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Italy: Doing business & staying in touch
Doing business in Italy
Business culture in Italy values personal relationships, trust and face-to-face interaction. While Italians are known for their warmth and expressiveness, business dealings are taken seriously and tend to be formal at the outset. First impressions matter, and professionalism, presentation and courtesy are closely observed.
Punctuality is appreciated, particularly in the north, though meetings may not always start exactly on time. Initial meetings often focus on getting to know one another before moving on to business matters, and decisions may take time, especially in more traditional or family-run organisations. Patience and a flexible approach are important.
Dress is formal and stylish, reflecting Italy's strong sense of appearance. Conservative business attire is expected in most sectors, particularly in finance, law and government. Business cards are commonly exchanged at the first meeting and should be treated with respect.
Communication is direct but expressive. Italians may speak passionately and use gestures, which should not be mistaken for disagreement. Hierarchy is important, and decisions are often made at senior levels. Titles and surnames should be used until invited to do otherwise.
Business lunches are common and may last longer than expected, as they are an important part of relationship building. It is customary to wait for the host to begin eating and to follow their lead on ordering and payment. Gift-giving is not expected, but a small, tasteful gift may be appreciated after a successful negotiation or partnership.
Italy has a large, diversified economy and is one of Europe's major industrial and commercial nations. It is a founding member of the European Union and part of the Eurozone, using the euro as its currency. While economic performance varies by region, Italy remains a key player in European manufacturing, trade and tourism.
The country is particularly strong in high-quality manufacturing, with global reputations in sectors such as automotive, machinery, fashion, design, food production and luxury goods. Many Italian businesses are small or medium-sized, often family-owned, and known for craftsmanship and regional specialisation. Northern Italy, especially areas around Milan, Turin and Bologna, is more industrialised and economically dynamic, while the south relies more heavily on agriculture, tourism and public-sector employment.
Tourism is a vital pillar of the economy, generating significant income and employment across the country. Italy's cultural heritage, cuisine, landscapes and city life attract millions of visitors each year, supporting industries ranging from hospitality and transport to retail and food production. Agriculture also remains important, with Italy among the world's leading producers of wine, olive oil and a wide range of regional foods.
Despite its strengths, Italy faces ongoing challenges, including public debt, regional economic disparities and slower growth compared with some northern European economies.
Machinery, vehicles, pharmaceuticals, fashion and luxury goods, food products, and chemicals.
Energy products (oil and gas), machinery, chemicals, vehicles, food products, and raw materials.
Keeping in Touch in Italy
Mobile phone coverage in Italy is generally excellent, with reliable 4G and expanding 5G networks across cities, towns and major transport routes. Coverage is strong in tourist areas and along the coast, though reception can be weaker in remote mountain regions and some rural areas.
Italy's main mobile network operators include TIM, Vodafone Italia, Wind Tre and Iliad Italia. Prepaid SIM cards are widely available from these providers and can be purchased at airports, mobile phone shops, convenience stores and shopping centres. A passport or a valid ID is required for SIM card registration.
Visitors from EU countries can usually use their home SIM cards under EU roaming rules, allowing calls, texts and data at domestic rates, subject to fair-use limits. Non-EU visitors may find local prepaid SIMs or eSIMs more cost-effective, particularly for longer stays or higher data usage.
Free Wi-Fi is commonly available in hotels, cafés, restaurants and public spaces, including some city centres and transport hubs. Connection quality varies, and registration may be required. For navigation and ride-hailing, mobile data is generally reliable and easy to use throughout the country.
Wi-Fi is widely available throughout Italy, particularly in hotels, guesthouses, cafés, restaurants and shopping centres. Most accommodation offers free Wi-Fi, though speeds and reliability can vary, especially in older buildings or rural areas. In major cities and tourist destinations, Wi-Fi access is generally good and sufficient for everyday browsing, messaging and navigation.
Many cafés and restaurants provide Wi-Fi for customers, usually on request, and access details are often printed on receipts or displayed near the counter. Public Wi-Fi networks are available in some city centres, libraries, airports and transport hubs, though registration is sometimes required and connection quality may be limited.
Visitors should avoid accessing sensitive information, such as online banking, over unsecured public networks. Using a mobile data connection or a VPN is advisable when privacy is important. For travellers who rely heavily on internet access, a local SIM card or eSIM with a data plan often provides more consistent connectivity than public Wi-Fi.
Italy has a diverse and well-established media landscape, with a mix of public and private broadcasters, national and regional newspapers, and a strong online news presence. Television remains an important source of news and entertainment, particularly in hotels and private accommodation, where Italian channels are widely available alongside international options.
The public broadcaster, RAI, operates several national TV and radio channels and provides extensive coverage of news, culture and sport. Major private broadcasters include Mediaset, whose channels are also commonly found on hotel televisions. News bulletins are frequent, and major national events are widely covered.
National newspapers such as Corriere della Sera, La Repubblica and La Stampa are influential, though they are published primarily in Italian. English-language news is less common in print but widely accessible online, with international outlets and Italy-focused English-language news sites available on mobile devices.
Radio is popular and easily accessible, especially for travellers driving in Italy, with a mix of national and local stations covering music, talk shows and news. International visitors relying on local media should be aware that coverage can be highly regional in tone and perspective, and that national debates may differ noticeably from those in other countries.
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