Cost of Living in Italy for Students – Realistic Budget Guide for 2025

Most people know Italy for its Mediterranean charm, delectable cuisine and cultural Renaissance. But did you know it is home to the oldest university in the West? It is also among the top 10 most affordable study destinations in the world.

A pluralistic education plays a key role in social integration worldwide. It helps expand one’s mindset through exposure to different cultures. This is a key motivator for international students to study in Italy.

Italian schools integrate theoretical and practical learning. It allows students to gain essential real-world experience and foster their overall development. Italy has over 100,000 international students enrolled in its universities. Many student-friendly cities in Italy offer opportunities to study while soaking in their rich culture.

Studying in Italy may feel like an extended holiday. Life feels poetic while you are exploring frescoes and sipping espressos in quaint cafes. However, before you pack your bags, you must consider the actual cost of living in Italy.

This guide outlines estimated monthly expenses an international student can expect while in the country. It also outlines strategies to save money while studying in Italy. These insights are tailored for navigating the financial aspects of studying abroad. After all, smart budgeting ensures a carefree student life overseas.

Note: Italy may be affordable compared to the UK or USA—but if you’re an Indian student, even “affordable” means budgeting ₹7–10 lakhs per year when you factor in rent, food, insurance, and transport. That’s why managing your overall financial plan matters just as much as choosing the right course.

Here’s how GradRight can help.

Start with GradRight’s university search platform, which doesn’t just give you a list of schools—but helps you compare programs in Italy based on ROI, city-wise cost of living, employment prospects, and tuition. You can shortlist universities where your academic goals and your financial comfort zone align.

Then, use GradRight’s loan-search platform to reduce the burden. It shows you real loan offers from 15+ trusted lenders—public and private—without upfront paperwork. You can check interest rates, filter by no-collateral options, and get expert help—all free of charge.

Overview of the cost of living in Italy for students

For an international student, understanding the financial landscape of a country is important even before you start applying to colleges. Even though Italy is more affordable than the USA or the UK, staying in larger cities may stretch your budget if you are not careful.

The cost of living in Italy varies by city, lifestyle, and university amenities. The more remote your university is from the city centre, the greater value your dollar tends to carry.

As of 2025, the estimated monthly living costs in Italy for international students is between €700 to €1,500. This includes housing, food, healthcare, insurance, internet, mobile recharges, books, and recreational activities. Compare this to living in London or New York, where monthly rental and tuition expenses easily surge to €2,000–€3,000.

The Italian cities are economically diverse. While Milan and Rome are more expensive, Bologna, Padua, and Pisa offer greater student value and are more affordable. A student in Padua or Pisa needs only €700-€900 a month, while a student in Milan will need €1,200-€1,500 for his monthly expenses.

What Affects the Cost of Living in Italy?

Accommodation: Housing remains the single largest monthly expense for any student. University dormitories come at a lower price, but space is limited. Sharing an apartment reduces costs considerably.

Food: For students, preparing their meals is the most cost-effective approach. Dining out frequently can be expensive. University cafeterias provide cheaper meal options.

Transportation: Italian cities provide discounted monthly passes to students for public transport. Some cities are quite walkable, while others have bike rental options that can reduce costs further.

Healthcare: Italy offers free and low-cost healthcare options for its EU citizens. However, for non-EU students, health insurance is mandatory. Affordable public and private insurance are both available.

Communication: Communication services are quite accessible. Mobile providers TIM, Iliad and Vodafone offer calling and data packages for international students.

Books and Study Materials: These may cost a decent dollar. However, most universities offer online and shared resources.

Leisure and Travel: Domestic travels are usually priced at a student-friendly rate. Some cities offer student discounts to events and festivals.

Here is an overview of expenditure in different Italian cities for an international student:

Average monthly expenses for international students

To dive into the details of an international student’s budget, let’s understand the usual expense overheads. Lodgings, meals, commuting, and entertainment all contribute to a student’s budget and vary within regions. Here, we have broken down the average expenses for foreign students in Italy for 2025.

Private housing, frequent dining out or residing in Milan can stretch monthly expenses to €1,500.

Student accommodation options and costs in Italy

Housing is one of the major expenses for international students. There are three types of student accommodation in Italy to choose from:

University Dorms

University dorms are operated by the universities or through regional bodies such as DSU Toscana or EDISU Piemonte. Dorm rates vary from €200 to €350 per month. Although the price is affordable, most of them have long waiting lists.

Shared Housing

This is the most popular accommodation choice for international students. The price goes from €300 to €600, depending on the city and location of the flat. Apartments in Milan and Rome are more expensive than in other cities.

Private Rental

€500–€1000/month will get you a private studio in most cities. It is best suited for students who need privacy and ease of access to the university. Milan and Rome tend to have more expensive private rentals than other cities.

