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Get tips, join events & make friends in Rome
Are you a British citizen living in Rome or thinking about moving there? Read on to explore the ins and outs of life in Rome, drawn from the experiences of fellow Brits in our 51ԹϺcommunity.
While Rome offers a fun and exciting experience with much to discover, sometimes you might find yourself missing the familiarity of home. Are you in search of classic British snacks like Walkers crisps? Looking for a buddy to watch football with? Our community has got you covered.
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Brandon Le Clerk
What I really love about InterNations? Making new business contacts and friends in real life. This is a unique plattform.
Li Wang
At my first 51ԹϺRome Get-Together I met more expats then expected. 51ԹϺmade is so easy to settle in.
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Why you'll love 51ԹϺin Rome
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
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The pros and cons of living in Rome according to Brits
No place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad and the ugly — find out what our British members love about Rome as well as the challenges they face.
Pros:
Cost of living: The cost of living in Rome is much cheaper than in the UK, and is a great economic choice when compared to major cities in the UK like London. Rome is comparatively more expensive than other Italian cities, though.
Healthcare: The affordability of healthcare is a plus for Brits. Expats have access to both public and private healthcare in Italy.
Public transport: Public transport can get you pretty much anywhere and is cheaper than in the UK.
Italian food: Living in Rome is a major plus if you love Italian food. You have unlimited access to authentic pizza, pasta, and gelato to your heart’s content.
Work–life balance: Rome’s work–life balance is something many Brits appreciate. Italians enjoy a slower pace of life, often referred to as the dolce vita lifestyle.
Cons:
Wages: Local wages certainly don’t compare to the levels our Brit members are used to from home, but the lower cost of living makes up for it in most cases.
Bureaucracy: This is likely to cause you a headache due to the extensive rules and standards in place. You'll probably need to carry a substantial number of documents with you, and there’s still a chance that you might miss one, which can make the process lengthy and difficult.
Language barrier: This a major issue for expats who find it difficult to connect with Italians or carry out daily tasks without any knowledge of Italian.
Tourists everywhere: Especially in the summer months, the city is crowded with tourists, making daily life a challenge for both locals and expats.
Expat stats: The Brits that move abroad
Every year we release the results of the biggest global survey among expats, which asks about various aspects of expat life. Learn what motivated our Brit members to move abroad including some interesting stats.
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Meet British expats at our weekly events in Rome
Making friends and building a network in a new city can be hard. At our events, everyone is from somewhere else and it’s completely normal to introduce yourself and talk to others about their expat journeys. You’ll get to know a bunch of international people and other Brits in no time and get first-hand information about your new home, Rome.
Check our upcoming events and become part of Rome’s large expat family. Our Newcomers’ Events are geared specially towards people that are new to the city. Our Ambassadors will greet you with open arms and introduce you to other newcomers or more experienced expats living in Rome.
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Frequently asked questions about life in Rome
You want to make friends with other Brits in Rome but you’re not sure how or where to meet them? Then let us help you out.
It’s common for Brits to meet each other in popular Irish bars during game season. We recommend “Scholars Lounge” to watch most football games, or “Highlander” and “Abbey Theatre” to watch the Six Nations Championship games.
You could also try joining events specifically for Brits or other English-speaking expats. Our 51ԹϺevents are a great opportunity for you to make friends. In particular, our Newcomers’ Events are geared towards introducing newcomers to the community — simpler than trying your luck in a bar!
As with most expats, quite a few of our British members live in the more international parts of town. Both international companies and opportunities for socializing tend to be located in the center of the city.
Here are some of the most popular parts of Rome:
Monti: Close to iconic landmarks like the Colosseum, it’s perfect for those who enjoy local shops, small restaurants, and being in the center of everything. The proximity to Termini station is a plus for commuters.
Centro Storico: Rome’s most prestigious area, surrounded by historical sites. It’s the most expensive neighborhood but offers easy access to public transport.
Aventino: Ideal for families, Aventino is peaceful, close to the city’s ancient sites, and home to international schools and foreign offices.
Trastevere: Known for its safety, exclusivity, and abundance of dining and shopping options; well suited for public transport.
Monteverde: A family-friendly neighborhood known for its green spaces. It’s affordable and offers spacious living areas. Public transport is readily available, connecting residents to central Rome.
San Giovanni: Despite being on the pricier side, its central location makes it attractive for expats who want to be close to the action and English-speaking locals.
Rome is an international city that receives a substantial number of tourists every year. So, it’s not too hard to get around with no to limited Italian. But you’ll still run into the proverbial language barrier at some point, which is frustrating.
So ideally, treat your time in Rome as an opportunity to learn some Italian. There is a wide variety of affordable language schools to get you started, as well as apps that allow you to improve on your own time and budget.
To help with the most challenging moments — like getting official paperwork done, finding a flat, visiting a doctor, etc. — we’ve have collected some services that cater to English speakers (Listed services are not affiliated with or endorsed by InterNations.):
— An English speaking multi-specialty medical clinic in Rome, including
— English speaking dentist in Rome
— Immigration lawyer in Rome
— Domestic and international tax consultancy
— Get connected to a native Italian speaker on your phone and use the loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you
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Find friends to pursue your hobbies & passions with
Do you want to continue with your hobbies — or discover new ones — while living in Rome? There’s a variety of 51ԹϺGroups you can join, including everything from sightseeing to running.
These are run by dedicated Consuls who host at least one activity per month, such as dinners in Rome’s finest restaurants or outings with other expats to explore all the Italian capital has to offer — from the Colosseum, one of the biggest sights in Rome, to the Pantheon, a major public space in the heart of Rome with plenty of cafes and bars, and much more.
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Enjoy the international experience with InterNations
We’re not just in Rome! 51ԹϺhas lively communities in 420 cities around the globe.
So if you’re thinking about relocating or are simply in the mood for a nice night out while traveling, 51ԹϺis your go-to platform. As a member, you’re welcome to join events in any of our 51ԹϺCommunities.
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British expats in Italy
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Other Nationalities in Rome
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