Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Diners Club
(
800 864064)
MasterCard
(
800 870866)
Visa
(
800 819014)
Moneychangers
You can change money in banks, at the post office or in a
cambio
(exchange office). Post offices and banks
tend to offer the best rates; exchange offices keep longer hours, but watch for high commissions and inferior
rates.
Taxes & Refunds
A Value Added Tax (VAT) of 21%, known as IVA (Imposta di Valore Aggiunto), is slapped on most goods
and services in Italy; a discounted rate of 10% applies in restaurants, bars and hotels. If you are a non-EU
resident and spend more than €155 (€154.94 to be precise!) on a purchase, you can claim a refund when you
leave. The refund only applies to purchases from affiliated retail outlets that display a 'tax free for tourists'
(or similar) sign. You have to complete a form at the point of sale, then have it stamped by EU customs as
you leave the zone (if you are visiting one or more EU countries after visiting Italy, you'll need to submit
the form at your final port of exit). For information, visit
Tax Refund for Tourists
(
www.taxrefund.it
)
or
pick up a pamphlet on the scheme from participating stores.
See
Click here
for information about the recently introduced
tassa di soggiorno
(hotel occupancy tax).
Opening Hours
In this topic, we include opening times for most individual businesses. As a general rule:
Banks
8.30am to 1.30pm and 3.30pm to 4.30pm Monday to Friday
Bars & pubs
10am to 1am
Cafes
7.30am to 8pm
Nightclubs
10pm to late
Pharmacies
9am to 12.30pm and 3.30pm to 7pm Monday to Friday, 9am to 12.30pm Saturday and Sunday
Post offices (main)
8am to 7pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to noon Saturday
Post offices (branch)
8am to 2pm Monday to Friday, 8.30am to noon Saturday
Restaurants
12.30pm to 2.30pm and 7.30pm to 10pm
Shops
9am to 1pm and 3.30pm to 7.30pm (or 4pm to 8pm) Monday to Saturday
