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AMERICANS IN ITALY

Americans in Italy: Public vs private healthcare and can you bring Italian cheeses to the US?

From US customs rules to public and private healthcare options in Italy and where to track down American foodstuffs, here's our latest Americans in Italy newsletter.

Published: 25 May 2023 19:37 CEST
Can you bring Italian cheeses to the US from Italy in your baggage?
Can you bring Italian cheeses to the US from Italy in your baggage? Justin Sullivan/Getty Images/AFP.

Welcome to our regular look at everything you need to know about life in Italy for The Local’s readers from the US. This newsletter is published monthly and you can receive it directly to your inbox before we publish by going to newsletter preferences in ‘My Account’ or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.

One of the first things new Italian residents will want to sort out on arrival is their healthcare situation.

Italy’s free public healthcare has a reputation for being one of the best in the world – but in reality, users’ experiences can be mixed, with a 2015 report finding “profound regional differences” depending on where patients live.

Lengthy wait times are one of the main complaints with the current system; which is why a number of private clinics have sprung up in Italy in recent years.

But these paid services aren’t necessarily better than their public counterparts, and they can be very pricey. So which should you choose? We analysed the pros and cons of either option to help simplify your decision:

Public vs private: What are your healthcare options in Italy?

Milan’s Raffaele hospital. Italy is home to some highly-rated healthcare facilites – but how good is public healthcare in general? (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP)

Bringing Italian cheeses and meats to the US

If you live in Italy, you’re bound to get plenty of requests from friends and family in the US asking if you could bring back a little Parmigiano Reggiano or salami the next time you make the journey home.

Or perhaps you visit Italy on holiday once or twice a year and want to pack an edible souvenir of your trip in your hand luggage.

Either way, it’s important to make sure you comply with US customs regulations to avoid getting into trouble, and these have become increasingly complex over the years.

Fortunately, so long as you declare everything to customs, the worst that can happen is that your item gets confiscated – but that’s still a situation you’ll want to avoid by familiarising yourself with the current rules.

What are the rules on bringing cheeses and meats to the US from Italy?

Can you bring Parmigiano Reggiano cheese into the US from Italy?

Can you bring Parmigiano Reggiano cheese into the US from Italy? Photo by MARCO BERTORELLO / AFP.

Sourcing US snacks in Italy

Speaking of gourmet foods, living in Italy may give you access to some of the best in the world; but sometimes all you really need is a taste of home.

From Milan to Rome to Naples to Palermo, most major Italian cities have at least one American foods store that stocks imported US candy, salty snacks and soft drinks, or global minimarket with items like pecans or cranberry sauce.

For those who don’t live near such a facility, many of them also operate online stores that allow you to order directly to your home: so you can get your Reeses cups or Betty Crocker cake mix wherever you are in the country.

Which stores across Italy sell American foods and drinks?

It’s not impossible to find American cereals in Italy – you just have to know where to look. Photo by Samantha Gades on Unsplash

Tips for Americans moving to Italy

We’re gathering your tips about life in Italy as an US national, and we also want to hear your questions. Get in touch with either one HERE.

Italy’s widely available fresh produce is a key draw for many foreigners. Peter in Polignano a Mare, in the southern region of Puglia, recommends buying local not only to get the best of what the area has to offer, but also to forge connections within the community.

“Buy fruits and vegetables from open markets and small sellers if possible. And buy bread, biscotti and local cheeses fresh, often daily,” he suggests.

“You’ll get great food and make friends.”

Thanks for reading and please get in touch with us by email if you have any feedback on this newsletter.

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For members

TRAVEL NEWS

Can I use my American Express card in Italy?

If you are travelling to Italy with an American Express card, there are a few things you ought to consider beforehand.

Published: 11 June 2024 14:27 CEST
Can I use my American Express card in Italy?

While many European establishments do accept American Express cards, outside of the US they are significantly less common and many businesses, especially smaller ones, refuse them. 

Why are American Express cards not accepted?

According to Forbes, it has to do with the fact that American Express is known for charging “higher merchant fees than other credit card networks.

“In other words: It’s more cost-efficient for many businesses (especially low-margin ones) to take Visa or Mastercard instead.”

The business magazine also noted that American Express credit card transactions made up just 4.61 percent globally, whereas Visa and Mastercard transactions were significantly more common – making up 38 percent and 24 percent of the market share respectively.

READ ALSO: Can I drive a friend or relative’s car in Italy?

What should I do if I have an AmEx card?

Travel blogs often recommend that AmEx holders bring along a Visa or Mastercard as well, in case they run into issues.

You can also consult American Express’s interactive map, which shows the businesses in Italy that definitely accept the card.

However, the map may not show every business that accepts AmEx, so feel free to ask (‘accettate l’American Express?’) before sitting down for a meal or making a purchase. 

You can also look to see whether the store displays an AmEx sticker in the window. 

Generally, American Express cards are less likely to be accepted in small businesses – neighbourhood restaurants, cafés or independent shops – due to the reasons outlined above. You have a better chance of your AmEx card being accepted in larger companies and chains.

AmEx is also accepted by Trenitalia and Italo, Italy’s two national rail companies, and is also accepted as payment by Rome’s public transport operator, Atac, to tap on and off the city’s buses, metros and trams.

Any other things to consider?

Contactless payment (often colloquially known as contact – as in, pago con contact) is becoming much more common in Italy, albeit only for lower-value purchases. If your AmEx card does not have the chip that allows you to tap and pay, then you may want to take cash out or bring another card along. 

If you still have an old-style card that requires swiping and signing, be aware that most smaller Italian businesses do not have this payment option.

ATMs should accept your AmEx card, so you should not have any issues being able to put in your PIN and take out cash, though there may be fees.

You’ll also want to look into the transaction fees associated with your card. Some AmEx cards offer the benefit of no foreign transaction fees, while others still charge them.

Finally, while AmEx no longer requires cardholders to inform them ahead of time if they will be travelling abroad, they still recommend “keeping your contact information updated in case we need to contact you while you’re away” and “downloading the Amex mobile app to conveniently manage your account on the go.”

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