Living in Bologna

A porticoed courtyard with plants in a Bologna home

Holiplanet · Living in Bologna

Thinking of moving to Bologna?

Relocating to Bologna means answering three questions: does the city fit your life, what will it cost you, and which neighbourhood is yours? This guide answers them with checked facts, area by area.

Google tells you what exists in Bologna. Holiplanet helps you understand what living there would actually mean for you.

Start exploring Bolognaor find your neighbourhood

Independent local guide · Data from official and verified sources

Photo: © Holiplanet

Bologna at a glance

The essentials in one minute, before you decide whether to read on.

395,000+residents in the city (end of 2025)
46.9average age of residents
24%of residents are 65 or older
16%are foreign nationals
155nationalities living in the city
€22,778median taxable income per taxpayer (2023)

What living here is like

  • A compact university city: about 97,000 students, 11,302 of them international, keep the centre young and busy all year.
  • Walkable and car-light: the centre sits under 62 km of porticoes (UNESCO since 2021) and most streets have a 30 km/h limit.
  • Well connected: Florence 37 minutes and Milan about 65 minutes by high-speed train; 122 direct flight destinations.
  • Strong services and jobs: 4th of 107 Italian provinces for quality of life (Il Sole 24 Ore, 2025) and 3.1% unemployment in the metropolitan area (2025).

What surprises newcomers

  • It is an older city than its student image suggests: one resident in four is over 65.
  • Rents are high compared with local incomes: half of taxpayers declare less than €22,778 a year.
  • Paperwork, doctors and landlords work mostly in Italian.
  • Neighbourhoods differ a lot within a few bus stops: choose the street, not just the district.

Sources: City of Bologna statistics office (population at 31 December 2025, incomes for tax year 2023), University of Bologna, Il Sole 24 Ore, ISTAT.

Who actually lives in Bologna?

Age, origin and income shape every neighbourhood: here is the real picture, from the city’s own statistics.

Age: a mature city with a young centre

0–1410.7%
15–3422.2%
35–6442.6%
65+24.4%
  • Average age 46.9; 8.9% of residents are 80 or older.
  • Most households are small: 118,000 of 215,000 are one person (2025).
  • Savena is the oldest district (27% aged 65+); Bolognina is younger than the city average (43.7).

Nationality: international, and mostly here to work

  • 62,578 foreign residents (15.8%) from 155 countries; Asia and Europe each account for about 38%.
  • Largest communities: Romania (9,380), Bangladesh (5,096) and Pakistan (4,712), followed by the Philippines, China and Ukraine (2024 ranking).
  • Most come to work: the 2023 census counted 29,406 employed foreign residents against 3,518 foreign students.
  • Foreign residents are spread unevenly: from 10% in the Colli and Murri zones to almost 25% in Bolognina.

Who is moving to Bologna?

  • In 2025, 16,246 people moved their residence to Bologna; 57.2% were aged 15–34.
  • About two in three newcomers are Italian, many from the South and the islands; the net gain from abroad was 4,339 people.
  • At the same time the city lost 2,829 residents, net, to towns in its own metropolitan area: a pattern that usually reflects families looking for more space for the money.

Income: what locals earn, and what it means for you

  • Median taxable income €22,778 a year; average €28,573 (tax year 2023).
  • 42.7% of taxpayers declare less than €20,000, almost 70% less than €30,000, and 4.3% more than €80,000.
  • Italian taxpayers have a median of €24,818, foreign taxpayers €12,991.

What this means

A median income is about €1,900 gross a month. A one-bed flat costs about €650–1,000 depending on the area, so locals often share, live in outer districts or rely on two incomes. If you arrive with a foreign salary or two incomes, Bologna feels affordable; on a single local salary, the cheaper districts are the realistic choice.

Income profile by area. Above the city median: the Colli, Murri and the four historic-centre zones. Lowest: Bolognina and San Donato, then the western and northern outskirts. You will find each area’s profile in its card below.

Sources: City of Bologna statistics office: population report at 31 December 2025, district report 2026, foreign residents report 2024, income report for tax year 2023. Age data are not published zone by zone; we use district figures.

Is Bologna right for me?

01

What is a normal week like in Bologna?

In short: markets, bikes, buses and porticoes on weekdays; trains to Florence, the hills or the coast at weekends.

