Moving to Turin: a comprehensive guide for aspiring expats
Want to move to Turin? Here, get our tips on housing, job opportunities, and how to adapt to the local culture.
14 min read
Turin is considered one of the best cities to live in Italy, and has always attracted expats looking for new experiences.Rich in history and culture, Turin is great for anyone looking for stunning surroundings, from Liberty-style palaces to green areas like the Valentino Park. Still, it's not easy to get settled in a new city, especially if you don't speak Italian (yet!) and aren't familiar with real estate and employment in Turin.
Here, we’ve put together everything you need to know about moving to Turin, from accommodation and work to healthcare and the cost of living.
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According to the latest data from 2022, the city of Turin recorded over 134,000 foreign residents out of a total population of 854,404, accounting for 15.69%. This highlights the strong presence of expats in Turin, providing opportunities to build new relationships.
To get off on the right foot, you can join various groups and dedicated associations like Internations, which organizes events, dinners, and multicultural gatherings where you can meet people from all over the world.
There's no shortage of festivals throughout the year, including concerts, shows, and events with an Italian flavor. Activities like these are a great way to immerse yourself in the local culture and meet other expats with similar interests.
Finding accommodation in Turin as an expat
Looking for somewhere to live in Turin can be complicated, especially with steep market prices in prime city locations. However, it’s always possible to stay in a hotel or short-term rental for the first few days or weeks. Once you figure out which areas interest you, it’s easier to look for a long-term place to live.
Finding a place to rent in Turin: the basics
There are various online platforms you can use to find a rental property in Turin. These portals let you compare prices, districts, and nearby amenities.
Typically, you’ll either find a place to rent privately or engage the services of a real estate agency. While the first option may help you save on some costs, it's also the more risky choice. If you go through an agency, you might be able to find better places, and the agency can step in to help if anything goes wrong.
If you’re looking to rent a property in Italy for the long term, you’ll generally encounter three types of contracts:
Freely negotiated tenancy agreement (4+4): These kinds of agreements last for four years at a rental price agreed between the two parties. They can also be automatically renewed for another four years when they expire.
Regulated tenancy agreement (3+2): With these contracts, the tenant association sets the rental price, and the agreement lasts for three years. After that, it can be explicitly renewed for another three years or automatically extended for two years.
Short-term lease contract: This is a contract lasting a maximum of 18 months, often used by business travelers, students, and people doing apprenticeships or professional training.
After the rental contract is signed, the landlord may ask for a security deposit to cover any unpaid rent or damage that the tenant causes. The amount and conditions of the deposit are set out in the contract.
How to buy a house in Turin
If you’re moving to Turin and want to buy a home, the same principle applies as with renting: It’s generally more secure to go through a real estate agency.
When buying property, the first things to consider are the district and its market pricing, so that you can find the most cost-effective option that’s still in line with your needs.
In 2024, the average price per square meter is about €2,000, with peaks of over €3,500 in the historical city center and minimum prices of about €1,300 in areas further from the center.
To begin the purchase process, you need to have a bank account and submit a formal purchase offer. Then, the land registry (Catasto in Italian) and the urban planning office will complete some additional checks.
Once the documents are ready, a preliminary contract is drawn up and you’ll need to pay a deposit. Finally, a notary helps to prepare and register the bill of sale.As far as costs go, you should plan for the following expenses:
Real estate agency commission — approximately 3%
Land registration tax — 2% of the land value for the purchase of a first home, and 9% for a second home
Fixed mortgage tax — as of 2024, €50
Fixed stamp duty — as of 2024, €50
Notary fees —varies by notary
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Besides Turin’s historic city center, there are plenty of sought-after districts across the city. Here are a few of them:
Vanchiglia/Vanchiglietta: If you're looking for an area close to the center but more affordable and lively, we highly recommend Vanchiglia, near Campus Einaudi and Palazzo Vecchio, full of students and young people. Alternatively, Vanchiglietta is slightly farther from the center but is quieter and more oriented around everyday life.
Crocetta: Located between Porta Nuova and Porta Susa, Crocetta is one of the most in-demand neighborhoods for young people and working professionals, with property prices around €2,000 per square meter. It's very close to the historical city center, and there are also excellent public transport connections.
Cenisia: Recommended for those studying at the Polytechnic, Cenisia is very similar to Crocetta but less expensive. It's well-connected and excellent for anyone who's looking for a little tranquility in their everyday life. There are still plenty of bars and venues to spend evenings out with friends.
