Dating in Italy: finding love as an expat

From moonlit walks along the canals of Venice to sharing a bottle of wine in a Tuscan vineyard, dating in Italy can feel like stepping into a movie. Whether it’s a casual fling or a long-term relationship, the Italians approach any type of love affair with a big dollop of romance.

So, how do you meet people and impress them on a first date? What are the rules when it comes to punctuality and dressing up? Get ready to be swept off your feet:

How easy is it to date in Italy?

With only 14.4% of the population being single (2024), it’s fair to say that the Italians have got the dating game down. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing Italy’s reputation of being (one of the) most romantic countries in the world.

Dating in the country is often passionate, social, and slightly unpredictable. Italians are known for their confidence and direct approach to romance, which can be refreshing if you’re used to more reserved dating cultures.

Flirtations aside, you will find it common for commitment to take time and relationships to unfold at their own pace. And because the family plays such an intrinsic role in Italian culture, parents often involve themselves in their children’s dating lives.

Nevertheless, expats looking to dive into Italy’s dating scene are in for a treat.

How do you meet single people online in Italy?

The best dating websites in Italy

Unsurprisingly, in the modern era, one of the best ways to start dating in Italy is by going online.

To meet other single, like-minded internationals, try our own online dating service: Expatica Dating Italy. Popular with both men and women, it helps to connect people who share similar interests and passions and ultimately find love in il Bel Paese.

Other popular dating sites are Badoo, Lovoo, Meetic, and OkCupid, which are free to use but may require payment in order to access special features.

The best dating apps in Italy

International apps such as Tinder, Hinge, and Bumble are common dating platforms in Italy. The social eating app Tablo is also popular – this app allows singles to meet and share food with people nearby, whether for friendship or something more.

Another option is MeetMe, a social app that allows you to match and meet with people who are physically close and have the same interests. Similarly, the dating app Boo is a great way to match with people on personality.

Hook-up apps are also relatively well-liked in Italy (as is evident from the popularity of Tinder). For example, Flava claims to take online dating to a new level, as is clear from their strict privacy policies. Likewise, you can download HMU or Instinct if you’re looking for something casual.

Singles looking for same-sex relationships in Italy may want to check out the dating apps Grindr, Her, ROMEO, and Taimi.

Although many Italians use dating apps, they tend to stumble upon the same issues as they would in other countries. For example, the apps are primarily based on looks and are geared toward making rapid decisions. So, if you are looking for a genuine connection, you may be better off signing up for a website or meeting someone in person.

How do you meet singles in person in Italy?

If online dating is not for you, then in-person meetups can be a good alternative. You can start by looking for social events on Meetup groups. This platform aims to connect people with similar hobbies and interests. Even if you don’t find the love of your life, you might make some new friends.

Meeting people through friends

Many singles think the old-fashioned way of meeting new people through friends is one of the best ways of dating in Italy. Of course, this comes with the benefit of being set up by people who know you and what you like.

In fact, it is common to ask colleagues or friends if they know anyone you might hit it off with. Meeting for an aperitivo after work is also a quick and easy way to see if you gel and want to move on to dinner.

Local speed dating events

Speed dating is another fairly common event where single people meet at a venue and are matched for a series of quick-fire (around 5-minute) conversations with potential partners to see if a spark exists. Of course, you do have to speak relatively well Italian.

You can find events near you on websites such as Eventbrite and Skiddle, which advertise events in cities such as Florence (Firenze), Milan (Milano), and Rome (Roma).

What is the Italian dating etiquette?

Generally speaking, Italians are often charming, affectionate, and passionate. They typically aren’t shy with their compliments either – so get ready for some serious flattery.

Below are some of the more common scenarios you may find yourself in while dating in Italy.

A typical dating scenario

Given that Italian culture places a strong emphasis on food and wine, a likely first date activity will center on having a drink or casual meal at a restaurant or trattoria. And because Italians are generally quite romantic, a picnic in a park or watching the sunset from a hilltop are other possibilities.

Expats who are used to splitting the bill might have a slight culture shock. Dating in Italy is still quite traditional, compared to some other countries on the continent. For example, the man typically makes the first move and pays for the date. Similarly, women expect the man to be chivalrous; if you don’t hold the door open for your date, you won’t likely get a second date.

Dates are typically flirty and outgoing. Italians enjoy the courtship; in fact, the prelude to the relationship is as important as the relationship itself.