Anna, remote worker in Murri

  1. 8.30 Espresso at the bar under the portico: about €1.35 in Bologna (2026).
  2. 9.00 Ten minutes by bike to a coworking desk, or a free seat with Wi-Fi at the Salaborsa library.
  3. 13.00 Lunch at a counter in the Mercato delle Erbe.
  4. 18.00 A run in the Giardini Margherita, then shopping at the Chiesa Nuova market on Via Murri.
  5. 20.30 Aperitivo near Santo Stefano with friends from a language exchange; home on foot.

The Rossi family in Saragozza

  1. 7.45 School run under the porticoes.
  2. 8.30 One parent takes bus 20 to work; the other the train to Florence, 37 minutes from Bologna Centrale.
  3. 16.30 Playground at Villa Spada, then the Wednesday market in Piazza della Pace.
  4. Saturday The walk up the portico to San Luca.
  5. Sunday A day trip to the coast or the hills.

Illustrative days built from facts in this guide; not real people.

Children watching a street dancer in a Bologna square
Everyday life in a Bologna square · Photo: Simonetta Pugnaghi · Unsplash License · source
02

What are the pros and cons of living in Bologna?

In short: strong on services, culture, jobs and connections; weaker on rents compared with incomes, a few problem areas and summer heat.

Pros

  • 1st of 107 provinces for demography, society and health in Il Sole 24 Ore’s 2025 ranking.
  • 74.2% employment and 3.1% unemployment in the metropolitan area (2025).
  • Top hospitals: Sant’Orsola is 5th in Italy (Newsweek 2026); the Rizzoli leads Italian orthopaedics.
  • A rail hub: Florence 37 min, Milan about 65 min, Rome about 2 h 20.
  • Walkable centre, 30 km/h streets and about 240 km of cycle routes.

Cons

  • Rents are high for local salaries, and the September student rush makes searching hard.
  • Reported crime is high for Italy (4th of 107 provinces, Crime Index 2026), concentrated around the station, Montagnola and parts of Bolognina.
  • Late-night noise in the university streets and Via del Pratello.
  • Hot, humid summers; floods in May 2023 and October 2024 hit some streets and hill roads.
  • Public offices and landlords work mostly in Italian.
03

Is it worth relocating to Bologna?

In short: yes, if you value services, culture and connections more than space; think twice if you need a big home on a tight budget or a fully English-speaking life.

A good fit if you…

  • work remotely or travel often by train;
  • have children and want good hospitals, parks and international schools;
  • want city life without a car;
  • plan to stay several years and can choose your area calmly.

Think twice if you…

  • must find a flat in September with little time;
  • want a large house with a garden near the centre;
  • are sensitive to noise but want the old town at night;
  • expect to handle bureaucracy in English.

Holiplanet’s editorial assessment, based on the data on this page.

04

Is Bologna expat-friendly?

In short: yes for an Italian city of its size: one resident in six is foreign, most of them working, and English works in universities, research and the centre; paperwork remains Italian.

  • 62,578 foreign residents from 155 countries, and 29,406 foreign residents in work (2023 census): you will not be the only newcomer.
  • The University has 11,302 international students and 92 degree programmes in English, with an International Desk for students and researchers.
  • International employers include ECMWF, the European weather centre, with over 500 staff from about 35 countries.
  • Bologna scores 557 in the EF English Proficiency Index 2025, above Italy as a whole (513).
  • Two international schools: the International School of Bologna (IB, ages 3–18) and Kinder College (bilingual IB primary and middle years).
05

Is Bologna good for families, retirees and remote workers?

In short: for all three, with different strengths: schools and parks for families, hospitals for retirees, trains and coworking for remote workers.

Families

International schooling, big parks and a university hospital. Families with children are most numerous in Navile (Bolognina) and the outer districts; Murri, Saragozza and San Mamolo are the calmer, greener choices close to town.

Retirees

Strong hospitals and a walkable centre: one resident in four is already over 65. Non-EU retirees usually need the elective residence visa (consulates ask for at least €31,000 a year in passive income); Italy’s 7% pensioner flat tax does not apply in Bologna.

Remote workers

Italy’s digital nomad visa (since April 2024) requires about €28,000 a year. Coworking spaces, the free Salaborsa library and 122 direct flight routes.

Students

About 97,000 students compete for rooms: the University’s SAIS service helps international students with contracts, and student leases last 6 to 36 months.

06

Can I live in Bologna without speaking Italian?

In short: for the first months, yes; for a settled life you will need at least basic Italian.

Easy in English

  • University, research centres and international employers.
  • Cafés, shops and restaurants in the centre.

Where Italian matters

  • Registry office, health service, tax office, post office.
  • Landlords, contracts and building managers.
  • Most local jobs outside research and international companies.

