Rome is not a city — it is an accumulated civilisation. 2,800 years of continuous urban history have deposited layer upon layer of architecture, art and cultural memory into a single place: the Forum, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, the Vatican, Baroque churches, Renaissance palaces, 1950s Cinecittà, contemporary museums — all coexisting in a city of 2.8 million people that still functions as a living capital. Italy’s national government, ministries, parliament, the Vatican (an independent state within Rome), the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the World Food Programme (WFP), and Italy’s media, film, archaeology and cultural heritage sectors are all concentrated here. Rome is not Italy’s financial capital (that is Milan), but it is Italy’s political, institutional and cultural capital — and for those whose work is in these domains, it is irreplaceable.
Why UK Nationals Choose Rome
- International organisations — the FAO, WFP, IFAD, the UN World Tourism Organization and other UN agencies have their headquarters in Rome. A significant international civil service community lives here permanently
- Government and media — Italian national government, RAI (public broadcaster), national newspapers and media headquarters are all based in Rome. For those working in Italian public affairs, policy, journalism or lobbying, Rome is the only base
- Archaeology and cultural heritage — Rome is the world’s greatest open-air museum. For those in archaeology, art history, museum curation, conservation and heritage, Rome offers unmatched professional context
- Film industry — Cinecittà studios (founded 1937, where Ben-Hur, La Dolce Vita, The Young Pope and dozens of other productions were filmed) and Rome’s broader film and television production community make it Italy’s film capital
- Quality of life and culture — the combination of food, climate (mild winters, warm summers, over 2,500 hours of sunshine), social life, beauty, and a pace of life genuinely different from northern Europe is the primary draw for many UK nationals who simply want to live extraordinarily well
Rome Neighbourhoods: Where to Live
Prati — immediately west of the Vatican, across the Tiber. Elegant, residential, wide avenues, excellent restaurants and cafés. Very popular with professionals and expats. Probably the most straightforward neighbourhood for new arrivals.
Trastevere — across the Tiber, south of the Vatican. Rome’s most characterful neighbourhood: medieval streets, vines on walls, the best nightlife and restaurant streets in Rome. Extremely popular with expats. Noisy on weekend evenings; beautiful to live in.
Pigneto — eastern Rome, formerly working class, now the city’s most rapidly gentrifying neighbourhood. Strong creative and film industry presence, excellent street food, independent bars. More affordable than Prati or Trastevere.
Testaccio — the original working-class heart of Rome, now highly sought-after. The city’s best food market (Mercato di Testaccio), the slaughterhouse (Mattatoio) turned arts centre, excellent osterie. Compact, community feel, very popular with young professionals.
Flaminio / Parioli — north of the city centre. Flaminio is the cultural district (MAXXI contemporary art museum, Auditorium Parco della Musica). Parioli is Rome’s most prestigious residential neighbourhood — embassies, large apartments, quiet streets, families and diplomats.
EUR — Mussolini-era planned district south of the city. Wide boulevards, rationalist architecture, large apartments, less central but well-connected. Popular with families seeking space at lower costs.
Monteverde — residential, family-friendly, hillside west of Trastevere. Excellent schools, community life, lower density. Very popular with the diplomatic and international community.
Cost of Living in Rome
| Category | Monthly cost (approx.) |
|---|---|
| 1-bedroom apartment (Prati/Parioli) | €1,300 – €2,200 |
| 1-bedroom apartment (Trastevere/Testaccio) | €1,100 – €1,800 |
| Monthly ATAC transport pass | €35 |
| Groceries (one person) | €220 – €350 |
| Eating out (trattoria/mid-range) | €15 – €28 per person |
Rome is cheaper than Milan and considerably cheaper than London. The combination of lower costs, high quality of food, climate and culture makes Rome one of Europe’s best-value cities for an exceptional quality of life.
Post-Brexit: Visa and Residency
The Italian visa and work permit system is the same in Rome as in Milan:
Work visa process: 1. Italian employer applies to the Sportello Unico per l’Immigrazione for a Nulla Osta al lavoro 2. Once approved, you apply for a Visto D (national visa) at the Italian consulate in London 3. On arrival, apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno at the local Questura within 8 working days
The Nulla Osta operates under the annual Decreto Flussi quota system — applications open on specific dates and are subject to national caps. Early planning is essential.
For international organisation staff: UN agency employees and staff of registered international organisations typically have specific visa categories facilitated through the organisation’s HR department. Check with your employer.
Codice Fiscale — Italy’s tax identification number, required for signing a lease, opening a bank account, healthcare registration and all official transactions. Obtain it at the Italian consulate in London before moving.
Shipping Your Belongings to Rome
Easy Move operates regular groupage services from the UK to Italy, with delivery to Rome. Transit time from London is typically 4–5 working days. EU customs documentation included. Get a free quote for removals to Italy.
Frequently Asked Questions: Moving to Rome from the UK
What is the difference between moving to Rome and moving to Milan?
Milan is Italy’s financial, fashion and business capital — the primary destination for finance, corporate, tech and fashion professionals. Rome is Italy’s political, institutional, media and cultural capital — the primary destination for those working in government, international organisations, archaeology, film, journalism and cultural heritage. Rome is also cheaper and has a more relaxed pace of life.
What permit process applies for UK nationals working in Rome?
The same Decreto Flussi / Nulla Osta process applies across Italy. Your employer applies for the Nulla Osta (work permit clearance); you apply for a Visto D at the Italian consulate in London; you apply for the Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days of arrival. Allow 3–6 months for the employer-side process. Staff of UN agencies in Rome typically have separate facilitated visa categories.
What is the Codice Fiscale and do I need it before I arrive?
Italy’s universal tax identification number, required for every official transaction: signing a rental contract, bank account, healthcare, mobile contract. Obtain it at the Italian consulate in London before moving. You cannot sign a lease without it.
How long does it take to ship belongings from the UK to Rome?
Easy Move’s typical transit time from London to Rome is 4–5 working days, with EU Transfer of Residence customs documentation included.
Is Italian essential for daily life in Rome?
More so than in Milan. Rome’s international community is substantial but less dominant than Milan’s; daily services, landlords, the Questura, healthcare and most public interactions operate in Italian only. English is widely spoken in tourist areas and international organisations, but Italian is genuinely essential for full daily life and integration.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.