Dating behavior in Italy

First-date etiquette in Italy is pretty typical. Italians are generally warm and expressive, meaning that the dating atmosphere is usually relaxed, warm, and fun. Physical touch, such as holding hands or touching the arm, wouldn’t be unusual, and a typical greeting is a kiss on both cheeks, which they call il bacetto.

The casual attitude to punctuality doesn’t usually extend to dates (depending on the region), so it’s rude to keep someone waiting. The dress code is well-dressed and stylish, although it doesn’t have to be expensive. Personal hygiene is essential, so don’t rush to a date straight from the gym or after a hard day of manual labor.

When it comes to conversation, taboo subjects include discussing politics and religion. Being too serious or having a negative attitude won’t go down too well, either. However, don’t be surprised or offended when your date interrupts you while you are talking; the Italian communication style is expressive, and interrupting shows involvement.

Another thing to note is that Italy’s dating culture is pretty monogamous. Although Italians are often openly flirtatious, they tend to date only one person seriously at a time.

What are relationships like in Italy?

Things typically progress at quite a slow rate with romance in Italy. Italians like to take things slowly and enjoy the initial courtship stage. It can take quite a few dates and months before things get serious. However, because they are so expressive, you will definitely know if someone is into you or just stringing you along.

Moving in together after dating a few months is more common for couples in their mid-thirties and older. However, younger couples tend to date for longer before taking this big step. Many couples see living together as a good way to build a strong foundation for a life together and make sure they are compatible before committing to a long-term union.

When do you meet your partner’s family?

A tell-tale sign that a relationship in Italy has become a big deal is when someone wants to introduce their partner to their family. Although this can happen at any stage, the cultural importance of family means that it may happen sooner than you would expect. Meeting your partner’s parents and other family members generally happens as soon as you’ve become exclusive.

Getting married in Italy

The role of the family in weddings

In Italy, wedding proposals (still) are a family affair. It’s standard for the groom-to-be to ask the woman’s father for her hand first. Attitudes are changing, however, and it’s now also common for couples to get engaged and announce it to their parents afterward.

The bride usually gets a diamond ring from her partner. Meanwhile, her family will present the groom with a watch or another gift.

The challenges facing unmarried couples

Couples who choose to remain unmarried generally do not face strong societal stigma in Italy. Attitudes toward cohabitation have become more accepting, particularly in urban areas such as Milan, Rome, and Florence. However, in more conservative regions – especially in the south – some families still expect couples to marry, and living together before marriage may be viewed with some disapproval.

Italy also offers unmarried couples quite a bit of legal protection. The country recognizes common-law partners (both heterosexual and same-sex) through things like cohabitation agreements (convivenza di fatto). That said, unmarried partners do not automatically inherit each other’s assets unless a will is in place, and they may have fewer rights in medical emergencies.

Italy also tends to be more structured around married couples when it comes to inheritance tax and pension rights.

Things to keep in mind when dating in Italy

Is Italy LGBTQ+ friendly?

Italy could do a lot better when it comes to lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer people (LGBTQ+) rights. Notably, it is one of 13 EU member states that have not legalized same-sex marriages (2025), despite 63% of Italians supporting the idea (IPSOS, 2021). Italy ranks 31st out of 197 in the world on the 2025 LGBT Equality Index.

Although you might want to be wary about displaying too much PDA in public, Italy has a sizeable LGBTQ+ community and some great gay-friendly places, including Milan, Rome, and Bologna. Most large cities have an open and vibrant LGBTQ+ scene and host annual pride parades.

What are Italy’s views on mixed dating?

Italians are generally open to mixed relationships, especially in major cities where diverse communities and international influences are strong. While family expectations can still play a role, most people prioritize personal connection over cultural background.

Similarly, interfaith relationships are generally accepted in Italy. Although Catholicism remains culturally significant, religious observance has declined, and mixed-faith dating has become more common. In daily life, interfaith couples rarely face stigma, but religious traditions may still influence family dynamics and expectations.

What challenges come with online dating?

As in any country, online dating in Italy comes with its risks. People might not always be who or what they say they are on their profile or during initial chats. Never agree to send money to someone before meeting them, arrange your first date in a public place, and be sure to tell a friend or family member where you’ll be.

Useful resources

• Similar – statistics on the top-ranking dating apps and trends happening in Italy
• Culture Atlas – website with information on gender roles within Italian families