Here is a city-wise comparison of housing expenses:

Food, Transportation, and Other Daily Living Expenses

Food: If you cook your meals, you will spend approximately €150–€200/month. Groceries cost between €35-€60 weekly on average. Subsidised meals are also available at the university cafeterias for about €3–€8 per meal.

Transportation: In Milan, a monthly student pass costs €22, while in Pisa it’s around €25. Rome’s metro pass goes for €35/month.

Healthcare: Public health insurance costs around €100 a year, while private insurance can cost about €149/year.

Books and Study Materials: Approximately €30–€50 a month.

Here is a city-wise comparison of these expenses and overheads:

Cost of living in major student cities: Milan, Rome, Florence

The top student cities in Italy offer a wonderful balance of culture, education, and lifestyle. However, they come with a hefty price tag. While Milan is the fashion and commercial hub, Rome impresses with its history. Florence, meanwhile, is a Renaissance hub and the art capital of Italy.

If you are wondering which city among these is the most expensive, it’s Milan. But let’s get a better understanding with a comparative study of the three cities:

Cheapest cities in Italy for students: Bologna, Padua, Pisa

While the top metropolitan cities may be a tad bit expensive, other student-friendly cities in Italy are easier on the pocket. 

Bologna is home to the oldest university in the West and is known for its student-centric vibe. Padua and Pisa are other affordable cities that attract students with their cobbled streets and lively piazzas. 

All three cities offer lower costs for rent, transport, and even food. But that doesn’t make them any less attractive to international students. 

Let’s deep dive and compare the living costs in these cities to understand what makes them more affordable:

The above table elucidates how accommodation costs in these three cities are way less than in metropolises like Milan or Rome. Since housing is a major overhead, even marginal cost variations can significantly impact your budget.  

Student visa cost in Italy (and associated costs)

A student visa is obligatory for international students in Italy. It is a major expense to include in your budgetary consideration. In Italy, Indian students need a Type D (National) Student Visa. The following are the approximate breakdowns for the costs:

• Visa Application Fee: €50–€60
• Proof of Funds: Minimum €6,100/year to show financial stability
• Health Insurance: Approx. €120/year
• Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno): €76–€100 (within 8 days of arrival)
• Document Translation and Apostille: €50–€100 (varies by number of documents)

How to save money while studying in Italy

Studying in Italy is no less than a vivid, cultural feast. However, between the gelato tastings and weekend trips, there is one practical truth you should never forget. While tuition fees are low in Italy, ancillary expenses can add up quickly if you are not careful. Thankfully, there are many hidden ways to stretch a budget without missing out on the dolce vita.

Choose shared accommodation or university dorms for a cheaper stay. Shop at local markets and take advantage of regional student discounts. Also, university dining halls are far more economical compared to restaurants.

Italian universities make an attractive value proposition through numerous scholarships. Don’t forget to look for scholarships and grants to further ease your budget.

Now that we have discussed the usual ways to save money, here are some lesser-known tips that will help you save like a local:

Join City-Specific Facebook Groups For Student Barter & Rentals

Cities like Bologna, Padua, and Turin have active Facebook communities. Here, students and residents barter books, furniture, bicycles, and even room rentals. These online communities facilitate rent for students at discounted rates. Added benefit – you can sidestep agency charges.

Use “Mensas” Hidden Inside Social Centres

Mensa means a canteen or a cafeteria. You might be surprised to know your university cafeteria is not the only place where you can find cheap meals. Some community centres like Caritas or ARCI serve meals to students for €2–€4.

Volunteer at Cultural Events or Film Festivals

Every year, cities like Milan, Rome and Florence organise numerous events and festivals. Volunteering gets you free access, food, networking opportunities, and a diverse cultural experience.

Buy Fresh Produce at Closing Time in Open Markets

Fresh produce can be bought at a much lower price after 1 PM at some local markets. Some famous local markets are Mercato di Sant’Ambrogio (Florence) and Porta Palazzo (Turin).

Share Subscriptions and Student Cards

Students often share streaming accounts and transportation cards with their flatmates. Certain regional train tickets, like Toscana Young, allow multiple people to use them on weekends.

FAQs:

1. What is the average cost of living in Italy for international students?

The average cost of living in Italy is around €800-€1,300 monthly. It depends largely on the city of residence, lifestyle choices, and accommodation type.

2. How much does student accommodation cost in Italy?

Student accommodation in Italy varies from €250 to €800 per month. University dorms are the cheapest, private rentals are more expensive.

3. Which are the cheapest cities in Italy for students?

The cheapest cities in Italy for students are Bologna, Padua and Pisa.

4. What are the monthly expenses for students in Milan and Rome?

Living expenses in Milan for students are approximately €1200 and €1500 monthly. Living expenses in Rome for students are slightly lower at €1000 to €1300 monthly.

5. How can students save money while studying in Italy?

You can reduce expenditure through meal prep and shared accommodation. Use student discount passes, second-hand textbooks, and the university cafeteria for dining.