Where to learn

  • University language centre (CLA): Italian from A2 to C2 for its international students; the first course is free.
  • CPIA 2 «Lindeman», the public adult school at Viale Vicini 19: 200-hour A1–A2 courses for €20 a year, with long waiting lists (about 1,340 people in March 2025).
07

Is it easy to make friends in Bologna?

In short: easier than in many cities, because thousands of people arrive every year; the trick is to join something regular.

  • Erasmus Student Network Bologna: weekly events, trips and language tandems.
  • CUS Bologna, the university sports association: teams and courses across the city.
  • VOLABO, the volunteering centre, matches newcomers with associations.
  • ARCI Bologna: over 136 circles and associations with about 75,000 members.
Inside Salaborsa, the public library in Palazzo d’Accursio
Salaborsa, the public library in Piazza del Nettuno · Photo: © Holiplanet

Can I afford Bologna?

Costs by household, rents by area and local salaries, side by side.

08

How much do I need each month?

In short: about €1,500–1,900 for a single person living simply, €2,700–3,300 for a comfortable couple and €3,500–5,000 or more for a family, before international school fees.

Single · modest

€1,500–1,900per month
  • 1-bed outside the centre, about €650–800
  • Bills, phone, internet about €200
  • Bus pass €26, food €300–400

Single · comfortable

€2,000–2,500per month
  • 1-bed in or near the centre, €800–1,000
  • Bills, phone, internet about €230
  • Eating out and travel most weeks

Couple · comfortable

€2,700–3,300per month
  • 2-bed, about €1,000–1,300
  • Bills about €250, two bus passes €52
  • Food €550–650, leisure, travel

Family with 2 children

€3,500–5,000+per month
  • 3-bed, about €1,300–1,800
  • Bills about €300, transport, activities
  • International school fees not included

Holiplanet estimates from average asking rents (September 2026), ARERA energy references, TPER fares and ISTAT household spending (2025): one-person households in Italy spend about €2,070 a month, households in Emilia-Romagna €3,159.

09

How much does it cost to rent a flat?

In short: on average €16.51 per m² a month: a 1-bed costs about €650–800 in Savena and €800–1,000 in the centre; a family flat €1,300–2,000.

Centro · €18.12/m²1-bed €800–1,000 · 2-bed €1,200–1,450 · family 3-bed €1,650–2,000
Colli · €16.22/m²1-bed €750–900 · 2-bed €1,050–1,300 · family 3-bed €1,450–1,800
Costa-Saragozza-Saffi · €15.90/m²1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,050–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,450–1,750
Murri-Massarenti · €15.82/m²1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,050–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,400–1,750
Bolognina-Corticella · €15.49/m²1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,000–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,400–1,700
Aeroporto-Borgo Panigale · €14.99/m²1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,350–1,650
San Donato-Pilastro · €14.98/m²1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,350–1,650
Barca-Santa Viola · €14.91/m²1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,350–1,650
San Vitale-Mazzini · €14.86/m²1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,350–1,650
Toscana-Savena · €14.38/m²1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,150 · family 3-bed €1,300–1,600

Monthly asking rents by market zone (Immobiliare.it data, September 2026; asking prices, not signed contracts). Ranges assume 45–55 m² for a 1-bed, 65–80 m² for a 2-bed and 90–110 m² for a family 3-bed. Furnished short lets cost more; «canone concordato» leases usually less.

10

How much can I earn, and in which jobs?

In short: more than the Italian average: private-sector employees in the Bologna area earned about €28,700 gross in 2024, against €24,500 nationally; English-only jobs exist mainly in research, universities and international companies.

Strongest sectors and employers

  • Packaging machinery: IMA, Coesia and G.D, Marchesini.
  • Motor Valley: Ducati in Borgo Panigale, Lamborghini in Sant’Agata Bolognese.
  • Research and data: the DAMA Tecnopolo with ECMWF’s data centre and CINECA’s Leonardo supercomputer.
  • University, hospitals and BolognaFiere.

Working in English, or for yourself

  • Employers in the area planned 110,780 hires in 2025, 53% of them hard to fill (Chamber of Commerce).
  • Italy has no statutory minimum wage: pay floors come from sector agreements.
  • Freelancers: the flat-rate regime («forfettario») taxes revenue up to €85,000 at 15%, or 5% for the first five years.
  • Remote workers for foreign companies: check the digital nomad visa and tax residency (see Paperwork).