Pozzo Strada: If you're looking for an area away from the crowds but not too far from the heart of the city, Pozzo Strada is an excellent middle ground. It's not chaotic, but still conveniently located. Unlike some neighborhoods, Pozzo has several green spaces, ideal for nature lovers or families with children.
Lingotto: Well-connected by metro, Lingotto is one of the preferred neighborhoods for workers who also want to be close to commercial areas, thanks to events such as the Salone del Gusto and the Salone del Libro.
How to find work in Turin
The Italian job market has had its ups and downs over the years, and working in Turin as an expat can still come with some challenges. There are also several requirements that apply only to non-European job seekers.
If you’re a European Union citizen, you have the same freedom as Italians do to live in and travel around the country. You’re also allowed to engage in employment or perform self-employed work. All you need is to carry a passport or valid identity document that permits foreign travel, and request an Italian tax code.
However, the situation is more complicated for workers who aren’t from Europe. If you’re aren’t an EU citizen, you need an entry visa and a residence permit valid for a certain type of work, such as seasonal, self-employment, or employed work. Alternatively, you can apply for a residence permit for family and/or study reasons.
Finding a job in Turin will be much easier if you can speak Italian, especially for jobs that involve interacting with the public. Once you know the language, you can expand your search to many more kinds of jobs. Networking and socializing with other working expats can also be useful.
The average annual salary in Turin is about €28,000 or €13 an hour. That's equivalent to about €1,600 per month on average, but it can range from €1,300 to €2,100.
VAT in Turin for expats
As mentioned already, European citizens can apply for any type of work in Turin. Alternatively, if you prefer to be self-employed, you can register for VAT.
The same applies to non-Europeans — you can also register your own business.
One particular advantage Italy offers is that VAT is a flat rate. With this simplified system, tax is only due on the amount you earn, which is helpful when starting a new business.
Before you register for VAT, it's always good to talk to an accountant. This is especially true if you plan to work remotely and run your business from another place.
The cost of living in Turin
There’s always a trade-off with living in large cities like Turin: Although there may be more jobs and chances to grow your career, the daily cost of living is usually higher than in smaller towns and cities.
Starting with basic expenses: A room can cost between €250 and €400, while the rent for a studio or one-bedroom apartment can easily reach €500 to €750. Prices can be even higher if you move towards the more central areas of the city.
Groceries cost €50 to €60 per week on average, for a total of €200 to €240 per month.
Individual rides on public transport cost €1.70, but you can get a monthly pass for €38 to use on all public transport, including the metro and the bus.
If we also include utilities, the average monthly cost can be around €700 to €800 if you're renting a room, and up to about €1,100 if you opt for a studio or one-bedroom apartment.
Considering other household expenses, restaurants, gym and entertainment, and any other costs, you would need a net salary of at least €1,400 to €1,600 per month to live comfortably in Turin.
How does Turin’s healthcare system work?
No matter when you’re moving from, adapting to a different healthcare system can come with a steep learning curve. According to Italy’s constitution, the right to healthcare is guaranteed not only for Italian citizens but also for anyone who lives in Italy.
For EU citizens, the rules depend on how long you’re staying in Italy. If you stay less than three months, you can use the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) to receive emergency healthcare. All you have to do is go to the appropriate public facility, show your card, and pay for a “ticket” if necessary.
Anyone staying in Italy for more than six months has to have mandatory private health insurance or be registered with the country’s National Health System (SSN).
People from countries outside the EU who stay for less than 90 days in Italy can pay the regional rates to access SSN healthcare. And anyone with a tourist visa can get private health insurance, which covers medical care, hospitalization, and repatriation expenses.
However, if you have a longer residence permit, you can contact the local health authority and get set up with a general practitioner. This also ensures that any dependent family members can access healthcare services.
Registering with the SSN is mandatory if you work, are applying for or renewing a residence permit, or are waiting for other official documentation. It’s also required for unaccompanied foreign minors. To learn more, read our guide to health insurance in Italy.
Schools and education in Turin
Many expats initially move to Turin to study at one of the city’s high-level universities. The cost of studying at a university in Italy is very reasonable compared to other countries — plus, there are many different scholarships, projects, and benefits for foreign students.
For example, students within certain income brackets are entitled to free or subsidized accommodation, as well as free meals in the university canteen. Some students might also qualify for tax advantages or fee reductions.
Some of the best educational institutions are:
University of Turin (UNITO): Among the oldest Italian universities, the University of Turin was founded in 1404. Today, it remains one of the best universities to study at, offering a wide range of degree courses and known for its excellent faculty of medicine.
