A Comprehensive Guide about Living in Turin

Life in Turin

Healthcare in Turin

Immigration regulations require you to take out health insurance when you work in Italy. The national health care service, known as Servizio Sanitario Nationale (SSN), provides full healthcare assistance, including the ability to choose your own family doctor. Your employer will be responsible for deducting the payment from your wages for the SSN. You will need proof of healthcare insurance to access medical attention, but treatment will not be withheld in an emergency situation.

Many expatriates living abroad also prefer to invest in private healthcare insurance, which gives a higher quality of service and care. This could, for example, enable you to receive treatment faster. Dentists in Italy are expensive, and work privately, so make sure dental procedures are covered by your policy. When deciding on a doctor or dentist, a recommendation from other local expats is invaluable.

Over the counter as well as prescription medicines are sold in pharmacies, called Farmacia, which are easily recognizable by their large signs in the shape of a green cross.

Education in Turin

Schooling is compulsory for children from the age of six to sixteen, and the Italian school system is free to all children who are resident in the country, regardless of their nationality. Preschool places are not widely available and tend to be oversubscribed.

Many expat parents living in Turin prefer to send their children to an international school to ensure an easier transition from the children’s previous schools or to help with the language barrier. The International School of Turin is a private, college-preparatory school for children from early childhood through to Grade 12. The English-language curriculum is international, leading to the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma, which is recognized by the Italian Ministry of Education.

For those who prefer the French education system, the Lycée Français Jean Giono offers French/Italian classes from nursery to baccalauréat, following the French education system.

Turin is home to several universities, including one of the oldest in Italy, the University of Turin. In the field of engineering, technology, and computer science, the Polytechnic University of Turin is considered to be one of the best in the Italy. The business school ESCP Europe has a campus in Turin, and a number of small English language education institutions have opened in recent years.

Culture and Leisure in Turin

Turin is called the “first capital of Italy”, as it was the original capital of the Kingdom of Italy, which brought about the country’s unification. The city is steeped in history, and home to some of Italy’s most stunning architecture. Take time to discover the many palaces, residences, and castles of the Savoy Residences in the city of Turin and the surrounding towns.

The 2006 Winter Olympics were based in Turin, and the close proximity to the Alps offers excellent winter sports activities. The Susa and Chisone valleys make up part of the wonderfully named Via Lattea (Milky Way) ski pistes. Popular with locals and international visitors, these 400 kilometers of ski slopes run crisscross the Alps. The resort of Sestriere was built in the 1930s and provides the most challenging pistes of the Via Lattea.

Staying closer to home in Turin, the area known as Il Quadrilateral near Piazza Emanuele Filiberto is packed with buzzing bars, restaurants and chic boutiques. Take a stroll along the cobbled streets, soak up the atmosphere and relax and enjoy some people-watching from the comfort of a street cafe.