Check your core monthly costs

Rent–
Electricity and gas–
Bus passes–
Core monthly costs–

Energy: ARERA reference costs for a typical household, about €205 a month averaged over the year. Transport: €310 annual TPER pass per adult. Food, phone, insurance and leisure come on top.

Where should I live?

Nine areas, each described the same way: who it suits, what daily life is like, what it costs and when to think twice. Open a card for transport, housing and watch-outs.

CentroSanto StefanoMurriSan MamoloSaragozzaColliBologninaSan Donato–San VitaleSavenaHelp me choose →

Centro storico and the university quarter

Inside the wallsCar-free lifeIncome profile: above the city median
Best for

Walking everywhere, culture, students and young professionals who want the city on their doorstep.

Feel

The oldest district, around Piazza Maggiore and the Quadrilatero’s food stalls; north-east of it, the university quarter of Via Zamboni and Piazza Verdi, busy late into the night.

Rent

Centro zone €18.12/m²: 1-bed €800–1,000 · 2-bed €1,200–1,450 · family 3-bed €1,650–2,000 a month.

Think twice if

you need parking, quiet nights or a large flat on a mid-range budget.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

53,294 residents; the highest share of graduates in the city (47.7%) and the smallest households (1.6 people on average); 13.7% foreign residents.

Daily life
  • Quadrilatero food shops daily; Mercato delle Erbe, Via Ugo Bassi (Mon–Sat); La Piazzola market, Piazza VIII Agosto (Fri–Sat).
  • Parco della Montagnola, the city’s oldest park; Salaborsa library and Archiginnasio.
Getting around
  • On foot for almost everything; circular buses 32/33 round the ring road; lines 11, 13, 14, 25, 27 cross the centre.
  • Most of the centre is a ZTL from 7 am to 8 pm; Via Rizzoli, Indipendenza and Ugo Bassi are closed to private cars 24 hours.
Housing

Flats in historic porticoed buildings; many small units let to students and single people.

Watch out for
  • Noise until late around Piazza Verdi, Via Petroni, Piazza San Francesco and Via del Pratello (residents’ complaints).
  • Montagnola and the station area are «red zones» with reinforced police checks, extended in September 2026 to 31 March 2027.
  • In October 2024 the Canale di Reno flooded Via San Felice, Via delle Lame and Via Riva Reno.

Santo Stefano (inside the walls)

Inside the wallsElegant and calmIncome profile: above the city median
Best for

Couples and professionals who want the centre’s convenience with quieter, more elegant streets.

Feel

The south-eastern part of the old town: palazzi along Via Santo Stefano and Strada Maggiore, the Seven Churches, and the daily market in Piazza Aldrovandi.

Rent

Centro zone €18.12/m²: 1-bed €800–1,000 · 2-bed €1,200–1,450 · family 3-bed €1,650–2,000 a month. Expect the upper end for renovated flats.

Think twice if

your budget is tight: it is one of the most expensive parts of the city.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

Santo Stefano district: 64,654 residents, 46.8% graduates and the highest Italian median income of any district; 12.2% foreign residents.

Daily life
  • Daily market in Piazza Aldrovandi; Sunday farmers’ markets in Piazza Aldrovandi and Piazza Carducci.
  • Giardini Margherita, the largest park (26 ha), just outside Porta Santo Stefano.
  • Liceo Galvani, the classical secondary school.
Getting around
  • Line 13 runs from Piazza Minghetti through Porta Santo Stefano to Via Murri every 4–9 minutes; lines 14, 15, 25 and 27 serve Strada Maggiore.
Housing

Historic palazzi split into flats; few new buildings.

Watch out for
  • ZTL camera gates at Porta Santo Stefano.
  • Piazza Aldrovandi gets busy on weekend nights.

Murri

Just outside the wallsFamiliesIncome profile: above the city median
Best for

Families and anyone who wants a big park, calm streets and the centre within reach.

Feel

An early-1900s «garden city» of tree-lined avenues fanning out from Piazza Trento e Trieste, south-east of the walls, around the Giardini Margherita.

Rent

Murri-Massarenti zone €15.82/m²: 1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,050–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,400–1,750 a month.

Think twice if

you want nightlife at the door or the lowest rents.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

Part of the Santo Stefano district (46.8% graduates); one of the zones with the fewest foreign residents (10.3%).

Daily life
  • Giardini Margherita and the Lunetta Gamberini park, both popular with runners.
  • Chiesa Nuova covered market, Via Murri 156; Saturday farmers’ market in Largo Lercaro.
Getting around
  • Line 13 to the centre every 4–9 minutes; line 16 to Piazza Cavour about every 13 minutes; circular line 32.
Housing

Villini and small palazzine built for the middle classes, mixed with later apartment blocks.

