Living in Florence

Florence skyline at sunrise with Brunelleschi’s dome rising above terracotta rooftops

Holiplanet · Living in Florence

Thinking of moving to Florence?

Living in Florence means choosing between the walkable historic centre, the lived-in quarters just outside the old city walls and the green hills above them. This guide sets out what each area costs, which paperwork applies to you and how daily life really works among the museums, the tourists and the tram lines, with checked facts and dates.

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

Start exploring Florenceor find your neighbourhood

Independent local guide · Data from official and verified sources

Photo: Henrique Ferreira · Unsplash License · source

Florence at a glance

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

363,380residents in the municipality (city registry, 31 May 2026)
16.2%foreign residents: 59,005 people (May 2026)
27.7%of residents aged 65 or over (May 2026)
€1,340a month for a standard 70 m² flat (CNA on OMI data, 2025)
€2.00a bus or tram ride, valid 90 minutes; €42.20 a month (from 1 Aug 2026)
2nd of 106provinces for crimes reported per resident (Il Sole 24 Ore, 2026)

What living here is like

  • A compact centre you cross on foot, with two tram lines and electric minibuses for longer hops; the airport is linked to the centre by tram.
  • Five city quarters with very different lives: the historic centre, Campo di Marte, Gavinana–Galluzzo, Isolotto–Legnaia and Rifredi, where most residents live outside the old walls.
  • Bologna is about 37 minutes away by high-speed train and Rome just over an hour and a half.

What surprises newcomers

  • Rent is the big cost: CNA puts a standard 70 m² flat at about €1,340 a month, around 62% of an average net salary, after a 49% rise between 2019 and 2025.
  • The city has frozen new short lets: none in the UNESCO centre since 2025, and none in nine districts around it since 21 June 2026.
  • Summers are getting hotter: 16 more days a year above 35 °C in 2015–2024 than the 1991–2020 average (ISPRA).
  • Cars are the exception in the centre: the ZTL limited-traffic zone is enforced by cameras on weekdays and Saturdays.

Sources: City of Florence statistics bulletin (31 May 2026); CNA analysis of Agenzia delle Entrate OMI data (June 2026); Autolinee Toscane fares from 1 August 2026; Il Sole 24 Ore Crime Index 2026 (via AGI, 12 October 2026); ISPRA climate report 2026; City of Florence short-let regulation (June 2026); Italo; Trenitalia. Checked October 2026.

Who actually lives in Florence?

A city of about 363,000 people in five quarters, from the city’s own registry.

Where people live (31 May 2026)

Rifredi (Q5)106,426
Campo di Marte (Q2)88,970
Isolotto–Legnaia (Q4)66,436
Centro Storico (Q1)61,923
Gavinana–Galluzzo (Q3)39,625
  • 188,710 households, an average of about 1.9 people each.
  • An old city: 100,824 residents are 65 or over (27.7%) and 36,256 are under 15 (10.0%); the old-age index is 278, highest in Gavinana–Galluzzo (310).

Nationality: one resident in six is foreign

  • 59,005 foreign residents on 31 May 2026, 16.2% of the population.
  • The largest communities: Peru (6,806), Romania (6,677), China (6,156) and Albania (4,330).
  • The share is highest in the historic centre, where 13,979 of 61,923 residents (about 23%) are foreign, and in Rifredi (about 19%).
  • On top of residents, more than 15,000 students a year attend the American university programmes in Tuscany, mainly in Florence (AACUPI).

Income and spending: what it means for you

  • Households in Tuscany spent €3,108.13 a month on average in 2025, against €2,782.36 nationally (ISTAT); one-person households in Italy spent €2,070.43.
  • Housing, water and energy take 36% of household spending in Italy, and 42% for people living alone.
  • Tuscany’s unemployment rate was 4.2% in July–September 2025, below Italy’s 5.6%.

What this means

According to CNA’s analysis of official OMI data, rents in Florence rose 49% between 2019 and 2025 and a standard 70 m² flat now costs about €1,340 a month, around 62% of an average local net salary, second only to Milan (73%) in CNA’s comparison. With a foreign salary, a pension or two incomes, the centre and the Oltrarno are realistic; on a single local salary, look first at Rifredi, Novoli, Isolotto or the towns around the city.

Where the international residents are. Students and visiting academics cluster around the university sites and the historic centre; families often choose the quieter quarters near the international schools, south of the Arno or towards Fiesole; budget-conscious newcomers start in Rifredi, Novoli and Isolotto. Each area’s profile is in its card below.

Sources: City of Florence statistics bulletin, data at 31 May 2026; ISTAT household spending 2025; Regione Toscana labour data (Q3 2025); CNA via AGI (6 June 2026); AACUPI. Checked October 2026.

Is Florence right for me?

01

What is a normal week like in Florence?

In short: on foot, by tram and by bus: you shop at the neighbourhood market, plan errands around the tourist peaks, escape to the hills at weekends and keep the car, if you have one, outside the ZTL.

Giulia, designer in San Frediano

  1. 8.00 Coffee at the bar on the corner, then a walk across the Arno to a shared studio.
  2. 13.00 Lunch near the market, before the afternoon crowds reach the bridges.
  3. 18.30 Aperitivo in Piazza Santo Spirito with friends from the workshop.
  4. Thursday A concert or an opera at the Teatro del Maggio.
  5. Saturday Bus 7 up to Fiesole for a walk and the view back over the dome.

The Bianchi family in Campo di Marte

  1. 7.45 School run by bike or bus; the station is a few minutes away.
  2. 8.15 One parent heads to Santa Maria Novella for a fast train to a meeting in Bologna.
  3. 16.30 Park and sports after school; the stadium area is busy on match days.
  4. Saturday The weekly shop by car, outside the ZTL and its cameras.
  5. Sunday A museum morning, then lunch in the Oltrarno.

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

People walking along a narrow street in Florence
A narrow street in the centre: daily life on foot · Photo: Taylor Smith · Unsplash License · source
02

What are the pros and cons of living in Florence?

In short: beauty, culture, a walkable centre and excellent train links; against that, rents that take a bigger share of salaries than anywhere but Milan (CNA), heavy tourism in the centre, hot summers and a high rate of petty crime.

