Lecce, Italy
Lecce, Italy: Everything You Need To Know
If you have difficulty finding Puglia on the map, don’t worry—you’re not alone. Situated in the heel of Italy’s boot, the region of Puglia is home to the city of Lecce.
Puglia has some of the oldest traces of civilization in Italy. Some towns date back 3,000 years. The area was home to the Arab, Balkan, and especially Greek culture and architecture, as well as Roman.
Lecce is located 94 miles from Bari, but it only takes 22 minutes by train to get to Brindisi (23 miles away). In short, you’ll have all the advantages of living in a small city with a larger one on your doorstep.
Puglia is popular with Italian vacationers and one of the cheapest places to live in Italy.
During July and August, the region gets very busy. (If you own property here you can make money by renting it out during these months.)
Living in Lecce through the winter has its advantages. For example, the food is cheaper and in the case of the seafood, fresher. With the tourists gone, prices are also lower.
Puglia is an agricultural stronghold and produces more olive oil than anywhere else in Italy. It also produces wine, tomatoes, wheat, and is one of Italy’s main sheep-farming regions.
Organic fruits are increasingly being grown in the region and many farms offer tours.
Lecce is a city of almost 95,000 people. And, it is known at the “Florence of the South” due to its Baroque architecture.
An important agricultural center, its olive oil and wine production is world-wide famous…as well as an industrial center specializing in ceramics.
Those looking for a laidback, authentic Italian lifestyle with excellent food and wine (at a very low cost), impressive historical sights, and some of the best beaches in Puglia, find that Lecce is a good candidate for your “live overseas” list.
Expats In Lecce, Italy
Italy is the ideal destination for those with an adventurous soul and a love of the outdoors. Life in this country is accompanied by a leisurely Mediterranean climate featuring hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters.
Many expats call Lecce home and it’s easy to connect with them through online forums.
Bars and restaurants line the historic town center. So, you will have plenty of opportunities for socializing and meeting like-minded expats. Plus, the locals are super friendly and welcoming to foreigners.
Also, there are green spaces in the city where you can go for a picnic or take a walk or bike ride. And with the beach only a 10-minute drive away, you can cool down in the sea during the hot summer months.
Cost Of Living In Lecce, Italy
People don’t think of Italy as cheap, somewhere where your money will go further. Words like “bargain” and “value for money” are unlikely to spring to mind thinking about Italy.
But Lecce is one of the most affordable places to live in Italy. The abundant local produce is cheap…and the basis for the country’s celebrated cuisine. These seasonal goods are healthy and delicious leaving both your bank balance and your waistline in a better place.
Puglia has two airports: Bari and Brindisi. Both are international airports although Bari offers the greater number of flights. The region is well served by a bus network and there is some train coverage.
Shop at the local markets in Lecce and get all the fresh produce you need—at a much lower cost than you might expect. As a result, your daily living costs can be kept to a minimum.
In fact, a couple could live very well in Lecce for less than $2,000 a month, rent included.
Here is a closer look at the cost of living in Lecce, Italy.
Click here for currency conversion at today’s exchange rate.
Apartment Or House Rental Budget (For A Couple)
| Expense | Monthly Costs | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Total | US$1,842 | |
| Rent | US$870 | Two-bedroom apartment in the city center. |
| Transportation | US$76 | Monthly pass for a couple. |
| Utilities | US$151 | Electricity, including heating and cooling, and water. Internet and Cable TV. |
| Cell Phone | US$32 | Monthly plan with calls and 10GB+ data. |
| Entertainment | US$235 | Eating out twice a week at a local restaurant. Beers twice a week at a local pub. Movie theatre trip twice a month. |
| Groceries | US$400 | Monthly grocery haul. |
| Household Help | US$78 | Twicer per week. |
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Things To Do In Lecce, Italy
As we have mentioned before, Lecce is often referred to as the “Florence of the South” …
Whether you’re an expat living here or a tourist just passing through, here are some of the best things to do in Lecce…
Wine Tours And Cooking Classes
Visit one of the numerous vineyards in the region to learn more about Puglia wine. You can learn more about the wine production and traditions and a bonus is that you’ll also get to try some of the delicious wine.
Likewise, there are several cooking schools in Lecce where you can learn how to make Puglia’s traditional pasta.
Experience Rich Cultural Heritage
Go see the Basilica di Santa Croce—it’s one of the most beautiful churches in Lecce, renowned for its impressive architecture and striking Baroque façade. (Fun fact: the façade took a century to sculpt!).
Created in the 17th century, the church was built using Lecce’s unique stone. Inside the church are sophisticated sculptures, stunning rose windows, and stone statues.
Lecce’s Cattedrale dell’Assunzione della Virgine (cathedral) is on par with the Basilica di Santa Croce as the most important religious building in the city.
Located in the Piazza del Duomo and constructed in the late 17th century, this cathedral also features a Baroque design like the basilica and has an opulent northern façade and a bell tower.
