Business
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, applied to low-tax jurisdictions
- Property Tax
- IMU (Municipal property tax) - not applicable to primary residence unless luxury
- Property Transaction Tax
- Registration tax: 2% for first home, 9% for others; plus cadastral taxes
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Italy Digital Nomad Visa/Permit (introduced 2024); Worker Repatriation Scheme (Lavoratori Impatriati) offers 50% tax exemption for 5 years
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €232,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €140,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €312,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €192,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €5,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €400,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €240,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24% (IRES) + 3.9% (IRAP regional tax)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 26% standard rate
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (more than 183 days)
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 43% for income over €50,000
- VAT
- 22% standard rate; reduced rates for food/books
Essentials
- City
- Florence, Tuscany, Italy
- Population
- 382,000 (Metropolitan: 1,000,000+)
- Internet Speed
- 95 Mbps average; Fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) widely available in city center
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD; Euro (€) used. Widely digital but carry small cash for markets
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Public fountains 'Nasoni' provide free cold water)
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, F, and L sockets
- SIM Card
- Iliad (Via degli Speziali 6) - €9.99/mo for 150GB; TIM or Vodafone for better regional coverage
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are best; Unicredit or Intesa Sanpaolo for local residency
- Accommodation
- Airbnb, HousingAnywhere, or local agents like Apartments Florence
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted almost everywhere, including most coffee shops
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb (€1,800/mo avg), The Student Hotel / Social Hub (€1,200 - €1,600/mo)
- Budget Accommodation
- Ostello Bello Firenze (Via Faenza 58) - €45/night for dorms
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Duomo & Piazza della Signoria (Historical Heart)
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Oltrarno (San Frediano/Santo Spirito) for local vibes, or Rifredi for better prices/transit
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Social Hub (Viale Spartaco Lavagnini 70) - €25/day or €250/mo; Multiverso (Via del Campo d'Arrigo 42) - €150/mo
- Best Cafe for Work
- Ditta Artigianale (Via dello Sprone 5) - Reliable WiFi, power outlets, specialty coffee (~€4 per latte)
- Networking Events
- Creative Mornings Florence; Startup Grind Firenze chapters
- Social Events for Expats
- Expats Living in Florence Facebook Group; Weekly language exchanges at Virgin Rock Pub
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- AppTaxi or IT Taxi (Uber is limited to Uber Black/Van and very expensive)
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- Ridemovi (Orange bikes/ebikes) - ~€1.50 per 20 mins; Mimoto for electric scooters
- Best Beach Nearby
- Viareggio (1 hour 20 mins by train, ~€10.50 one way)
- Top Regional Airline
- ITA Airways (operates out of FLR airport)
- Top International Airline
- Air France, KLM, Lufthansa (Connecting via FLR or PSA)
- Highway Access
- A1 Autostrada del Sole (North-South axis connecting Milan and Rome)
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Firenze Santa Maria Novella (SMN)
- Public Transport Passes
- Autolinee Toscane: €1.70 single ticket (90 min), €35 monthly pass
- Regional Travel
- Trenitalia (Regional and Frecciarossa high-speed) to Rome (1.5h) or Bologna (35m)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Ospedale Careggi (Largo Brambilla 3) - Public; Villa Donatello - Private
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Garage (Via de' Pandolfini 22) - English friendly, €20 drop-in
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Swan 77 (Via de' Pepi 77) - Central, ~€80/mo; Virgin Active (Rovezzano) - Premium
- Laundry Services
- Wash & Dry Self Service (Via dei Servi 105) - ~€5 per wash
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Glovo and Deliveroo are the market leaders
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Bistecca alla Fiorentina (market price ~€50-70/kg); Lampredotto (street food ~€5)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- L'OV Osteria Vegetariana (Piazza del Carmine 4R) - ~€25 per person
- Best Dessert Spots
- Gelateria Dei Neri (Via dei Neri 9) - Try the Ricotta and Fig gelato
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercato di Sant'Ambrogio (Fresh produce, much cheaper than San Lorenzo)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.it (very fast Prime delivery); Esselunga for online groceries
- Grocery Delivery
- Esselunga a Casa; Carrefour Express online
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Piazza Santo Spirito (Oltrarno) - casual drinks; Santa Croce area - clubs/bars
- Local Brewery
- Birrificio Artigianale Il Mastio; Archea Brewery (Via dei Serragli 44)
- Wine Bars
- Le Volpi e l'Uva (Piazza dei Rossi 1) - High quality, small producers
- Street Food Stalls
- Da Nerbone in Mercato Centrale - iconic lampredotto sandwiches
- Popular International Cuisine
- Koto Ramen (Via Giuseppe Verdi 42); Dim Sum (Via Antonio Magliabechi 9)
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore), Ponte Vecchio, Palazzo Vecchio
- Museums & Art Venues
- Uffizi Gallery (€25); Accademia Gallery (€16 - David statue)
- Historical Sites
- Piazza della Signoria, Palazzo Pitti
- Religious Sites
- Basilica di Santa Croce (Michelangelo/Galileo's tombs); San Miniato al Monte
- Annual Events
- Calcio Storico (June); Scoppio del Carro (Easter Sunday)
- Cultural Districts
- Oltrarno (Artisan workshops and traditional crafts)
- Theater Venues
- Teatro del Maggio Musicale Fiorentino (Opera/Concerts)
- Local Markets
- Mercato delle Cascine (Tuesday mornings - huge general market)
- Music Scene
- Jazz Club Firenze (Via Nuova de' Caccini 3); Viper Theatre (Indie/Rock)
- Street Art
- Clet Abraham's modified street signs; Blub 'L'arte sa nuotare' series
- Cooking Classes
- Desinare (Via de' Serragli 234R)
- Art Galleries
- Galleria Continua (San Gimignano/Florence connections); Street Levels Gallery
- Historic Buildings
- Basilica di San Lorenzo & Medici Chapels
- Local Heritage
- The Giglio (Iris/Lily) flower, symbol of Florence since the 11th century
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Fiesole (20 mins by bus) – Hiking trails with panoramic city views
- National Parks Nearby
- Parco Nazionale delle Foreste Casentinesi (1.5 hours drive)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Parco delle Cascine - longest green lung in the city
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Piazzale Michelangelo - the classic sunset view of the city
- Birdwatching Locations
- Oasi WWF del Bottaccio (45 mins away)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Strictly prohibited in city parks; allowed only in designated BBQ areas in rural Mugello
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Poste Italiane; DHL Express (Via della Cupola 131)
- Tech Repair Services
- Juice (Apple Premium Reseller, Via dei Conti 27)
- Table Tennis Spots
- Circolo Vie Nuove (Viale Giannotti) - local social club
- Language Classes
- British Institute of Florence or Europass Italian Language School
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca delle Oblate (Via dell'Oriuolo 24) - view of the Duomo while studying
- Community Centers
- Manifattura Tabacchi (Urban regeneration space with events/workshops)
- Gaming Lounges
- Multiple arcade/VR centers available in Novoli district
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Admiral Interactive (Viale Fratelli Rosselli) - strictly regulated