Living in Venice

The Grand Canal leading to the Rialto Bridge in warm late-afternoon light

Holiplanet · Living in Venice

Thinking of moving to Venice?

Living in Venice means choosing between three very different places: the car-free historic city, the lagoon islands and the mainland around Mestre. This guide sets out what each costs, which paperwork applies to you and how daily life really works on the water, with checked facts and dates.

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

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Independent local guide · Data from official and verified sources

Photo: Kaptured by Kasia · Unsplash License · source

Venice at a glance

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

251,295residents in the whole municipality (city registry, 2025)
47,625of them in the historic city (2025), down from 55,589 in 2015
16.0%foreign residents (1 January 2025)
51.4average age in the historic city (2025)
€15.51average asking rent per m² a month, whole municipality (Sept 2026)
€1.50a waterbus ride for residents with a Venezia Unica card (€9.50 for visitors)

What living here is like

  • No cars in the historic city: you walk, take the waterbus, and have heavy shopping, furniture and parcels delivered by boat.
  • Three ways of living in one municipality: the historic city, the lagoon islands (Lido, Pellestrina, Murano, Burano) and the mainland, where seven residents in ten live.
  • Mestre is the practical side of Venice: rents average about €12.50/m², against €20–27/m² in the sestieri.
  • Rome is under four hours away on one of 32 daily Frecciarossa trains; Marco Polo airport is about 20 minutes from Piazzale Roma by bus.

What surprises newcomers

  • Visitors far outnumber residents: 3.8 million arrivals and 9.1 million overnight stays in the historic city in 2023.
  • The historic city is ageing and shrinking: 47,625 residents in 2025, average age 51.4.
  • High water is now managed: the MOSE barriers have kept tides above 110 cm out of the city almost every time since 2020, but lower tides still flood the lowest streets.
  • Residents do not pay the day-visitor access fee, but your guests may, on the days it applies.

Sources: City of Venice registry statistics (population by area, 2015–2025); ISTAT data (foreign residents, 1 January 2025); City of Venice Annuario del Turismo (2023 data); ACTV fares (read October 2026); Trenitalia; ISPRA. Rents: Immobiliare.it market data, September 2026 (asking prices, cited, not linked). Checked October 2026.

Who actually lives in Venice?

One municipality, three very different populations: here is the real picture from the city’s own registry.

Where people live (2025)

Mainland178,132
Historic city47,625
Lido, Pellestrina18,683
Murano, Sant’Erasmo4,545
Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello2,310
  • The historic city lost 7,964 residents between 2015 and 2025 (−14%); the mainland only 1,117 (−0.6%).
  • Average age in 2025: 51.4 in the historic city, 52.3 on the islands and 47.5 on the mainland.
  • ISTAT counted 126,111 households at the end of 2024, with an average of 1.96 people each.

Nationality: one resident in six is foreign

  • 40,015 foreign residents on 1 January 2025, 16.0% of the population.
  • The largest communities: Bangladesh (9,483), Romania (6,271) and China (3,837).
  • In the historic city the international community is small and mixed: academics, students, artists, retirees and second-home owners.

Income and spending: what it means for you

  • Households in Veneto spent €2,953.71 a month on average in 2025, against €2,782.36 nationally (ISTAT).
  • Nationally, the average gross private-sector salary was €24,486 a year in 2024 (INPS).
  • Veneto’s labour market is tight: 69.3% employment (ages 15–64) and 3.5% unemployment in 2025.

What this means

At the municipality’s average asking rent, a 50 m² flat costs about €780 a month, but in the historic city the same flat costs €1,000–1,350. Many people who work in Venice therefore live in Mestre and commute by bus, tram or train across the Ponte della Libertà. With a foreign salary or a pension, the sestieri are realistic; on a single local salary, look first at Mestre, the Lido or Castello.

Where the international residents are. Students and researchers cluster around Ca’ Foscari and IUAV in Dorsoduro and Santa Croce; families who want space and a garden on the Lido; commuters and budget-conscious newcomers in Mestre. Each area’s profile is in its card below.

Sources: City of Venice registry data by area 2015–2025; ISTAT (via Tuttitalia); ISTAT household spending 2025; INPS; Regione Veneto, April 2026. Checked October 2026.

Is Venice right for me?

01

What is a normal week like in Venice?

In short: on foot and by waterbus: you plan around bridges, boat timetables and the tide, shop at the Rialto and neighbourhood campi, and leave for the mainland when you need a car or a big store.

Elena, translator in Cannaregio

  1. 8.00 Coffee at the bar on the campo, then a walk along the fondamenta to work at home.
  2. 11.00 Fish and vegetables at the Rialto market; the shopping trolley comes too.
  3. 18.30 An ombra (a small glass of wine) and cicchetti with friends in a bacaro.
  4. Thursday The tide forecast says 100 cm: boots by the door.
  5. Saturday Line 12 from Fondamente Nove to Burano and Torcello.

The Rossi family on the Lido

  1. 7.45 Bike to school: on the Lido, unlike the historic city, cycling is allowed.
  2. 8.20 One parent takes the waterbus from Santa Maria Elisabetta to San Zaccaria.
  3. 16.30 Beach or the sea wall walk out of season.
  4. Saturday Car ferry to the mainland for the big shop.
  5. Sunday An exhibition at the Biennale, then lunch in Castello.

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

Laundry drying above a quiet Venetian canal with moored boats
Washing lines and moored boats: residential Venice away from the crowds · Photo: Annie Spratt · Unsplash License · source
02

What are the pros and cons of living in Venice?

In short: unmatched beauty, a car-free and walkable life and a lively cultural calendar; against that, high rents in the historic city, tourist crowds, boat logistics and high water.

