Going to à FLORENCE - FIRENZE: Formalities and administrative steps

Organize your stay à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Money Money à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

The euro (€), which turns 20 in 2022, is the currency of Italy. The Italian currency before the euro was the lira.

Budget & Tips Budget & Tips à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

The cost of living is, for the same quality of service, virtually identical to that in France. The notion of "equal quality" is of course subjective, but, for example, you can never eat badly in a restaurant, even for less than €12(primi piatti), and even if Tuscany is one of the most expensive regions in Italy. The bulk of the budget is usually spent on accommodation, which has increased significantly in Florence in recent years. Youth hostels are few and far between, and in high season you'll soon be paying €120 or more for a double room. To reduce the cost of museum visits, the Firenze Card is a good option.

Low budget (€120/day): night in a youth hostel or simple hotel, pizza (€5 for the cheapest) at lunchtime and a good pasta dish in the evening (€8), a museum and a drink in the evening.

Medium budget (€200/day): night in a 2- or 3-star hotel, restaurant, museum and show.

Comfortable budget : there's no shortage of top-class restaurants and hotels in Florence.

Passport and visas Passport and visas à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

If you are a citizen of the European Union, no special formalities are required: valid identity card or passport.

Please note the entry requirements for your pets (up-to-date vaccinations, identification, European passport and certificate from attending veterinarian). Check with your airline before departure.

Driver's license Driver's license à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

A European driving license opens the doors to Tuscany's roads. If you have a serious problem on the road, call 800 116 800 (free 24-hour breakdown service).

Health Health à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

No particular health risks. As a general rule, living conditions and hygiene in Italy are equivalent to those in France, Belgium, Switzerland or Canada.

Security Security à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Only pickpockets can be a danger in large Italian cities, mainly at major tourist sites. For the rest, nothing particular to report. And, unless you want to traffic with the mafia, there's not much to fear!

Time difference Time difference à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Same time zone as France, Belgium and Switzerland. In March, we go forward one hour; in October, we go back one hour.

Spoken languages Spoken languages à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Italian is spoken (of course!) in Tuscany. If you understand the language, expect to hear some Tuscan dialect. French is generally spoken in tourist areas, but, as everywhere else, English is the dominant language.

Communication Communication à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Excellent telephone coverage. Wifi points in many bars and restaurants, train stations and airports.

Electricity and measurements Electricity and measurements à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

The Italian voltage is the same as in France, i.e. 220 volts. However, the sockets are sometimes different, with three holes (an adapter is required).

Luggage Luggage à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Practical clothes for the day and visits - including a stole to cover yourself in churches. And, above all, good shoes! In summer, it is advisable to put a mosquito repellent in your bag.

Daily life à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Hello? Hello? à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

From France to Italy: dial 00 39 before the full number, marking the 0 with the city code.

From Italy to France: dial 00 33, then the correspondent's number without the initial 0. Nota bene: the number of digits in Italian telephone numbers is not fixed.

Since June 2017, goodbye to extra costs when traveling in Europe. Roaming charges no longer apply in the 27 member countries of the European Union.

Accessibility Accessibility à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

While public transport is not easily accessible for people with reduced mobility or parents with strollers, many museums and hotels make a point of facilitating their travel: inclined planes, ramps, adapted guided tours... Tuscany's hotels have been making good progress in this area for several years now, although there is still a lot of work to be done.

Health Health à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

In the event of a problem, contact the French consulate for a list of French-speaking doctors or to arrange repatriation.

If you have a Visa® or MasterCard® bank card, you are automatically covered by medical insurance and repatriation assistance for any trip abroad lasting less than 90 days.

Emergency numbers Emergency numbers à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Throughout the European Union, 112 is the emergency number to contact an ambulance, fire brigade or police. This number is free and accessible 24 hours a day.

Securty Securty à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Florence is a quiet city, but beware of pickpockets.

In Italy, there are three types of police force: the Polizia di Stato (national police), the Carabinieri (gendarmes) and the Vigili, municipal police officers.

LGBTQ LGBTQ à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

The reception of homosexuality in a country at the heart of Catholicism, such as Italy, is at the very least "discreet". But it is not uncommon to see two people of the same sex holding hands in the streets of Florence, and many addresses display their colours.

Embassies and consulates Embassies and consulates à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

There is no French embassy in Florence, as it is located in Rome. However, the Institut Français de Florence, located in Piazza Ognissanti, in the Palazzo Lenzi, houses the Honorary Consulate of France. Good to know in case of problems.

Mail Mail à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

The Italian postal service has a reputation for slowness. Let's just say that delivery times can be a little unpredictable, but that mail usually arrives in the end. Rest assured: a postcard sent from Florence takes less than a week to reach its recipient in France or Belgium, and ten days for Canada. A stamp for France (" francobollo per la Francia ") costs €1.30. You can buy them at post offices or tobacconists marked with a white "T" on a black background. Mailboxes are red.

Local media Local media à FLORENCE - FIRENZE

Italy has a long tradition of print media. Among the most widely read national dailies are La Repubblica, Il Corriere della Sera and La Stampa. Florence's daily is La Nazione. For sports fans, La Gazzetta dello Sport is a must. Magazines such as L'Espresso and Panorama cover a wide range of subjects, and are very useful for anyone wanting to understand contemporary Italian society.

On television, the RAI (Radio Audizione Italia) is in competition with the channels of Silvio Berlusconi's Mediaset group.