Everything that changes about life in Italy in October 2025

From new flight and rail routes to EES passport checks and an important tax deadline, here’s what to expect in Italy next month.

New ‘tourist trains’

Italy’s state-owned railway company Ferrovie dello Stato (FS) is set to launch a number of new tourist-focused services in October as part of a planned expansion of its Treni Turistici network.

This autumn’s programme focuses on seasonal experiences, with new routes connecting Rome to destinations including the famous mediaeval hill town of Assisi, Umbria, and Piedmont’s Langhe and Monferrato – one of Italy’s most prestigious truffle and wine regions.

You can find a list of new rail itineraries HERE.

Transport strikes

Transport strikes are frequent in Italy, and October will be no exception, as Italian trade unions have already announced several walkouts for the coming weeks.

Rail and public transport services across Italy are expected to be hit by severe disruption on Friday, October 3rd, due to a 24-hour general strike.

Meanwhile, people flying to or from Rome, Pisa, and Florence may face delays or cancellations on Monday, October 13th, due to a 24-hour airport staff protest.

You can find a full list of transport strikes planned for October on the Italian transport ministry’s website (in Italian).

Food festivals

One of the best things about being in Italy in October is having the opportunity to attend a sagra, a type of harvest festival or fair centred around one particular food or drink local to the town hosting it.

A sagra has a fairly broad definition: it could last several weeks or just one day, and might consist of anything from raucous celebrations with music and dancing to more relaxed tasting experiences among food stalls and wooden benches.

A truffle festival in Canterano, Rome, a wild board sagra in Dugenta, Benevento, and an eel sagra in Comacchio, Ferrara, are just some of the dozens of events to look forward to next month.

Autumn Heritage Days

Dozens of cultural sites across Italy will offer special evening openings, guided tours and exhibitions on Saturday, October 11th, and Sunday, October 12th, as part of the popular Giornate FAI d’Autunno – a yearly event organised by national trust Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI).

A full list of sites participating in this year’s Autumn Days is set to be published on FAI’s website during the first week of October.

New EU passport checks system

The EU’s long-delayed Entry & Exit System (EES) is set to be launched on Sunday, October 12th.

First approved by the European Parliament in November 2017, the EES is a biometric passport checks system designed to replace manual passport stamping and strengthen border security across the bloc.

Under the upcoming changes, non-EU travellers entering the Schengen zone will need to register with the EES by sharing their name, biometric data (fingerprints and facial scans) and the date and place of entry and exit.

EU citizens and non-EU citizens who are legally resident in an EU country will be exempt from EES registration – though it’s still unclear what exactly they’ll need to do when arriving at an Italian port or airport.

The EES is due to be rolled out at different EU checkpoints over a six-month period, so you may not encounter the system if you’re travelling to Italy this October.

At the time of writing, the Italian transport ministry hasn’t yet finalised the phased entry dates for Italy’s ports and airports.

Window to switch from summer to winter tyres opens

Under Italy’s Highway Code, motorists are required to fit their vehicles with winter tyres (or have snow chains on board) during the cold season.

The window to make the switch opens on October 15th, but the penalties for flouting the requirement only kick in on November 15th.

After the November 15th deadline, drivers breaking the rules face fines of up to €335, plus the requirement to undergo a vehicle safety and roadworthiness test (revisione).

Italy’s winter tyres requirement is a frequent source of confusion as it doesn’t apply to all vehicles. See our article to find out whether or not it applies to you.

Clocks go back

Clocks will go back by one hour at 2am on Sunday, October 26th, as Italy and all other EU states switch from daylight saving time to standard time.

This means you’ll get an extra hour in bed on Sunday, but the evenings will be a lot darker after the change.

Digital clocks on computers and phones should update automatically, but get ready to frantically search for the manual to your oven so you can figure out how to change its display on the 26th.

New flight routes

Several airlines are set to launch new flight routes to Italy next month.

Ryanair will operate a new thrice-weekly service linking Rome’s Ciampino airport with Birmingham International from October 26th.

Meanwhile, Wizz Air will begin new weekly flights between Milan Malpensa and Glasgow from October 27th.

You can find a full list of flights set to be launched this autumn HERE.

Tax declaration deadline

The deadline to file the modello persone fisiche – Italy’s main income tax return form for self-employed workers and foreign residents – falls on Friday, October 31st this year.

Taxpayers who are required to file the form are advised to keep the October deadline in mind, as the Italian taxman shows little in the way of leniency when it comes to late filing or failure to file.

Guidelines on how to fill out the form are available on the Italian Revenue Agency’s website (in Italian).

Should you need any help with completing and/or submitting the form, Italy’s patronati and tax assistance centres (CAF) offer guidance at little to no cost. Alternatively, you can also hire a commercialista and have them take care of the entire process on your behalf.

You can find Italy’s main tax dates for the remainder of 2025 in our calendar.

2026 budget plan

Italy’s government has until Friday, October 31st, to submit its 2026 budget law to parliament.

Parliament will then have until the end of the year to revise its text and pass it into law.

Although Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s cabinet hasn’t yet disclosed any details about the upcoming legge di bilancio, the government is reportedly considering making changes to Italy’s income tax IRPEF to ease the fiscal burden on middle-class households.

Under the proposed changes, incomes of up to €60,000 per year would be subject to a 33 percent tax, down from the current 35 percent.

Halloween celebrations

Halloween is not as big in Italy as it is elsewhere – Italians traditionally celebrate All Saints’ Day (Ognissanti) on November 1st instead – but you can still expect to see kids dressed up in creepy costumes roam the neighbourhood on Friday, October 31st.

And, while the practice may not be as ubiquitous as it is in the US, you may see a few mini ghouls or witches knock on your door and shout dolcetto o scherzetto! (trick or treat).

Everything that changes about life in Italy in October 2025

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