Tourist Help Desk
Information, support, and advice for international visitors in Italy
Feeling mistreated or confused during your visit? You are not alone. Whether it’s a surprise on a restaurant bill, a taxi ride dispute, or a booking issue, navigating a foreign system can be stressful.
Consumity is here to help. Below you will find quick answers to the most common problems tourists face in Italy, along with official emergency contacts. We provide independent information to help you understand your rights and resolve disputes safely.
Police • Ambulance • Fire • Rescue (Operators speak English)
🏥 Other Useful Numbers (Medical, Police, Cards)
118: Medical Emergency / Ambulance (Specific)
- 113: Police
117: Guardia di Finanza (For scams & commercial frauds)
1530: Coast Guard (Sea emergency)
Mountain Rescue: Call 112 or 118 and ask for “Soccorso Alpino”
803 116: ACI Roadside Assistance (Paid service)
Card Blocking (Toll-free from Italy):
Visa: 800 819 014
Mastercard: 800 870 866
Amex: 06 72 900 347
Common Issues & Solutions
Select a topic to read the rules and advice.
1. Restaurant Bill: "Coperto" and "Servizio" charges, and tipping
The Rule: “Coperto” is a standard, legitimate practice in almost all Italian restaurants (usually €2-5 pp). It covers table linen and cutlery, sometimes the first bread basket, but never water. “Servizio” is a variable percentage markup applied by some restaurants. Both are legal only if listed on the menu. Action: Check the menu (usually at the bottom) before ordering. If listed, they are binding. If charged but not listed, refuse to pay those items and threaten to call the “Guardia di Finanza” (Financial Police). Tipping is optional in Italy, not mandatory.
2. Pickpockets (Borseggiatori)
The Risk: Pickpocketing is very common in major cities (Rome, Milan, Naples), especially on the Metro, near monuments, and at train stations. Thieves often work in teams and can be well-dressed. Action: Never keep your wallet/phone in back pockets or open bags. Wear backpacks on your front in crowded areas. Be careful if someone “accidentally” bumps into you or creates a distraction (dropping coins, asking for directions).
3. The "Gift" Scam (Bracelets/Flowers)
The Trap: Someone approaches you (often near Duomo or Spanish Steps, Colosseo) placing a “free” bracelet on your wrist, giving you flowers, or corn to feed pigeons. Once you take it, they aggressively demand money. Action: Do not let anyone touch your hand or wrist. Keep walking. Firmly say “NO” and do not make eye contact. If they put it on you, take it off immediately, drop it, and walk away.
4. ATMs: Avoid the "Euronet" exchange rate
The Trap: Independent ATMs (often yellow/blue “ATM” signs) offer dynamic currency conversion with terrible exchange rates. Action: Always use ATMs attached to a real Bank (Intesa, Unicredit, BNL, Poste). When asked “Charge in EUR or USD/GBP?”, ALWAYS choose EUR. Let your home bank handle the conversion.
5. Drinking/Eating near Monuments
The Rule: In cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, “bivouacking” (eating/drinking while sitting on monument steps or fountains) is illegal and heavily fined (up to €400). Action: Eat only in designated areas, benches, or restaurants. Respect the heritage.
6. Street Sellers & "Skip the Line"
The Trap: Unauthorized sellers outside attractions offering “Skip the line” tickets or cheap souvenirs. Action: Ignore them. Tickets are often fake or overpriced. Buying counterfeit goods (fake bags/watches) is a crime in Italy and the buyer can be fined up to €7.000. Buy only from official ticket offices or official websites.
7. Stolen or Lost Documents (Passaport/ID)
The Crisis: You lost your Passport or ID card. You cannot fly home. Action: 1. Go immediately to the nearest “Carabinieri” or “Polizia di Stato” station to file a report (“Denuncia”). 2. Take the report to your country’s Consulate or Embassy to get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Keep digital copies of your docs on your phone to speed up the process.
8. City Tax (Tassa di Soggiorno)
The Rule: It is a municipal tax paid per person/per night (usually €2-€10 depending on the city and hotel stars). Action: It is legal and mandatory. Often it must be paid in cash at the hotel/B&B even if you prepaid the room online. Always ask for a receipt (“Ricevuta”).
9. Bus & Metro Tickets / Inspections
The Rule: Tickets must generally be purchased before boarding at “Tabacchi” shops (look for the “T” sign), newsstands, or metro stations. Buying tickets on board is rarely possible or requires exact coins with a surcharge. You must validatepaper tickets in the yellow/green machines immediately upon entry. Inspectors: Official inspectors carry a visible ID badge (“Tesserino”) and often wear a uniform. They can fine you for lack of ticket or missed validation. Action: Validate immediately. If the machine is broken, write the current date and time on the ticket with a pen. If fined, pay within 5 days for a reduced rate.
10. TAXI: How to spot a Fake & Meter Rules
The Rule: Official taxis are always white, have a “TAXI” roof sign, and display the Municipality Coat of Arms(Stemma del Comune) and License Number on the doors/rear. Drivers are legally required to use the meter (“Tassametro”). The Trap: Illegal drivers often approach tourists inside or outside stations offering “cheap rides”. Real taxi drivers are forbidden from soliciting customers. Action: NEVER accept rides from anyone approaching you. Go to the official Taxi Stand (orange lines/signs). Check for the city logo/license number on the car door. If they refuse the meter, get out.
11. ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zones)
The Trap: Driving into historic city centers (ZTL) without a permit. Cameras automatically record license plates. High fines (€100+) arrive months later via the rental agency. Action: Watch for white circular signs with a red border. Do not enter even if the gate is open or other cars are entering (locals have permits). GPS apps do not always warn you in time.
Emergency Numbers (Quick List)
🚨 Universal Emergency: 112
- (Police, Ambulance, Fire). Operators speak English.
Medical Emergency: 118
Medical Emergency: 118Call for: Any life-threatening situation, severe injury, or sudden illness requiring an ambulance.
Fire & Rescue: 115
Fire & Rescue: 115Call for: Fires, gas leaks, trapped persons, or dangerous structural damages.
Police & Safety
Police & Safety113: Police (Polizia di Stato) – Thefts, assaults.
117: Guardia di Finanza – Fiscal crimes, commercial scams, receipt issues.
1522: Anti-Violence & Stalking Help Line (Multilingual, 24/7).
Common Issues & Solutions
Select a topic to read the rules and advice.
1. Restaurant Bill: "Coperto" and "Servizio" charges, and tipping
The Rule: “Coperto” is a standard, legitimate practice in almost all Italian restaurants (usually €2-5 pp). It covers table linen and cutlery, sometimes the first bread basket, but never water. “Servizio” is a variable percentage markup applied by some restaurants. Both are legal only if listed on the menu. Action: Check the menu (usually at the bottom) before ordering. If listed, they are binding. If charged but not listed, refuse to pay those items and threaten to call the “Guardia di Finanza” (Financial Police). Tipping is optional in Italy, not mandatory.
2. Pickpockets (Borseggiatori)
The Risk: Pickpocketing is very common in major cities (Rome, Milan, Naples), especially on the Metro, near monuments, and at train stations. Thieves often work in teams and can be well-dressed. Action: Never keep your wallet/phone in back pockets or open bags. Wear backpacks on your front in crowded areas. Be careful if someone “accidentally” bumps into you or creates a distraction (dropping coins, asking for directions).
3. The "Gift" Scam (Bracelets/Flowers)
The Trap: Someone approaches you (often near Duomo or Spanish Steps, Colosseo) placing a “free” bracelet on your wrist, giving you flowers, or corn to feed pigeons. Once you take it, they aggressively demand money. Action: Do not let anyone touch your hand or wrist. Keep walking. Firmly say “NO” and do not make eye contact. If they put it on you, take it off immediately, drop it, and walk away.
