Italy Travel Money Guide
Italy has modernized fast — most places now take cards, but cash still rules in small towns, markets, and rural trattorias.
Capital: Rome · Currency: Euro (EUR)
Paying by card
Card acceptance is now legally required even for small purchases, but enforcement varies. Always carry €50 cash as backup.
Cash and ATMs
Use a major bank ATM (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit). Choose 'no conversion' if asked, to avoid DCC fees.
Tipping
Service ('coperto' or 'servizio') often appears on the bill. If not, round up or leave 5-10%.
Scams to avoid
Bracelet scammers near the Colosseum, 'rose givers' in Rome and Florence, and pickpockets on Rome's bus 64.
What EUR amounts are worth
| EUR | USD | GBP |
|---|---|---|
| 10 EUR | 11.19 | 8.38 |
| 50 EUR | 55.94 | 41.91 |
| 100 EUR | 111.88 | 83.82 |
| 500 EUR | 559.40 | 419.10 |
Rates are European Central Bank reference rates for 26 Oct 2026 (published each working day around 16:00 CET; the UAE dirham uses its official US-dollar peg of 3.6725). The live converter loads the latest rate when the page opens.
Over the 30 days of ECB data to 26 Oct 2026, one US dollar bought 1.92% more EUR.
Before you go
- When a card terminal or ATM offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in EUR; the conversion it offers usually includes a wide margin.
- Tell your bank you are travelling and carry two cards on different networks in case one is declined.
- Check your card's foreign transaction fee and put it in the budget converter's fee field.
Budget the trip with the travel budget converter, see all EUR rates, or browse more country guides.
Coming home with leftover EUR cash? See what it is worth with the EUR to USD converter.
Shopping in Italy? Visitors from outside the country can often reclaim sales tax on goods they take home: the VAT refund calculator shows what you would get back after the refund company's fee.