Pros

  • No cars in the historic city: quiet streets, children can walk to school, and everyday life happens on foot.
  • Culture on the doorstep: the Biennale, La Fenice, museums, universities and the islands.
  • Affordable alternatives within the same municipality: Mestre asking rents average €12.42/m², Lido €17.95/m² (Sept 2026).
  • Residents’ transport fares: €1.50 a ride or €37 a month on the waterbus network with a Venezia Unica card.
  • Since 2020 the MOSE barriers protect the city from the highest tides.

Cons

  • Historic-city asking rents of €19.78–27.45/m² a month, and many flats let to visitors instead of residents.
  • Tourist pressure: 9.1 million overnight stays in the historic city in 2023, plus day-trippers.
  • Everything moves by boat or trolley: moves, deliveries and building work cost more time and money.
  • Tides below the MOSE threshold (from about 80 cm) still flood the lowest areas, including St Mark’s.
  • The province ranks 9th of 106 for reported crime per resident (Il Sole 24 Ore, 2026, 2025 data), mostly petty crime in crowded places.
03

Is it worth relocating to Venice?

In short: yes, if you want beauty and a slower, car-free life and can work remotely, teach, study or retire here; think twice if your career needs a big job market or you need space on a tight budget.

A good fit if you…

  • work remotely, in academia, the arts, culture or heritage;
  • love walking and are happy without a car;
  • want an international city of manageable size, with Milan, Bologna and the Dolomites within reach;
  • can accept a smaller flat in exchange for the setting.

Think twice if you…

  • need a large corporate job market (Milan is the place for that);
  • have reduced mobility: many bridges have steps, although the city publishes accessible routes;
  • want a garden and space in the historic city on a mid-range budget;
  • dislike crowds in spring, summer and Carnival.

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

04

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

In short: yes, but it is small and spread out: universities, the Biennale, foreign owners and remote workers; one resident in six is foreign; the paperwork stays Italian.

  • 40,015 foreign residents (16.0%) on 1 January 2025, largest groups from Bangladesh, Romania and China.
  • Ca’ Foscari University alone has more than 21,000 students and welcomes more than 1,500 international students a year; ESN Venezia organises events for them.
  • The Biennale, foundations, museums and universities bring a steady flow of international professionals, many of them on fixed-term stays.
  • English is common in tourism, culture and academia; at the registry office, the Questura and the health desks you will need Italian or a helper.
ESN Venezia (Ca’ Foscari) →Ca’ Foscari key figures →
05

Is Venice safe to live in?

In short: for residents, yes: the everyday risk is pickpocketing and fraud in crowded places, not violent crime; the province ranks 9th of 106 for crimes reported per resident.

  • Il Sole 24 Ore Crime Index 2026: province of Venice 9th of 106, with 40,065 reports in 2025, or 4,803.51 per 100,000 residents. Reports per resident are inflated in a province with millions of visitors.
  • The UK FCDO notes that crime in Italy is generally low but petty crime is higher; take care on public transport, in crowded areas and at main stations.
  • Common sense: keep bags closed on crowded waterbuses and around Rialto, St Mark’s and the station.
  • Before you sign a lease, walk the street in the evening, and on the mainland check the block, not just the district.
UK FCDO: safety in Italy →Il Sole 24 Ore Crime Index (Italian) →
06

What is the climate like, and how does acqua alta work?

In short: mild, humid and increasingly hot in summer; high tides come mostly from autumn to early spring, and since 2020 the MOSE barriers are raised when a tide above 110 cm is forecast.

Climate

  • Mean annual temperature 13.8 °C (1991–2020) and 14.5 °C in 2015–2024; 819 mm of rain a year (ISPRA 2026, Venezia Tessera station on the mainland).
  • Compared with 1991–2020, the years 2015–2024 had each year 16 more summer days above 25 °C, 15 more tropical nights above 20 °C and 14 fewer frost days.
  • Ask whether the flat has air conditioning or good shading, and how damp the ground floor is.

High water (acqua alta)

  • «Acqua alta» is declared when the tide exceeds 80 cm; the lowest points, such as St Mark’s, flood first.
  • The MOSE mobile barriers, in use since October 2020, are raised for forecasts above 110 cm. Since then, according to ISPRA, only three tides above 110 cm have reached the historic city (two in 2020, one on 16 May 2024, data to the end of 2024).
  • For comparison, 2019 had 28 tides of 110 cm or more, the highest count on record, and on 12 November 2019 the tide reached 187 cm.
  • The City’s Tide Forecast Centre publishes forecasts, real-time levels and a Telegram alert channel; sirens warn of high tides.

What it means for a home: ask the floor height and whether the ground floor has ever flooded, look for flood barriers (paratie) on the doors, and prefer an upper floor if you are not sure.

City of Venice: Tide Forecast Centre (Italian) →ISPRA: high-water events →ISPRA climate report 2026 (PDF, Italian) →
Acqua alta on Piazza San Marco, with the Basilica and Campanile reflected in the water
A high tide on St Mark’s Square, the lowest part of the city · Photo: Francesco La Corte · Unsplash License · source
07

How do tourism and population decline affect daily life?

In short: deeply in the historic city: residents fell from 55,589 to 47,625 between 2015 and 2025, while 3.8 million visitors stayed overnight in 2023; quieter streets remain, but you must choose them.

