Good to know
Good to Know
- Carry €50–60 in cash at all times, even though cards are increasingly accepted. Many establishments still prefer or exclusively accept cash for small purchases.
- Merchants may claim POS systems are down to encourage cash payment—it is common, even when not technically true.
- Always choose to be charged in EUR at ATMs; decline any offer to be charged in your home currency, as this triggers high Dynamic Currency Conversion markups.
- Post Office ATMs (Postamat) are your best bet for avoiding fees and maximizing security in Rome.
- American Express is accepted in fewer places than Visa/Mastercard; carry a Visa or Mastercard as a primary card.
- Contactless payment is now widely available in Rome transit (metro, some buses) and most modern retailers.
- Restaurant bills typically include service; extra tipping is purely discretionary and not expected.
ATM Fees
- Overview
- ATM fees in Rome vary significantly by location and bank. Tourists typically face withdrawal fees unless using specific bank networks.
Typical Fees
- Range
- €3–€6 per withdrawal at most bank ATMs
- Bank ATM Non Account Holder
- €3.00
Tips To Minimize Fees
- Always select 'Decline' or 'Charge in EUR' when offered currency conversion (avoid Dynamic Currency Conversion)
- Withdraw larger amounts in fewer transactions rather than multiple small withdrawals
- Use ATMs inside banks or post offices rather than standalone street machines
- Check if your home bank participates in Global ATM Alliance or has partner banks in Italy
- Verify your home bank's foreign ATM withdrawal fees before traveling
Euronet Standalone ATMs
- Fee Range
- €1.99–€4.99 per withdrawal
- Note
- Often placed in city centers and tourist areas but charge higher fees and aggressive currency conversion markups (up to 13% on top of transaction)
Fee Free Or Low Fee Options
BNL (Banca Nazionale del Lavoro)
- Description
- Part of Global ATM Alliance; free withdrawals for Global ATM Alliance cardholders (Bank of America, Deutsche Bank, Barclays, etc.)
Poste Italiane (Post Office ATMs)
- Description
- No usage fee for withdrawals; marked with yellow signs saying 'Postamat'; highly secure and frequently monitored
Bank-operated ATMs inside bank branches
- Description
- More secure than street ATMs; some may offer better rates to certain international cards
Tipping Norms
- Service Included
- Service (servizio) is almost always included in restaurant bills in Italy
- Tipping Not Obligatory
- Tipping is not an obligation in Italy, but a small gesture of appreciation
When To Tip
Restaurants with table service
- Suggestion
- €1–2 or round up the bill if service was good; not expected
Bars and cafes
- Suggestion
- Leave coins (€0.50–1) if paying at counter; not expected
Taxis
- Suggestion
- Round up or add €1–2; not expected but appreciated
Tour guides
- Suggestion
- €2–5 if satisfied with service
Important Notes
- Tips should always be given in cash (cannot usually be added to card payments)
- Tipping is discretionary and used to show appreciation for exceptional service, not standard practice
Card Acceptance
- Overview
- Credit cards are legally required to be accepted by most businesses in Italy. Contactless payment is increasingly common.
- Practical Note
- Merchants sometimes claim POS systems are down to encourage cash payment or offer small cash discounts, even though this practice is technically discouraged by law.
Widely Accepted
Visa & Mastercard
- Notes
- Widely accepted throughout Rome at restaurants, hotels, shops, and pharmacies
American Express
- Notes
- Less commonly accepted; many merchants avoid it due to perceived higher fees
Contactless & Digital Wallets
- Notes
- Apple Pay, Google Pay, and contactless cards increasingly accepted at transit gates and merchants
Where Cards May Not Work
- Small bars and espresso stands (especially €1–2 purchases)
- Street markets and flea markets
- Some small family-run trattorias and restaurants
- Older cash-preference establishments, though legally they must accept cards for transactions over certain minimums
Banking
- Overview
- Non-residents can open bank accounts in Italy, though the process requires compliance with strict anti-money-laundering regulations and European law.
- Costs For Nonresidents
- Non-resident accounts typically charge higher maintenance fees and limit access to credit or loans. State stamp tax is €34.20 annually for accounts with average balances over €5,000 (applied to traditional accounts).
Traditional Banks
- Process
- In-person appointment required; walk-ins are typically not possible in major cities including Rome. Many applicants require 30–90 minutes for account opening, depending on documentation completeness and language barriers.
- Timeline
- Account activation typically takes 48 hours to 3 weeks for non-residents; longer for non-EU citizens subject to FATCA compliance.
- Major Banks
- Intesa Sanpaolo and UniCredit are recommended for non-residents and offer English-speaking support in Rome; both have dedicated non-resident account products.
- Requirements
- Valid ID or passport, Italian tax code (codice fiscale), residence certificate, and anti-money-laundering compliance documentation. Additional requirements may include proof of employment or reference from home-country bank.
Digital Alternatives
- Neobanks
- Revolut, N26, and Wise allow faster online account opening (instant to same-day) with fewer initial documentation requirements, though EU proof of residence is typically needed.
- Advantages
- Lower fees, no stamp duty on digital accounts, multi-currency features.
- Limitations
- Full banking services may be restricted; primarily useful for transfers and payments rather than comprehensive banking needs.
AI-generated estimateData refreshed July 2026
Sources cited for this category
These are the sources cited in this money & payments research for this city. Individual figures may not each trace to one of them.
- 1.capitalone.com
- 2.romewise.com
- 3.citizendailypost.com
- 4.chase.com
- 5.italyplanner.ai
- 6.community.ricksteves.com
- 7.monito.com
- 8.cgaa.org
- 9.onlyabag.com
- 10.wise.com
- 11.asocialnomad.com
- 12.atmfeesaver.com
- 13.moneyswapp.com
- 14.tradingeconomics.com
- 15.expatslivinginrome.com
- 16.mobidoctor.eu
- 17.doctorsa.com
- 18.alfredoesposito.eu
- 19.expatslivinginrome.com
- 20.valenteit.com
- 21.waitaly.net
- 22.arlettipartners.com
- 23.moneytransfer.store
- 24.esim.holafly.com
- 25.globalcitizensolutions.com
- 26.monito.com
- 27.italylawfirms.com
- 28.pharmacynearme.eu
- 29.rome.us
- 30.fromhometorome.com
- 31.aventinomedicalgroup.com
- 32.angloinfo.com
More About Rome
Data last updated July 2026 · Verify anything important.