Pros

  • A centre you can live on foot, with markets, workshops and museums on your doorstep.
  • Fast trains: Bologna in about 37 minutes, Rome in just over an hour and a half; an airport linked by tram.
  • A large international community: universities, more than 15,000 American study-abroad students a year in Tuscany, and foreign residents at 16.2%.
  • Cheaper areas within the city: OMI rent values in Isolotto start at €7.40/m², against €11.00–16.00/m² around San Lorenzo and Sant’Ambrogio.
  • Hills, villas and countryside within a few kilometres of the Duomo.

Cons

  • High rents: about €1,340 a month for 70 m², around 62% of an average net salary (CNA, 2025).
  • Tourist pressure: the city counted 12,211 short-let listings in 2026, about 85% of them in the historic centre.
  • Hot summers: 18 more days a year above 29.2 °C in 2015–2024 than in 1991–2020 (ISPRA).
  • The province ranks 2nd of 106 for crimes reported per resident: mostly theft, in a city with millions of visitors.
  • Driving and parking in the centre are restricted by the ZTL and the new Scudo Verde low-emission area.
03

Is it worth relocating to Florence?

In short: yes, if you want art, food and a human-scale city and can bring your income, study, teach or retire here; think twice if you need a big corporate job market or a large flat on a tight budget.

A good fit if you…

  • work remotely, in academia, the arts, fashion, crafts, hospitality or heritage;
  • love walking and are happy using trams, buses and trains;
  • want a cultured city of manageable size, with Bologna, Pisa, Siena and the Chianti hills within reach;
  • can accept a smaller flat, or a home outside the centre, in exchange for the setting.

Think twice if you…

  • need a large corporate job market (Milan is the place for that);
  • suffer in the heat: summers are long and getting hotter;
  • want space and a garden in the centre on a mid-range budget;
  • dislike crowds on your daily routes from spring to autumn.

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

04

Is Florence expat-friendly? Is there an international community?

In short: yes, one of Italy’s most international cities: one resident in six is foreign, American and other foreign university programmes bring thousands of students, and the European University Institute is based here; the paperwork stays Italian.

  • 59,005 foreign residents (16.2%) on 31 May 2026, the largest groups from Peru, Romania, China and Albania.
  • AACUPI, the association of American university programmes in Italy, has 57 member institutions in Tuscany and more than 15,000 students a year in the region, mainly in Florence.
  • The University of Florence has more than 40,000 students; the European University Institute’s welcome office publishes a list of local and international schools for its staff.
  • English is common in tourism, culture, universities and international schools; at the registry office, the Questura and health desks you will need Italian or a helper.
AACUPI: American programmes in Italy →EUI: schools in Florence →
05

Is Florence safe to live in?

In short: for residents, generally yes: the everyday risk is pickpocketing, bag-snatching and fraud in crowded places, not violent crime; but the province ranks 2nd of 106 for crimes reported per resident.

  • Il Sole 24 Ore Crime Index 2026: province of Florence 2nd of 106, with 6,374 reports per 100,000 residents in 2025, down 2.9% on 2024.
  • The index itself warns that in areas with heavy tourist and commuter flows, reports also concern non-residents: in Florence they are counted against the resident population only.
  • The UK FCDO notes that crime in Italy is generally low but petty crime is higher, particularly bag-snatching and pickpocketing in city centres and at major tourist attractions.
UK FCDO: safety in Italy →Il Sole 24 Ore Crime Index (Italian) →
06

What is the climate like, and how hot are the summers?

In short: mild winters and hot, increasingly long summers: the average temperature at Florence’s Peretola station rose from 15.7 °C (1991–2020) to 16.2 °C in 2015–2024, with 16 more days a year above 35 °C.

The numbers (ISPRA, 2026)

  • Mean annual temperature 15.7 °C in 1991–2020 and 16.2 °C in 2015–2024; about 791 mm of rain a year (1991–2020), at the Firenze Peretola station.
  • Compared with 1991–2020, each year of 2015–2024 brought 10 more summer days above 25 °C, 18 more hot days above 29.2 °C and 16 more days above 35 °C.

What it means for a home

  • Ask whether the flat has air conditioning, shutters and good cross-ventilation; top floors under the roof heat up most.
  • Thick-walled old buildings stay cooler in summer but can be cold and damp in winter: ask about the heating system and last year’s bills.
ISPRA climate report 2026 (PDF, Italian) →
Florence, the Arno and the Duomo seen from San Miniato al Monte
The city in its basin, seen from San Miniato: the hills are where the breeze is · Photo: Joshua Hummell · Unsplash License · source
07

How does tourism affect daily life and housing?

In short: strongly in the historic centre: short-let listings grew from 10,867 in 2023 to 12,211 in 2026, about 85% of them in the centre, and the city has responded by freezing new short lets there and in the ring around it.

  • The city counts 35,593 homes in the UNESCO historic centre (zone A1) and 67,780 in the surrounding ring (zones A3 and A4).
  • Short-let listings: 10,867 in 2023 and 12,211 in 2026, about 85% in the historic centre (Inside Airbnb data cited by the City); the regional observatory registers 16,906 tourist-rental activities in Florence.
  • Florence airport handled 3.8 million passengers in 2025 (+9.4%), and Pisa nearly 6.0 million.
  • Effects you will notice: crowded central streets and buses from spring to autumn, shops for visitors replacing everyday ones on the busiest routes, and fewer long lets in the centre.
  • Where it is quieter: the residential side of the Oltrarno towards Porta Romana, San Niccolò away from the main climb, Le Cure, Campo di Marte, Gavinana and the hills.
City of Florence: short-let rules, June 2026 (Italian) →Florence short-term rental rules explained →
08

Is Florence good for families, retirees, remote workers and students?

In short: yes for all four, if each checks the rule that applies to their status and chooses the right part of the city.

Families

International, French, Canadian and bilingual schools in the city and in Fiesole and Bagno a Ripoli; the Meyer children’s hospital; parks and space in Campo di Marte, Gavinana and the hills.

Retirees

A walkable centre with major hospitals at Careggi, Santa Maria Nuova and Torregalli, but hot summers and stairs in old buildings. Non-EU retirees usually need the elective residence visa (passive income set by the consulate; no work).

Remote workers

EU citizens register residence after three months. Non-EU remote workers need the digital nomad visa: at least €24,789 a year for a single applicant, a degree or five years’ experience, and six months of remote work.

Students

The University of Florence (more than 40,000 students) and dozens of foreign programmes. For 2026/27, Unifi students can buy a yearly bus, tram and regional-train pass for €50 or €65, depending on ISEE.

09

Can I live in Florence without speaking Italian?