Watch out for
  • Via Murri is the main road towards Tuscany.
  • The southern edge climbs into the hills, where some roads closed after the May 2023 landslides.

San Mamolo

Edge of the hillsGreen and quietIncome profile: above the city median
Best for

Families and retirees who want hills and gardens ten minutes from the walls, and have a car or e-bike.

Feel

From the old Porta San Mamolo, Via San Mamolo climbs towards the hills and their villas; Villa Ghigi’s 28-hectare park opens on the first slopes.

Rent

Colli zone €16.22/m²: 1-bed €750–900 · 2-bed €1,050–1,300 · family 3-bed €1,450–1,800 a month. Hillside houses are priced individually.

Think twice if

you do not drive, or you want shops and cafés on your street.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

San Mamolo falls between the Santo Stefano and Porto-Saragozza districts, both with high shares of graduates; no separate figures are published.

Daily life
  • Villa Ghigi park, entrances on Via San Mamolo, Via Martucci and Via Gaibola.
  • Few shops beyond the city gate: daily errands are usually done towards the centre.
Getting around
  • Line 29 to Piazza Malpighi and the station about every 14 minutes on weekdays; line 52 serves the higher hills only 12 times a day.
Housing

Villas and small residential buildings on the hillside; current building stock not documented.

Watch out for
  • In May 2023 Via di Roncrio turned into a torrent and stayed closed for weeks; ask whether the building was affected.
  • Steep roads and sparse buses above the city gate.

Saragozza and Saffi

West of the centreFamilies and runners
Best for

Families, runners and walkers who want a residential feel, porticoes and parks close to town.

Feel

Via Saragozza, the widest and busiest portico in the city, leads from Porta Saragozza to the long portico climbing to San Luca; Saffi lies to the north-west, towards the stadium.

Rent

Costa-Saragozza-Saffi zone €15.90/m²: 1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,050–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,450–1,750 a month.

Think twice if

you need a quiet street on match days near the stadium, or a big flat on a small budget.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

Porto-Saragozza district: 69,708 residents, 42.1% graduates, 12.2% foreign residents (10.8% in Costa-Saragozza).

Daily life
  • Wednesday farmers’ market in Piazza della Pace; Mercato Vittorio Veneto (Mon–Sat).
  • Villa Spada, Villa delle Rose and the rural Parco San Pellegrino.
  • Kinder College, the bilingual IB school, moved in January 2026 to the Maestre Pie institute, Via Montello 42, in the Saffi area.
Getting around
  • Line 20 runs along Via Saragozza to the centre and Casalecchio; lines 14 and 35 serve Saffi; line 58 climbs to San Luca 17 times a day.
  • The red tram line will run along the Via Saffi corridor.
Housing

Along Via Saragozza, porticoed blocks built by the city for workers in 1861–65; average flats in the Saffi zone are among the smallest in the city (81 m²).

Watch out for
  • In October 2024 the culverted Ravone stream flooded Via Saffi and Via Andrea Costa; Via Saffi also flooded in May 2023.
  • Tram works along the Saffi corridor.

Colli (the hills)

HillsSpace and viewsIncome profile: among the highest in the city
Best for

Families who want space, a garden and views, and are happy to drive.

Feel

The green hills south of the city, from San Michele in Bosco to Paderno, Gaibola and Barbiano: villas and parks rather than shops.

Rent

Colli zone €16.22/m²: 1-bed €750–900 · 2-bed €1,050–1,300 · family 3-bed €1,450–1,800 a month. Most homes here are houses, priced one by one.

Think twice if

you do not drive, or you want to walk to a café.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

The zone with the lowest share of foreign residents (10.2%) and among the highest incomes; homes average about 150 m² and 6.9 rooms, against 93 m² city-wide.

Daily life
  • Parks: Villa Ghigi, San Michele in Bosco, Forte Bandiera, Cavaioni, Sabbiuno.
  • Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli at San Michele in Bosco.
  • No shops or markets of note: plan on driving for groceries.
Getting around
  • Hill buses are infrequent: line 52 runs 12 times a day, line 58 17 times and line 59 16 times; line 30 reaches the Rizzoli every 15 minutes.
  • A car is realistically needed.
Housing

Villas and detached houses, few apartment blocks; only about 4,600 dwellings in the whole zone.

Watch out for
  • The May 2023 rains closed about twenty hill roads, including Casaglia, Gaibola and Barbiano; ten were still closed or restricted a month later.
  • Narrow, steep roads in winter.

