Italy is one of the most popular study destinations in Europe. Well-regarded universities, a warm and welcoming culture, moderate living costs, a wide range of institutions and access to government and university scholarships all help explain why. Studying in Italy can also lead to permanent residence, or serve as a stepping stone to a second move to countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom or Germany.
If you are applying for an Italy student visa, or you are about to travel there to start a course, this guide to the cost of living in Italy for students will help you budget properly.
Why study in Italy
Before we look at student living costs in Italy, it is worth asking what the country offers beyond its internationally ranked universities.
- Moderate and varied tuition fees
- A range of scholarships that cover living costs
- Part-time work rights for students
- Access to strong teaching and research resources
- High cultural value and a good quality of life
- The option to live and look for work in other EU and Schengen countries later
Best subjects to study in Italy
| Field | Leading universities |
|---|---|
| Engineering & Tech | Politecnico di Milano, Politecnico di Torino, Sapienza Rome, Padua |
| Business & Economics | LUISS Rome, Sapienza, Bologna, Tor Vergata Rome |
| MBA / Business Administration | POLIMI Graduate School of Management (Politecnico di Milano) |
| Arts, Design & Architecture | Politecnico di Milano, Florence, Bologna, Iuav Venice |
| Arts & Humanities | Sapienza Rome, Padua, Milan |
| Medicine & Life Sciences | Padua, Bologna, Sapienza Rome, Vita-Salute San Raffaele Milan |
| Physical & Natural Sciences | Bologna, Padua, Pisa |
| IT & Computer Science | Turin, Sapienza Rome, Pisa, Trento |
Tuition and living costs in Italy
Student living costs in Italy are lower than in other Western European countries such as France, Germany or the Netherlands, and Numbeo breaks the figures down city by city. With that in mind, here is how the main costs of studying and living in Italy compare across the major cities.
University tuition fees
Public universities in Italy charge little or nothing, and fees for non-EU students top out at roughly EUR 5,000 a year. Private universities charge between EUR 3,000 and EUR 35,000 a year. A regional DSU scholarship or another public award can cover the fees in full and add a maintenance grant on top.
Student accommodation costs
Accommodation means either a hall of residence or a rented flat. Budget EUR 250 to EUR 500 a month for a public hall of residence, EUR 300 to EUR 700 a month for a private hall in cities such as Bologna or Florence, and EUR 400 to EUR 850 a month for a student flat in Milan or Rome.
Read more: Italy regional scholarships explained
Day-to-day student costs
Food, transport and leisure add to the monthly total. Typical figures are as follows:
- Supermarket shopping: EUR 150 to EUR 350 a month
- A meal out: EUR 15 to EUR 25, including a drink
- Monthly city transport pass: EUR 25 to EUR 45, depending on the city
- Books and course materials: EUR 40 to EUR 50 a month
- Mobile and internet: EUR 28 to EUR 50 a month
- Cinema, cafes and sport: EUR 30 to EUR 40 a week
- SSN health cover for non-EU students: EUR 150 a year
Average cost of living in Italy for students
| City | Accommodation | Transport | Internet | Entertainment | Average total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milan | EUR 400-800 | EUR 25-50 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 700-1,200 |
| Rome | EUR 350-700 | EUR 25-50 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 700-1,200 |
| Bologna | EUR 300-600 | EUR 25-40 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 625-1,220 |
| Turin | EUR 250-500 | EUR 25-35 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 600-1,085 |
| Naples | EUR 200-450 | EUR 25-30 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 625-1,030 |
| Florence | EUR 300-600 | EUR 25-40 | EUR 50-100 | EUR 100-200 | EUR 700-1,240 |
Practical points for students living in Italy
A few things are worth keeping in mind when you plan your budget. Accommodation costs vary widely, whether you take a hall place, share a flat or rent a room on your own, and larger cities are generally more expensive.
Transport costs cover city travel passes and public transport, and students often qualify for a discount. Alongside internet, remember utility bills for electricity, gas and water.
The average monthly cost of living for a student in Italy, excluding tuition, is between EUR 700 and EUR 1,200 in the larger cities. In cheaper cities such as Bologna, Turin and Naples the figure runs from about EUR 600 to EUR 1,200.
To bring the cost of student life in Italy down, consider the following, depending on your circumstances and how you prefer to live:
- A hall of residence can cost up to 40% less than renting a flat.
- Use student discounts on transport, leisure and restaurants.
- Shop at discount supermarkets such as Lidl and Esselunga.
- Buy a monthly student transport pass rather than single tickets.
- Use second-hand books, online resources or digital subscriptions.
- Take part-time work of up to 20 hours a week if you want to.
Read more: A complete guide to studying in Italy
Best cities in Italy for students
Milan is Italy’s largest and most developed city, and one of the most expensive places to study for international students without a euro income. A student in Milan spends between EUR 850 and EUR 1,450 a month on rent, food, transport, utilities, internet and everything else.
Rents in Milan are high, particularly near universities such as Politecnico di Milano and Bocconi. A hall of residence place costs roughly EUR 400 to EUR 800 a month.
Naples, by contrast, is one of the most affordable university cities in Italy. Student living costs there run from EUR 500 to EUR 950 a month, which suits many international students.
The University of Naples Federico II is one of the oldest and most respected universities in Europe, and its fees are well below those of universities in the north. Rent or a hall place in Naples costs between EUR 200 and EUR 450, and everyday costs such as food, transport and groceries are also below the national average.
Study in Italy with Aval Visa
The cost of living in Italy for students is manageable. With a scholarship or adequate personal funds you can cover it comfortably and concentrate on your course.
For admission to an Italian university, help with forms and the student visa process, including embassy appointments and choosing a university that matches your grades and budget, contact the Aval Visa team. If you are also considering universities in Germany, France, the Netherlands, Austria or Finland, our student visa advisers can take on the whole file.
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a language certificate to study in Italy? Yes. Depending on the programme you will need IELTS Academic or an Italian language certificate.
- Which levels of study are eligible for scholarships in Italy? Scholarships are available for bachelor’s degrees and all postgraduate levels, as well as Italian language and culture courses and specialist psychotherapy institutes.
- Are private or public universities better in Italy? It depends on your subject, career plans and budget. Public universities are internationally recognised and give access to government scholarships. Private universities charge more but often offer stronger international links and more support with employment after graduation.
