https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Italy in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed If a waiter tells you service isn't included, does this mean you should tip? What about the 'servizio' charge? And how much is expected? We look at a common source of confusion at Italian restaurants. https://www.thelocal.it/20240117/reader-question-how-do-i-know-when-to-tip-at-italian-restaurants Wed, 17 Jan 2024 12:12:48 +0100 reader-question-how-do-i-know-when-to-tip-at-italian-restaurants The EU's new Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport controls will be launched on October 12th, albeit in a phased in approach, but how will it impact non-EU residents legally living in EU/Schengen countries? https://www.thelocal.it/20240427/reader-question-what-will-ees-mean-for-foreigners-living-in-europe Sat, 27 Apr 2024 07:59:09 +0200 reader-question-what-will-ees-mean-for-foreigners-living-in-europe Your Italian tax code will be needed for all sorts of things if you live in Italy – so what should you do if you lose the card? https://www.thelocal.it/20210705/reader-question-what-do-i-do-if-i-lose-my-italian-tax-number-or-health-card Mon, 05 Jul 2021 19:06:40 +0200 reader-question-what-do-i-do-if-i-lose-my-italian-tax-number-or-health-card If you spend extended periods of time in Italy, can you buy a car to use while in the country? It all depends on your residency status. https://www.thelocal.it/20220516/reader-question-can-i-buy-a-car-in-italy-if-im-not-a-resident Mon, 16 May 2022 17:58:47 +0200 reader-question-can-i-buy-a-car-in-italy-if-im-not-a-resident If you're visiting Italy from outside Europe and plan to drive during your trip, will an international driving permit be necessary? Here's a look at the rules. https://www.thelocal.it/20230321/reader-question-do-i-need-an-international-permit-to-drive-in-italy Tue, 21 Mar 2023 18:31:29 +0100 reader-question-do-i-need-an-international-permit-to-drive-in-italy Applying for permanent residency in Italy is often a lengthy process involving plenty of red tape. But can it ever be taken away from you after you get it? https://www.thelocal.it/20240621/can-you-have-your-right-to-permanent-residency-in-italy-revoked Fri, 21 Jun 2024 14:52:45 +0200 can-you-have-your-right-to-permanent-residency-in-italy-revoked All foreign films in Italy are dubbed into Italian – but does this mean original language versions are entirely unavailable? https://www.thelocal.it/20230228/reader-question-can-i-see-films-in-their-original-language-in-italy Tue, 28 Feb 2023 13:33:59 +0100 reader-question-can-i-see-films-in-their-original-language-in-italy Italy's elective residency visa is notoriously difficult to get and has a relatively short validity period - so how should you go about renewing it? https://www.thelocal.it/20250319/reader-question-how-do-i-renew-my-italian-elective-residency-visa Wed, 19 Mar 2025 16:20:14 +0100 reader-question-how-do-i-renew-my-italian-elective-residency-visa Swearing an oath of allegiance to the Republic is the final, all-important step in obtaining Italian citizenship by marriage or residency. So how exactly do you do it? https://www.thelocal.it/20250306/reader-question-how-do-i-take-the-oath-for-italian-citizenship-2 Thu, 06 Mar 2025 15:38:09 +0100 reader-question-how-do-i-take-the-oath-for-italian-citizenship-2 The help of a qualified accountant is often necessary when filing taxes in Italy. But if your ‘commercialista’ makes a mistake, who pays any resulting penalty – you as the taxpayer or them? We spoke to an expert to clear up any confusion. https://www.thelocal.it/20250204/who-pays-the-price-if-your-italian-accountant-gets-your-taxes-wrong Tue, 04 Feb 2025 12:26:29 +0100 who-pays-the-price-if-your-italian-accountant-gets-your-taxes-wrong If your Italian residency permit has expired and you face a long wait for a new one, you may be wondering whether or not you can travel abroad during the waiting period. We look at what exactly the rules say. https://www.thelocal.it/20250128/reader-question-can-i-leave-italy-while-waiting-for-my-residency-permit-renewal Tue, 28 Jan 2025 14:13:47 +0100 reader-question-can-i-leave-italy-while-waiting-for-my-residency-permit-renewal Many non-EU tourists visiting the UK are now required to pay a £10 Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) in order to enter. EU nationals will also soon have to pay for an ETA. The Local answers your questions on the rules and exemptions. https://www.thelocal.it/20240913/your-questions-answered-on-the-uks-new-10-visa-for-european-travellers Fri, 13 Sep 2024 14:10:51 +0200 your-questions-answered-on-the-uks-new-10-visa-for-european-travellers People applying for Italian citizenship by marriage or residency must take an oath of allegiance to the Republic before they can fully become 'cittadini' – but what’s in the pledge? https://www.thelocal.it/20230511/reader-question-whats-in-the-oath-for-italian-citizenship Thu, 11 May 2023 13:55:49 +0200 reader-question-whats-in-the-oath-for-italian-citizenship Italy’s building ‘superbonus’ has been in the news again after a vote on a new amendment. So what exactly is changing this time and what does this mean for homeowners? https://www.thelocal.it/20240527/reader-question-whats-the-latest-on-italys-building-superbonus Mon, 27 May 2024 17:53:42 +0200 reader-question-whats-the-latest-on-italys-building-superbonus A lot has changed since Italy's 'one-euro' home offers first made international headlines, so are they still available - or worth considering? https://www.thelocal.it/20240514/can-you-still-buy-italys-one-euro-homes-in-2024 Tue, 14 May 2024 12:27:53 +0200 can-you-still-buy-italys-one-euro-homes-in-2024 As European travellers prepare for the introduction of enhanced passport checks known as the Entry & Exit System (EES), many readers have asked us what this means for the '90-day rule' for non-EU citizens. https://www.thelocal.it/20240501/reader-question-how-do-the-eus-new-ees-passport-checks-affect-the-90-day-rule Wed, 01 May 2024 09:18:17 +0200 reader-question-how-do-the-eus-new-ees-passport-checks-affect-the-90-day-rule The EU's Entry & Exit System (EES) of enhanced passport checks will usher in big changes for travellers - here we answer readers' questions on the position for dual nationals. https://www.thelocal.it/20240422/reader-question-what-do-europes-ees-passport-checks-mean-for-dual-nationals Mon, 22 Apr 2024 19:10:50 +0200 reader-question-what-do-europes-ees-passport-checks-mean-for-dual-nationals The EU's new passport control Entry & Exit System (EES) is scheduled to come into force later this year and is already causing anxiety for many travellers. We've answered your questions on the new system and how it will work. https://www.thelocal.it/20240416/europes-new-ees-passport-checks-your-questions-answered Tue, 16 Apr 2024 14:13:44 +0200 europes-new-ees-passport-checks-your-questions-answered Some countries in Europe have ‘golden visa’ options for wealthy investors, but is it true that Italy doesn't and is there another option? https://www.thelocal.it/20231023/reader-question-does-italy-have-a-golden-visa Mon, 23 Oct 2023 18:38:50 +0200 reader-question-does-italy-have-a-golden-visa Italians are famously reluctant to drink tap water, with some questioning its safety. But are these concerns justified? https://www.thelocal.it/20240402/reader-question-is-tap-water-safe-to-drink-in-italy Tue, 02 Apr 2024 18:22:50 +0200 reader-question-is-tap-water-safe-to-drink-in-italy