| Area Total | 301,340 sq km |
| Climate | predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south |
| Natural Resources | coal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land |
| Imports | Germany 16.3%, France 8.8%, China 7.1%, Netherlands 5.6%, Spain 5.3%, Belgium 4.5% (2017) – engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, tobacco |
| Government | parliamentary republic |
| Capital | Rome |
| Population | 62.2 million (July 2018 est.) |
| Ethnicity | Italian (small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek Italians in the south) |
| Language | Italian (official), German, French, Slovene |
| Exports | Germany 12.5%, France 10.3%, US 9%, Spain 5.2%, UK 5.2%, Switzerland 4.6% (2017) – engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco; minerals, nonferrous metals |
News about Italy
- CALENDAR: The transport strikes to expect in Italy in January 2026by The Local Italy on December 31, 2025
The approach of the new year signals a return to business as usual in Italy – including the resumption of transport strikes across the country's air, rail, and local public transport sectors.
- When do Italy's January sales start in 2026?by The Local Italy on December 31, 2025
Shops in Italy are gearing up for their big winter sales. Here's when they start in each region.
- Four hurt and around 100 left stranded after Italy cable car accidentby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
Four people were injured and around 100 were stranded atop a mountain in northwest Italy on Tuesday after a cable car accident, authorities said.
- Italy approves 2026 budget with tax cut for middle earnersby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
Italy's parliament approved the final 2026 budget on Tuesday, including an income tax cut for around 13.6 million middle-income earners.
- What to know about Italy’s new €2 fee on non-EU packagesby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
Italy will charge €2 on small packages ordered from outside the EU under a new budget measure aimed at fast-fashion platforms like Shein and Temu.
- 'Brexit is not done': How Britons in Europe are still fighting for their rightsby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
Five years on from the end of free movement, Britons living throughout Europe are still dealing with the consequences of Brexit. Fiona Godfrey, from British in Europe, tells The Local the battle to secure rights is still ongoing and that things could get more complicated.
- How Americans with Italian ancestry can now move to Italy for workby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
After Italy restricted citizenship by descent earlier this year, a new decree opens up a work visa pathway for US nationals who can prove Italian ancestry.
- Today in Italy: A roundup of the latest news on Tuesdayby The Local Italy on December 30, 2025
Budget law heads to final vote in parliament, Meloni tells staff 2026 "will be even worse," and more news from Italy on Tuesday.
- What's open and what's closed in Italy over the New Year holiday?by The Local Italy on December 29, 2025
Italy will ring in 2026 with big celebrations on December 31st and a public holiday on January 1st. But how will shops, public transport services and museums be affected by nationwide festivities?
- Italian expression of the day: 'Cenone'by The Local Italy on December 29, 2025
You'll want to be prepared to tackle this word.
- FULL LIST: The new Italian words that defined 2025by The Local Italy on December 29, 2025
The list of new Italian words published this week by the Treccani Institute covers everything from politics to celebrity gossip, with loan words from both English and German.
- Everything that changes about life in Italy in January 2026by The Local Italy on December 22, 2025
From public holidays to winter sales and the start of Venice's carnival, here's what to expect in Italy next month.
- What changes for foreigners in Italy in 2026?by The Local Italy on December 22, 2025
From travel rules to property taxes, here's what international residents and visitors need to know about changes taking effect in Italy next year.
- Mark your calendar: Italy's biggest cultural events in 2026by The Local Italy on December 19, 2025
From saints’ feasts to unmissable festivals and sporting events, these will be the highlights of 2026 in Italy.
- LISTED: The new flights to and from Italy in 2026by The Local Italy on November 21, 2025
Several airlines have announced new direct flights to and from Italy in 2026, linking popular Italian destinations to major airports in North America, Europe and Asia.
- UPDATE: Seven measures in the 2026 budget that affect foreigners in Italyby The Local Italy on October 30, 2025
Italy's final 2026 budget bill includes the promised income tax cuts and an extension of home renovation grants.
- How to secure Italian citizenship for your child before the 2026 deadlineby The Local Italy on July 11, 2025
A sweeping reform drastically tightened the rules for passing Italian citizenship to children born abroad earlier in 2025. But some parents benefit from a special grace period ending in May 2026.
- Five Italian New Year traditions to bring luck for 2026by The Local Italy on December 30, 2023
Celebrating San Silvestro in Italy? There are a few customs to follow to make sure you start 2026 with as much good fortune as possible.
- Italian word of the day: ‘Proposito’by The Local Italy on November 22, 2021
Resolve to get to grips with this versatile word.
- Italian word of the day: 'Capodanno'by The Local Italy on January 1, 2020
Top of the year to you.






