Bolognina

North of the stationYoung and multiculturalIncome profile: below the city median
Best for

Young professionals, frequent train travellers and anyone who wants a lively, mixed district at lower rents.

Feel

A grid of streets laid out in 1889 north of the railway, once working-class and industrial, now one of the city’s youngest and most cosmopolitan areas, with Piazza dell’Unità at its heart.

Rent

Bolognina-Corticella zone €15.49/m²: 1-bed €700–850 · 2-bed €1,000–1,250 · family 3-bed €1,400–1,700 a month.

Think twice if

you want quiet, leafy streets or are not willing to check the block carefully before signing.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

Over 34,000 residents, average age 43.7 against 46.9 city-wide, and almost 25% foreign residents, the highest share in Bologna; the Navile district has the most families with children.

Daily life
  • Mercato Albani (Mon–Sat); Thursday farmers’ market in Piazza Lucio Dalla.
  • Villa Angeletti park and the Navile canal cycle route; the DLF park with the Arena Puccini open-air cinema.
  • Cinema Galliera, Teatro Testoni, the Ustica Memorial Museum.
Getting around
  • Bologna Centrale on foot; lines 11, 25, 27 to the centre every few minutes.
  • The green tram line is planned through the district.
Housing

Low late-19th-century blocks of three or four storeys, many built by the Risanamento cooperative, and a good share of public housing; average flats 81 m².

Watch out for
  • Part of Bolognina is a «red zone» with reinforced police checks until 31 March 2027; Il Post (2025) reported visible drug dealing in some streets.
  • Tram construction on Via di Corticella and Via Ferrarese.

San Donato and San Vitale

East of the centreMore space for the moneyIncome profile: below the city median
Best for

People working at the Fiera, Sant’Orsola hospital or the regional offices, and families who want more space for the money.

Feel

East of the walls: from the busy Via Massarenti and Sant’Orsola hospital to the Fiera district, then Pilastro, a large public-housing estate with an active community life.

Rent

San Donato-Pilastro zone €14.98/m²: 1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,350–1,650 a month. San Vitale-Mazzini €14.86/m².

Think twice if

you want the old-town atmosphere outside your door.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

San Donato-San Vitale district: 67,933 residents, 18.6% foreign residents (21.2% in the San Donato zone, 16.1% in San Vitale).

Daily life
  • Cirenaica covered market (Mon–Sat) and Tuesday markets in Via Paolo Fabbri.
  • Parco Pasolini, Parco San Donnino, Parco Scandellara and the Pilastro arboretum.
  • Teatro Dehon and the Europauditorium.
Getting around
  • Line 14 to the centre via Sant’Orsola; lines 20, 28, 35 and 37 to the Fiera and beyond.
  • The red tram line will reach the Fiera; whether it continues to Pilastro has not been decided.
Housing

Older blocks near the walls, newer apartment buildings further out; Pilastro’s 1966 public housing includes the 552-flat «Virgolone».

Watch out for
  • Traffic around the Fiera on exhibition days.
  • Pilastro has fewer shops than it used to, and some low-income households.

Savena (Mazzini and San Ruffillo)

South-eastLowest asking rents
Best for

Families and retirees looking for a calm, well-served residential district with the lowest asking rents in the city.

Feel

Farmland until the 20th century, built up in the 1950s–70s with public and cooperative housing; flat to the north-east, hilly towards Monte Donato in the south-west.

Rent

Toscana-Savena zone €14.38/m²: 1-bed €650–800 · 2-bed €950–1,150 · family 3-bed €1,300–1,600 a month. The lowest zone average in Bologna.

Think twice if

you want to walk to the old town or need nightlife nearby.

Who lives here, daily life, transport, housing, watch-outs
Who lives here

The oldest district: 60,048 residents, average age 48.4, 27.4% aged 65 or over, and the largest households (1.9 people).

Daily life
  • Friday farmers’ market in Via Pieve di Cadore; Mercato Via Mazzoni.
  • Parco dei Cedri on the river, Forte Bandiera, Villa Mazzacorati gardens.
  • Ospedale Bellaria, reached by lines 27 and 36.
Getting around
  • Line 27 to the centre every 6–8 minutes; line 13 to Piazza Minghetti every 4–9 minutes; line 15 to San Lazzaro.
Housing

1950s–70s apartment blocks from public and cooperative housing plans, with older cores at Pontevecchio and San Ruffillo.

