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Italy (IT)

Italy is a parliamentary republic of 20 regions stretching from the Alpine peaks of the Dolomites to the sun-baked coasts of Sicily and Sardinia, celebrated worldwide for its unparalleled Renaissance art and architecture, UNESCO-laden historic cities from Rome to Florence and Venice, world-defining cuisine and wines, passionate football culture, and a relaxed Mediterranean lifestyle that has drawn expats, artists, and retirees for centuries.

Capital: Rome
Region: Europe
Language: Italian
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Moderate (index 65)
Emergency: 112
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Emergency Numbers

Save these numbers before you need them.

General Emergency
112
Police
113 (Polizia di Stato) / 112 (Carabinieri, military police — also handles civil law enforcement)
Fire Brigade
115 (Vigili del Fuoco)
Ambulance
118 (Emergenza Sanitaria) or 112
Poison Control
Centro Antiveleni: Rome +39 06 3054343 (24/7); Milan +39 02 66101029; Pavia +39 0382 24444. All hospitals have a Pronto Soccorso equipped to handle poisoning emergencies.
Mental Health
Telefono Amico: 02 2327 2327 (Mon–Fri 16:00–24:00). Telefono Azzurro (children): 19696 (free, 24/7). Anti-suicide helpline: 800 274 274 (free, 24/7). Telefono Rosa (domestic violence): 1522 (free, 24/7).
Domestic Violence
1522 (Numero Nazionale Antiviolenza, free, 24/7, multilingual, no trace on phone bill)
Child Protection
Telefono Azzurro: 19696 (free, 24/7 for children and their families)
Road Assistance
ACI (Automobile Club d'Italia): 803 116 (24/7, nationwide). Membership €40–80/year. Your car insurance usually includes soccorso stradale — check your policy before calling ACI.

Guardia Medica / Continuità Assistenziale

118 or local Guardia Medica number (varies by ASL)

For non-life-threatening medical issues outside GP hours (evenings, weekends, public holidays), contact the Guardia Medica (out-of-hours medical service run by the local ASL). They conduct home visits or phone triage. Find your local Guardia Medica number on the ASL website or dial 116117 (pan-European non-emergency medical number).

Typically 20:00–08:00 on weekdays; 08:00 Saturday to 08:00 Monday (entire weekend); 08:00 day before to 08:00 day after on public holidays.

How to call emergency services in Italy

Dial 112 from any phone (free, no SIM needed, all EU languages + English). State your location (address, landmark, comune), nature of emergency, number of people involved. The NUE (Numero Unico di Emergenza) 112 dispatches Polizia, Carabinieri, Vigili del Fuoco or 118 Ambulanza as needed. Stay on line until help arrives.