  • Historic-city residents: 55,589 in 2015, 47,625 in 2025 (City of Venice registry).
  • Tourism in the historic city in 2023: 3,817,295 arrivals and 9,091,691 overnight stays (City of Venice, Annuario del Turismo). Mestre and the mainland add 1.7 million arrivals.
  • In 2023, according to figures reported by The Guardian and Open, tourist beds in the historic city (49,693) outnumbered residents (49,304).
  • Effects you will notice: crowded waterbuses on main lines, shops for visitors replacing everyday ones on the busiest routes, and flats let to tourists rather than residents.
  • Where it is quieter: eastern Castello and Sant’Elena, northern Cannaregio, the Giudecca, the Lido and the inner parts of Dorsoduro and Santa Croce.
  • Day-trippers pay an access fee on selected days (see below); residents, workers and students do not.
City of Venice: population 2015–2025 (PDF, Italian) →Annuario del Turismo 2023 (PDF, Italian) →
08

Is Venice 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 municipality.

Families

Car-free campi where children play; for space and a garden, the Lido or the mainland. The nearest IB school is on the mainland at Roncade (Treviso).

Retirees

A walkable city with hospitals in Castello and Mestre, but many bridges with steps. Non-EU retirees usually need the elective residence visa (income threshold 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

Ca’ Foscari (more than 21,000 students) and IUAV, the architecture and design university. Students up to 26 with a study seat in Venice can get the Venezia Unica card for €20, and students aged 6–25 a €25 monthly pass.

09

Can I live in Venice without speaking Italian?

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

Where English works

  • Universities, museums, foundations and the Biennale.
  • Most shops and restaurants in the historic city.
  • The 112 emergency number, which handles several languages.

Where Italian matters

  • Registry office (anagrafe), Questura, ULSS desks, tax office.
  • Leases, condominium meetings, boat deliveries and builders.
  • Local jobs outside tourism and academia; the EU long-term permit usually requires A2 Italian.

Where to learn

  • CPIA, the public adult schools, and associations run Italian courses in Venice and Mestre; the City of Venice publishes their lists.
10

Is it easy to make friends in Venice?

In short: it takes initiative: the resident community is small and close-knit, so join something regular and be a familiar face in your campo.

  • Rowing: Venetian-style rowing clubs (remiere) teach voga alla veneta and are one of the best ways to meet locals.
  • Students: ESN Venezia organises events and trips; universities run language tandems.
  • Culture: openings at the Biennale and the foundations, concerts and talks.
  • The bacaro is the social ritual: cicchetti and an ombra at the counter, early evening.
Venice restaurants directory →See daily life in the Venice media gallery →

Can I afford Venice?

Costs by household, rents by area and the logistics of a city without cars, side by side.

11

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

In short: about €1,300–1,700 for a single person living simply in Mestre, €1,900–2,500 in the historic city, €2,800–3,500 for a comfortable couple and €3,200–4,500 or more for a family. Rent is the main variable.

Single · Mestre

€1,300–1,700per month
  • 1-bed in Mestre, about €550–700
  • Electricity and gas about €205
  • Waterbus and bus pass €37 with a Venezia Unica card

Single · historic city

€1,900–2,500per month
  • 1-bed in Cannaregio or Castello, about €900–1,100
  • Energy, phone, internet on top
  • Deliveries and porters cost extra

Couple · comfortable

€2,800–3,500per month
  • 2-bed in the historic city, about €1,300–1,700
  • Energy about €205, two passes €74
  • Food, eating out, travel

Family with 2 children

€3,200–4,500+per month
  • 3-bed on the Lido, about €1,600–1,950; in Mestre €1,100–1,350
  • Energy, transport, activities
  • International school fees not included

Holiplanet estimates from average asking rents by zone (Immobiliare.it data, September 2026), ARERA 2026 reference costs for a typical household (about €205 a month for electricity and gas), ACTV fares for Venezia Unica holders and ISTAT household spending (2025): one-person households in Italy spend about €2,070 a month, households in Veneto €2,954.

12

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

In short: on average €15.51 per m² a month across the municipality (September 2026), but that hides two markets: about €12.50/m² in Mestre and €19.78–27.45/m² in the historic city and Giudecca.

Giudecca · €27.45/m²1-bed €1,250–1,500 · 2-bed €1,800–2,200 · family 3-bed €2,450–3,000
Castello: Arsenale, Giardini, Sant’Elena · €24.94/m²1-bed €1,100–1,350 · 2-bed €1,600–2,000 · family 3-bed €2,250–2,750
San Polo, Santa Croce · €24.76/m²1-bed €1,100–1,350 · 2-bed €1,600–2,000 · family 3-bed €2,250–2,700
Dorsoduro · €21.34/m²1-bed €950–1,150 · 2-bed €1,400–1,700 · family 3-bed €1,900–2,350
Murano, Le Vignole, Sant’Erasmo · €20.23/m²1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,250
Castello: SS. Giovanni e Paolo, Santa Maria Formosa · €20.05/m²1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,200
Cannaregio · €19.86/m²1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,200
San Marco, Rialto · €19.78/m²1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,200
Lido, Malamocco, Alberoni, Pellestrina · €17.95/m²1-bed €800–1,000 · 2-bed €1,150–1,450 · family 3-bed €1,600–1,950
Burano, Mazzorbo, Torcello · €17.14/m²1-bed €750–950 · 2-bed €1,100–1,350 · family 3-bed €1,550–1,900
Carpenedo, Bissuola, Favaro, Campalto · €12.74/m²1-bed €550–700 · 2-bed €850–1,000 · family 3-bed €1,150–1,400
Mestre, Chirignago, Marghera, Catene · €12.42/m²1-bed €550–700 · 2-bed €800–1,000 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,350

Monthly asking rents by market zone (Immobiliare.it data, September 2026; asking prices, not signed contracts). Zone averages can swing sharply from year to year (Giudecca +33.7%, Castello SS. Giovanni e Paolo −19.0%). 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 or short lets cost more; «canone concordato» leases usually less.

