Money & Payments in Florence (2026)

Good to know

Good to Know

When you pull out money at an ATM make one large withdrawal rather than multiple small ones, as some banks charge $5 per withdrawal at ATM overseas.
Contactless (NFC) payments are increasingly common in cities; Apple Pay and Google Pay work wherever contactless is accepted; the Revolut or Wise card offers zero foreign transaction fees and competitive exchange rates.
Use ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones; avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night; keep your card visible at all times; cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
In the major tourist area of Florence, directly asking tourists for a tip is becoming more common; this can be very awkward and does nothing to help the reputation of Italian service providers; they have assumed that all tourists are American or Canadian and are used to tipping; if this happens to you, our advice is to politely decline the request.

ATM Fees

Typical Fees: In Italy, you can expect to pay a fee of around €3-€5 per withdrawal, with some banks charging up to €6, though ATMs do tend to have fees of up to €5.
Fee Avoidance: If you use an ATM operated by BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro), you shouldn't have to pay the fee because BNL is a member of the Global ATM Alliance. Poste Italiane has never charged a fee and they have ATMs in Florence. Avoid those that are branded 'Euronet'—they have very poor exchange rates and high fees.
Italian Bank ATMs: ATM withdrawal fees are not charged by banks in Italy on receipts, however other Italian banks will charge cash withdrawal fees to tourists and other users outside their ATM network.
Withdrawal Limits: ATMs in Italy have a maximum withdrawal limit per transaction of €250 to €1,000, though couple of ATMs allow to withdraw up to €2,000 per transaction and one bank ATM allows to withdraw as much as the card's limit allows.
Currency Conversion: Credit/debit card payment gives the best exchange rate, however make sure that you select the payment in Euro not in US dollars, because otherwise the ATM gives you an exchange rate worse than what you will get from your credit card.

Cash Advice

Law: As of 1st of July 2020, Italy has set a new law that prohibits payments of over 2,000 EUR made by cash, which means any payment over 2,000 EUR must be paid electronically.
Recommendation: Bring €20-30 cash for small museum entries, city transport (some buses), and tips. The recommended cash amount for an Italy trip in 2025 is €200-300 for a 7-10 day trip, renewed at ATMs as needed, covering small purchases at markets, transport tickets, small museum admissions, coffee and snacks at traditional bars, tips, and emergency situations.

Tipping Norms

Taxis: Florence taxi drivers don't typically expect tips, but rounding up to the nearest euro is appreciated, especially for help with luggage or providing recommendations.
Bars Cafes: In a bar or café, you might see a tip jar by the cash register; feel free to drop your change or an extra €1 in there if you enjoyed your service.
Restaurants: Where 20% is customary in American restaurants, that would be too much to tip in Florence; instead, a fair tip would be €1-€2 per person; to make things a little easier, consider rounding up the bill—for example, if the meal was €45, then you can pay €50 and tell them to keep the change. If you're dining out in popular tourist areas like Florence, you may notice a service charge 'servizio' added to your check; usually around 10-20%, this service charge is essentially a tip and there is no need to offer further gratuities on top of this.
Tour Guides: With Florence's rich art and Renaissance history, specialized tour guides often expect tips of €10-15.
Card Payments: It is not possible to leave a tip on the credit card statement like in America (there is not a line for gratuity to add in the credit card slip); therefore if you feel that you must leave something as a tip, it will have to be hard cash left on the table, because adding it to the card won't be possible.
General Custom: For restaurants, there is no pressing need to tip; touristy places might push for, or expect a tip from Americans, but there is no need to do so.

Card Acceptance

Contactless: On-board contactless payment has been made available to use on all Florence urban and suburban buses and trams starting in March 2024, accepting contactless card payment from Mastercard, Visa and American Express cards. The system also accepts smartphone payments through functions such as ApplePay, GooglePay, and SamsungPay.
Visa Mastercard: Visa and Mastercard are accepted everywhere in Florence. Amex not so much, though American Express is accepted at most major establishments, not universally at smaller venues. In Florence and any tourist-oriented business, cards work reliably.
Where Cards Needed: Italian outdoor markets are predominantly cash; many vendors at covered food markets (Centrale in Florence, Mercato di Mezzo in Bologna) are increasingly card-accepting but not universally. Some shops in smaller towns may prefer cash, especially for small purchases.

Banking

Timeframe: Account opening typically takes 2-4 weeks with a traditional bank; neobanks faster (days).
Major Banks: UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, and other Italian banks operate branches in Florence center.
Bank Account Setup: Possible but procedurally complex for non-residents; requires proof of residence (rental contract), valid ID/passport, and often proof of income or employment documentation.
Digital Alternatives: EU-based neobanks (Wise, N26, Revolut) available as alternatives; do not require Italian residency and offer multi-currency accounts.
Requirements Note: Digital nomad visa holders may face additional documentation requirements; consult specific visa terms.

AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026

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More About Florence

Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.

Money & Payments in Florence