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WHAT CHANGES IN ITALY

On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week

From transport strikes to special national heritage site open days, here’s what to expect in Italy this week.

Published: 18 March 2024 09:03 CET
On the agenda: What’s happening in Italy this week
Milan's transport system is set to face disruption and delays on Friday. Photo by GABRIEL BOUYS / AFP.

Monday

Local public transport strike

Public transport workers in various Italian cities have called a local transport strike on Monday, March 18th.

The strike includes workers from four transport companies in Sicily, who have said they will strike from 9.30-1.30pm, as well as in Parma, Frosinone, Ravenna, and Capri, at different windows throughout the day.

You can find details of upcoming strikes on the website of Italy’s transport ministry.

Tuesday

Father’s Day

Unlike many other countries, which mark the day on the third Sunday in June, Italy celebrates Father’s Day (La festa del papà) on March 19th.

This is the feast day of San Giuseppe (St Joseph), known as the patron saint of fathers and carpenters.

The day is marked in Italy with sweet treats which vary by region, including cream-filled bignè di San Giuseppe or Zeppole di San Giuseppe, made from baked or fried choux pastry.

Thursday 

Mafia Victims Remembrance Day

One Thursday, March 21st Italy marks ‘Mafia Victims Remembrance Day’, an occasion created in 2017 to honour victims of mafia violence in Italy.

This year the anti-mafia organisation Libera has organised a vigil in Santa Maria in Trastevere in Rome on Wednesday evening, followed by a procession through the city on Thursday morning at the end of which victims’ names will be read out.

Italy has officially marked Mafia Victims Remembrance Day on March 21st since 2017. Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP.

Friday 

Milan transport strike

Staff of Milan’s public transport operator ATM have declared a 24-hour strike on Friday, March 22nd to protest worker shortages and low salaries.

READ ALSO: Key dates: How Italy will be hit by transport strikes in March

The walkout is expected to effect metro, tram and bus services, though it was unclear on Monday how many staff would participate. Services are guaranteed from the start of service until 8.45am and between 3 and 6pm.

It’s expected that Trenord and Trenitalia trains will not be affected by the strike.

Roma World opens in Rome

Roma World, a theme park based around ancient Rome located next to the Cinecittà film studio, reopens for its 2024 spring season on Friday, March 22nd.

The park features gladiator shows, a falconry experience, an archery competition, and a mosaic-making workshop.

This year visitors will also be able to see ‘Rome on Fire’, an evening live show on the set of the blockbuster Ben Hur.

Visitors to Roma World will have the opportunity to dress up in a centurion’s armour. Photo by STRINGER / AFP.

Weekend

FAI spring days

Italy’s equivalent of the National Trust, the Italian Environment Fund (FAI), is holding its Giornate FAI di primavera or ‘FAI Spring Days’ on Saturday, March 23rd and Sunday, March 24th this year.

From private villas and gardens to castles, abbeys and libraries, hidden gems normally off limits to the public will be opened up for two days in this biannual event repeated just once in the autumn.

Entry to all 750 sites across 400 Italian cities is free and donation-based.

Nationwide train strike 

Staff at Italy’s state-owned railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS), which includes Trenitalia and Trenord, as well as staff from Italo, plan to strike from 9pm on Saturday, March 23rd to 9pm on Sunday, March 24th.

The protest is expected to affect long-distance services as well as regional and local routes.

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For members

BREAKING

Everything that changes in Italy in May 2024

From Labour Day celebrations to the start of tax filing season and a summer tyres deadline, here's what people living in Italy can expect next month.

Published: 26 April 2024 11:12 CEST
Everything that changes in Italy in May 2024

Airbnb bans indoor surveillance cameras

Surveillance cameras will no longer be allowed inside Airbnb rentals from April 30th forward under a new company-wide policy that will affect hosts and customers globally, including in Italy.

Until now, Airbnb has allowed hosts to install security cameras in common spaces such as hallways and living rooms provided that they were clearly visible and mentioned in the listing. But reports of guests finding hidden cameras in private spaces has led the company to ban indoor video surveillance altogether. 