13

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

In short: Veneto has one of Italy’s tightest labour markets (3.5% unemployment in 2025), but Venice’s own economy leans on tourism, culture, the port and universities; many international residents bring their income with them.

The numbers

  • Veneto, 2025: employment 69.3% (ages 15–64) and unemployment 3.5%, up from 3%.
  • Italy’s average gross private-sector salary: €24,486 a year in 2024 (INPS).
  • The historic city’s economy leans on tourism, culture and universities; Mestre and Marghera host offices, logistics, the port and industry.

Working in English, or for yourself

  • English-language roles are mostly in hospitality, universities, cultural institutions and international schools.
  • Italy has no statutory minimum wage: pay floors come from national collective agreements.
  • 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–
ACTV passes–
Core monthly costs–

Energy: ARERA 2026 references for a typical household, about €205 a month averaged over the year. Transport: €37 monthly Rete Unica pass per adult with a Venezia Unica card (€25 for students). Condominium fees, food, phone, insurance and deliveries come on top.

14

Does everything cost more because it arrives by boat?

In short: not the weekly shop, but anything bulky does: moves, furniture, building materials and repairs all need a boat, porters and time, so budget extra and ask for quotes in advance.

  • Supermarkets and markets in the historic city are supplied by goods boats; everyday food prices are broadly in line with the rest of the region, while choice is smaller than on the mainland.
  • A house move means a removal boat plus porters from the nearest landing to your door, often over bridges: get a written quote that names the landing and the floor.
  • Builders, plumbers and electricians add transport time; renovation in a listed building also needs permits, so allow months, not weeks.
  • Many residents do a monthly big shop in Mestre or have it delivered; parcels arrive by courier boat and trolley.
A courier boat loaded with parcels crossing a Venice canal
Parcels by boat: how deliveries reach the historic city · Photo: Anna · Unsplash License · source

No official index measures a «boat premium»: these are practical points to check, not figures.

Where should I live in Venice?

Nine areas, from the sestieri of the historic city to the lagoon islands and the mainland, 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.

San MarcoCannaregioCastelloDorsoduroSan Polo and Santa CroceGiudeccaLido and PellestrinaMurano and BuranoMestre and the mainlandHelp me choose →

San Marco

Centre of the historic cityMonuments and shopsAsking rent €19.78/m²
Best for

Couples and professionals with a high budget who want to be at the heart of things, near La Fenice, the Rialto and the Grand Canal stops.

Feel

The square, the Basilica and the Doge’s Palace, then a maze of shopping streets towards the Rialto and the quieter area around Santo Stefano and Campo Sant’Angelo.

Rent

San Marco-Rialto zone €19.78/m²: 1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,200 a month. Asking prices to buy are the city’s highest, €6,032/m².

Think twice if

you dislike crowds on your doorstep, or need everyday shops: the busiest streets serve visitors first.

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

The most visited sestiere: ask how many flats in your building are second homes or tourist lets.

Daily life
  • La Fenice and museums; Campo Santo Stefano for everyday life.
Getting around
  • Waterbus lines 1 and 2 along the Grand Canal (San Marco, Rialto, Sant’Angelo, San Samuele).
  • The station and Piazzale Roma are about 30–40 minutes on foot or by line 1 or 2.
Housing

Palazzi divided into flats, many with Venetian terrazzo floors and wooden beams; few lifts.

Watch out for
  • The area around St Mark’s is the first to flood at high tide.
  • Noise and crowds around Rialto and the Mercerie in the day.

Cannaregio

North of the historic cityLived-in and long canalsAsking rent €19.86/m²
Best for

Singles, couples and remote workers who want a real neighbourhood with bars and everyday shops.

Feel

From the station to the Fondamenta della Misericordia and the Ghetto: long, straight canals with fondamente where locals sit out in the evening; quieter towards Madonna dell’Orto and Sant’Alvise.

Rent

Cannaregio zone €19.86/m²: 1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600 · family 3-bed €1,800–2,200 a month.

Think twice if

you want to avoid the crowds of Strada Nova, the main walking route from the station to Rialto.

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

A mix of long-time Venetians, students and international residents; the Ghetto is the historic heart of Venice’s Jewish community.

Daily life
  • Bacari on the Misericordia and Ormesini fondamente; shops along Strada Nova.
Getting around
  • The station and Piazzale Roma on foot; Fondamente Nove for lines 4.1/4.2 and line 12 to Murano, Burano and the airport by Alilaguna.
  • Line 1 and 2 stops on the Grand Canal at Ca’ d’Oro and San Marcuola.
Housing

Former working-class houses, palazzi and some post-war public housing; ground floors are often damp.

Watch out for
  • Strada Nova is crowded at peak times.
  • Check the ground-floor flood history in the lower areas.

Castello

East of the historic cityQuiet, green, BiennaleAsking rents €20.05–24.94/m²
Best for

Families and anyone who wants the most residential side of the historic city, with gardens and the Biennale.

Feel

From Santa Maria Formosa and SS. Giovanni e Paolo, home to the city hospital, east past the Arsenale to Via Garibaldi, the Giardini and Sant’Elena: washing lines, children in the campi and the historic city’s main public gardens.

Rent

SS. Giovanni e Paolo-Santa Maria Formosa zone €20.05/m²: 1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600. Arsenale-Giardini-Sant’Elena €24.94/m²: 1-bed €1,100–1,350 · family 3-bed €2,250–2,750.

Think twice if

you need fast access to the station and Piazzale Roma: eastern Castello is the far end of the city.

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

Many long-time Venetian families, especially around Via Garibaldi and Sant’Elena; artists and Biennale staff around the Arsenale.