4. ATMs: Avoid the "Euronet" exchange rate
The Trap: Independent ATMs (often yellow/blue “ATM” signs) offer dynamic currency conversion with terrible exchange rates. Action: Always use ATMs attached to a real Bank (Intesa, Unicredit, BNL, Poste). When asked “Charge in EUR or USD/GBP?”, ALWAYS choose EUR. Let your home bank handle the conversion.
5. Drinking/Eating near Monuments
The Rule: In cities like Rome, Florence, and Venice, “bivouacking” (eating/drinking while sitting on monument steps or fountains) is illegal and heavily fined (up to €400). Action: Eat only in designated areas, benches, or restaurants. Respect the heritage.
6. Street Sellers & "Skip the Line"
The Trap: Unauthorized sellers outside attractions offering “Skip the line” tickets or cheap souvenirs. Action: Ignore them. Tickets are often fake or overpriced. Buying counterfeit goods (fake bags/watches) is a crime in Italy and the buyer can be fined up to €7.000. Buy only from official ticket offices or official websites.
7. Stolen or Lost Documents (Passaport/ID)
The Crisis: You lost your Passport or ID card. You cannot fly home. Action: 1. Go immediately to the nearest “Carabinieri” or “Polizia di Stato” station to file a report (“Denuncia”). 2. Take the report to your country’s Consulate or Embassy to get an Emergency Travel Document (ETD). Keep digital copies of your docs on your phone to speed up the process.
8. City Tax (Tassa di Soggiorno)
The Rule: It is a municipal tax paid per person/per night (usually €2-€10 depending on the city and hotel stars). Action: It is legal and mandatory. Often it must be paid in cash at the hotel/B&B even if you prepaid the room online. Always ask for a receipt (“Ricevuta”).
9. Bus & Metro Tickets / Inspections
The Rule: Tickets must generally be purchased before boarding at “Tabacchi” shops (look for the “T” sign), newsstands, or metro stations. Buying tickets on board is rarely possible or requires exact coins with a surcharge. You must validatepaper tickets in the yellow/green machines immediately upon entry. Inspectors: Official inspectors carry a visible ID badge (“Tesserino”) and often wear a uniform. They can fine you for lack of ticket or missed validation. Action: Validate immediately. If the machine is broken, write the current date and time on the ticket with a pen. If fined, pay within 5 days for a reduced rate.
10. TAXI: How to spot a Fake & Meter Rules
The Rule: Official taxis are always white, have a “TAXI” roof sign, and display the Municipality Coat of Arms(Stemma del Comune) and License Number on the doors/rear. Drivers are legally required to use the meter (“Tassametro”). The Trap: Illegal drivers often approach tourists inside or outside stations offering “cheap rides”. Real taxi drivers are forbidden from soliciting customers. Action: NEVER accept rides from anyone approaching you. Go to the official Taxi Stand (orange lines/signs). Check for the city logo/license number on the car door. If they refuse the meter, get out.
11. ZTL (Restricted Traffic Zones)
The Trap: Driving into historic city centers (ZTL) without a permit. Cameras automatically record license plates. High fines (€100+) arrive months later via the rental agency. Action: Watch for white circular signs with a red border. Do not enter even if the gate is open or other cars are entering (locals have permits). GPS apps do not always warn you in time.
Emergency Numbers (Quick List)
🚨 Universal Emergency: 112
- (Police, Ambulance, Fire). Operators speak English.
Medical Emergency: 118
Call for: Any life-threatening situation, severe injury, or sudden illness requiring an ambulance.
Fire & Rescue: 115
Call for: Fires, gas leaks, trapped persons, or dangerous structural damages.
Police & Safety
113: Police (Polizia di Stato) – Thefts, assaults.
117: Guardia di Finanza – Fiscal crimes, commercial scams, receipt issues.
1522: Anti-Violence & Stalking Help Line (Multilingual, 24/7).
Still need help? Request Specific Assistance
If your situation is not covered in the FAQ above, please fill out the form below. Our team will analyze your case and provide free guidance on the correct procedure to follow (e.g., how to file an official police report, dispute a credit card charge, or contact local authorities).
Important: Consumity is an independent consumer organization, not a law enforcement agency. For immediate emergencies or physical danger, always call 112.