In short: in tourism, culture, universities and international schools often yes; for the registry office, the Questura, health desks, landlords and builders you will need Italian or a helper.

Where English works

  • Universities, foreign study programmes and international schools.
  • Most shops, restaurants and hotels in the centre.
  • The 112 emergency number, which handles several languages.

Where Italian matters

  • Registry office (anagrafe), Questura, USL health desks, tax office.
  • Leases, condominium meetings, contractors and utilities.
  • Local jobs outside tourism, academia and international firms.

Where to learn

  • Public adult-education centres (CPIA), universities and many private language schools run Italian courses in Florence; ask about evening and intensive options before you arrive.
10

Is it easy to make friends in Florence?

In short: it takes initiative: the local community is welcoming but close-knit, so join something regular and become a familiar face in your quarter.

  • Neighbourhood life: the same bar every morning, the market, the piazza in the evening.
  • Culture: the Teatro del Maggio, exhibitions at Palazzo Strozzi, concerts and talks.
  • Students and academics: university associations, language tandems and the foreign programmes’ events.
  • Outdoors: walking and cycling groups in the hills.
Florence restaurants directory →See daily life in the Florence media gallery →

Can I afford Florence?

Costs by household, rents by area and the rules that are reshaping the rental market, side by side.

11

How much do I need each month to live in Florence?

In short: about €1,300–1,700 for a single person living simply outside the centre, €1,700–2,300 in the centre or the Oltrarno, €2,600–3,300 for a comfortable couple and €3,200–4,500 or more for a family. Rent is the main variable.

Single · outer quarters

€1,300–1,700per month
  • 1-bed in Rifredi, Novoli or Isolotto, about €550–700
  • Electricity and gas about €200
  • Bus and tram pass €42.20

Single · centre or Oltrarno

€1,700–2,300per month
  • 1-bed about €700–1,000
  • Energy, phone, internet on top
  • Walk everywhere; the pass is optional

Couple · comfortable

€2,600–3,300per month
  • 70 m² flat, about €1,000–1,350
  • Energy about €200, two passes €84.40
  • Food, eating out, travel

Family with 2 children

€3,200–4,500+per month
  • 3-bed in Campo di Marte or Gavinana, about €1,200–1,600
  • Energy, transport, activities
  • International school fees not included

Holiplanet estimates from Agenzia delle Entrate OMI rent values by zone (second half of 2025), CNA’s analysis of OMI data (about €1,340 a month for 70 m² in 2025), ARERA reference prices for a typical household (about €200 a month for electricity and gas at July–September 2026 prices), Autolinee Toscane fares from 1 August 2026 and ISTAT household spending (2025): households in Tuscany spend €3,108 a month, one-person households in Italy €2,070.

12

How much does it cost to rent a flat in Florence?

In short: official OMI values for ordinary flats run from about €7.40 to €16.00 per m² a month in the zones below (second half of 2025); CNA’s own analysis of OMI data puts a standard 70 m² flat at about €1,340 a month, close to €19/m², so budget above the OMI ranges.

Centre: San Lorenzo, Sant’Ambrogio, station · €11.0–16.0/m²1-bed €550–800 · 2-bed €830–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,600
Centre: Duomo, Signoria, Pitti, San Niccolò · €11.0–14.2/m²1-bed €550–710 · 2-bed €830–1,070 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,420
Libertà, Donatello, Beccaria · €9.5–14.0/m²1-bed €480–700 · 2-bed €710–1,050 · family 3-bed €950–1,400
San Frediano, Porta Romana · €10.2–13.8/m²1-bed €510–690 · 2-bed €770–1,040 · family 3-bed €1,020–1,380
Poggio Imperiale, Bobolino, Pian dei Giullari · €9.2–13.7/m²1-bed €460–690 · 2-bed €690–1,030 · family 3-bed €920–1,370
Campo di Marte · €9.5–13.5/m²1-bed €480–680 · 2-bed €710–1,010 · family 3-bed €950–1,350
Le Cure · €9.5–13.5/m²1-bed €480–680 · 2-bed €710–1,010 · family 3-bed €950–1,350
Gavinana, Ricorboli, Bandino, Anconella · €9.7–12.2/m²1-bed €490–610 · 2-bed €730–920 · family 3-bed €970–1,220
Careggi, Rifredi · €8.7–11.5/m²1-bed €440–580 · 2-bed €650–860 · family 3-bed €870–1,150
Novoli, Carraia · €9.3–11.5/m²1-bed €470–580 · 2-bed €700–860 · family 3-bed €930–1,150
Settignano · €8.2–11.4/m²1-bed €410–570 · 2-bed €620–860 · family 3-bed €820–1,140
Isolotto · €7.4–11.0/m²1-bed €370–550 · 2-bed €560–830 · family 3-bed €740–1,100

Agenzia delle Entrate OMI rent values for ordinary flats («abitazioni civili», normal condition), second half of 2025, by OMI zone; ranges assume 50 m² for a 1-bed, 75 m² for a 2-bed and 100 m² for a family 3-bed. OMI ranges are official estimates for ordinary flats in normal condition, not asking prices or rents for furnished flats; CNA’s analysis of OMI data gives about €1,340 a month for a standard 70 m² flat in 2025, and Nomisma reported rents rising 4.4% a year in the second half of 2025. Furnished and short lets cost more; «canone concordato» leases are on average about 30% below free-market rents, according to the City. Checked October 2026.

13

What is the job market like, and how much can I earn?

In short: Tuscany’s unemployment rate is below the national average (4.2% against 5.6% in July–September 2025), but rents absorb a large share of local salaries; many international residents bring their income with them.

The numbers

  • Tuscany, July–September 2025: unemployment 4.2%, up from 3.0% a year earlier; Italy 5.6%.
  • CNA: rent for a standard 70 m² flat takes about 62% of an average net salary in Florence, second only to Milan (73%).
  • For the digital nomad visa, remote employees must earn at least the ISTAT average gross salary, about €33,500 a year.

Working in English, or for yourself

  • English-language roles are mostly in hospitality, foreign university programmes, international schools, luxury and fashion retail and cultural institutions.
  • Many newcomers work remotely or freelance; the self-employed need an Italian VAT number.
  • Non-EU remote workers: see the digital nomad visa below; over 183 days a year in Italy, Italian tax rules generally apply.

Check your core monthly costs

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

Rent: top of the OMI range for each zone (second half of 2025), or CNA’s city reference for a standard flat. Energy: Holiplanet estimate from ARERA reference prices for a typical household, about €200 a month. Transport: €42.20 monthly Autolinee Toscane pass per adult (from 1 August 2026). Condominium fees, waste tax, food, phone and insurance come on top.

14

What do the short-let rules mean for tenants and buyers?

In short: new short lets are banned in the UNESCO centre and, since 21 June 2026, in nine districts around it; the aim is to bring flats back to residents, and the City now refunds part of the 2026 property tax to owners who switch to long leases.

  • Where new short lets are frozen: the UNESCO historic centre (zone A1, since 2025) and zones A3 and A4: Campo di Marte, San Jacopino, Gavinana, Pignoncino and Paolo Uccello, Statuto and Rifredi, Libertà, Oberdan and Savonarola, Bronzino and Pier Vettori, Fonderia and Petrarca.
  • Elsewhere: new short lets need a five-year municipal authorisation; the City had issued 402, only 8 of them in the UNESCO area, by June 2026.
  • For tenants: owners in zones A1, A3 and A4 who stop short lets in 2026 and sign an ordinary or «concordato» residential lease can claim back the share of 2026 IMU (property tax) after the lease starts, so more long lets may come onto the market.
  • For buyers: do not buy in these zones expecting to let to tourists; the authorisation belongs to the owner and the unit together and does not automatically pass with a sale.
Cured meats and cheeses at Florence’s Mercato Centrale
Neighbourhood markets are part of everyday life, not only a sight · Photo: Richard Hedrick · Unsplash License · source
Florence short-term rental rules 2026 →City of Florence: IMU refund for long lets (Italian) →

City of Florence press releases of 4 June and 14 August 2026; general information, not legal advice.

Where should I live in Florence?

Nine areas, from the historic centre and the Oltrarno to the residential quarters and the hills, 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.

Historic centreSanta CroceOltrarnoSan Niccolò and the south hillsSan Marco and LibertàCampo di MarteRifredi and NovoliGavinana and IsolottoFiesole and SettignanoHelp me choose →

Historic centre: Duomo, San Lorenzo, Santa Maria Novella

Inside the UNESCO areaMonuments, markets, the stationOMI rent €11.0–16.0/m²
Best for

Singles, couples and frequent travellers who want to walk everywhere and have the station on their doorstep.

Feel

The Duomo, Piazza della Signoria and the shopping streets, then the Mercato Centrale, San Lorenzo and the streets towards Santa Maria Novella station: lively all day, with quieter pockets on the side streets.

Rent

OMI zone Duomo–Signoria €11.0–14.2/m²: 1-bed €550–710 · 2-bed €830–1,070; station–San Lorenzo–Sant’Ambrogio €11.0–16.0/m²: 1-bed €550–800 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,600. OMI sale values €3,400–5,300/m².

Think twice if

you dislike crowds on your doorstep or want a car: the ZTL and pedestrian streets make driving impractical.

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

The Centro Storico quarter has 61,923 residents (May 2026), about 23% of them foreign; many flats are second homes, student lets or short lets registered before the freeze.

Daily life
  • The Mercato Centrale and San Lorenzo; museums and the Teatro del Maggio nearby.
Getting around
  • On foot; tram T1 and T2 from Santa Maria Novella station, T2 to the airport.
  • Electric minibuses C1–C4 across the centre.
Housing

Flats in palazzi and old townhouses, often with high ceilings and few lifts.

Watch out for
  • Noise from bars and late-night street life; ask about double glazing.
  • Some streets around the station feel rough at night: visit before signing.

Santa Croce and Sant’Ambrogio

East of the centreMarket and neighbourhood lifeOMI rent €11.0–16.0/m²
Best for

Couples, creatives and remote workers who want the centre but a real neighbourhood with a daily market.

Feel

Piazza Santa Croce and its leather workshops, then the Sant’Ambrogio market, Piazza dei Ciompi, Le Murate and the Synagogue: the most lived-in part of the centre.

Rent

OMI zone station–San Lorenzo–Sant’Ambrogio €11.0–16.0/m²: 1-bed €550–800 · 2-bed €830–1,200 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,600. OMI sale values €3,400–4,300/m².

Think twice if

you are a light sleeper near the bars around Sant’Ambrogio and Santa Croce, or if June’s Calcio Storico in the square bothers you.

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

Long-time Florentine families, students, artisans and international residents.

Daily life
  • Sant’Ambrogio market in the mornings; small shops, bakeries and bars.
Getting around
  • On foot to the Duomo; minibuses through the centre; buses along the viali.
  • Campo di Marte station is a short bus ride away.
Housing

Old townhouses and palazzi divided into flats; ground floors near the river.

Watch out for
  • Night noise around the busiest squares.
  • Inside the UNESCO area: no new short lets, so check any «investment» pitch.

Oltrarno: Santo Spirito and San Frediano

South bank of the ArnoWorkshops and squaresOMI rent €10.2–13.8/m²
Best for

Creatives, couples and anyone who wants village-like squares, artisans and evening life a bridge away from the centre.

Feel

Piazza Santo Spirito with its market and bars, the workshops of San Frediano, Palazzo Pitti and the Boboli Gardens, and the quieter streets towards Porta Romana.

Rent

OMI zone San Frediano–Porta Romana €10.2–13.8/m²: 1-bed €510–690 · 2-bed €770–1,040 · family 3-bed €1,020–1,380 a month. OMI sale values €3,400–4,300/m².

Think twice if

you want silence at night around Santo Spirito, or need to drive daily.

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

Artisans, Florentine families, international owners and students; part of the UNESCO centre.

Daily life
  • Santo Spirito, Pitti and Boboli; trattorias and wine bars.
Getting around
  • On foot across Ponte Santa Trinita or Ponte alla Carraia; minibuses and buses.
  • Tram T1 at Porta al Prato, across the river.
Housing

Old artisans’ houses, palazzi and some flats with terraces or gardens behind.

Watch out for
  • Evening crowds in Piazza Santo Spirito.

San Niccolò and the southern hills

Below Piazzale MichelangeloQuiet, green, viewsOMI rent €9.2–14.2/m²
Best for

Families, retirees and anyone who wants calm, green space and views, with the centre a walk away.

Feel

The old riverside village of San Niccolò, the climb to Piazzale Michelangelo and San Miniato, then the villas of Poggio Imperiale and Pian dei Giullari; the ISF upper school is near Piazzale Michelangelo.