Daily life
  • Via Garibaldi shops; Giardini and Sant’Elena parks; the city hospital.
Getting around
  • Waterbus lines 1, 4.1/4.2 and 5.1/5.2 around the eastern waterfront; Fondamente Nove to the north.
  • Lido in a few minutes from San Zaccaria or Giardini.
Housing

Simple terraced houses, palazzi and some 20th-century blocks in Sant’Elena.

Watch out for
  • Crowds on the Riva degli Schiavoni near St Mark’s.
  • Biennale openings fill the area in spring and summer.

Dorsoduro

South of the Grand CanalUniversities and galleriesAsking rent €21.34/m²
Best for

Students, academics, art lovers and couples who want a lively but residential area with sun on the Zattere.

Feel

Campo Santa Margherita with its market and bars, Ca’ Foscari and IUAV, the Accademia and the Guggenheim, and the long Zattere promenade facing the Giudecca.

Rent

Dorsoduro zone (Accademia, Salute, San Barnaba, Santa Marta) €21.34/m²: 1-bed €950–1,150 · 2-bed €1,400–1,700 · family 3-bed €1,900–2,350 a month.

Think twice if

you are a light sleeper near Campo Santa Margherita, busy with students at night.

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

Students and university staff around Ca’ Foscari, international owners near the Accademia and the Salute, Venetian families in Santa Marta.

Daily life
  • Campo Santa Margherita; the Zattere; the Accademia and Guggenheim.
Getting around
  • Lines 2, 5.1/5.2 and 6 on the Zattere; line 1 at Ca’ Rezzonico, Accademia and Salute.
  • Piazzale Roma is a short walk from Santa Marta and San Basilio.
Housing

Palazzi, small houses with courtyards and gardens, and student flats.

Watch out for
  • Student turnover in shared flats.
  • Night noise around Campo Santa Margherita.

San Polo and Santa Croce

Around the Rialto marketCentral and practicalAsking rent €24.76/m²
Best for

Professionals and couples who want the market and Piazzale Roma within walking distance.

Feel

The smallest sestieri: the Rialto market and its bacari, Campo San Giacomo dall’Orio with its trees, and the Frari; Santa Croce reaches Piazzale Roma, the only point in the city with road access.

Rent

San Polo-Santa Croce zone €24.76/m²: 1-bed €1,100–1,350 · 2-bed €1,600–2,000 · family 3-bed €2,250–2,700 a month (+20% in a year).

Think twice if

you want the lowest rents in the historic city: these zones are among the most expensive.

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

Residents, students of IUAV near Tolentini and many visitors passing through on the route to Rialto.

Daily life
  • Rialto market; Campo San Giacomo dall’Orio; the Frari.
Getting around
  • Piazzale Roma for buses, the tram to Mestre and the airport buses; the People Mover to Tronchetto.
  • Line 1 and 2 stops at San Stae, Rialto Mercato and San Tomà.
Housing

Palazzi and houses with small courtyards; some top-floor flats with altane (rooftop terraces).

Watch out for
  • Heavy foot traffic on the Rialto–station route.
  • Proximity to Piazzale Roma means traffic noise in a few streets.

Giudecca

Island facing the ZattereViews and spaceAsking rent €27.45/m²
Best for

Families, creatives and anyone who wants space, light and views of the city across the canal.

Feel

A long island once full of factories: the Molino Stucky, now a hotel, the Redentore, gardens behind the houses and new homes in former industrial buildings. Calm, residential, with St Mark’s on the other side of the water.

Rent

Giudecca zone €27.45/m², the highest average asking rent in the municipality (+33.7% in a year, a volatile figure): 1-bed €1,250–1,500 · 2-bed €1,800–2,200 · family 3-bed €2,450–3,000.

Think twice if

you hate depending on the waterbus: every trip to the rest of the city is a boat ride.

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

Long-time Venetian families in public housing, artists in converted workshops and international owners in renovated lofts.

Daily life
  • Gardens behind the houses; fewer shops than in the sestieri.
Getting around
  • Lines 2 and 4.1/4.2 to the Zattere, San Marco and Piazzale Roma.
  • Sacca Fisola at the western end is close to the Tronchetto.
Housing

Former industrial buildings converted to flats, post-war public housing and older terraced houses.

Watch out for
  • Waterbus frequency late at night.
  • The asking-rent average is volatile: compare several flats before you decide.

Lido and Pellestrina

Barrier islandsBeaches, cars, familiesAsking rent €17.95/m²
Best for

Families, retirees and anyone who wants space, a garden, a beach and a car, with the city a short boat ride away.

Feel

A long sandy island between the lagoon and the Adriatic, with Liberty villas, beach huts, the Film Festival and roads; Pellestrina, further south, is a narrow strip of fishing villages.

Rent

Lido-Malamocco-Alberoni-Pellestrina zone €17.95/m²: 1-bed €800–1,000 · 2-bed €1,150–1,450 · family 3-bed €1,600–1,950 a month.

Think twice if

you want Venetian street life: the Lido is suburban and very quiet in winter.

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

18,683 residents on the Lido and Pellestrina in 2025, average age 52.4: many families and retirees.

Daily life
  • Beaches, cycle routes, schools and supermarkets; the Film Festival.
Getting around
  • Waterbuses from Santa Maria Elisabetta to San Zaccaria, the Giardini and Piazzale Roma; car ferry from Tronchetto.
  • Cycling and cars are allowed; Lido residents pay €21 a month for the island bus pass.
Housing

Liberty and 1920s villas, flats in small blocks, many with gardens.

Watch out for
  • Summer weekends bring beach traffic.
  • Check the last boat times for evenings in the city.

