Money and Practical Matters

Knowing how money works in Italy — from paying at restaurants to understanding receipts — will help you avoid confusion and embarrassment. This lesson covers the euro, paying in various situations, the importance of the scontrino (receipt), tipping customs, and practical matters like opening hours and public holidays.

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The Euro in Italy

Italy has used the euro (€) since 2002, replacing the lira. Coins and notes:

Coins

Value	Italian
1 cent	un centesimo
2 cent	due centesimi
5 cent	cinque centesimi
10 cent	dieci centesimi
20 cent	venti centesimi
50 cent	cinquanta centesimi
€1	un euro
€2	due euro

Notes

Value	Italian
€5	cinque euro
€10	dieci euro
€20	venti euro
€50	cinquanta euro
€100	cento euro
€200	duecento euro
€500	cinquecento euro (rare, many places refuse them)

Tip: Small shops and bars often cannot break large notes (€50 or €100). Always carry small change and notes of €5, €10, and €20. ATMs typically give €20 and €50 notes.

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Paying in Italy

Italian	English
Quanto costa?	How much does it cost?
Posso pagare con la carta?	Can I pay by card?
Posso pagare in contanti?	Can I pay in cash?
Accettate carte di credito?	Do you accept credit cards?
Solo contanti.	Cash only.
Il POS non funziona.	The card machine isn't working.
Vorrei prelevare.	I'd like to withdraw (cash).
Dov'è un bancomat?	Where is an ATM?
Mi può dare il resto?	Can you give me the change?
Tenga il resto.	Keep the change.

Cash vs. Card

Card payments are increasingly accepted in Italy, and since 2022 businesses are legally required to accept card payments for any amount. In practice:

• Large shops, restaurants, hotels: Card always accepted
• Small bars, market stalls, small shops: Cash is often preferred; some still claim "il POS non funziona" (the card machine is broken)
• Tipping: Always in cash
• Tabaccheria, street vendors: Usually cash only

Tip: Always have some cash on hand. While Italy is moving towards card payments, the cultural preference for cash remains strong in many areas, especially in southern Italy and small towns.

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The Scontrino (Receipt)

The scontrino fiscale (fiscal receipt) is extremely important in Italy. By law, businesses must issue a receipt and customers must keep it.

Italian	English
lo scontrino	the receipt
la ricevuta	the receipt (more formal)
la fattura	the invoice
Mi fa lo scontrino?	Can I have the receipt?
Posso avere la fattura?	Can I have an invoice?

Cultural Note: Italian law requires you to keep your receipt (scontrino) after purchase. The Guardia di Finanza (financial police) can stop you outside a shop and ask to see it. If you don't have it, both you AND the shop can be fined. This law exists to combat tax evasion. Always take your receipt!

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ATMs and Banks

Italian	English
il bancomat	the ATM
la banca	the bank
il conto corrente	the bank account
il cambio	the exchange
il tasso di cambio	the exchange rate
la commissione	the fee/commission
prelevare	to withdraw
versare	to deposit

ATM Tips

• Use ATMs attached to banks, not standalone machines, to avoid high fees
• Choose to be charged in euros (not your home currency) to get a better rate
• Your bank may charge a foreign transaction fee — check before you travel
• Notify your bank that you're travelling to Italy to avoid your card being blocked

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Tipping Guide for Italy

Tipping in Italy is VERY different from the UK or USA: