Money, cards and ATMs in Italy

Money and payments

Italy utilizes the Euro (€) currency. Use the converter above the prices on this guide rather than a rate written into a sentence - the euro was worth about 1.08 dollars when this page was drafted in March 2026 and about 1.17 in August, which is the kind of drift that makes a written-down rate worse than no rate at all. To withdraw cash, travelers should exclusively use official, bank-owned ATMs (Bancomat) operated by established domestic financial institutions (such as UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banco BPM, or Poste Italiane). Independent, non-bank ATMs (such as Euronet) located in tourist zones charge high transaction fees and enforce unfavorable exchange rates. Most bank Bancomats enforce a single transaction withdrawal limit of €250.00 to €300.00. When using a foreign card at an ATM or payment terminal, travelers must reject Dynamic Currency Conversion (DCC). If the terminal asks whether to bill the transaction in the card's home currency (e.g., USD) or the local currency (EUR), the traveler must select EUR. Selecting the home currency allows the merchant's bank to apply an unfavorable exchange rate, adding a hidden margin of 5% to 15% to the transaction. Travelers must avoid exchanging physical currency at airport kiosks or tourist exchange booths (such as Forexchange) due to high transaction margins. Cash exchange should be conducted at major bank branches in city centers. Cashless payments are highly integrated across Italy. By national law, all merchants must accept credit or debit cards for any transaction value, meaning card payments are standard for restaurants, transport, and retail. However, travelers should maintain a small cash reserve (e.g., €10.00 to €20.00 in small bills and coins) for coin-operated public restrooms, minor purchases at traditional bakeries, or a quick coffee at a local stand. Tipping is not customary or expected in Italian dining culture. Sit-down restaurants apply a standard coperto (table cover charge) ranging from €1.50 to €3.00 per person, which is clearly disclosed on the menu to cover bread and service.