Murano and Burano

Northern lagoonVillage lifeAsking rents €17.14–20.23/m²
Best for

People who want village life, workshop culture and the lagoon, and can live by the boat timetable.

Feel

Murano is a small town of glass furnaces and canals a short boat ride from Fondamente Nove; Burano, with Mazzorbo and Torcello, is further out, known for its painted houses and lace.

Rent

Murano-Vignole-Sant’Erasmo zone €20.23/m²: 1-bed €900–1,100 · 2-bed €1,300–1,600. Burano-Mazzorbo-Torcello €17.14/m²: 1-bed €750–950 · family 3-bed €1,550–1,900.

Think twice if

you commute daily to the mainland or need late-night connections.

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

4,545 residents in Murano and Sant’Erasmo and 2,310 in Burano, Mazzorbo and Torcello (2025); island residents pay €21 a month for their waterbus pass.

Daily life
  • Murano’s glass furnaces and museum; Burano’s lace tradition.
Getting around
  • Murano: lines 3, 4.1/4.2 and 12; Burano: line 12 from Fondamente Nove, about 45 minutes.
  • Alilaguna Blue line from Murano to the airport.
Housing

Small terraced houses, many family-owned; few flats come on the market.

Watch out for
  • Few long lets advertised: local contacts matter.
  • Services (doctors, schools, shops) are limited, especially on Burano.

Mestre and the mainland

TerrafermaLowest rents, cars and trainsAsking rent €12.42/m²
Best for

Commuters, families on a budget, frequent travellers and anyone who needs a car, with the historic city a short tram, bus or train ride away.

Feel

The mainland town of 178,132 people (2025): Piazza Ferretto and the pedestrian centre, the M9 museum, Parco San Giuliano on the lagoon edge and residential districts such as Carpenedo, Bissuola and Favaro.

Rent

Mestre-Chirignago-Marghera-Catene zone €12.42/m²: 1-bed €550–700 · 2-bed €800–1,000 · family 3-bed €1,100–1,350. Carpenedo-Bissuola-Favaro €12.74/m².

Think twice if

you moved for the canals: daily life here is an ordinary Italian town.

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

Seven in ten residents of the municipality, younger on average (47.5 years); streets vary a lot from block to block.

Daily life
  • Big stores, Parco San Giuliano and the Ospedale dell’Angelo.
Getting around
  • Tram and buses to Piazzale Roma; frequent trains from Mestre station to Santa Lucia.
  • Fast trains to Milan, Bologna, Rome and Trieste; Marco Polo airport by bus.
Housing

1960s–80s apartment blocks, newer complexes and some single-family houses in the outer districts.

Watch out for
  • Some streets near the station feel rough at night: visit before signing.
  • Marghera is close to the port and industrial zone.
A sunlit calle between old brick houses in Cannaregio
A calle in Cannaregio · Photo: Intrepid · Unsplash License · source
The red-brick Molino Stucky building on Giudecca seen across the water
The Molino Stucky on the Giudecca · Photo: Büşra Salkım · Unsplash License · source
Colourful houses, shops and boats along a canal on Burano
A canal on Burano · Photo: Wojciech Wyszkowski · Unsplash License · source

Quick answers

  • Cheapest: Mestre and the mainland, then Burano and the Lido.
  • Best for families: the Lido for space and gardens; Castello for the historic city; Mestre for budget and services.
  • Without a car: everywhere in the historic city and islands; on the mainland, stay near the tram or the station.
  • Near trains and the airport: Santa Croce and Cannaregio near Santa Lucia and Piazzale Roma; Mestre for fast trains and the airport bus.

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: Rialto, St Mark’s, the station and crowded waterbuses.
  • 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 Venice 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 Lido and Mestre rise, the historic city falls. Rents: average asking rents by zone, September 2026. Always visit before you decide.

Finding a home in Venice

Rent first, then buy if Venice becomes home.

15

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

In short: start early, search the historic city and Mestre 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: student demand peaks before the academic year in September; arrive with a short stay and search on the spot.
  2. Know the contracts: 4+4 free market; 3+2 «canone concordato» at rents set by the local agreement; «transitorio» from 1 to 18 months for a stated temporary need; student leases from 6 months to 3 years.
  3. Avoid holiday lets: a tourist or short let (which must show a national CIN code) does not give you a registered lease for residence or a permit.
  4. Registration: leases must be registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days; the deposit is capped by law at three months’ rent.
  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. Venice-specific checks: floor height and flood history, door barriers, damp, heating type, the nearest waterbus stop and how many bridges to the door.
Venice estate agencies →A first stay while you search →
A residential canal with a small stone bridge and moored boats
A residential canal: check the walk from the waterbus stop to the door · Photo: Sinitta Leunen · 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 long lets in the historic city are few.

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 cost of moving by boat.
17

Is it better to rent or buy in Venice?

In short: rent first; buy only once you know which island or sestiere suits you, and have a survey done before you commit.

Visit→Stay longer→Rent→Buy
  • Rent for a year: you learn the tides, the noise, the boat routes and how far the shops are.
  • Price versus rent: asking prices average €3,423/m² across the municipality against rents of €15.51/m² a month, so a flat costs about 18 years of rent.
  • 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 Venice within 18 months, unless you already live or work there.
  • Foreigners can buy: EU and EEA citizens and non-EU citizens legally resident with a work, family, study or long-term permit buy like Italians; others depend on reciprocity with their country, which the notary checks.
  • In the historic city, check listed-building constraints, the state of foundations and roof, and any flooding of ground floors.

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

18

How does the Venice property market work?