Hosts will still be able to install outdoor cameras after April 30th, but will have to clearly specify where they are stationed.

Italy’s Labour Day celebrations

May 1st will mark Italy’s Labour Day (or Festa del Lavoro in Italian). First established in 1890 to celebrate workers’ rights and trade unions’ achievements, Labour Day is a national public holiday, meaning a day off work for many around Italy. 

Offices and schools will be closed on the day, while most state-run museum and archaeological sites will remain open.

READ ALSO: What’s open and what’s closed in Italy on May 1st 2024

People celebrate Italy's Labour Day in Rome's Piazza San Giovanni

People celebrate Italy’s Labour Day in Rome’s Piazza San Giovanni on May 1st 2013. Photo by FILIPPO MONTEFORTE / AFP

Rail and public transport operators tend to operate a number of ‘holiday services’ (servizi or orari festivi) on national holidays, including Labour Day. However, these services may experience major delays and/or cancellations this year due to a 24-hour general strike that will involve staff from both public and private transport operators around the country.

You can keep up with all the latest updates in our strike news section.

May 1st ‘concertone’ in Rome

The traditional Labour Day concert (known as concertone, or ‘the big concert’ in Italy) will return to Rome on May 1st.

The event, which is the largest free live music concert in Europe, will take place in the central Circus Maximus venue, with performances from some of the most popular Italian artists set to start as early as 3pm.

All acts will be free of charge. No advance booking is required, but access to the square will be denied after full capacity is reached.

Tax filing season starts

May 2nd is the earliest date from which some taxpayers in Italy can begin to submit their yearly income tax returns.

There are two types of income tax declaration form in Italy: generally speaking, employees and retirees use form 730 (modello 730), whereas the self-employed, people with sources of income other than employment or pension, and taxpayers who are not legally resident in Italy use the ‘natural persons’ income form‘ (modello redditi persone fisiche).

READ ALSO: When are the deadlines for filing your Italian income tax return?

Taxpayers can submit the modello redditi persone fisiche in paper form at their local post office from May 2nd, whereas May 11th is the earliest date from which taxpayers can begin to submit the modello 730 on the Italian tax office’s website.

Cycling fever

The 2024 edition of the Giro d’Italia, one of the world’s most prestigious cycling competitions, will run from Saturday, May 4th to Sunday, May 26th. 

This year’s Giro will start in Venaria Reale, just north of Turin, and end right by Rome’s iconic Fori Imperiali, passing through cities, lakes and mountain ranges all over northern and southern Italy on the way.

Irish rider Sam Bennett celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the last stage of the 101st Giro d'Italia

Irish rider Sam Bennett celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win the last stage of the 101st Giro d’Italia on May 27th 2018 in Rome. Photo by LUK BENIES / AFP

As usual, the contest will attract thousands of cycling enthusiasts from all around the world, with fans once again expected to crowd narrow mountain roads and camp out in fields just to get a brief glimpse of the riders. 

Free museum openings

People around Italy will be able to visit state-run museums and archaeological sites free of charge on Sunday, May 5th under the popular Domenica al Museo or ‘free museum Sundays’ national scheme.

The initiative applies to hundreds of sites, including world-famous attractions like the Colosseum, Pompeii, Florence’s Galleria dell’Accademia, the Reggia di Caserta and Trieste’s Miramare Castle. 

Find more information about how it works in our article.

Mother’s Day

Italy celebrates Mother’s Day (or Festa della Mamma) on the second Sunday in May, which falls on May 12th this year. 

First established in 1956, Italy’s Mother’s Day originally fell on May 8th but the festivity was moved to the second Sunday of May in 2000 to get in line with the American calendar.

Summer tyres deadline 

Motorists in Italy have until May 15th to make the switch from winter to summer tyres.

After the window to make the switch closes, drivers breaking the rules will face a fine of up to 1,731 euros plus the requirement to undergo a revisione (the Italian equivalent of a UK MOT test or a vehicle inspection in the US).

Italy’s summer tyres requirement is a frequent source of confusion as it doesn’t apply to all vehicles. See our article on the topic to find out whether or not it applies to you.

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