Vatican City (VA)
Vatican City — the Holy See — is the world's smallest independent state and the spiritual centre of the Roman Catholic Church.
Capital: Vatican City
Region: Europe
Language: Latin
Currency: EUR (€)
Cost of living: Unknown
Emergency: 112
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Cost of Living
Real prices in Vatican City — 2026 data in EUR.
Food & Groceries
Bread (500g, Vatican supermarket duty-free) €0.90–1.40
Bread (500g, Rome Carrefour Prati) €1.20–2.50
Milk (1L, Vatican supermarket) €0.80–1.10
Eggs (6, Vatican supermarket) €1.20–1.80
Chicken breast (1kg, Rome supermarket) €7–11
Pasta (500g, Rome supermarket) €0.90–2.50
Wine (750ml, decent Italian, Rome) €5–14
Espresso coffee (Vatican bar) €0.90–1.10
Monthly groceries for 1 person (mixing Vatican + Rome) €180–280
Dining Out
Espresso at bar (standing, Prati) €1.00–1.20
Cappuccino €1.50–2.00
Pizza al taglio (slice, Bonci-style, Prati) €5–8
Lunch menu (pranzo fisso, 2 courses + water) €12–18
Trattoria main course (primo or secondo) €12–22
Dinner for 2 (mid-range Prati trattoria, with house wine) €55–90
Vatican mensa (canteen) lunch for employees (subsidised) €4–7
Gelato (2 scoops, artisan) €2.50–4.00
Rent
Studio / 1-room (Prati, near Vatican, monthly) €900–1,400
2-bed apartment (Prati, monthly) €1,400–2,200
3-bed apartment (Prati, monthly) €1,800–2,800
2-bed apartment (Trionfale, adjacent to Vatican, monthly) €1,200–1,800
Short-term furnished studio (Prati, expat / new arrival, monthly) €1,200–2,000
Transport
ATAC single 100-minute ticket (Rome) €2.00
ATAC monthly pass (unlimited Rome public transport) €35/month
Taxi (Rome, per km) €1.10 daytime / €1.30 night/Sunday
Petrol (Rome, per litre unleaded) €1.70–1.85
Vatican duty-free petrol (eligible employees) €1.20–1.40
Rome–Milan train (Frecciarossa, advance) €19–79
Rome–Florence (Frecciarossa, advance) €14–49
Monthly parking (Prati garage) €80–160
Health & Insurance
GP consultation (Italian SSN, if registered) Free with Italian residence / tax code
Specialist visit (Italian SSN, with referral) €36.15 (ticket sanitario maximum, 2026)
Dental check-up (Rome private clinic) €60–100
Private international health insurance (top-up, monthly) €100–300
Prescription medication (farmacia, average per pack, Rome) €5–25
Utilities
Electricity (1–2 bed apartment, Acea, monthly) €60–120
Gas / heating (1–2 bed apartment, monthly) €50–130
Condominial charges (electricity + gas community, monthly) €100–200
Broadband (100 Mbit, TIM / Fastweb, monthly) €25–40
Mobile phone plan with data (Iliad / Wind Tre) €9–20/month
RAI TV licence (Canone RAI, annual, billed with electricity) €90/year
Childcare
Vatican Asilo (nursery, employee subsidised, monthly) €50–150
Rome private asilo nido (monthly) €400–900
Italian state scuola materna / kindergarten (meal fee) Free; €50–100/month meal fee
International school (Rome, full year) €10,000–22,000
Babysitter (Rome, per hour) €10–18
Leisure
Vatican Museums (public admission, book online) €17–22
St. Peter's Basilica Free (dome climb: €8 stairs / €10 lift)
Cinema (Rome, Prati area) €8–12
Gym membership (Rome, Prati, monthly) €40–80
Concert at Auditorium Parco della Musica (Rome) €15–60
Haircut (men, Rome barbershop) €15–30
Haircut (women, Rome salon) €35–80
Cost of Living
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