Tips for New Residents in Rome - A - Z

AMERICAN EMBASSY
While There are two official U.S. embassies in Rome: one to the Italian government, and the other to the Holy See, Americans in need of services must go to the U.S. Consulate, on the Via Veneto 121. The Consulate can provide the following services: register your address and presence here; issue new passports; register your child's birth and give advice about dual citizenship; witness and notarize documents; provide Veterans' and Social Security benefits; process income tax; assist with voting needs and selective service registration; help with legal formalities in case of death; inform your family if you are in difficulty; and provide a list of doctors and lawyers. The Consulate cannot give you money, settle your disputes, or get you out of jail. They can only ensure that you are being treated according to the laws of the host country. Tel. 06.46.741.

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APARTMENT AND HOUSE HUNTING
There are two levels of prices in renting apartments in Italy: 1.) the "fair rent" prices established by the government, and 2) the price you will be asked to pay by landlords advertising in the local papers. Prices are high and you will find something in the "fair rent" price category if: A) you have a great deal of perseverance, B) you are very lucky in life, or C) you personally know the Italian Prime Minister.

Need Assistance with buying and renting homes in Italy???? HabemusCasa: Italy’s Commission Free Real Estate Web Site

Save thousands on sales & Rentals; No real estate Fees; Buyers and Sellers Deal Directly; Easy to Use! Visit www.HabemusCasa.com or email info@habemuscasa.com. Tel. (+39)06.580.0891. Con HabemusCasa nasce un nuovo modello di transazione immobiliare. No agenzie e zero commissioni. Vendere la tua casa non é mai stato cosi facile!! A partire da adesso hai la possibilità di inserire l’annuncio della tua proprietà – gratuitamente. Da HabemusCasa é benvenuta ogni tipologia immobiliare – puoi vendere, comprare, affittare anche case vacanza o per brevi soggiorni.

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ASSOCIAZIONE CULTURALE
"ULISSE" organizes guided visits in and around Rome with qualified Art History, Archaeology (etc.) guides in English, French, German, Japanese, Spanish, Dutch and Russian. Every last Sunday of the month at 8 a.m. a visit to the Sistine Chapel is conducted. For information, tel/fax: 06.818.4090, Thursdays and Fridays.

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BUSES AND METROS
See our Section on Public Transportation.

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CAR TOWING
If your automobile was towed away, you probably parked in an illegal zone. The way to find your car is to call the Vigili Urbani, (tel: 06.67691), and give them the registration number, make of car, and place from which it was removed. They will tell you where to collect your car, but only after you pay the fine or multa. Pay the designated amount at the Cassa of the Vigili Urbani, Via della Consolazione, 4 (Consolation Street!), or at a Post office by Conto Corrente No. 54785001 in the name of the Comune di Roma - Commando Vigili Urbani, Servizio di Rimozione Veicoli. Take your receipt with you when you retrieve your car!

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ENGLISH YELLOW PAGES
An annual directory of English speaking professionals organizations, businesses and services for Italy. How to find an English speaking plumber, veterinarian, or lawyer. It is available at 06.474.0861 or by fax at 06.474.4S 16.

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FOREIGNER'S REGISTRATION
Everyone is required to have a permesso di soggiorno to stay in Italy. Hotels automatically do this for paying guests. Those wishing to stay longer must register at the Questura, Via Genova, 2; or at the Questura, Via San Vitale, 15. Take your passport (and photocopy of the first 3 pages), 3 passport photos, and either carta bollata (14,68 Euro bought at a tabaccaio) and some proof of income (a letter from your employer on office letterhead is usually sufficient). Lines are long and this procedure may take several attempts before actual success. P.S. If you forget photos, they have a machine on the premises.

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HOSPITALS: While the Policlinico Humberto Primo is the largest public hospital in Europe with over one thousand beds, you really do no want to go here if you become ill! Most English speaking residents of Rome prefer private hospitals where ratio of staff to patient as well as the number of beds is small! There are several private hospitals in Rome but our favorite is Salvator Mundi. Called a “Casa di Cura privata” it is run by an order of nursing nuns and under the direction of Dr. Georgio Roncagli. Unlike the American hospital or Rome which is quite a distance out of the city, Salvator Mundi is in the center of Rome on the Gianicolo! The address is: Viale delle Mura Gianicolensi 67, 00152, Rome Italy. Telephone: (0113906) 588961 or Fax: (0113906) 58896001.

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PERSONAL PROBLEMS
There are many support groups available in Rome. Consult other parts of our book, As Romans Do 2009/2010 to learn which groups are available and to see which could best help you.

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PETS
Italian law requires that your animal have a current rabies certificate, a statement from your veterinarian that no rabies have existed in your area in the last 6 months, and a certificate from the U.S. Department of Agriculture verifying all the above as true. Even if you are not asked for these documents upon arrival, keep them on hand for future reference. Check with Italian authorities on the tax one must pay as a dog owner.

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TUTTO CITTA
For other pertinent information, consult Tutto Citta, a volume which accompanies the annual TELECOM phone books and which may be obtained separately by going to the telephone company. It is a gold mine of maps, useful suggestions, historical data, health services - you name it!

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WANTED IN ROME
Published twice a month is a great guide for new English speaking residents, full of practical information about negotiating the city, where to find other English speakers and services, upcoming events and want ads. Contact them at 06.6790190.

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