rate
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applicable under Legislative Decree n. 142/2018
- Property Tax
- IMU (not applicable to primary residence unless luxury)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% for primary residence, 9% for others (plus fixed mortgage/cadastral taxes)
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Flat tax for new residents (Substitute tax of €100k) or 'Lavoratori Impatriati' (up to 70-90% tax exemption)
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Free Now (mytaxi) and local RadioTaxi Brescia (+39 030 35111)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Bicimia (City bike sharing) - €10/year subscription; Dott or Tier for e-scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Desenzano del Garda, Lake Garda (20 mins by train)
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Dolomiti (operating from nearby Verona or Milan)
- Top International Airline
- Ryanair (Main hub at Bergamo Orio al Serio, 45km away)
- Highway Access
- A4 (Milan-Venice) and A21 (Brescia-Piacenza)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Brescia Railway Station (High-speed Frecciarossa/Italo connections)
- Public Transport Passes
- Brescia Mobilità: Single ticket €1.50, Monthly pass €35.00
- Regional Travel
- Trenord for regional Lombardy travel; Arriva buses for Lake Garda
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Spedali Civili di Brescia (Piazzale Spedali Civili, 1) - Major public research hospital
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Essere Yoga e Benessere (Via S. Rocchino, 46)
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Virgin Active Brescia (Via Fura, 12) - Approx. €80/month; YouFit Brescia - €35/month
- Laundry Services
- Lavapiù Self Service (Via Musei or Via San Faustino)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Glovo
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Casoncelli alla Bresciana (stuffed pasta with butter and sage)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Capre e Cavoli (Via Arnaldo da Brescia, 3)
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pasticceria Veneto (Via Simone Martini, 3) - Home of world-famous Iginio Massari
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercato del Sabato (Saturday Market) at Piazza Loggia/Victoria
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.it, Esselunga a Casa
- Grocery Delivery
- Esselunga Online, Everli
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Piazzale Arnaldo (the hub for 'Aperitivo')
- Local Brewery
- Birra di Classe or Birrificio Bad Lù
- Wine Bars
- I Nazionali (Via S. Faustino, 5) for Franciacorta tasting
- Street Food Stalls
- Elighes (Sardinian street food, Via S. Faustino)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Wabisabi (Japanese, Via Capriolo)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Tempio Capitolino (Roman Temple) and Santa Giulia Museum
- Museums & Art Venues
- Pinacoteca Tosio Martinengo
- Historical Sites
- Brescia Castle (Castello di Brescia) overlooking the city
- Religious Sites
- Duomo Vecchio (Rotonda) and Duomo Nuovo
- Annual Events
- Mille Miglia (historical car race starting in Brescia every May/June)
- Cultural Districts
- Santa Giulia District (UNESCO World Heritage area)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Grande (Corso Giuseppe Zanardelli, 9)
- Local Markets
- Campagna Amica Coldiretti (Farmer's market at Largo Torrelunga)
- Music Scene
- Latteria Molloy (Via Marziale Ducos, 2)
- Street Art
- Murals in the Quartiere Carmine area
- Cooking Classes
- Cast Alimenti (professional and amateur courses)
- Art Galleries
- Galleria Massimo Minini (Via Apollonio, 68)
- Historic Buildings
- Palazzo della Loggia
- Local Heritage
- The 'Lioness of Italy' (Leonessa d'Italia) title for historical bravery
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Monte Maddalena (accessible via hiking trails from the city)
- National Parks Nearby
- Parco Regionale dell'Adamello (1.5 hours north)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Greenway delle Valli Resilienti or the Oglio River Cycle Path
- Scenic Viewpoints
- The keep of Brescia Castle at sunset
- Birdwatching Locations
- Torbiere del Sebino Reserve (near Lake Iseo, 25 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted in city limits; designated BBQ zones in Parco della Mitria