Update:Milan is in the Covid-19 Red zone, what now?
Updated 16/01/2021: Lombardy classified as Red Zone from January 17 to January 31, 2021. Roberto Speranza Ministry of Health, announced that due to the Covid pandemic more restrictive regulatory measures are to be implemented in the Lombardy region. Attilio Fontana, President of the Lombardy Region has expressed his disagreement witht he Ministry of Health. “We […]Read More
A Conversation with Lisa Halliday, an American Writer in Milan
The American writer Lisa Halliday, winner of a 2017 Whiting Award for Fiction, walks the cobblestoned streets and lanes of Milan pondering her work. Looking up at the golden Madonnina, or passing the imposing, marble-clad façade of the Palazzo di Giustizia, she considers alternative scenarios, her imagination traces new plots. She returns to her sparsely […]Read More
How to Find Covid-19 Info for Italy
Since November 2020 when the Italian government and Minister of Health implemented a color-coded tier system indicating Covid-19 criticality of each region, restrictions and regulations seem to change as frequently as the weather. Easy Milano has complied a list of free resources that you can use to find the information you need. This page […]Read More
Why do Italians Eat Lentils on New Year’s Eve?
It’s an Italian tradition to eat lentils just after the stroke of midnight on Dec 31st. Go to any supermarket in Italy on Dec 31st and the shelf of lentils will be empty. They are sold out and not even the biggest of supermarkets can keep them in stock. Eating lentils is a tradition that […]Read More
Milan is in the Covid-19 Yellow zone, what now?
Italy was assigned a new color code classification system in November 2020 classifying the Covid-19 criticality of each region. Red, Orange or Yellow indicate what kind of lockdown or shelter in place restrictions are implemented. Color codes are assigned by the government and Minister of Health and will depend on the degree of risk and […]Read More
Italian Style Christmas
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas! And although you may be far from home, make the most of the season with our tips on how to celebrate an Italian Style Christmas. Your beginner’s kit should include first and foremost a Nativity Scene or presepe. These are essential during the holiday season and in […]Read More
Christmas Cake: An English Tradition
Christmas cake is an English tradition that began as plum porridge. People ate the porridge on Christmas Eve, using it to line their stomachs after a day of fasting. Soon dried fruit, spices and honey were added to the porridge mixture, and eventually it turned into Christmas pudding. In the 16th century, oatmeal was removed […]Read More
Milan is in the Covid-19 Orange zone, what now?
Italy was assigned a new color code classification system in November 2020 classifying the Covid-19 criticality of each region. Red, Orange or Yellow indicate what kind of lockdown or shelter in place restrictions are implemented. Color codes are assigned by the government and Minister of Health and will depend on the degree of risk and […]Read More
UK Gov Writes to Thousands of Brits Living in the EU to Prepare for the End of Transition Period
Brexit is coming to an end. The UK Government has sent thousands of letters to UK nationals abroad in efforts to support them in making a smooth transition. One of the largest UK Government direct mail campaigns to UK Nationals living in EU and EFTA member states, with 365,000 customers on Department for Work and Pensions […]Read More
Traditional Thanksgiving Recipes
In 1620, a boat filled with more than 100 Pilgrims set sailed away from England across the Atlantic in search for a new land. They landed on present day Massachusetts and began a new life. The Pilgrims knew farming, and with the help of locals Indians, they even learned how to grow various crops. To […]Read More
Returning to Italy from Abroad during Covid-19 Lockdown – What to do
Instructions for travelers returning to Italy Returning from Belgium, France, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Netherlands, Czech Republic, Spain Travelers returning to Italy from 14 October to 3 December, and are domiciled in the provinces of Milan and Lodi, must register by filling out the form at the following link: Italian HERE English HERE […]Read More
Answering Questions for UK Nationals Moving to Italy
A message from British Embassy Rome Thank you to everyone who joined our latest Q & A event for UK nationals. We focused our session on those newly arrived in Italy or thinking of moving to Italy. FAQs about Living in Italy You can find below a selection of the questions raised as well as […]Read More
How to Watch the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election from Italy
The Race for the White House is on! If you are an American in Italy, you will want to watch the Presidential Election. Italian news channels are broadcasting but if you are not yet savvy with the language, you will want to watch the U.S. Presidential Election commentaries in English. We have complied a list […]Read More
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
