Your toolkit
Hand-picked resources covering culture, housing, and language — the three biggest challenges for anyone new to Turin.
Section 01
Moving to Italy means embracing a different pace of life — longer lunches, later dinners, and bureaucracy that can test your patience. These resources help you understand local customs, meet people, and genuinely feel at home in Turin.
The world's largest expat network has an active Turin chapter. Organises regular dinners, cultural events, and meetups where you can connect with internationals from every background.
Visit site →The University of Turin's official welcome service for international students and guests. Offers cultural orientation, bureaucratic support, and help navigating Italian systems from day one.
Visit site →International Students & Others in Turin — a community-run platform with events, guides, and honest advice about student life in the city, written by people who've been through it.
Visit site →Real accounts from expats living in Turin covering culture shock, local customs, neighbourhoods, healthcare, and what nobody tells you before you move.
Read guide →Open to everyone — men and women. Widely recommended by expats as one of the best ways to get connected and settled quickly in the city. Social events, volunteering, and a welcoming community.
Visit site →A comprehensive written guide covering what to expect culturally, the best neighbourhoods, cost of living, and practical tips for day-to-day life as a foreigner in Turin.
Read guide →Section 02
The Turin rental market is competitive, especially before the academic year starts. Start your search early, use verified platforms, and understand the two most common contract types: the contratto transitorio (1–18 months) and the contratto per studenti (student contract linked to enrolment).
All listings are verified and foreigner-friendly. Specialises in short-to-medium term rentals that match student semester dates. Book from abroad before you arrive.
Visit site →The official student housing body for Piedmont universities. Offers affordable university residences for eligible students. Apply early — spaces are limited and demand is high.
Visit site →The University of Turin's own housing search service. Provides a database of vetted accommodations, and helps with language barriers, landlord communication, and rental contracts.
Visit site →Italy's largest property portal. Use it to browse long-term rentals directly from landlords and agencies. Filter by zone, price, and room type. Listings are in Italian — use Chrome's translate feature.
Visit site →Popular across Italy for both long-term and short-term rentals. More modern interface than Immobiliare and offers an English option. Good for comparing neighbourhoods and price ranges.
Visit site →Flatmate-matching app designed specifically for international students in Turin. Focuses on compatibility — lifestyle, study habits, languages spoken — not just room availability.
Visit site →Italy's Craigslist equivalent. Useful for finding shared apartments and rooms at lower prices. Exercise caution — always verify listings in person before transferring any money.
Visit site →Community-written guide covering the full process of finding student housing in Turin: contract types, costs per neighbourhood, documents you'll need, and red flags to avoid.
Read guide →Section 03
You can get by in Turin without Italian, but learning even the basics transforms your experience — better job prospects, deeper friendships, and far less frustration at the post office. These resources cover everything from beginner apps to in-person classes in the city.
The most popular language learning app in the world. The Italian course is well-structured for complete beginners. Free to use, with short daily lessons that build vocabulary and grammar gradually.
Start learning →More structured than Duolingo and better suited to practical, conversational Italian. Lessons are designed around real situations — asking for directions, renting a flat, visiting the doctor.
Start learning →The University of Turin offers subsidised Italian language courses specifically for international students. Covers beginner through advanced levels. Check the CLA (Centro Linguistico di Ateneo) for enrolment.
Visit site →Book one-to-one online lessons with Italian tutors at your own pace and budget. Great for conversation practice alongside a structured course. Many tutors offer trial lessons at reduced rates.
Visit site →Language exchange app that matches you with native Italian speakers who want to learn your language. Free, conversational, and a great way to make local friends in Turin at the same time.
Visit site →Italy's national broadcaster offers free Italian listening practice. "Radio 3" and news podcasts are excellent for intermediate learners. Immersing yourself in the language daily accelerates progress quickly.
Visit site →