History buffs (or even if you’re not) go to the Museo Faggiano (museum). You’ll find it in a 16th-century building that was once a private home.
The museum showcases the history of Lecce through the ages, with exhibits ranging from ancient Roman artifacts to medieval ceramics and Baroque paintings.
Take a walking tour of Lecce’s historic center—it’s a maze of narrow streets and alleyways, lined with Baroque buildings and hidden piazzas. It’s the best way to explore the city’s rich cultural heritage and discover its hidden gems.
Safety In Lecce, Italy
Lecce is considered a safe city for both tourists and residents. As always though, be aware of your surroundings as petty crime does exist.
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Health Care In Lecce, Italy
Italy has a freeuniversal health care system. It’s ranked second best out of 191 countries considered in the World Health Organization’s annual surveys.
However, with low blood pressure and cholesterol rates, Italians do not need to use their health care system much.
Rates of avoidable hospitalization in Italy are some of the lowest in the world.
With a life expectancy of 83 years, the population of Italy boasts the eighth-longest lifespan in the world. You can not only live la dolce vita in Italy… you can live it for longer than you might elsewhere.
Private Insurance inItalyoffers one of the most high-standard services available, as in most of western Europe. However, it comes with a price tag to match.
Citizens that need special and emergency treatments, or seniors, use this kind of service.
Non-EU expats have to register for the SSN. Residents who obtain their resident ID (Carta d’identità) are then able to apply for the benefits.
Expats must go to the nearest local health authority (Azienda Sanitá Locale) and apply.
The standard of health care in Lecce is excellent.
Lecce’s main hospital has state of the art technology and top-notch medical professionals. You will find several medical facilities in the city: From hospitals to clinics, you won’t have to worry if you become unwell when you live in Lecce, Italy.
Visa And Residency Information
Expats who want to move to Lecce may require different permits depending on how long they wish to stay in Italy, and where they come from.
EU citizens don’t require a visa to enter Italy, despite planned duration of stay.
All non-EU citizens need to apply for a visa if they plan to stay more than 90 days.
Types Of Italian Visas
Schengen Visa/Tourist Visa (Dichiarazione di Presenza)
A Schengen short-stay visa entitles the holder to visit all the countries inside the Schengen Area.
This type of visa lasts for 90 days and is stamped on arrival. Even so, it is important to keep a copy of the stamped receipt.
Requirements include showing proof of return (a round-trip plane ticket for 90 days or less).
Tourists arriving from a Schengen country should request the declaration within eight days of arrival. Tip: You can get it at the local police station.
And, if you are staying at a hotel, the staff can supply and submit the declaration on check-in.
Once you receive this visa, you won’t be able to apply for another Schengen visa in another 180 days since the day you get it.
Permit Of Stay (Permesso di Sogiorno)
The Permit of stay is intended for citizens outside the Schengen area that wish to stay in Italy for more than three months.
Depending on the case, you can get either six months to two years.
It is renewable and can last for a maximum of five years. After that, you must apply for a permanent visa.
EC Long-Term Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno per Soggiornanti di Lungo Período, S.L.P)
In short, Italy’s permanent resident visa…
You need at least five years of living in Italy to apply for it. You can file for application through postal service, or at a designated Municipal Office.
The EC long-term residence permit entitles you to enter Italy without a visa; work; enjoy social benefits services; and participate in local public life.
The Police State Office (Polizia di Stato) has detailed information about the Italian visa.
You cannot apply for an EC Residence on the following grounds:
- Study or vocational training and scientific research.
- Temporary protection or other humanitarian grounds.
- Asylum or when awaiting a decision for recognition as a refugee.
- Holder of a short-term residence permit.
- If you have a diplomatic, official, and service passport.
Weather In Lecce, Italy
Lecce has a lovely Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters.
The coldest month is January where temperatures can be as low as 47.6°F.
August is the hottest month in Lecce. So, expect an average temperature of 79.4°F.
Lecce, Italy - FAQs
Do I Pay Taxes In Italy?
Your tax situation in Italy depends on your residency status in the country.
For those who only work in Italy and do not spend the entire year there, the state assesses taxes only on that income that is earned inside Italy.
On the other hand, if you live in the country for more than 183 days in the year and own a business centered on Italy, you will pay Italian taxes on your entire worldwide income.
The IRS requires all Americans who earn more than $12,950 a year to file a tax return, regardless of where in the world they live and work. For married couples filing jointly, the amount is $25,900.
The United States and Italy have a double taxation agreement.
Do I Need To Learn Italian If I Move To Lecce?
You shouldn’t encounter any difficulty being understood while speaking English in Lecce. Tasks like ordering in a restaurant, filling up on gas, or asking for directions are easy to accomplish as employees in the service industry generally have a few words of English.
Typically, the younger generation is more fluent in English. However, Italian is a reasonably easy language to learn, and having a grasp of it would make integration into the local community much easier.
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