Watch out for
  • The Savena stream overflowed in the October 2024 floods.
  • Some hill roads near Monte Donato were restricted after the 2023 landslides.
Porticoes of Via Zamboni in the university quarter
University quarter, Via Zamboni · Photo: Bianca Sbircea-Constantin · Unsplash License · source
Cloister of the Santo Stefano complex
Santo Stefano · Photo: Casey Lovegrove · Unsplash License · source
Porticoed residential street on the Saragozza side of Bologna
Saragozza side · Photo: Matthias Schröder · Unsplash License · source

Quick answers

  • Cheapest: Savena, San Donato–San Vitale, Barca and Borgo Panigale have the lowest average asking rents.
  • Best for families: Murri, Saragozza and San Mamolo for parks and calm; Savena and San Donato for more space for the money.
  • Without a car: Centro, Santo Stefano, Bolognina and Murri; avoid the Colli.
  • Near the station: Bolognina and the north of the Centro.

Which areas are safest?

  • Bologna is not a dangerous city, but reported crime is high for Italy and concentrated in a few places: the station, Montagnola and parts of Bolognina, all «red zones» with extra police checks until 31 March 2027.
  • Noise, rather than danger, is the issue in the university streets and Via del Pratello.
  • Our advice: visit the street in the evening before you sign, and ask the agency about the building and the block.
A quiet porticoed street in Bologna at night
A quiet porticoed street at night: visit before you sign · Photo: © Holiplanet

Neighbourhood finder · four questions

Find the Bologna neighbourhoods that fit your lifestyle

A starting point, not a verdict: tell us how you live and we suggest three areas to explore first, with a typical rent for you.

Question 1 of 4

Who is moving?

Question 2 of 4

Monthly budget for rent?

Question 3 of 4

What matters most? Pick any.

Question 4 of 4

Will you have a car?

Areas to explore first

How it works: each area is rated on walkability, quiet, schools, nightlife, station access and green space (Holiplanet’s editorial assessment of the facts on this page), then adjusted for your budget, a typical flat size for your household and whether you drive. Rents: average asking rents by zone, September 2026. Always visit before you decide.

Finding a home

Rent first, then buy if Bologna becomes home.

11

How do I find a long-term rental?

In short: start early, know the four contract types, never pay before checking owner and flat, and use a local agency if you are not in town.

  1. Time it: demand peaks in September with the academic year; start months ahead, or arrive with a short lease and search on the spot.
  2. Know the contracts: 4+4 free market; 3+2 «canone concordato» with rent capped by Bologna’s agreement (valid for leases signed until 31 March 2027); «transitorio» from 1 to 18 months for a stated temporary need; student leases from 6 to 36 months.
  3. Deposit: by law no more than three months’ rent, with interest paid to you every year.
  4. Registration: leases over 30 days must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate, usually by the landlord; non-EU citizens need a registered lease for the residence permit.
  5. Check before paying: visit, see the owner’s ID and proof of ownership or a written mandate, pay by traceable bank transfer.
  6. Ask about the building: in flood-hit streets (Via Saffi, Via Andrea Costa, Via San Felice, Lame, Riva Reno) and on the hills, ask whether it was affected in 2023 or 2024.
Bologna estate agencies →Bologna agreed-rent rules (PDF, Italian) →
A street lined with porticoes in Bologna
A street lined with porticoes · Photo: © Holiplanet
12

Will a landlord rent to me? What do they ask for?

In short: usually yes, if you can prove a steady income or offer a guarantee; prepare your documents before the first viewing.

Have ready

  • Passport or ID and your Italian tax code (codice fiscale).
  • An employment contract and recent payslips, or proof of income from abroad; self-employed: the last tax return.
  • A guarantor, or a bank or insurance guarantee (fideiussione), if your income is new or from abroad.

Expect to pay

  • A deposit of up to three months’ rent.
  • The first month in advance and, with an agency, its commission.
  • Ask for every cost in writing before you sign.
13

Is it better to rent or buy?

In short: rent first; buy only once you know the city and plan to stay at least five to seven years.

Visit→Stay longer→Rent→Buy
  • Rent for a year: it is the best way to learn which street, school and commute suit you.
  • Price versus rent: asking prices average €3,841/m² against rents of €16.51/m² a month, so a flat costs about 19 years of rent.
  • Mortgages: the average rate on new Italian home loans was 3.99% (APR) in August 2026 (Bank of Italy).
  • Taxes: buying a main home from a private seller, registration tax is 2% instead of 9%, on the cadastral value; you must take residence within 18 months.
  • Foreigners can buy: EU citizens and legally resident non-EU citizens have the same rights as Italians; others depend on reciprocity, which the notary checks.

