If you are thinking about moving to Italy or spending some time here, English is quite widespread, especially in the larger and more touristy cities. In this article, we will try to understand if it’s possible living in Italy without speaking Italian, and what are some phrases you need to know. Whether you want to live, work, or simply travel, knowing Italian is not mandatory unless you want to communicate with locals in smaller communities, such as small towns or villages that are not dependent on tourism.

Is English really that widespread in Italy?

If you’re wondering which Italian city will be the easiest for you to navigate without perfect knowledge of Italian, you should focus on some of the main cities that are more international. Rome, Milan, Florence, and Venice are undoubtedly among the places where English is more widely spoken, thanks to tourism, business, and a growing international community.

Rome is, of course, one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Italy. With millions of tourists visiting every year, English is almost a service language. In restaurants, shops, and tourist attractions, many Romans speak a good amount of English, and this makes the city really easy to live in for those who don’t yet speak the language fluently. Even if you move a bit away from the tourist center, you’ll still find people who can communicate in English, especially in younger and more dynamic neighborhoods.

Milan, the economic and fashion capital, is another hotspot for those looking for an international environment. Here, not only is English widely spoken, but the city itself is a crossroads of cultures, with professionals and entrepreneurs from all over the world. If you work in industries like fashion, design, or finance, you won’t have trouble finding people who speak English, and in many offices, English is the main language.

Florence is one of the most touristic cities in Italy, famous for its art and history. As a very popular destination for international visitors, the city speaks English widely, especially in museums, galleries, and restaurants. Florentines are very welcoming, and even though not everyone speaks fluent English, in the more touristy areas, communication in English is possible.

Venice is another city that needs no introduction. With its unique charm and the thousands of tourists who cross its bridges every year, English is the most common language in many shops, restaurants, and attractions. Not only do Venetians working in tourism speak English, but many residents who interact with foreigners every day also do.

In addition to the main tourist cities, you’re also in a safe spot in any other city that is a regional capital or a hub for national events or sports. What I would advise against, however, is thinking you can communicate easily with locals if you’re in remote or isolated villages, off the beaten path, or in lesser-known areas.

The situation in smaller towns

However, if you move to less touristy areas or smaller towns, you may start to encounter some difficulties. For example, I live in a town of a few thousand inhabitants in the heart of Italy that doesn’t rely on tourism. Putting aside the fact that there wouldn’t be much for a tourist to see or do here, I can confirm that communication without Italian would be a problem. But it’s not an isolated case, this is the situation in most cities with fewer job opportunities for international companies, less tourism, and, most importantly, less wealth.

While abroad, even in small communities, English is now an important communication tool, in Italy, unfortunately, that’s not yet the case. In these areas, it might be a bit more difficult to communicate without knowing at least the basics of the language. If you plan to move to a small town, it’s useful to learn a few words in Italian to make your daily life easier and to gradually integrate into the life of the town.

Useful phrases to know for living in Italy

When you arrive in Italy, even though English may be spoken in many areas, knowing a few basic phrases in Italian will definitely help you feel more at ease and facilitate communication with locals.

Basic phrases and greetings

Let’s start with the most common phrases that will help you interact with people in a polite and friendly way:

• “Buongiorno” (Good morning) – One of the most commonly used words during the day, particularly in the morning.
• “Buonasera” (Good evening) – To greet someone in the afternoon or evening.
• “Ciao” (Hi/Hello) – More informal, you can use it with friends or people you already know.
• “Arrivederci” (Goodbye) – The formal version of “goodbye.”
• “Mi scusi” (Excuse me) – To get someone’s attention or apologize.
• “Per favore” (Please) – Never forget to be polite with this word.
• “Grazie” (Thank you) – To express gratitude.
• “Prego” (You’re welcome) – The response when someone thanks you.

Essential phrases for shopping, restaurants, and transport

After the basic phrases, there are other expressions that are very useful when you’re out, whether you’re shopping, eating in a restaurant, or using public transportation.

For shopping:

• “Quanto costa?” (How much does it cost?) – When you’re trying to understand the price of something.
• “Posso pagare con la carta?” (Can I pay with a card?) – Useful when you want to know if you can pay with a credit or debit card.

In restaurants:

• “Un tavolo per favore.” (A table, please.) – When you arrive at a restaurant and ask to be seated.
• “Il menù, per favore.” (The menu, please.) – When you want the menu to be brought to you.
• “Cosa mi consigli?” (What do you recommend?) – A good question to ask if you don’t know what to order.
• “Vorrei questo.” (I’d like this.) – When you want to order something from the menu.
• “Il conto, per favore.” (The bill, please.) – When you’re ready to pay.
• “Acqua naturale o frizzante?” (Still or sparkling water?) – Very common in Italy, where they distinguish between still water (without bubbles) and sparkling water (with bubbles).

For transport:

• “Un biglietto, per favore.” (A ticket, please.) – When you board a bus, train, or subway.
• “Dove si trova la stazione?” (Where is the station?) – If you need to know where the train or bus station is.
• “A che ora parte il treno?” (What time does the train leave?) – Useful to know the departure times for trains.
• “Quanto tempo ci vuole per arrivare a…?” (How long does it take to get to…?) – If you want to know how long it takes to get to a destination.