Rent

San Niccolò sits in the Duomo–Signoria–Pitti OMI zone (€11.0–14.2/m²); Bobolino–Poggio Imperiale–Pian dei Giullari €9.2–13.7/m² for flats (1-bed €460–690 · family 3-bed €920–1,370) and €11.7–17.4/m² for villas.

Think twice if

you dislike hills: the walk home is steep, and the higher roads need a bus or a car.

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

Florentine families, long-term international residents and villa owners.

Daily life
  • Bars and restaurants in San Niccolò; the Rose Garden and San Miniato.
Getting around
  • On foot to Ponte Vecchio; buses up the Viale dei Colli.
  • A car or scooter helps in the higher hills.
Housing

Flats in old houses near the river, villas and flats in villas higher up.

Watch out for
  • Sunset crowds at Piazzale Michelangelo in summer.

San Marco, Libertà and Le Cure

North of the centrePractical and residentialOMI rent €9.5–14.0/m²
Best for

Professionals, students and families who want to walk to the centre but live in an ordinary city neighbourhood.

Feel

From Piazza San Marco and the university area past the Fortezza da Basso to Piazza della Libertà, then the 19th-century streets of Donatello and Beccaria and the market district of Le Cure at the foot of the Fiesole hill.

Rent

OMI zone Lungarno–Donatello–Beccaria–Libertà €9.5–14.0/m²: 1-bed €480–700 · 2-bed €710–1,050 · family 3-bed €950–1,400. Le Cure €9.5–13.5/m². OMI sale values €2,700–3,700/m².

Think twice if

you want quiet streets: the viali ring roads carry heavy traffic.

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

Florentine families, university staff and students, professionals.

Daily life
  • Shops and markets of Le Cure; the Fortezza exhibition centre.
Getting around
  • Tram T2 at Lavagnini Fortezza and San Marco, direct to the airport.
  • Bus 7 from Libertà to Fiesole; the Parterre car park with minibus C1.
  • Preparatory works for the Libertà–Rovezzano tram line, through Le Cure, began in June 2026.
Housing

Late 19th- and early 20th-century blocks and villas, many with lifts and balconies.

Watch out for
  • Traffic noise on the viali, and tram works around Le Cure in the coming years.
  • Libertà, Oberdan and Savonarola are in the new short-let freeze zone.

Campo di Marte

East, outside the wallsFamilies, sport, a stationOMI rent €9.5–13.5/m²
Best for

Families and commuters who want space, schools and a railway station, with the centre a short ride away.

Feel

Wide residential streets around the stadium and sports facilities, Campo di Marte station, villas and apartment blocks; the Campo di Marte quarter (Q2) has 88,970 residents.

Rent

OMI zone Campo di Marte €9.5–13.5/m²: 1-bed €480–680 · 2-bed €710–1,010 · family 3-bed €950–1,350 a month. OMI sale values €2,800–3,500/m².

Think twice if

you want to step out into medieval streets: this is the 19th- and 20th-century city.

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

Florentine families and professionals; one of the city’s classic residential districts.

Daily life
  • Schools, sports clubs, parks and everyday shops.
Getting around
  • Campo di Marte railway station for regional trains.
  • Buses to the centre and along the viali.
Housing

Apartment blocks from the early to late 20th century, villas and small gardens.

Watch out for
  • Traffic and parking on match days.

Rifredi, Careggi and Novoli

North-westHospitals, university, tramsOMI rent €8.7–11.5/m²
Best for

Students, healthcare staff, commuters and budget-conscious newcomers who want trams to the centre and the airport.

Feel

The city’s most populous quarter (106,426 residents): Careggi’s university hospital, the Novoli university campus, Rifredi station and busy residential streets.

Rent

OMI zones Careggi–Rifredi €8.7–11.5/m² and Novoli–Carraia €9.3–11.5/m²: 1-bed €440–580 · 2-bed €650–860 · family 3-bed €870–1,150. OMI sale values €2,300–3,200/m².

Think twice if

you moved for Renaissance Florence: daily life here is an ordinary modern city.

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

A mixed population, about 19% foreign; students near Novoli and staff near Careggi.

Daily life
  • Supermarkets, everyday shops, the San Donato park in Novoli.
Getting around
  • Tram T1 to Careggi; tram T2 through Novoli to the airport.
  • Rifredi railway station for regional trains.
Housing

1950s–80s apartment blocks and newer developments; more space for the money.

Watch out for
  • Aircraft noise in the areas closest to the airport.
  • Statuto and Rifredi are in the new short-let freeze zone.

Gavinana and Isolotto

The river quarters south and westFamilies and parksOMI rent €7.4–12.2/m²
Best for

Families and retirees who want quiet residential streets, parks along the Arno and lower rents.

Feel

Gavinana, Ricorboli and Bandino to the south-east, along the river towards the Anconella park; Isolotto to the west, a planned post-war district across the river from the Cascine park.

Rent

OMI zone Gavinana–Ricorboli–Bandino–Anconella €9.7–12.2/m²: 1-bed €490–610 · family 3-bed €970–1,220. Isolotto €7.4–11.0/m²: 1-bed €370–550 · family 3-bed €740–1,100.

Think twice if

you want nightlife and culture within walking distance.

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

Gavinana–Galluzzo (39,625 residents) has the city’s oldest population; Isolotto–Legnaia has 66,436.

Daily life
  • Neighbourhood markets, schools, parks and cycle paths along the Arno.
Getting around
  • Isolotto: tram T1 to the station and Scandicci.
  • Gavinana: buses to the centre; the tram line to Bagno a Ripoli is under construction.
Housing

Post-war apartment blocks with balconies, some terraced houses and small gardens.

Watch out for
  • Gavinana is in the new short-let freeze zone; Isolotto is not.
  • Check bus frequency in the evening.

Fiesole, Settignano and the northern hills

Above the cityViews, villas, a carSettignano OMI rent €8.2–11.4/m²
Best for

Families, retirees and remote workers who want space, gardens and cooler evenings, and accept a car or the bus.

Feel

Fiesole, a separate town with its Roman theatre and views over the Duomo, and the villages and villas of Settignano and the northern hills inside Florence’s boundary.

Rent

Settignano OMI zone €8.2–11.4/m² for flats (1-bed €410–570 · family 3-bed €820–1,140) and €10.8–16.0/m² for villas. Fiesole is a separate municipality with its own OMI values: ask a local agency.

