Going to Rome in 2025? Here’s What to Know

Millions of travelers head to Rome, Italy's ancient capital, each and every year.

Not only is the city at a centralized location, it's also extremely well connected from an international standpoint. Getting to and from Rome from pretty much anywhere in the world is possible due to its airports and train stations.

If Rome is on your itinerary in the coming months, there are a few things that you need to be aware of before your stay.

For instance, for some visitors, travel insurance is mandatory. For others, pre-travel authorization is on the horizon. Then there are the taxes (and they apply to pretty much everyone).

This guide will give you the information you need before hopping on that plane, train, or automobile.

Rome has a tourist tax

If you're staying the night in Rome, you most likely will need to pay a tourist tax. This is also sometimes referred to as an accommodation tax or a city tax, but they're all the same thing: a nightly charge for staying in the city.

The amount that you need to pay depends on the type of accommodation that you're staying in.

The current rates

In Rome, the tourist tax is per person, per night.

Hotels in Rome

5-star hotels: €10.00

4-star hotels: €7.50

3-star hotels: €6.00

2-star hotels: €5.00

1-star hotels: €4.00

Tourist residence hotels: €6.00

Bed and breakfasts: €6.00

Tourist residence hotels: €6.00

Hostels: €3.50

Short-stay holiday rentals

Country homes: €6.00

Guest houses (category 1): €7.00

Guest houses (category 2): €6.00

Guest houses (category 3): €5.00

Apartments/homes (category 1): €6.00

Apartments/homes (category 2): €5.00

Holiday homes: €6.00

Campgrounds and other

Agritourism: €6.00

Alpine huts: €3.50

Hiking refuge/shelter: €3.50

Campground: €3.00

How to pay the Rome tourist tax

Paying your tourist tax is really easy. Your accommodations or booking site is responsible for collecting the tax. When it is time to pay it, you will be prompted either by staff at the local establishment or when you book your lodging.

If you are paying for your hotel upfront (like through a booking site like Airbnb), the tax might be collected at that time. However, it is also possible that you will need to pay the tax when you check in or even when you check out. It depends on the place you are staying.

One other thing to note is that some places may ask for you to pay your tourist tax in cash. Rome's official currency is the Euro, and staff can usually point you in the direction of the nearest ATM.

Some people are exempt from the tourist tax

• If you're staying with a friend or family member, you do not need to pay the tax (so long as their home isn't a professional rental, like an Airbnb).
• Children under the age of 10.
• Those staying in an overnight youth hostel.
• Those seeking medical treatment and their companions (one companion per person).
• Some tour guides (under specific criteria).
• Some workers and volunteers (under specific criteria).
• Legal residents of Rome.

The tax is the same year-round

Some cities and countries increase or decrease the tourist tax rate for seasonality. Tourism always has a high season and a low season, and some places will adjust based on that.

Unfortunately, Rome isn't one of them. Whether you're visiting in the summer months (high season), or on the coldest day in January, the tax is the same.

You can only be taxed for so many days

The tax only applies to the first 10 days of your stay. If you're staying 2 weeks, for example, that means you will only need to pay the tax for the first 10 nights of your trip.

Does Rome have a tourist tax?

Is the tax included in the hotel price?

Is anyone exempt?

Visas for Rome

Some travelers have to get a visa before visiting Rome. Whether or not you need one depends on a few factors:

• Your nationality (the country listed on your passport).
• How long you're staying in Rome/Italy.
• The purpose of your stay.

If you're a US or UK citizen, you do not need a visa to visit Rome for short trips (so long as you don't stay in the Schengen zone for more than 90 days and it's for tourism).

Many people do need visas though, such as those with passports from Turkey, China, India, South Africa, and several others.

We have written an extensive guide: Italy Schengen Visas, that will help you understand if you need one and how to begin the application process.

Do Americans need a visa to go to Rome?

Who needs a visa for Rome?

Travel insurance is mandatory

For some travelers heading to Rome, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement, and you must get your insurance before you head abroad.

All travelers applying for a Schengen visa to travel to Italy are required to take out Schengen-compliant travel insurance that adheres to specific requirements, such as €30,000 in minimum coverage and repatriation.

If you're not applying for a visa for your trip to Rome, travel insurance isn't mandatory, though it is recommended by both the US and UK governments.

ETIAS isn't required yet

...But it will be.

Originally set to be in place by 2025, ETIAS, a new travel requirement that will impact Americans and Britons heading to Italy, is now set to go into effect sometime at the end of 2026.

While it is a brand-new travel requirement that travelers will need to apply for before heading to Europe, it isn't a visa.

Applying for ETIAS will be simple, quick, and entirely online, but there is a fee. If you're hoping to travel to Rome in the next few years, this will be something you'll need to comply with. You can learn more about it in our ETIAS for Italy guide.

Is ETIAS required for Rome?