Studying in Florence
Florence is the ideal city for a cultural stay or a temporary move to study or work; a medium-sized city with a historic center of incomparable beauty. Around the world, it is seen as a symbol of art, craftsmanship, manufacturing excellence, and culinary and wine traditions.
Live and learn Italian in Florence, where culture, sustainability and authentic living meet.
Florence is a strategic base for discovering Italy, just two hours from Rome, Milan, and Venice. It is an open-air museum, the homeland of Dante, the Renaissance, Opera, and gelato, yet also a modern and international city.
Here, tradition and multiculturalism come together: neighborhoods like Borgo San Frediano rank among the coolest in the world. More and more foreigners are choosing Florence as a place to study and work, drawn by its sustainable and increasingly digital lifestyle..
In our Italian courses in Florence, we bring authentic language and culture into the classroom and offer cultural and social activities curated by our teachers.
Some important things to know for your stay in Florence
Florence offers a wide range of accommodations, but demand is very high. For this reason, finding good housing at an affordable price can be challenging, especially during the high season or for short stays. We recommend starting your search well in advance and not focusing solely on the historic center. The city is small and well connected by bus, tram, and train, so you can also consider neighborhoods outside the center or nearby towns. This often means lower costs and better-quality housing—sometimes even better than in the historic center—in areas where Italians themselves live. Contact us to get an idea of the accommodation options the school can suggest, or visit the accommodation page on our website.
If you enter Italy with a study visa, you have 8 days to apply for a residence permit. To do so, submit the application kit available at any Italian post office and pay the required fee. You will then receive an appointment date at the Police Headquarters (Questura), where the residence permit will be issued, a process that can take several months. While waiting for the official document, the payment receipt serves as valid proof of your legal stay in Italy, although you cannot travel outside the country during this period. With a residence permit for study purposes, you are allowed to work up to 20 hours per week and may leave Italy for up to 6 months.
European citizens covered by their own country’s health service can access medical care in any other EU member state. Students from non-EU countries must either take out private health insurance in their home country (approved by the Italian Embassy) or enroll in the Italian National Health Service (SSN). Enrollment in the SSN requires paying an annual fee via postal order and scheduling an appointment at the local USL office.
Foreigners residing in Italy temporarily can get a Codice Fiscale which is your personal tax identification number and is used for many everyday things, like signing a rental contract, registering with the National Health Service, or opening a bank account. You can get your Codice Fiscale before you arrive by applying at the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your home country. If you’re already in Italy, you can request it at your local Revenue Agency office (Agenzia delle Entrate). If you’re waiting for your residence permit, don’t worry, you can also apply for your Codice Fiscale at the Police Headquarters (Questura) while your permit is being processed.
All major credit cards are accepted in shops, restaurants, museums, taxis, and most other places. You can use your card for nearly all payments, but it’s a good idea to keep some cash on hand for small purchases.