Think twice if

you do not drive: buses run, but not to every lane.

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

Families, academics and international residents; Fiesole hosts campuses of the Canadian School of Florence.

Daily life
  • Walks in the hills, village bars, the Roman theatre in Fiesole.
Getting around
  • Bus 7 from Libertà–Porta San Gallo to Piazza Mino in Fiesole, on an urban ticket.
  • A car is close to essential in the higher lanes.
Housing

Villas, flats in villas, farmhouses and terraced houses with gardens.

Watch out for
  • Fiesole, Bagno a Ripoli and Sesto Fiorentino are separate towns: you register residence there, not in Florence.
A city bicycle beside an old wooden door in Florence
A Florence street; not a housing listing · Photo: Bianca Bauza · Unsplash License · source
Ponte Vecchio lit up at night over the Arno
Ponte Vecchio at night, between the centre and the Oltrarno · Photo: Pedro Bune · Unsplash License · source
Florence and its Duomo seen from Fiesole
Florence seen from Fiesole · Photo: Joseph Quam · Unsplash License · source

Quick answers

  • Cheapest: Isolotto, Rifredi, Careggi and Novoli; then the towns around the city.
  • Best for families: Campo di Marte and Gavinana for schools and parks; the southern hills and Fiesole near the international schools.
  • Without a car: the centre, the Oltrarno, Santa Croce and anywhere near tram T1 or T2.
  • Near trains and the airport: the station area and San Lorenzo; Novoli and Rifredi on tram T2 to the airport.

Which areas are safest?

  • No official statistics are published for reported crime by neighbourhood, so we do not rank areas.
  • Theft concentrates where visitors are: the station, the Duomo, Ponte Vecchio and crowded buses and trams.
  • Our advice: visit the street in the evening before you sign, and ask the agency about the building and the block.

Neighbourhood finder · four questions

Find the Florence 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 and services, bars and culture, train and airport 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: with a car, the hills, Gavinana and Isolotto rise, the centre falls. Rents: top of the Agenzia delle Entrate OMI range by zone, second half of 2025; actual asking rents can be higher. Always visit before you decide.

Finding a home in Florence

Rent first, then buy if Florence becomes home.

15

How do I find a long-term rental in Florence?

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

  1. Time it: demand from students and foreign programmes peaks before each semester; arrive with a short stay and search on the spot.
  2. Know the contracts: free-market leases of at least 4 years, renewable for 4; «canone concordato» leases of at least 3 years plus 2, on average about 30% cheaper; «transitorio» leases up to 18 months for a stated need such as study or work; dedicated contracts for university students.
  3. Avoid holiday lets: a tourist let of up to 30 days is not a residential lease and will not support your residence registration.
  4. Registration: the landlord must register the lease with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days; the deposit cannot exceed three months’ rent and earns legal interest.
  5. Check before paying: visit, see the owner’s ID and proof of ownership or a written mandate, and pay by traceable bank transfer.
  6. Florence-specific checks: air conditioning and summer heat, heating costs in old buildings, street noise, the ZTL if you drive, and the walk to the nearest tram or bus stop.
Florence estate agencies →A first stay while you search →
Florence Cathedral’s marble facade, Piazza del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo: living in the centre means sharing it with visitors · Photo: Alexandra Smielova · Unsplash License · source
16

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, because good long lets go quickly.

Have ready

  • Passport or ID and your Italian tax code (codice fiscale).
  • An employment contract and recent payslips, or proof of income from abroad or a pension; 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, which is not fixed by law: ask for it in writing.
  • Condominium fees, if not included, and the waste tax (TARI) once you are resident.
17

Is it better to rent or buy in Florence?

In short: rent first; buy only once you know which quarter suits you, check the zone’s planning and short-let rules, and have a survey done before you commit.

Visit→Stay longer→Rent→Buy
  • Rent for a year: you learn the summer heat, the noise, the bus routes and how far the shops are.
  • Price versus rent: in the Duomo–Signoria–Pitti zone, OMI sale values average about €4,450/m² against OMI rents of about €12.60/m² a month, roughly 29 years of rent; at CNA’s city reference rent (about €19/m²) it is closer to 20 years.
  • Taxes from a private seller: registration tax 9%, or 2% for a main home («prima casa»), with a €1,000 minimum and €50 each for mortgage and cadastral tax; from a builder, VAT of 10%, or 4% for a main home, plus €200 each for registration, mortgage and cadastral tax. For the main-home rates you must move your residence to Florence within 18 months.
  • Do not count on short-let income in the centre and the surrounding ring: new authorisations are frozen there.
  • In historic buildings, check listed-building constraints, the roof, the heating and any planning irregularities with a surveyor before the preliminary contract.

Holiplanet’s rule of thumb, not financial advice. Confirm taxes with your notary.

18

How does the Florence property market work?

In short: a strong market with prices still rising: the centre and the hills are the most expensive, the north-west and west the most affordable.

  • OMI sale values for ordinary flats, second half of 2025: Duomo–Signoria–Pitti–San Niccolò €3,600–5,300/m²; San Lorenzo–Sant’Ambrogio and San Frediano–Porta Romana €3,400–4,300; Libertà–Donatello €3,300–3,700; Campo di Marte €2,800–3,500; Careggi–Rifredi €2,400–3,200; Isolotto €2,450–2,950; Novoli €2,300–2,900.
  • Villas: €3,700–5,500/m² around Poggio Imperiale and Pian dei Giullari, €3,500–5,200/m² in Settignano (OMI).
  • Nomisma counted 2,340 home sales in Florence in the first half of 2025, roughly level with a year earlier, with prices for new or renovated homes in prime areas up 3.5% (as reported by La Nazione, November 2025).
Talk to a local property expert →Property section of the City Guide →OMI property values (Agenzia delle Entrate) →

Settling in: paperwork, health and daily life

Where a rule depends on your status (EU or non-EU, employee, student or pensioner), we say so and link the official page.

19

What paperwork do I need to move to Florence?

In short: it depends on your passport and on why you come: EU citizens register residence after three months; non-EU citizens need a visa first, then apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arrival.

EU / EEA citizens

  • Tax code: at any Agenzia delle Entrate office, with form AA4/8 and your passport or ID card.
  • Residence (after 3 months): declare it to the City of Florence registry office (anagrafe), online through the national ANPR portal with a digital identity, by email or by post. Employees show an employment contract; the self-employed proof of their activity; students and pensioners comprehensive health insurance and sufficient resources.
  • Timing: registration is recorded within two working days, and the City checks the requirements within 45 days, through the Municipal Police: put your name on the doorbell. The service is free.