In short: two markets in one municipality: the historic city and islands, where asking prices are more than twice the mainland’s, and Mestre, where prices are rising fastest.

  • Asking prices €3,423/m², up 3.13% in a year; asking rents €15.51/m², down 0.32% (Immobiliare.it data, September 2026, whole municipality).
  • By area: from €2,109/m² in Mestre-Chirignago-Marghera to €6,032/m² in San Marco-Rialto; Dorsoduro €5,544, San Polo-Santa Croce €5,353, Cannaregio €5,344, Giudecca €4,899, Lido €3,934, Murano €2,738, Burano €2,549.
  • Mestre is moving fastest: +10.2% in a year in the main zone and +13.1% in Carpenedo-Bissuola-Favaro.
  • For official value ranges by zone, check the Agenzia delle Entrate’s OMI quotations, published every six months.
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 Venice?

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 an Agenzia delle Entrate office, with your passport or ID card.
  • Residence (after 3 months): declare it to the City of Venice registry office (anagrafe). 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 of a complete declaration, and the city then checks within 45 days, usually with a police visit: put your name on the doorbell.

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 di Venezia, by the appointment on your receipt. With a work or family nulla osta, start at the Prefecture’s Sportello Unico instead.
  • Tax code: at an Agenzia delle Entrate office, or from the Prefecture’s immigration desk (Sportello Unico) with a work or family permit; from abroad, through your Italian consulate.
  • Residence: then register with the anagrafe like everyone else.

Venice offices

Registry office (anagrafe): Ca’ Farsetti, San Marco 4136, and the Municipio in Mestre, Via Palazzo 1; book appointments online through «Anagrafe semplice».

City call centre: 041 041, 8:00–18:00.

Venezia Unica card: once resident, apply at a Venezia Unica office (Piazzale Roma, Tronchetto, Lido or Mestre) for resident fares; temporary residents can get a one-year card, bought together with at least one monthly pass.

Retirees and nearby towns

  • Retirees (non-EU): the elective residence visa needs stable passive income (thresholds vary by consulate) and a lease or deed in your name; no work allowed.
  • Towns around Venice (Spinea, Mira, Marcon) are separate comuni: their residents register there.
City of Venice: Anagrafe semplice (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 Venice?

In short: through the regional service run locally by ULSS 3 Serenissima; your status decides whether registration is free (workers and their families) or paid yearly (non-EU students, elective residents and others).

Who is covered, and how

  • EU citizens: workers, the self-employed and their families register free once resident; pensioners whose pension is paid by another EU country register with an S1 form from that country; students and short stays generally use their EHIC.
  • Non-EU employees, self-employed, registered job seekers and family permits: compulsory registration with the SSN for as long as the permit lasts.
  • Non-EU students, elective residents, au pairs and others: voluntary registration with a yearly contribution of at least €2,000 (€700 for students with no income other than grants, €1,200 for au pairs), valid to 31 December.
  • Children: always covered.

In Venice

  • Register, get your tessera sanitaria (health card) and choose a family doctor (medico di base) at a ULSS 3 Serenissima district office.
  • Hospitals: SS. Giovanni e Paolo in Castello (Castello 6777) and the Ospedale dell’Angelo in Mestre (Via Paccagnella 11).
  • 116117, active across ULSS 3 since 23 July 2025, 24 hours a day, for non-urgent care: it replaced the old number of the out-of-hours doctor service (guardia medica); 112 for emergencies.
  • In the historic city, tell the emergency operator your exact address and the nearest landing.
ULSS 3 Serenissima →Non-EU citizens: joining the SSN (Italian) →EU citizens: health cover →
21

Which schools and universities are there?

In short: Italian state schools in every area, one IB school on the mainland at Roncade, north of the airport, and two universities with international students in the historic city.

Schools

  • Italian state schools from nursery to secondary level in the historic city, the islands and the mainland; enrolment is online, on dates set by the Ministry each year.
  • H-FARM International School Venice: IB Primary Years, Middle Years and Diploma programmes, ages 3–18, on the H-FARM Campus at Via Adriano Olivetti 1, Roncade (Treviso); ATVO bus 25A from Mestre station.
  • Families in the historic city often choose state schools and add English at home or in after-school courses.

Universities

  • Ca’ Foscari University of Venice: founded in 1868, more than 21,000 students and more than 1,500 international students a year.
  • IUAV, the university of architecture, design and the arts, in Santa Croce and Dorsoduro.
  • ESN Venezia supports international students at Ca’ Foscari.
H-FARM International School Venice →How to reach the H-FARM Campus →Ca’ Foscari key figures →
22

How does public transport work in Venice?

In short: ACTV runs the waterbuses, the Mestre tram and buses and the People Mover; with a Venezia Unica resident card a ride costs €1.50 and a monthly pass €37, against €9.50 a ride for visitors.

  • Venezia Unica card: €10 for residents of the municipality (navigation included), €20 for students up to 26 with a study seat in Venice and residents of the Metropolitan City, €40 for other Veneto residents; valid five years.
  • With the card: 75-minute Rete Unica ticket €1.50 (carnet of 10 €14), 100-minute €2; monthly pass €37, students €25; island residents €21 a month; People Mover €20 a month or €200 a year.
  • Without the card: 75-minute waterbus ticket €9.50; day pass €25, 7 days €65; bus and tram in the municipality €1.50, People Mover included.
  • People Mover: links Piazzale Roma with the Tronchetto car parks and ferry terminal.
  • Airport: ATVO’s express bus to Piazzale Roma takes about 20 minutes; Alilaguna boats serve the city by water.
  • Trains: Santa Lucia in the historic city, Mestre on the mainland; Rome in under 4 hours, with 32 Frecciarossa a day.
  • No bikes in the historic city, not even pushed by hand; cycling is fine on the Lido and in Mestre.
Venezia Unica card (Italian) →Resident fares (Italian) →Ordinary fares (Italian) →Getting around in the City Guide →
A boat-stop ticket booth with a sign pointing to the Venezia–Lido–S. Marco line
A boat-stop ticket booth for the Lido and St Mark’s: in Venice, the commute is by water · Photo: Denis · Unsplash License · source
23

Do I pay the Venice access fee?

