Covid-19: Oct. 7, 2020 Update
Wearing masks indoors and outdoors is once again obligatory in Italy (Rome, 7 October 2020) The Council of Ministers approved the extension of the state of emergency in Italy to 31 January 2021 and approved, the Law Decree “Urgent measures connected with the extension of the declaration the state of epidemiological emergency from Covid-19 and for the operational […] Read More
When Can We Switch on the Heating in Italy?
Switching on the heating in Italy is controlled by regional regulations for centralized systems. Residents with autonomous heating should abide by the rules but have a bit more leeway. It’s already October and temperatures have suddenly dropped. It’s cold and damp and it would be so great right now to have the radiators on! […] Read More
Covid Swab Testing Centers in Milan for Students & School Personnel
Source: Regione Lombardia, 18 September 2020 (Partial automated translation) The ATS and ASST allow, within the current supply network, access to the test (swab) without reservation, free of charge and with self-certification of motivation, both for students (starting from early childhood), and for teaching and non-teaching school staff, who present symptoms at school or outside the […] Read More
Mobility Bonus FAQs
Last May, the municipality of Milan announced a new bike lane project for Milan and its intention on becoming the cleanest and most bike friendly city in Europe. The Environmental Minister of Italy also announced the “Bonus Mobilità 2020 – Mobility Voucher Program”, a special tax refund to anyone buying bikes, including pedal assisted bicycles, as well […] Read More
Readout of Residency and Registration FaceBook live event
Thank you to everyone who joined our Facebook live event last week on residency and registration. Our panel included Greta Nonni of the International Organisation for Migration. IOM is our UK Nationals Support Fund implementing partner in Italy and are providing support to UK nationals in registering. We’ve included a selection of the questions raised […] Read More
A Family Shopping Day at Scalo Milano Outlet
Milano Moda Milan is not only the backdrop for the fashion runways, but it is a shopping destination for anyone looking for true Milanese style. There is a shopping district in Milan for every kind of moda. The Golden Quadrilateral is famous for high end boutiques like Valentino, Gucci, Prada and Dolce Gabbana. Corso Como […] Read More
Italian holiday: Ferragosto, August 15
Ferragosto is a public holiday celebrated on 15 August in all of Italy. It originates from Feriae Augusti, the festival of emperor Augustus, who made the 1st of August a day of rest after the weeks of hard work of the agricultural sector. It became a custom for the workers to wish their employers “buon ferragosto” and they would get […] Read More
Living Milanese Style
What it means to be Milanese and how we as expats can adopt a Milanese lifestyle. If you do an image search for “Stile Milanese”, Google will show you a collage of elegant male models, expensive watches and chic women clinking prosecco glasses. However, wearing a designer jacket, drinking aperitvi and shopping in Milan does […] Read More
English Speakers Dis Mask Wearing Rules, Italian Speakers Obey
Italians are more likely to wear masks than Brits or Americans As the news of wearing a face covering in shops in England becomes mandatory from 24 July (with a fine of £100 for those who fail to comply) a new study shows that native English speakers are less likely to obey. A unique behavioral […] Read More
Canadians may enter Italy, Americans may not
(July 17, 2020) The “safe list” for citizens of countries that may enter Italy has been updated and reconfirmed. The ban on citizens from the United States and most South American countries remains in force. The only exception for Latin America is Uruguay and now Canadians may travel to Italy. The list was updated, Jul 16, 2020 by the […] Read More
Painting in the Pandemic Memories of Milan
Artist and painter Jerilyn Jurinek shares her work and memories of Milan and her travels in Italy which inspired her latest works, “Painting in the Pandemic”. As a member of the Center for Italian Modern Art (CIMA) in New York, she stays connected to Italy and the art which inspires her most. By JERILYN JURINEK […] Read More
A Call To Vote: Americans in Italy
If not now, when? A message from Democrats Abroad and Vote From Abroad What will determine the difference between Donald Trump winning or losing in the 2020 Presidential elections? The answer may surprise you. It won’t be the many scandals spawned by the Trump administration. It won’t be his disastrous foreign policy, his irresponsible tax […] Read More
Adventure Parks in Italy – great time for friends and family!
Adventure parks (parchi avventura) are a fairly new phenomenon in Italy, but there are quite a few that are really worth visiting. Apart from being great places where everybody, children and grown ups can have fun, they will give you the chance to see Italy in a different light. Have lots of fun, feel the […] Read More
Social distancing time frames: How our expectations affect compliance
A collective study by Italian researchers published by the National Bureau of Economic Research in Cambridge, MA on society in Italy during the lockdown period has revealed surprising facts about compliance and behavior where individual compliance has collective benefits. The study can provide insight to the international community on managing expectations during public health emergencies that […] Read More
Did a Volcanic Eruption in Alaska Help End the Roman Republic?
