Italy Travel Safety

Road safety

Drivers do not always obey road rules and may use excessive speed and reckless manoeuvering. Road conditions and road safety can vary greatly throughout the country. City streets are often narrow, winding and congested. In mountainous areas, roads are often winding and narrow and weather conditions can make driving conditions dangerous. Avalanches or landslides can occur and block access routes to small isolated towns. In cities, signage, traffic lights and road markings may be non-existent, unclear or ignored. Pay close attention to road conditions and refrain from driving during or immediately after severe storms. In northern Italy, be aware of the potential for ground fog and poor visibility, especially in winter.

Precautions

Exercise caution and be alert while travelling by road and rail, foreigners are often targeted by criminals. Never leave personal belongings unattended in a vehicle, and use secure parking facilities, especially overnight. Train passengers have been robbed while distracted or sleeping, and there have been reports of thefts on the train connecting Fiumicino airport to central Rome. Thefts on public transit (buses, subway and trams, particularly those servicing major tourist sites) are common, with thieves often hassling or crowding their victims. Keep your valuables secure and out of sight. Thieves often work in pairs or groups and will attempt to distract the victim while their accomplices rob them. Be particularly careful of offers to help with flat tires or if someone spills food or a beverage on you, these are common ploys used by groups of thieves. The number of lost and stolen passports increases during the summer months. To prevent loss or theft, exercise caution and carry a photocopy of your passport, rather than the original.

Identification

You may be required to present identification at any time. Keep a photocopy of your passport in case of loss or seizure.

Ferries

Ferry services are available to Greece, North Africa and local islands (for example, Capri, Elba, Ischia, Sardinia and Sicily).

Taxis

Only use officially licensed taxis equipped with roof lights and meters. If you call a radio taxi, be aware that the meter starts to run as soon as the cab leaves to pick you up.

Public transportation

Bus, metro and tram tickets are purchased in advance (sold at kiosks in stations or at tobacco shops) and must be validated by machines located either on board or in the station. Failure to validate tickets may result in on-the-spot fines requiring immediate payment. Rail service is widely available. Ferry services are available to Greece, North Africa and local islands (for example, Capri, Elba, Ischia, Sardinia and Sicily).

Women's safety

Based on the crime situation of the Italy, women should be vigilant all the time and aware of the surroundings. Avoid dark or non-tourist areas at night. Instead try to be around larger crowds, whether they are fellow tourists or local citizens. Females should be cautious while dealing with strangers and acquaintances. Women may be subject to unpleasant male attention, sexual harassment and verbal abuse. Avoid flash of money or valuables in public. Exercise a high degree of caution during travel.

Fraud

Fraudulent electronic readout devices are sometimes used at automated teller machines (ATMs) in Italy. These devices are designed to capture the account information stored on the card's magnetic strip through a card reader fixed over the legitimate reader. The customer's PIN is recorded with a small video camera installed above the keypad. The victim's banking information is then sold or traded online. To avoid being a victim of this fraud, use ATMs located in well-lit public areas or inside a bank or business, avoid card readers with an irregular aspect, cover the keypad with one hand when entering your PIN and check for any unauthorized transactions on your account statements.

Crime

The level of street crime in Italy is comparable to that of other European countries, particularly in large urban centres. Petty crime such as pickpocketing and purse snatching occur at tourist sites, on public transportation and at major airports and railway stations. Foreigners are targeted. If possible, avoid carrying handbags. Motorcyclists frequently grab bags and other personal belongings from pedestrians, often resulting in injury to the robbery victim. There have also been reports of thefts of unattended belongings at beaches.

Spiked food and drinks

Never leave food or drinks unattended or in the care of strangers. Be wary of accepting snacks, beverages, gum or cigarettes from new acquaintances, as they may have drugged the item to put you at risk of assault and robbery. Incidents of this sort have occurred even in small towns known to be frequented by tourists. Rail passengers have received drugged food or drink and were then robbed or assaulted while sleeping. Keep your compartment door securely locked.

Terrorism

There is a threat of terrorism in Europe. Terrorists have carried out attacks in several European cities and further attacks are likely. Targets could include:government buildings, including schools, places of worship, airports and other transportation hubs and networks, public areas such as tourist attractions, restaurants, bars, coffee shops, shopping centres, markets, hotels and other sites frequented by foreignersAlways be aware of your surroundings when in public places. Be particularly vigilant if attending sporting events and during religious holidays and other public celebrations, as terrorists have used such occasions to mount attacks.

LGBT

Italy is considered a gay-friendly country and public opinion on homosexuality is generally regarded as increasingly culturally liberal. Same-sex civil unions and unregistered cohabitation have been legally recognized since June 2016. However, public display of affection may attract unwanted attention in specially in rural areas.

Illegal drugs

Penalties for possession, use or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict. Convicted offenders can expect jail sentences or heavy fines.

Illegal or restricted activities

It is illegal to photograph government buildings and military installations. Ask permission from local authorities before taking photographs of these locations. Buying counterfeit merchandise, such as sunglasses or purses, is illegal. Local authorities may impose heavy fines on tourists caught buying counterfeit merchandise. Observe public notices about conduct, which are found in and around tourist areas in major cities. Visitors may be issued tickets and fines for dropping litter or for sitting, eating or drinking on steps and courtyards around the main churches and public buildings in Florence and Rome. Recreational and commercial flying of unmanned aerial vehicles or drones is regulated. Failure to comply with regulations may lead to confiscation of equipment and heavy fines.

Driving

An international car insurance plan is mandatory. An adhesive sticker indicating country of origin must be displayed on the back of foreign cars. Penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs are strict. The legal blood alcohol limit is 0.05 percent. Convicted offenders can expect heavy fines, your driver's licence may be confiscated immediately and you could face imprisonment. Turning right at red lights is not allowed. You may drive for up to one year with a valid driver's license and an International Driving Permit or an official translation by a recognized translator (known in Italian as traduttore giurato) of the driver's license. The use of a cellular telephone while driving is prohibited, unless it is fitted with a hands-free device. The use of headlights on highways and major roads during the day is mandatory. Vehicles must be equipped with safety equipment (including a warning triangle and reflective jacket) and snow chains must be carried on board and affixed to tires in the event of snow (the use of snow tires are a legal alternative). Rules differ regionally and road signage across the country will indicate where and when snow tires or snow chains are mandatory. Pay particularly close attention to these requirements when driving in mountainous regions or other parts of the country prone to snow. In the summer, only residents are allowed to take their cars to the islands of Capri, Ischia and Procida.