Money in Italy: Banks, ATMs, cards & currency exchange

Italy has an astonishingly rich culture. Great food, stunning art, proud history and cutting-edge fashion - it’s no wonder that Italy is the fifth-most visited country on the planet with nearly 50 million visitors a year.

Whatever you're looking for, Italy has it. Couture, cuisine, culture, cities and countryside. Plunge into Italy’s rich history or get swept along by the hectic and cosmopolitan pace of the vibrant cities. You know you want to.

This guide gives an overview of the currency and banking system in Italy, so you can easily get your hands on the cash you need for your trip.

Currency in Italy

Italy has been a member of the Eurozone since way back in when it was launched 1999. Other currencies aren’t widely accepted in Italy, and even if you find somewhere that accepts a different currency, the exchange rates applied are sure to be poor.

Characteristics of the Euro (EUR)

Euro Symbols	EUR, €
1 EUR	One euro is made up of 100 cents.
EUR coins	Coins are available in denominations of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 cents, as well as €1 and €2.
EUR banknotes	Commonly used notes are 5, 10, 20 and 50 Euro denominations. Although €100, €200 and €500 notes are also available, they won’t be accepted by many businesses.

Coins feature a standard image on one side with the second side bearing a design related to the country of issue. Don't worry if you have coins of similar denominations that look quite different from one another. Current euro coins and notes are accepted in anywhere in the Eurozone, regardless of the country of issue.

The Italian-issued euro coins feature images of famous Italian architectural landmarks, such as the Colosseum in Rome and art masterpieces like Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man.

Exchanging currency in Italy

Avoid currency exchange services in airports, hotels, and around popular tourist destinations

If you don't have any euros in your pocket when you arrive, you can exchange some easily in the major airports or at your hotel. However, as the rates in both places are unlikely to be great, you might be better to exchange only what you need immediately - and then shop around in the town for a better deal.

However, keep in mind that popular tourist spots in Italy often offer poor exchange rates, as well. Around the most well-visited landmarks, you’ll find many exchange bureaus. However, because of the captive market, the deals aren’t always great. There are also well-circulated horror stories of exchange desks adding in high and hidden fees for simple transactions. If you're going to be spending time predominantly in the popular tourist haunts, you might find a better deal if you buy your euros before you travel, or use an ATM to withdraw cash when you arrive

Watch out for hidden fees - there’s no such thing as ‘No Fees’ or ‘Zero Commission’

Wherever you're changing your cash, watch out for those hidden fees. Some online stories suggest that exchange bureaus advertise a reasonable commission, but actually apply a higher rate to smaller transactions (a detail which is likely written into the very small print, no doubt).

Even if an exchange claims ‘Zero Commission’, they will be taking a cut somewhere. It’s normal for exchange services to add in their profit into the poorer exchange rate that they offer you.

Know the mid-market exchange rate, and use it to compare rates to find out if you’re getting a fair deal

To guard against false promises, make sure you understand the mid-market rate for the currency you want to exchange. This is the only real exchange rate, and should be used as a benchmark to compare the offered tourist exchange rates.

Rates change all the time, but you can always find out the live mid-market rate by using a currency converter online so you can tell whether or not a deal is fair. The difference between the mid-market and the rate you're offered is the profit margin applied by the exchange service.

If you’re exchanging your cash from home, bring clean and undamaged banknotes

Finally, if you are going to exchange hard cash during your travels, make sure that any bills you take with you are in good condition. Any damaged or defaced banknotes are likely to be rejected by the exchange service.

Using traveller's checks in Italy

Traveller’s Checks aren’t commonly used in Italy. They aren’t accepted as direct payment, so if you have them, you’ll need to exchange them at a bank or currency exchange service. As most banks won’t exchange Traveller’s Checks if you don’t already hold an account with them, this leaves a very limited choice.

The fees and rates applied by exchange services make Traveller’s Checks a very costly and inconvenient option. If you're headed for Italy, think about using your debit/credit cards for payment and use an ATM withdrawal to get your cash, instead.

Using credit cards and debit cards in Italy

All major credit and debit cards are accepted in Italy. Usually, shops and restaurants display a sign on the door to show which cards they take, but ask at the establishment first if you have any concerns.

Smaller businesses might not accept card payments, so carry some cash just in case. Alternatively you can use the ATM locators in the next section to find a nearby bank machine if you run into a problem.

Let your bank know you’ll be travelling to Italy

It's also worth telling your bank you're travelling, too. Often, anti-fraud software blocks a credit/debit card when the system detects use outside of your home country. Simply letting your bank know you're going to be away from home before you travel can resolve the issue before it happens.

Always choose to be charged in EUR, the local currency

One thing you should be aware of if you use a credit or debit card abroad, is something called Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). How it works is that when you pay, you might be asked if you want to be charged in your home currency. While that sounds nice and easier to understand, it means that the exchange rate applied is chosen by the retailer's bank. As a general rule, this won't be as good as the rate your own bank would give you (after all, it's in your bank’s interest to keep you happy).

Instead, always opt to pay in the local currency to make sure you get the best deal.

ATMs in Italy:

ATMs are easy to find in Italy. Try one of the locator tools below to find ATMs in your network.
Visa ATM locator
MasterCard ATM locator
Amex ATM locator

Decline offers to be charged in your home currency

DCC (discussed in the previous section) can also be applied to ATM cash withdrawals. You might be asked if you want your withdrawal to be charged in your home currency. If this happens, always select to be charged in local currency or you'll be hit by a poor exchange rate, pushing up the costs of your trip.

It's worth checking what fees your home bank applies to cash withdrawals abroad, too. Often, you’ll find a charge applied by your home bank and another from the bank who operates the ATM. However, despite this, it’s still generally a more economical option because the exchange rates are usually better than those available at ‘walk in’ exchange services.

Banks in Italy

Italy has a sophisticated banking system with global giant UniCredit taking a large slice of the Italian market. Like much of Italy, the banking system is steeped in history, with the Banca Monte Dei Paschi di Siena being the oldest surviving bank in the world. It’s been in continuous operation since the 15th Century. Beat that.

If you’re going to Italy then ask your home bank if they work in partnership with any Italian banks (or have branches of their own there). If they do, you could get access to free cash withdrawals from ATMs in the same network as your home bank.

These are some of the most common retail banks in Italy:

Five major retail banks in Italy

• UniCredit
• Intesa Sanpaulo
• Banca Monte Dei Paschi di Siena
• UBI Banca
• BNL (Part of BNP Paribas)

International banks operating in Italy

• Deutsche Bank Italy
• Credit Suisse Italy
• Santander Italy
• Barclays Italy
• Bank of China Italy

Alternatively, for simple access to your money abroad - and an even better deal - use Wise.

If you have a bank account in Italy, or know someone who does, you can transfer money between accounts using the real mid-market exchange rate. It's a quick and convenient way to get your Euro cash, with no hidden fees. See if you can get a better deal with Wise.