As an expat in Italy, learning the history and culture of the country enriches both the experience and our personal knowledge. First a Republic, Rome (Italy) was ruled by a government with a senate until Julius Cesar declared himself Emperor. The Roman Empire is considered to have been the most enduring in history, ruling over continental Europe, […] Read More
For Italy Free Covid-19 Vaccines This Autumn
Italian Health Minister Roberto Speranza and ministers from Germany, France and the Netherlands met to sign an agreement with UK based bio-pharmaceutical company Astrazeneca for the supply of up to 400 million doses of the Covid-19 vaccine developed at the University of Oxford. Deliveries are expected to start by the end of 2020. Minister of […] Read More
Italy Enters Phase 3 After 97 Days of Lockdown
Italy was one of the European countries most affected by the COVID-19 virus crisis officially recording over 34,000 victims.The country went into lockdown on March 10, 2020, almost 100 days ago. Although numbers continue to decrease, coronavirus cases are still being reported daily. Public safety and health measures that have already been implemented such as […] Read More
Neighborhoods of Milan, Where Should I live?
As our name implies, we at Easy Milano want to make your experience living in Milan as easy as possible. There are lots of reasons people move to Milan; study, work, adventure or love. Many readers write in asking questions BEFORE moving to Milan. One question came in about neighborhoods and living in Milan. Although […] Read More
Why flour is still missing from supermarket shelves
Written by Brigit Busicchia, Macquarie University Extreme shortages of toilet paper, pasta and other pantry products defined the early weeks of the COVID-19 pandemic for many shoppers around the world. Availability of most these goods has returned to normal. But not for baking goods – flour in particular. In Britain the flour shortage has led […] Read More
Expressing Emotions in Italian
Even if you have been living in Italy for a short time, you will have noticed that the Italian language is complex. It encompasses verbal, facial and gestural communication. Communicating feelings and emotions seems to come easy to Italians, but for those of us who come from more reserved cultures, we sometimes need to learn […] Read More
Milan The Most Bike Friendly City in Italy
(Milan, May 2020) The city of Milan has plans to be the cleanest and most bike friendly city in Italy. The city press office has announced a new bike lane project for Milan with the intent of limiting the traffic and pollution it causes. This comes as the new measures of Phase 2 ‘Post COVID-19 […] Read More
What Will Italy Become Without Its Elders?
Luisa Cortesi is an environmental anthropologist at Cornell University. Here she shares a poignant insider view of the COVID-19 pandemic as seen from her hometown Bergamo, Italy. Her insights into the loss of our elders not only reflect upon society but are heart-felt and touching. By Luisa Cortesi Our elders are dying one by one, oak […] Read More
Information Guide for UK nationals living in Italy
Dear UK National in Italy, We are pleased to inform you that the British Embassy in Rome and the British Consulate in Milan have produced anew Information Guide for UK nationals living in Italy. It provides details on how to regulate your status here in Italy before the end of the transition period and on the […] Read More
How the COVID-19 crisis inspired this major Italian city to transform its polluted streets – for good
Milan wants to avoid going back to its polluted ways when the COVID-19 lockdown is lifted. The city is planning to build 35km of new cycle routes and to give pedestrians more space by widening pavements. Even the metro will get new measures to allow passengers to practise social distancing. Work on this ambitious transformation […] Read More
FAQs on the Italian Government’s Phase 2
2020-05-04 The office of the Italian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation has published the English version of FAQs. View original CHANGES SINCE THE ORIGINAL 26 APRIL 2020 DECREE What’s new since the 26 April decree?The 26 April decree introduces, from the 4 May, a few new provisions, including for, example, the possibility of […] Read More
ATM and Phase 2: travel times and updates
In light of the gradual restart of work activities scheduled for May 4, ATM informs commuters in order to use public transport, it will be necessary to wear a mask and gloves and respect the distance of 1 meter, which entails a drastic reduction in transport capacity: the vehicles will be able to guarantee approximately 25% […] Read More
Lockdown Phase 2 – 4th May 2020: List of shops and services opening
The Decree DPCM April 26 2020 identifies in Annexes 1 and 2 the commercial activities allowed to open as from May 4th 2020. These measures will remain valid until May 17th . The following list includes the establishments which shall be allowed to open: Retail business activities Hypermarkets Supermarkets Discount supermarkets Convenience stores and other grocery stores Frozen […] Read More
How to Separate Waste for Recycling in Milan
Waste Recycling Management in Milan The first recycling laws in Italy were established in 1997, but it really wasn’t until the early 2000’s that cities in Italy implemented recycling plans. Recycling in Milan starts with each resident separating waste in the home. This means having at least four different bins/bags for plastic, paper organic waste […] Read More
IOM in Italy to support British Nationals who want to regulate their status in Italy
Rome, 18 April 2020 – Supporting British Nationals with the necessary local procedures to obtain and maintain their right to be resident in Italy after the end of the transition period. This is the objective of a new programme launched by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) with funding from the UK Government. The British Embassy in Rome will be supporting IOM as it carries out this important work. The programme is part […] Read More
Prime Minister Conte signs decree to kick off phase two: “If you love Italy, keep your distance”
Premier Giuseppe Conte announced that “phase two is starting, now it’s time to live together with the virus” during a press conference from his office at Palazzo Chigi. “The responsible conduct of every one of us will be fundamentally important,” he said. “One must never get too close, the safety distance must be at least […] Read More
