10 things I don’t like about living in Italy

As an expat living in Italy, it’s easy to write about the things I love about the country. 

The excellent Italian food and wine culture, the weather, the history, the beautiful towns and villages, the list goes on. From this angle, Italy is a good place to live. 

But, what about the other side?  

Like anywhere in the world, living in Italy has its pros but it also has its cons. And in this post, I’ll be sharing 10 things I don’t like about living in Italy. 

Written from my personal experience, I hope it’s helpful for others that would like to live in Italy one day. 

Disclaimer: for many of the examples given throughout this post, please note that I’m not referring to ‘all’. For example, ‘not everywhere in Italy is like this…’, or not all Italians are like that….’ Thank you for your understanding. 

A brief background 

The following provides some background as to why I can write about what it’s like living in Italy. 

• I’ve lived in Italy for 5 years (at the time of writing) but visited for over 9 
• I speak Italian 
• I’ve had plenty of experience using different Italian systems (governance and medical)

10 things I don’t like about living in Italy 

1. The bureaucracy  

Italy is known for its time-consuming bureaucracy and for the many hoops and hurdles it takes to get anything done.  

One example I can provide was when I applied for my ‘permesso di soggiorno’ (residence permit). This document grants you legal right to stay and live in Italy — even for European citizens like me. 

Long and slow 

It was a long and slow process that included a ton of forms to fill followed by endless emails. Another thing that slowed the process was being directed to different contacts.  

In my case, the first person I began the process with would answer some questions but not all of them. Instead, they’d give me names and email addresses of other people that dealt with this specific query. 

I’ve got many more examples of my bureaucracy experiences of living in Italy. They include registering for a GP, dealings with the comune (local council) and sending parcels through the Italian post.  

One of the things I don’t like about living in Italy, being patient is essential for dealing with the bureaucracy. 

2. (some) Things don’t work well 

In a western, and developed, country like Italy, you’d assume that things that are supposed to work should work. 

However, it’s not always the case. 

To be more specific, I’m referring to websites from which you need to obtain important documents. These websites include the local comune (local council), Italian post office and even official government pages.  

In many cases, I’ve found that the information is outdated or that links are broken. When trying to book an appointment online, I’ve sometimes experienced the button either not working or received a 404-error message. 

It's one of the things I don’t like about living in Italy and something that expats in Italy will encounter.

3. (southern) Italian time 

One of my biggest bugbears about living in Italy is the concept of Italian time.  

It's something I see more often when living in southern Italy compared to living in northern Italy. 
The easiest example I can give is when we have dinner plans (in Sicily). If a time of 8.30pm has been booked for the restaurant, this usually means an arrival time of 9.15/9/30pm.  

Because I'm now accustomed to how things work, I’ve also adopted a laxer approach when we’re in Sicily. 

As I mentioned in the disclaimer this doesn’t refer to all Sicilians. But, speaking from my experience, being overly late for an appointment is less likely to happen in the north.

Map of Italy

Watch: things I don't like about living in Italy

4. Attitudes towards immigrants 

One of the things I don’t like about living in Italy is some Italians’ attitudes towards immigrants.  

I haven’t experienced any negative experiences as a woman of color in Italy and have met many friendly Italians. However, I recognize that my European-born status, education and profession place me in a different position compared to non-western immigrants. 

With my own eyes 

There’s one example that happened in our city and it’s always stuck with me. 

One day, I was collecting a package from our local tabaccheria (shop that sells cigarettes, newspapers and more). As I was entering the shop, I noticed an African man pulling up on an electric bike.  

Inside, I completed my business, took my package and left.  

Upon exiting, I saw that 2 carabinieri (police officers) had appeared and were questioning the man about his bike. They were asking questions like where he bought it from and where he got the money to buy the bike. 

On the one hand you could say that the police were investigating an incident about a stolen electric bike. 

But as I turned to see the man’s expression his face said it all. 

Looking agitated but trying to remain cool, it was clear that this wasn’t the first time this had happened. 

My husband, who was waiting for me in the car, also noticed what was happening. Without hesitating he called out the incident for what it was: blatant racial discrimination. 

5. Driving on the highway 

Driving on the highways in Italy is a mixed bag.  

While most times the experience is fine, other times it can be extremely stressful.  

Cars clearly driving over the speed limit in the first (fast) lane and cars changing lanes without signaling is normal. 

An Italian friend once remarked that ‘some Italian drivers think they’re F1 race drivers.’ It was something I didn’t understand before living in Italy, but it makes perfect sense now. 

6. Driving while on their mobile phones 

One of the biggest things I don’t like about living in Italy is seeing people driving while using their phones. 

I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve seen it when in the car, even with family members. 

Shockingly, it’s against the law to drive while using the phone in Italy. However, many turn a blind eye to this, and the consequences appear to be non-existent.  

7. Lack of (good) alternative food choices 

It goes without question that Italian food is one of the best cuisines in the world. 

But, when the craving hits for an authentic Japanese sukiyaki or a Thai green chicken curry, your choices are limited. 

Milan is probably the only city where I’ve eaten semi-decent Japanese ramen. 

And while you do see ‘Japanese’ restaurants around cities in Italy, the menu sometimes lists other Asian dishes. It’s a big giveaway to its authenticity. 

The lack of options relating to food, ingredients and even coffee is something that my American expat friends also speak about. Though it's not the end of the world, it does make you miss home comforts that little bit more.

8. Random opening hours 

One of the most random things I don’t like about living in Italy are the different shop opening hours. 

Unlike larger cities like Rome, Milan and Florence, smaller cities and towns follow a different set of rules. 

In my city of Vicenza, some (mainly chain) stores are open on Sundays while others are closed. On Monday mornings, the shops are closed and don’t open until 3.30/4pm.  

Beauty services like hairdressers and beauticians are also closed on Mondays.  

It’s all part of knowing how to live in Italy but it took some adjusting when I first moved here. 

9. (some) Things are stuck in the past 

Italy is renowned for its rich history, incredible architecture and the country for having the most UNESCO World Heritage Sites. 

But Italy’s illustrious historic past doesn’t reflect its present-day reality. 

In truth, some of Italy’s present-day systems are a little archaic. Take the example of my local bank.

At least 3-4 times a month I receive redundant letters in the mail about my account accruing €0.10 of interest. 

Despite having asked to go ‘paperless’, the option doesn’t yet exist.  

Though it’s not the biggest pet peeve I have, it reminds me that some things are still behind in Italy. 

10. Hard to join friend groups 

It took me a few good years to be fully integrated into my husband’s friendship groups in Italy.  

While the language was initially a barrier, some friends still had to get to know me and vice versa. 

Growing up, many Italians tend to have different ‘compagnie’ (companies). One company may be comprised of school friends while the other could be friends with whom they play football. 

Many companies stay close throughout adulthood while some members inevitably leave and move away. 

It can be harder (sometimes) for outsiders to join friend groups in Italy. But give it time and do your best to learn Italian. Eventually, you’ll find your way and will hopefully make your own companies. 

What do you think of this post listing the things I don’t like about living in Italy? Was there anything that surprised you in the article? Let me know in the comments below. 

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