Non-EU citizens

  • Visa: check which one you need on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Visto per l’Italia portal: work, study, family, elective residence or digital nomad.
  • Residence permit: within 8 days of arrival, send the kit from a post office with a «Sportello Amico» desk: €16 revenue stamp, €30 postal fee and €30.46 for the card, plus any contribution due. Fingerprints follow at the Questura’s immigration office, by the appointment on your receipt. With a work or family nulla osta, start at the Prefecture’s Sportello Unico instead.
  • Tax code: issued by the Prefecture’s Sportello Unico (work or family permits) or by the Questura (other permits); from abroad, through your Italian consulate.
  • Residence: then register with the anagrafe like everyone else.

Florence offices

Registry office (anagrafe), residence for EU citizens: Palazzo Vecchio, Piazza della Signoria; phone 055 2768453, Monday and Friday 8:30–13:00; applications by email to iscrizioni.anagrafe@pec.comune.fi.it.

City contact centre: 055 055.

Questura immigration office: Via della Fortezza 17, for fingerprints and permit collection by appointment.

Car owners: once resident, register your number plate with Servizi alla Strada (SAS) for resident parking and ZTL authorisations.

Retirees and nearby towns

  • Retirees (non-EU): the elective residence visa needs stable passive income (thresholds set by the consulate) and a home in Italy; no work allowed.
  • Towns around Florence (Fiesole, Bagno a Ripoli, Sesto Fiorentino, Scandicci) are separate comuni: their residents register there, and Florence’s short-let rules do not apply.
Italy’s elective residence visa →
City of Florence: residence for EU citizens (Italian) →Visas for Italy →Tax code (codice fiscale) →Residence permit kit (Italian) →EU citizens: registering residence →

General information, not legal or tax advice; rules, fees and thresholds change and vary by consulate.

20

How does healthcare work in Florence?

In short: through the regional health service run locally by the USL Toscana Centro; your status decides whether registration is free (workers and their families) or paid yearly (students, elective residents and others).

Who is covered, and how

  • EU citizens: workers, the self-employed and their families register once resident; those not entitled to compulsory registration and not covered by their home country’s system can register voluntarily.
  • Non-EU employees, self-employed, registered job seekers and family permits: compulsory registration with the SSN for as long as the permit lasts.
  • Students, elective residents, au pairs and others: voluntary registration with a yearly contribution of at least €2,000 (€700 for students and €1,200 for au pairs without family), valid for the calendar year; or private insurance.
  • Children: every minor has the right to a paediatrician or family doctor, whatever the parents’ status.

In Florence

  • Once registered, you receive the tessera sanitaria (health card) and choose a family doctor (medico di base) through the USL Toscana Centro.
  • Voluntary registration in the Florence area is handled by email; for questions call 055 6930334 or 055 6930501, weekdays 10:00–12:00.
  • Hospitals with emergency departments: Careggi (Largo Brambilla 3), Santa Maria Nuova (Piazza Santa Maria Nuova 1), San Giovanni di Dio at Torregalli, and the Meyer children’s hospital (Viale Pieraccini 24).
  • 116117 for the out-of-hours doctor (guardia medica): active in the Florence area since 16 September 2024, weekday nights 20:00–8:00 and from Saturday 8:00 to Monday 8:00; 112 for emergencies.
USL Toscana Centro: voluntary registration (Italian) →Non-EU citizens: joining the SSN (Italian) →What Italian healthcare covers →
21

Which schools and universities are there?

In short: Italian state schools in every quarter, an international school with campuses in Florence and Bagno a Ripoli, French, Canadian and bilingual schools, a large public university and dozens of foreign study programmes.

Schools

  • International School of Florence: ages 3–11 at Villa Le Tavernule, Bagno a Ripoli, and ages 11–18 at Villa Torri di Gattaia, near Piazzale Michelangelo.
  • Lycée Victor Hugo: the French national curriculum from age 2 to 18, in Palazzo Venturi Ginori, Via della Scala.
  • Canadian School of Florence: the Ontario curriculum from kindergarten to high school, with campuses in Fiesole and Florence; Florence Bilingual School, nursery to middle school, on Viale Lavagnini.
  • Italian state schools from nursery to secondary level; enrolment is online, on dates set by the Ministry each year.

Universities

  • University of Florence: more than 40,000 students; 5th among Italy’s largest universities in the Censis 2025/2026 ranking.
  • Foreign programmes: AACUPI lists 57 member institutions in Tuscany, mainly in Florence, with more than 15,000 students a year.
International School of Florence →EUI list of schools in Florence →University of Florence →
22

How does public transport work in Florence?

In short: Autolinee Toscane runs the buses and sells the tickets that also cover the two tram lines; a ride costs €2.00 for 90 minutes and a monthly pass €42.20 from 1 August 2026.

  • Fares from 1 August 2026: urban ticket €2.00, valid 90 minutes in Florence; 10 rides €18.20; €3.00 from the driver; monthly pass €42.20, quarterly €104.50, annual €342.80; students’ annual pass €278.70; lower ISEE-based fares.
  • University students: the 2026/27 Unifi pass costs €50 or €65 and covers tram, urban buses and regional trains at the main Florence stations from 1 October 2026 to 31 July 2027.
  • Trams: T1 from Villa Costanza (Scandicci) through Santa Maria Novella to Careggi; T2 from the airport to Piazza San Marco, extended into the centre in January 2025; trams about every 5 minutes. Works on the Bagno a Ripoli line started in 2025.
  • Buses: electric minibuses C1–C4 through the centre; bus 7 to Fiesole on an urban ticket.
  • Airport: Florence handled 3.8 million passengers in 2025, Pisa nearly 6.0 million.
  • Trains: Santa Maria Novella for high-speed trains: Bologna in about 37 minutes (32 Italo trains a day) and Rome in just over an hour and a half; Campo di Marte and Rifredi for regional services.
Autolinee Toscane fares from 1 August 2026 (PDF, Italian) →Unifi student pass (Italian) →Getting around in the City Guide →
Trains at Firenze Santa Maria Novella station
Santa Maria Novella, the hub for fast trains, the T1 and T2 trams and buses · Photo: Mihaela Claudia Puscas · Unsplash License · source
23

Can I keep a car in Florence? How does the ZTL work?

