Practical information — the small things that make a stay easy
Benvenuti! Here is our friendly toolkit for the practical things every international student deals with in their first weeks in Italy: the weather to expect, how to open a bank account, how to get an Italian mobile line, useful phone numbers, where to send and receive mail. We have kept it compact and honest — and we are always at the help desk if you would rather just ask us. For accommodation and cost-of-living see Live Italy; for the visa and residence permit, see Student visa for Italy and Visa & permit support.
Italian climate
Italy enjoys a temperate climate, thanks to the mitigating influence of the sea and the shielding effect of the Alps against chilling Northern winds. Climate varies significantly from North to South: the Alps experience very cold winters, while the South and coastal regions have milder winters. Summers are intensely hot, particularly in the South, and generally dry. Coastal areas benefit from sea breezes; mountainous regions offer a pleasantly cool climate.
Milan
Continental: cold winters (often 0–5 °C, occasional snow), hot and humid summers (28–34 °C), brief but reliable autumn and spring. Pack a real winter coat for November–February and light layers for May–September.
Florence
Tuscan: mild wet winters (5–12 °C), genuinely hot summers (30–36 °C with peak heat in late July / early August), long pleasant spring and autumn. Bring a light winter coat and breathable summer clothing.
Turin
Sub-alpine: cold dry winters (0–6 °C, snow possible), warm summers (25–32 °C) with cool evenings, dramatic spring and autumn light against the Alps. Layered clothing for shoulder seasons.
Mantua
Po Valley continental: damp foggy winters (often around 0–5 °C with classic Po fog), hot humid summers (28–33 °C), beautiful crisp autumn. A waterproof layer is genuinely useful here in winter.
Opening a bank account
Most Italian banks operate Monday to Friday, 08:30–13:30 and 15:00–16:30 (some close earlier on Friday afternoon). Some branches also offer Saturday morning hours by appointment. ATMs (bancomat) are available 24/7.
What you need
- Legal age (18 +)
- Valid ID or passport
- Italian codice fiscale (tax code)
- Italian address (proof of residence or letter from the school)
- Declaration that you are not bankrupt (standard bank form)
What you receive
Upon signing the contract, the bank provides full terms and conditions plus your essential bank coordinates (IBAN, BIC/SWIFT) — required for receiving scholarships, salaries, or international wire transfers.
Online-only alternatives
For short stays or students who only need a basic Italian IBAN, modern fintech accounts (e.g. several pan-European mobile banks) can be opened in minutes with passport + codice fiscale. They are valid for receiving rent payments and direct debits.
Without a residence permit
Until your Permesso di Soggiorno is issued, traditional banks usually cannot fully open a standard account in your name. The receipt of the residence permit application is generally accepted as interim proof for online-only banks.
Mobile SIM and connectivity
Italian SIM cards (prepaid)
The most economical option for students. Italian providers (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad, plus several MVNOs) offer prepaid data plans with generous data + EU roaming included. To activate: a valid ID card or passport + your codice fiscale. Activation typically takes a few hours.
eSIM — activate before you arrive
Most modern smartphones support eSIMs. You can purchase and set up an Italian or international plan digitally before arriving, with no need for a physical SIM. Very convenient for the first week before you have your codice fiscale.
Home internet
Most homes have a fixed telephone line. Fibre is widely available in city centres; ADSL elsewhere. Contracts require codice fiscale + bank account for direct debit. Setup typically takes 7–14 working days.
Public Wi-Fi
All Accademia di Italiano campuses provide free student Wi-Fi. Most cafés, libraries, and university buildings offer public Wi-Fi (sometimes requiring an Italian phone number to register).
Mail and shipping
Poste Italiane
Italy's national postal service. Branches are everywhere and handle ordinary mail, registered letters (raccomandata), parcels, and many bureaucratic processes (residence permit kit submission, bill payments, postal financial services).
Sportello Amico
Special post-office counters dedicated to bureaucratic services for foreign residents: this is where you submit the Kit Immigrazione for your Permesso di Soggiorno. Booking an appointment in advance is recommended.
Couriers
For international shipping, private couriers (DHL, UPS, FedEx, GLS, BRT, SDA) are widely available. Most accept cards and can collect from your address.
Receiving at the school
Students enrolled in long-term programmes can use the Accademia di Italiano address as a poste-restante reference during the first weeks, before they have a stable Italian address. Ask the help desk at orientation.
Useful numbers
Emergency
112 — single European emergency number (operator routes you to police / ambulance / fire as needed). Works in English and several languages.
Police (specific)
113 — Polizia di Stato. 112 — Carabinieri. 117 — Guardia di Finanza.
Health
118 — medical emergency / ambulance. 1500 — Ministry of Health public health line. Your medico di base handles non-urgent care.
Fire
115 — Vigili del Fuoco (fire brigade).
Need help with any of these in your first week?
Every long-term Accademia di Italiano student has a help desk contact assigned during orientation week. Use it for codice fiscale, SIM activation, bank account paperwork, doctor registration — anything where Italian bureaucracy is the obstacle. We do this every week, not as an exception.
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