In short: not as a resident, worker or student: the fee is for day visitors to the historic city on set days. The 2026 trial is over: since 27 July 2026 the fee no longer applies. It returns in 2027 under rules to be announced by 31 December.

Who does not pay

  • Excluded: residents of the municipality of Venice; workers and commuters in the historic city; students; people who pay IMU (property tax) in Venice and their households.
  • Exempt: Veneto and Metropolitan City residents; people born in Venice; tenants with a non-tourist lease; relatives (up to the third degree) and visitors of historic-city and island residents; children under 14; overnight guests of hotels and rentals in the municipality.
  • Under the regulation, those who are excluded or exempt must be able to prove their status, for example with a self-declaration or certificate.

Dates and amounts

  • 2025: 54 days, 8:30–16:00, €5 when booked in advance or €10 at short notice.
  • 2027 calendar published: 72 days from 26 March to 15 August, 8:30–16:30.
  • Relatives and day visitors of residents of the historic city and lagoon islands are exempt but must be able to prove it (in past years via the City’s portal); guests of mainland residents are not covered by that exemption. Check the portal before they come.
City of Venice: access fee portal →Access fee regulation (PDF, English) →

Checked on the City’s portal on 27 October 2026; rules for 2027 may change.

24

Can I work remotely from Venice?

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.
  • Ask about the internet connection before you sign: historic buildings vary.
  • For travel, choose Santa Croce, Cannaregio or Mestre; for quiet, Castello, the Giudecca or the Lido (see the finder above).
Digital nomad visa: requirements (Ministry of Labour) →
25

Which emergency numbers should I know in Venice?

In short: call 112 in an emergency and 116117 for non-urgent care and the out-of-hours doctor; follow the Tide Forecast Centre for high water.

112Single emergency number: ambulance, police, fire; several languages
116117Non-urgent care across ULSS 3, 24 hours a day
041 041City of Venice call centre, 8:00–18:00
Tide forecasts and alerts (Italian) →

Living in Venice: frequently asked questions

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

What are the pros and cons of living in Venice?

Pros: car-free, walkable, cultured, with cheaper options in Mestre and on the Lido. Cons: historic-city rents of €19.78–27.45/m², crowds, boat logistics and high water. Details →

Is Venice safe to live in?

For residents, yes: the risk is petty theft in crowded places. The province ranks 9th of 106 for crimes reported per resident (2025 data), inflated by visitors. Details →

Is there an international community in Venice?

Small but varied: 40,015 foreign residents (16.0%), more than 1,500 international students a year at Ca’ Foscari, Biennale staff and remote workers. Details →

Can I live in Venice without speaking Italian?

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

Is acqua alta still a problem?

MOSE is raised for forecasts above 110 cm, and only three such tides have reached the city since 2020; tides from 80 cm still flood the lowest areas. Details →

Is Venice losing its residents?

The historic city fell from 55,589 residents in 2015 to 47,625 in 2025; the whole municipality has 251,295. Details →

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

€15.51/m² a month on average (Sept 2026): a 1-bed is about €550–700 in Mestre and €900–1,100 in Cannaregio or San Marco. Details →

What is the cost of living in Venice?

About €1,300–1,700 a month for a single person in Mestre, €1,900–2,500 in the historic city, €3,200–4,500+ for a family. Details →

Does living on the water cost more?

Food prices are broadly regional, but moves, furniture and building work need boats and porters: get written quotes. Details →

Which are the best areas of Venice for expats?

Cannaregio and Dorsoduro for neighbourhood life, Castello and the Giudecca for quiet, the Lido for families, Mestre for budget and trains. Details →

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

Search the sestieri and Mestre in parallel, avoid holiday lets for residence and check flood history and the walk from the waterbus. Details →

Can I buy a home in Venice?

Yes: EU citizens and resident non-EU permit holders buy like Italians. Asking prices run from €2,109/m² in Mestre to €6,032/m² in San Marco. Details →

What paperwork do I need to move to Venice?

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 Venice?

Through ULSS 3 Serenissima: workers register free; non-EU students and elective residents pay a yearly fee (from €2,000; €700 for students). Details →

Are there international schools in Venice?

Not in the historic city: the nearest IB school is H-FARM International School Venice at Roncade, on the mainland. Details →

What do residents pay for public transport?

With a €10 Venezia Unica card a waterbus ride costs €1.50 and a monthly pass €37; visitors pay €9.50 a ride. Details →

Do residents pay the Venice access fee?

No: residents, workers, students and IMU payers are excluded. The 2026 trial ended on 27 July; the fee returns in 2027. Details →

Can I work remotely from Venice?

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 Venice good for families and retirees?

Families like the car-free campi, Castello and the Lido; retirees should count the bridges. Non-EU retirees need the elective residence visa. Details →

Which emergency numbers should I know?

112 for emergencies, 116117 for non-urgent care, 041 041 for the City of Venice call centre. Details →

Your next step

Where are you in your move?

VisitGet to know VeniceSights, food and the lagoon in the City Guide.Stay longerTest an area for 2–4 weeksBook a stay in the sestiere or island 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.

See the city first: Venice media gallery · Living in Venice in the City Guide · Where to eat