(Last updated: 7 Nov 2012)
Security and health
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) provides advice for business travellers and tourists going to Italy. This is regularly updated, and should be checked before planning travel.
It is strongly recommended that Australian travellers take out comprehensive travel insurance that will cover any overseas medical costs, before their departure. They should confirm that their insurance covers them for the whole time they will be away and check what circumstances and activities are not included in their policy.
It is also recommended for Australian travellers to register, before travelling, on the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade website, in case of an emergency.
Security
Crime is not usually a problem for travellers in Italy, but car thefts and bag snatching may occur especially in larger cities. Awareness of the risk is generally all that is needed to ward off such events. Organised crime exists in Italy, particularly in some southern regions, though effective measures are being taken to curb it. Law and order are maintained by:
- ‘Arma dei Carabinieri’ (operated by the Ministry of Defence)
- ‘Polizia di Stato’ (police, operated by the Ministry of the Interior)
- ‘Guardia di Finanza’ (police, specialised in financial crime, controlled by the Ministry of Finance)
- ‘Polizia Municipale (Vigili)’ (local police force, operated by town councils)
Health
Australian citizens have access to full free public health care including emergency medical care and hospitalisation, through ‘Aziende Sanitarie Locali’ – local health units. There are no costs and insurance is not required.
For emergencies dial 118 from any public phone (no charge). Coverage is provided only for a maxium of six months from the date of last arrival in Italy. Public health standards may vary from city to city. The private health care system is excellent and offers high quality service, but costs are high and insurance coverage is required.
It is not difficult to find English speaking doctors and no vaccinations are required to travel in Italy. You can also safely drink tap water throughout Italy, but in larger cities (eg. Milan) most people drink bottled water.