According to the Italian law, based on the European Community provisions, as a non-resident visitor, you can claim a refund for goods and services tax paid for goods intended for personal or familiar use purchased in Italy.

Many think that it might be more convenient to use Travelers checks, but increasingly fewer places accept them. They can be purchased in the US and they should already be in Euros (in small amounts) in order to avoid additional exchange rates. Travelers checks can also be purchased at Italian banks.

Yes. Most reputable establishments will accept major credit cards. Those establishments accepting credit cards will post the logos in their front windows, just as they do in the USA and Canada.

To find the current exchange rate between US Dollars, Canadian Dollars and Euros, please Use currency converter

Tourists reaching Italy without foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM machines, or an exchange office (Ufficio di Cambio) at airports, seaports and railway stations in the main cities. It is advisable to keep receipts of currency exchanged in case it be necessary to reconvert euros back into dollars before leaving the country.

Yes. The ATM (Automatic Teller Machines) in Italy are known as Bancomat. There are many to be found in the large cities and even in small towns.

The machines operate just as they do here; at the beginning of the transaction, it prompts the user for the preferred language.

Using a credit card, or even better, a debit card or your local bank ATM card is very easy. One must first locate either the Cirrus or BankMate symbol (on the Bancomat and on your card) to insure the card is usable on that particular unit. Cirrus and BankMate are the two most popular and widespread banking systems in the world so they are the best to have.

If you are unsure about the compatibility or the banking systems, contact your credit card company or local bank. After discovering the system is compatible, simply withdrawal money as you would at home. Of course, in Italy the money will be dispensed as Euros, but when you return home, your bank will have converted the Euros into dollars using the most beneficial exchange rate possible.

Be careful though when using credit cards, as many banks are now charging large fees of 2.5% to 4% for cash advances which negate any advantage of using the Bancomat in the first place. One's best bet is to use your regular ATM card and simply withdraw money from your account just as you would do at your local bank.

Banks in Italy are open Monday through Friday from 8:35 a.m. to 1:35 p.m. and from 3:00 - 4:00 p.m.; in many tourist areas they are open no-stop from 8.30 a.m. to 4 p.m. and closed all day on Saturday and Sunday and on national holidays. The afternoon one hour opening may vary from city to city.

Travelers checks can be exchanged for Italian currency at most hotels and shops and at the foreign exchange offices in main railway stations and at the airports.