Italy Travel Warning

Italy Travel Warning

TRAVEL WARNING

Current information

In the 2nd half of 2016 and on January 18, 2017, several severe earthquakes with considerable damage occurred in the central Italian regions of Marche, Umbria and Lazio. Impairments in the affected region as well as further tremors must still be expected. Travelers are advised to avoid areas directly affected as far as possible and to strictly observe the information and recommendations of the local authorities.

Country-specific safety information

According to eningbo, the Italian security authorities have generally drawn attention to the danger of terrorist attacks in Italy too, and after the recent attacks in Paris they have once again tightened their security measures. An increased threat from terrorism, including at religious sites, cannot be ruled out. Travelers are advised to exercise caution and vigilance, especially when there are large gatherings of people.

Crime

Especially in the tourist centers, caution against pickpockets and petty crime is advisable.

In particular, cases of fraud are to be mentioned in which tourists are distracted (e.g. by pointing out an alleged flat tire, bumping into them, also e.g. by dirtying their clothes with ice cream, pizza etc.) and then robbed by accomplices. Particularly on the railway lines from Rome-Fiumicino Airport to the city center, in the stations themselves and in buses (especially lines 40, 62 and 64), increased vigilance is advised. The same applies to all larger cities and their tourist centers (e.g. main train stations in Milan and Naples, busy metro stations, in Naples the bus routes R2, 152 and 202, which connect the center with the train station).

Travelers should only carry the essentials with them when going for a walk, leave large amounts of cash and original identification documents in the hotel safe and, if at all, only carry secure (PIN-protected) credit cards with them.

It is recommended to take photocopies of important documents with you on the trip (see also notes under General Travel Information). Alternatively, the files can be saved on the private email account and are thus available worldwide.

Car break-ins are very common. If possible, all objects should be taken out of the car, the glove box and any trunk cover should be opened to show potential burglars that a break-in is not worthwhile. If it is actually impossible to take all of your luggage etc. with you, valuables and IDs should never be left in the car, even if they are not immediately visible from the outside.

In addition to break-ins in cars, there are also thefts of cars and mobile homes with their entire contents. Recently, thefts have also increased near the beach, for example in Ostia and Fregene near Rome.

As a general rule, do not carry bags or cameras to the side of the street when you go for a walk, in order to make theft from a motorcycle more difficult

In Naples, special care is required when handling valuable watches and jewelry, which are preferred to be stolen.

The upper limit for cash payments in Italy was raised to 3,000 euros (€) with effect from 01/01/2016 (Stability Law 2016, Law No. 208 of 28/12/2015).

In this context, we expressly warn against paying large sums of money in cash when processing the purchase and sale of valuable objects (e.g. land, yachts). You can find more information on the website of the External Link, opens in a new window German Embassy Rome.

MONEY

Currency

1 euro = 100 cents. Currency abbreviation: €, EUR (ISO code). There are banknotes in the values 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, 200 and 500 euros, coins in the nominal amounts 1 and 2 euros, as well as 1, 2, 5, 10, 20 and 50 cents.

Credit cards

Diners Club, MasterCard, Visa and all major international credit cards are accepted. Details from the issuer of the credit card in question.

Cash payments are prohibited from a sum of € 1,000. Bills of € 1,000 or more can only be paid by credit card, EC card or bank transfer.

ATMs

EC / Maestro card / Sparcard
With the EC / Maestro card and PIN number, cash in the local currency can be withdrawn from ATMs across Europe. In many European countries it is also possible to pay in shops with the ec / Maestro card. Cards with the Cirrus or Maestro symbol are accepted in Europe and worldwide. Further information from banks and credit institutes. The same applies to the German Sparcard, the successor to the postal savings book as a means of procuring currency in other European countries. With a Sparcard and PIN number, cash can be withdrawn from European ATMs with the Plus logo.

Attention: Travelers who pay with their bank card abroad and want to withdraw money should find out about the possibilities of using their card from their bank before starting their journey.

Bank opening times

Mon-Fri 8.30 a.m.-1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m.-4 p.m., e.g. Sometimes also on Saturday mornings.

Foreign exchange regulations

For travelers inside and outside the EU, there are no restrictions on the import or export of national and foreign currencies, but there is an obligation to declare cash from the equivalent of € 10,000 (including travelers checks, other currencies or checks made out to third parties).

Currency Exchange

Travelers checks, checks and foreign currencies can be exchanged at banks, at train stations, at airports and in many large hotels (often at a less favorable exchange rate).

Italy Travel Warning