Holiplanet’s rule of thumb, not financial advice.

14

How does the Bologna property market work?

In short: prices are rising and sales are up, while asking rents have eased slightly after years of strong growth.

  • Asking prices €3,841/m², up 4.26% in a year; asking rents €16.51/m², down 3.22% (Immobiliare.it data, September 2026).
  • By area, from about €3,134/m² in San Donato-Pilastro to €4,700/m² in the Centro.
  • Home sales rose 7.3% year on year in the last quarter of 2025, against 0.4% nationally (Agenzia delle Entrate, OMI).
  • Short lets need a national CIN code since January 2025; a new regional law lets towns cap them by area.
Talk to a local property expert →Property section of the City Guide →

Settling in

15

What are hospitals, schools and shops like?

In short: among the best in Italy for healthcare, with two international schools and every major supermarket chain.

Hospitals and doctors

  • Sant’Orsola, the university hospital: 5th in Italy (Newsweek 2026).
  • Istituto Ortopedico Rizzoli: Italy’s leading orthopaedic hospital.
  • Ospedale Maggiore (emergencies) and Bellaria (neurological sciences).
  • Register with a family doctor through AUSL Bologna; out of hours call the Guardia Medica on 051 3131, emergencies 112.
Choose a family doctor (Italian) →

Schools

  • International School of Bologna: IB, ages 3–18, at Via della Libertà 2; a new campus in Zola Predosa is due to open in September 2027.
  • Kinder College: bilingual IB school for ages 5–14, since January 2026 at Via Montello 42, Saffi area.
  • Italian state schools: check enrolment dates with the school.
International School of Bologna →Kinder College →

Shopping

  • Supermarkets: Coop, Conad, Esselunga, Lidl, Eurospin and others.
  • Covered neighbourhood markets in every district (see the area cards).
16

How do transport and getting around work?

In short: on foot, by bus and by bike in town; by train for the rest of Italy; by plane from the airport, 7½ minutes from the station on the Marconi Express.

  • TPER buses: €2.30 for 75 minutes; €310 for an annual pass, with income-based reductions and a €161 pass for University of Bologna students.
  • Red tram line: in road tests in October 2026; no passenger opening date has been announced, and the first months of service will be free.
  • Trains: Florence 37 min, Milan about 65 min, Rome about 2 h 20 from Bologna Centrale.
  • Airport: 122 direct destinations; the Marconi Express to the station costs €12.80.
  • About 240 km of cycle routes, RideMovi bike sharing and car sharing.
TPER fares and passes →Getting around in the City Guide →
Bicycles parked in a Bologna courtyard
Bikes in a Bologna courtyard · Photo: © Holiplanet
17

What paperwork do I need when relocating to Bologna?

In short: visa (if non-EU), tax code, a registered lease, residence permit and registration, health cover, bank account and tax residency, in roughly this order.

  1. Visa (non-EU): a long-stay type D visa for stays over 90 days; retirees: elective residence visa; remote workers: digital nomad visa.
  2. Tax code: the codice fiscale, needed for a lease, a phone and a bank account.
  3. Lease: a registered contract at your address.
  4. Residence permit (non-EU): apply within 8 days of arrival with the post-office kit: €16 revenue stamp, €30 postal fee and €30.46 for the card.
  5. Residence: register at the city registry office (anagrafe); EU citizens after three months, showing work, study or sufficient resources and health cover.
  6. Health cover: register with the national health service; some non-EU residents enrol voluntarily (minimum €2,000 a year). EU pensioners use the S1 form.
  7. Bank account: every legal EU resident is entitled to a basic payment account (conto di base).
  8. Taxes: you become an Italian tax resident if, for most of the year, you are registered here, have your main ties here or live here. New residents moving their work may qualify for the «impatriati» regime: 50% of work income exempt (60% with a child) for five years.
Visas for Italy →How the tax code works →Residence permit kit (Italian) →EU citizens: registering residence →EU health cover when moving →SPID digital identity →

General information, not legal or tax advice; rules and fees change.

Your next step

Where are you in your move?

VisitGet to know BolognaSights, food and day trips in the City Guide.Stay longerTest an area for 2–4 weeksBook a stay in the neighbourhood you are considering.RentFind a long-term homeLocal agencies for rentals and viewings.BuyTalk to a local property expertPrices, areas and offers, in person.

Not sure yet? Try the neighbourhood finder · Questions about your move? Ask Holiplanet