The complete guide · updated 2026

Moving to Rome from the UK? Land like a local.

Post-Brexit, the rules changed but Rome didn't. Two-and-a-half hours from London, a 90-day Schengen clock, and a rental market that rewards preparation. Here's the British playbook.

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FROM THE UK

The British specifics. Handled first.

Before you fly · 1
The post-Brexit clock

UK passport holders get 90 visa-free days in any 180 across Schengen. Longer stays need a visa before you fly: student, elective residence, or an employer-sponsored permit. The days you spent in Paris count against the same clock.

Before you fly · 2
Money that works

UK cards work fine, but rent moves by SEPA. A Wise or Revolut EUR balance kills the exchange spread — you will pay deposits (2–3 months) in euros.

Before you fly · 3
Paper you can get early

Codice fiscale is required for any registered contract and can be obtained remotely before departure — part of our Concierge. NHS coverage ends at the border: arrange travel/health cover until you enroll in the SSN.

Before you fly · 4
Driving & phone

A UK licence is valid short-term; residents must convert within a year. Keep your UK number on eSIM and add an Italian SIM (€8–10/month) on landing day.

THE MONEY

What Rome really costs. No filters.

HomeTypical asking (mid-term, furnished)Where
Studio€900 – €1,300 /moSan Lorenzo, Pigneto, Ostiense
1 bedroom€1,200 – €1,800 /moMonti, Trastevere, Testaccio, Prati
2 bedrooms€1,500 – €2,400 /moPrati, Trieste-Coppedè, Centro Storico
Deposit2–3 monthsreturned at checkout, by law
Utilities + wifi€150 – €220 /mooften excluded from rent — always ask
Market asking ranges observed across major portals and BOOM's own lettings, first half of 2026. If a listing sits far below these numbers, treat it as a red flag — see the scams section.
THE TIMELINE

From decision to keys, step by step.

60–90 days out
Paperwork that takes the longest
  • Non-EU: visa type sorted — our visa & residency guide
  • Codice fiscale: obtainable remotely, before you land
  • Income proof / guarantor documents translated
30 days out
Find the home — remotely
2 weeks out
Sign and secure
  • Registered contract only — unregistered = no rights
  • Digital signature + deposit via Stripe, from abroad
  • Read the contract types explained
Landing week
Live, don't queue
THE MAP

Pick your Rome. Honestly described.

Trastevere

Postcard lanes, lively nights — charm over silence.

The honest guide → Monti

The village inside the Centro — design, wine bars, walk everywhere.

The honest guide → Prati

Ordered streets, real kitchens, metro — grown-up Rome.

The honest guide → Testaccio

Rome's food heart — market mornings, local by default.

The honest guide → San Lorenzo

Student energy, honest budgets, Sapienza next door.

The honest guide → Pigneto

Rome's Berlin corner — creative, cheap-ish, loud on weekends.

The honest guide →

The scams are real. So are the tells.

Every month newcomers wire deposits to apartments that don't exist. The patterns repeat — learn them once and you're immune. The full catalogue is in our Rome scam bible.

⚑ price far below the table above ⚑ "I'm abroad, wire the deposit and I'll ship the keys" ⚑ landlord who won't do a live video call ⚑ no registered contract offered ⚑ pressure to decide within hours
SHORTCUTS

Or let us carry it. On demand.

Found it elsewhere?Virtual Viewing

We walk any Rome apartment for you, live on video — before you commit.

€89 → Full huntProperty Finding

Your brief, our hunt: on- and off-market, refundable if no match.

€350 → White gloveConcierge

Codice fiscale, utilities, SIM, registrations — done before you land.

From €390 →
FAQ

Asked every week.

Do British citizens need a visa to move to Rome after Brexit?
For up to 90 days in any 180-day window across all of Schengen, no. For longer stays you need a visa issued before departure — student, elective residence, or a work permit via an employer.
How much does it cost to rent in Rome as an expat?
Typical mid-term furnished asking prices in 2026: studios from around €900, one-bedrooms €1,200–1,800 in central zones, two-bedrooms €1,500–2,400. Budget a deposit of 2–3 months plus an agency fee — and beware of anything dramatically cheaper.
Can I rent an apartment in Rome before arriving?
Yes — with video-verified listings, a live video viewing, a digital contract and online payment you can sign and pay from abroad and collect keys on landing day. That's exactly the BOOM process.
What documents do I need to rent in Rome?
Passport or EU ID, codice fiscale (obtainable remotely), proof of income or a guarantor, and for non-EU citizens the visa or permesso appropriate to your stay.
Which neighbourhood should I choose?
Trastevere and Monti for atmosphere, Prati for order and space, Testaccio for food, San Lorenzo and Pigneto for budgets and nightlife, Trieste-Coppedè for families — each has an honest guide above.
What are the most common rental scams?
Deposits wired for apartments that don't exist, landlords who aren't the owners, unregistered contracts, prices far below market. Never pay before verifying — or use an agency that verifies for you.
How long does finding a home take?
On the open market, 3–6 weeks of daily searching — good listings go in days. With verified inventory or a dedicated property finder, days instead of weeks.

Rome is easier with keys in hand.

Every home filmed and verified in person. Every price computed to the euro. Move-in within 48 hours of signing.

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