Essentials
- Internet Speed
- 95 Mbps average, Fiber optics widely available in the city center via Open Fiber.
- Currency & Banking
- 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks include UniCredit and BPER Banca (headquartered in Modena).
- Tap Water
- Drinkable and high quality (Acqua del rubinetto).
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C, F, and L sockets.
- SIM Card
- Iliad (Via Emilia Centro), TIM, and Vodafone (Piazza Grande). Approx. €10-€15 for 100GB+.
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut and Wise are widely used; BPER Banca for local accounts.
- Accommodation
- Viale Storchi apartments and residential zones like Buon Pastore.
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, contactless payments accepted in most shops and restaurants (POS terminal mandatory by law).
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb and Booking.com; average studio €900-€1,200/month.
- Budget Accommodation
- Ostello San Filippo Neri (Via Sant'Orsola, 52) - €30-€40/night.
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Centro Storico around the Duomo and Piazza Grande.
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Sant'Agnese or Buon Pastore for a quieter vibe and local parks.
- Population
- 185,000
- City
- Modena, Emilia-Romagna, Italy
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- Impact Hub Modena (Via Araldi, 196) - Day pass €25, Monthly €200.
- Best Cafe for Work
- Caffè dell'Orologio (Piazza d'Armi) or 212 (Via Galileo Galilei).
- Networking Events
- Modena Smart Life (Annual digital culture festival).
- Social Events for Expats
- Modena International Women’s Group and 'Expats in Modena' Facebook group meetups.
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- App Taxi or itTaxi (Uber is limited to Uber Black).
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- C'è Bici (Municipal bike sharing) and Tier/Dott for scooters.
- Best Beach Nearby
- Rimini or Riccione (approx. 1 hour 15 mins by train).
- Top Regional Airline
- Air Dolomiti (operating from nearby Bologna Airport).
- Top International Airline
- ITA Airways and Ryanair (Bologna BLQ Hub).
- Highway Access
- A1 (Autostrada del Sole) connects Milan and Rome; A22 for Brennero.
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Stazione di Modena (Piazza Dante Alighieri).
- Public Transport Passes
- SETA Modena; monthly pass €35 (under 26/student discounts available).
- Regional Travel
- Trenitalia (Regional and Frecciarossa) and Italo for high-speed travel.
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Policlinico di Modena (Via del Pozzo, 71).
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- Yoga Dinamico Modena (Via dei Fonditori, 12).
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- Vip Center Modena (Via de' Polli) or Virgin Active (Corso Cavour).
- Laundry Services
- Lavanderia Self-Service Bloomest (Via Giardini, 372).
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Deliveroo, Just Eat, and Glovo.
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Tortellini in Brodo and Gnocco Fritto with local salumi.
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- Botaniq (Via delle Maestre, 34) - Plant-based specialty.
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pasticceria d'Avia (Via Emilia Centro) for Torta Barozzi.
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Mercato Albinelli (Via Albinelli, 13) - Historical indoor market.
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.it and Esselunga a Casa.
- Grocery Delivery
- Esselunga or Everli (delivers from Conad and Coop).
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Via Gallucci - the heart of late-night student and local bars.
- Local Brewery
- Birrificio Vecchia Orsa (Shop/Taproom nearby in San Giovanni in Persiceto).
- Wine Bars
- Archer (Via Cesare Battisti, 54) - Excellent selection of Lambrusco.
- Street Food Stalls
- Antica Cornetteria (Via Gallucci) for late night snacks.
- Popular International Cuisine
- Kobe (Japanese/Sushi) and Jiaozi (Chinese Dumplings) on Via Emilia.
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Ghirlandina Tower and Modena Cathedral (UNESCO World Heritage).
- Museums & Art Venues
- Museo Enzo Ferrari (Via Paolo Ferrari, 85).
- Historical Sites
- Palazzo Ducale (Piazza Roma) - Military Academy seat.
- Religious Sites
- Duomo di Modena (Piazza Grande).
- Annual Events
- Festival della Filosofia (September) and Motor Valley Fest (May).
- Cultural Districts
- Ago Modena Fabbriche Culturali (Ex-hospital creative hub).
- Theater Venues
- Teatro Comunale Pavarotti-Freni (Via del Teatro, 8).
- Local Markets
- Antiques Market (4th weekend of the month in Piazza Grande).
- Music Scene
- Off Modena (Via Monti) for live indie/electronic music.
- Street Art
- Mural by Ericailcane (Via dei Mulini).
- Cooking Classes
- Modena Food Lab (Via G.B. Amici, 63).
- Art Galleries
- Gallerie Estensi (Largo Porta Sant'Agostino, 337).
- Historic Buildings
- Manifattura Tabacchi (Refurbished industrial building).
- Local Heritage
- Traditional Balsamic Vinegar of Modena production (Acetaie).
Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Parco Regionale dei Sassi di Rocca Malatina (30 mins drive).
- National Parks Nearby
- Appennino Tosco-Emiliano National Park.
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- Percorso Natura Secchia - long river-side trail for cycling.
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Top of the Ghirlandina Tower (€3 entry).
- Birdwatching Locations
- Oasi La Piastraia (near the Panaro river).
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Not permitted in city parks; allowed in designated Appennine campsites.
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- Poste Italiane (Via delle Orsole) and DHL Express Point.
- Tech Repair Services
- Juice Modena (Apple Authorized Reseller, Via Emilia Centro).
- Table Tennis Spots
- Polisportiva Villa d'Oro.
- Language Classes
- Romanica (Via delle Torri, 5) - Italian for foreigners.
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Biblioteca Delfini (Corso Canalgrande, 103).
- Community Centers
- La Tenda (Viale Molza) - Music and social projects.
- Gaming Lounges
- Nexus E-sports (Via Bazzini).
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Admiral Interactive (Viale Italia).
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €152,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €88,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,500 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €210,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €2,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €120,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €3,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €256,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Approx. €1,900 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €152,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 24% (IRES) + approx. 3.9% (IRAP) regional tax.
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 26% standard rate.
- Tax System
- Worldwide income basis for residents (residency > 183 days).
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 43% for income over €50,000.
- VAT
- 22% standard; 10% or 4% for food and essential services.
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- Yes, Italian Tax Code (TUIR) applies rules for low-tax jurisdictions.
- Property Tax
- IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica), exempt for primary residence except luxury.
- Property Transaction Tax
- 2% for primary residence registration; 9% for second homes.
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- New 'Digital Nomad Visa' and 'Lavoratori Impatriati' (70-90% tax exemption for remote workers moving to Italy).