Polytechnic University of Turin: The Polytechnic is now one of the best universities in the world, ranking in the Top 500 globally and renowned for its faculties of mechanical and aerospace engineering, design, and architecture.
University of Gastronomic Sciences: Turin also boasts one of the few universities in the world that focuses on culinary arts, with dedicated undergraduate and master's degrees in gastronomic sciences and enogastronomic tourism management.
Vita-Salute San Raffaele University: This private university, although more expensive than public universities, offers courses in medicine and surgery, nursing sciences, and everything related to medicine, with a strong focus on research and innovation.
Getting around in Turin
Though slightly less connected than cities like Milan, Turin is fairly accessible from other parts of Italy by car, bus, train, or plane.
If you're arriving at Turin Caselle Airport, you can get to the city center by train or bus, with travel times ranging from 35 to 60 minutes.
If you're arriving by train, you can get off at Turin Porta Nuova or Porta Susa stations, both located in central areas of the city.
To get around the city, you can purchase a monthly pass for €38, which is valid on all the bus, tram, and metro lines.
Alternatively, you could ride a bike or electric scooter — although with Turin’s heavy traffic, this option can be quite dangerous and stressful.
The regional train network conveniently connects Turin to nearby cities and towns. Travelers can buy weekly or monthly passes to reduce transportation costs.
Of course, the solution you choose for your daily trips will mostly depend on the areas you live, work, and hang out in.
Cultural differences between Turin and the rest of Italy
When you arrive in Turin for the first time, you'll immediately see that it's a very elegant city and somewhat different from most other parts of Italy.
Besides the dominant Liberty style of architecture, Turin also has many arcades, similar to those in Bologna.
But despite the large population of young people and students, Turin is very quiet. At times, it's more like Northern European cities, both in terms of style and in the attitude of its denizens.
There's no shortage of delicious traditional dishes, such as vitello tonnato or agnolotti, that appear on the menu in almost every Turinese restaurant.
Here are a few other quirks that might catch expats by surprise:
Famous for their food: The people of Turin hold their traditional recipes in high regard, including popular foods like bagna cauda, vitello tonnato, acciughe al verde, insalata russa, agnolotti del plin, and Fassona beef. Whenever you're offered something to eat in Turin, we recommend saying yes.
Sweet tooth: Gianduja is one of the most famous sweets in Piedmont and traditional in Turin, available in various versions in downtown shops and taverns.
Local slang: Although not everyone speaks the local dialect anymore, expressions like "solo più," "va bin," "piciu," "e bon," and "cicles" are common.
No one-size-fits-all: The city can seem warm, welcoming, and non-conformist, or cold, rigid, and stern. It just depends on where you go and who you encounter.
Crack a smile: Turinese are sometimes perceived as being overly polite and formal, so don't be alarmed if it takes time to get to know people.
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If you're preparing to move to Turin, the first thing to do is start planning how you'll manage your money, both in terms of accommodation and daily living expenses. Remember to consider the costs of any university study or training courses, expenses related to healthcare, visas, and any unforeseen events that could arise along the way.Fortunately, an N26 account can help you manage your expenses as an expat in Turin. It makes it simple to actively monitor your cash flow and set customized spending limits based on your personal habits.You can also use the N26 Spaces feature to create sub-accounts within your main bank account. Think of them like virtual piggy banks where you can stash savings for your future projects or different goals. And if you need a little extra help, read through our guide on how to open a bank account in Italy.
FAQs
It all depends on what you’re looking for. Turin is a thriving international city and offers a fascinating blend of history and culture — not to mention the amazing food and Mediterrean climate.
Expats in Turin live in various areas of the city, from central districts such as Piazza Castello, Palazzo Nuovo, Vanchiglia, Crocetta, and Cenisia, to quieter neighborhoods like Lingotto and Pozzo Strada.
Yes — but. Many expats manage to live in Turin without speaking any Italian.
However, having some knowledge of Italian and the Roman dialect can make your day-to-day life a lot easier. Plus, you’ll have better job opportunities and be more likely to integrate into the local community.
"Italy can be welcoming to expats. Many foreigners have successfully settled and integrated into Italian society. Italians are known for their warmth and friendliness, and you can often find a sense of community within expat groups.However, your experience as an expat in Italy depends on how well you speak the language, your location, and how familiar you are with Italian bureaucracy (which can be complex).
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Yes, as an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in Italy without applying for a work visa. But even so, you may have to follow some bureaucratic procedures to register for work and to access public services.
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