In short: yes, but not for the centre: the ZTL limited-traffic zone is enforced by cameras on weekdays and Saturdays, a wider low-emission area has been in force since July 2025, and residents need to register their plates.

The rules

  • ZTL hours: Monday to Friday 7:30–20:00 and Saturday 7:30–16:00; off on Sundays and holidays.
  • Summer nights: from the first Thursday of April to the first Sunday of October, also 23:00–3:00 on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights.
  • Scudo Verde: a larger area, in operation since 1 July 2025, where cameras keep out the most polluting vehicles; further restrictions for older petrol and diesel cars start on 1 December 2026.

For residents

  • Residents register their number plate online with Servizi alla Strada (SAS) for the free residents’ parking permit and ZTL authorisations where they apply.
  • Fully electric cars can be authorised to enter all ZTL sectors.
  • Outside the ZTL, the Parterre car park and park-and-ride sites on the edge of the city link to minibuses and trams.
Feel Florence: driving and the ZTL →SAS: ZTL and parking permits (Italian) →

Checked on the City’s visitor portal and the SAS website in October 2026; hours and categories can change.

24

Can I work remotely from Florence?

In short: yes: EU citizens just register residence after three months; non-EU citizens need the digital nomad visa, or another visa that allows work.

Digital nomad visa (non-EU)

  • Highly qualified: a degree, or five years’ relevant experience (three in ICT), and at least six months of remote work.
  • Income at least three times the health-fee exemption level: about €24,789 a year for a single applicant.
  • Health insurance valid in Italy and suitable accommodation, such as a lease; apply at the Italian consulate, then request the permit at the Questura within 8 working days of entry; one year, renewable.
  • Remote employees: pay at least the national collective agreement and the ISTAT average gross salary (about €33,500).

Taxes and practicalities

  • Over 183 days a year in Italy, Italian tax rules generally apply; nomads need a VAT number.
  • For travel, choose the station area, Novoli or Rifredi; for quiet, the southern hills, Gavinana or Fiesole (see the finder above).
Digital nomad visa: requirements (Ministry of Labour) →Working remotely from Italy →
25

Which emergency numbers should I know in Florence?

In short: call 112 in an emergency and 116117 for the out-of-hours doctor; the City’s contact centre answers on 055 055.

112Single emergency number: ambulance, police, fire; several languages
116117Out-of-hours doctor (guardia medica) across Tuscany
055 055City of Florence contact centre
Regione Toscana: 116117 (Italian) →

Living in Florence: frequently asked questions

Twenty questions people ask before moving to Florence, answered in two lines each, with a link to the details.

What are the pros and cons of living in Florence?

Pros: walkable, cultured, international, with fast trains. Cons: rents of about €1,340 for 70 m², crowds in the centre, hot summers and petty crime. Details →

Is Florence safe to live in?

For residents, generally yes: the risk is theft in crowded places. The province ranks 2nd of 106 for crimes reported per resident, a rate pushed up by crimes against visitors, counted against residents only. Details →

Is there an international community in Florence?

Yes: 59,005 foreign residents (16.2%), more than 15,000 American study-abroad students a year in Tuscany, and international schools. Details →

Can I live in Florence without speaking Italian?

In tourism, culture and universities often yes; at the anagrafe, the Questura, health desks and with landlords you need Italian. Details →

How hot are summers in Florence?

Increasingly hot: in 2015–2024 the city had 16 more days a year above 35 °C than in 1991–2020 (ISPRA). Air conditioning matters. Details →

How does tourism affect housing?

Short-let listings reached 12,211 in 2026, 85% in the centre; new short lets are now frozen in the centre and nine districts around it. Details →

How much does it cost to rent a flat in Florence?

OMI values for ordinary flats run from €7.40 to €16.00/m² a month in the main zones; CNA puts a standard 70 m² flat at about €1,340 a month (2025). Details →

What is the cost of living in Florence?

About €1,300–1,700 a month for a single person outside the centre, €1,700–2,300 in the centre, €3,200–4,500+ for a family. Details →

Can I still rent out a flat to tourists?

Not new ones in the UNESCO centre or the ring around it; elsewhere you need a five-year city authorisation and a CIN code. Details →

Which are the best areas of Florence for expats?

The Oltrarno and Santa Croce for neighbourhood life, Campo di Marte and the hills for families, Rifredi and Novoli for budget and trams. Details →

How do I find a long-term rental in Florence?

Search the centre and outer quarters in parallel, avoid holiday lets for residence, and check heat, heating and the walk to the tram. Details →

Can I buy a home in Florence?

Yes. OMI sale values run from about €2,300/m² in Novoli to €5,300/m² around the Duomo; main-home tax rates need residence within 18 months. Details →

What paperwork do I need to move to Florence?

EU citizens register residence after three months; non-EU citizens need a visa, then the permit kit within 8 days and the Questura. Details →

How does healthcare work in Florence?

Through the USL Toscana Centro: workers register free; students and elective residents pay a yearly fee (from €2,000; €700 for students). Details →

Are there international schools in Florence?

Yes: the International School of Florence, the French Lycée Victor Hugo, the Canadian School of Florence and a bilingual school. Details →

How much is public transport in Florence?

€2.00 a ride for 90 minutes on buses and trams, €42.20 a month or €342.80 a year (from 1 August 2026). Details →

Can I drive in Florence?

Outside the centre, yes; the ZTL is closed to unauthorised cars Monday to Friday 7:30–20:00 and Saturday 7:30–16:00. Details →

Can I work remotely from Florence?

EU citizens just register residence; non-EU citizens need the digital nomad visa (about €24,789 a year, degree or 5 years’ experience). Details →

Is Florence good for families and retirees?

Families like Campo di Marte, Gavinana and the hills near the international schools; non-EU retirees need the elective residence visa. Details →

Which emergency numbers should I know?

112 for emergencies, 116117 for the out-of-hours doctor, 055 055 for the City of Florence contact centre. Details →

Your next step

Where are you in your move?

VisitGet to know FlorenceSights, food and day trips in the City Guide.Stay longerTest an area for 2–4 weeksBook a stay in the quarter you are considering.Live hereChoose your neighbourhoodFour questions, three areas to explore first.Find a homeTalk to a local agencyRentals, viewings and purchases, in person, from our Florence agents directory.

See the city first: Florence media gallery · Living in Florence in the City Guide · Where to eat · A half day in the Oltrarno