Driving in Italy as a Germany National

Italy offers thrilling drives along the Amalfi Coast and through Tuscany, but ZTL restricted zones, aggressive city driving, and complex parking make it challenging for visitors.

Key Things to Know First

EU/EEA Licence Holders: No IDP Needed

As an EU/EEA licence holder, your licence is mutually recognised across the EU/EEA. No IDP required for travel between Germany and Italy.

Same Side of the Road

Both Germany and Italy drive on the right. No adjustment needed.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Rule	Germany	Italy	Change?
Traffic side	Right-hand traffic	Right-hand traffic	Same
Speed unit	km/h	km/h	Same
IDP required	—	Yes	No
Min. driving age	18	18	Same
Emergency number	112	112	Same
Road difficulty	Moderate	Challenging	—

Speed Limits in Italy

Urban

50 km/h

Rural / Open road

90 km/h

Highway / Motorway

130 km/h

Documents to Carry in Italy

Original driving licence from Germany — must be valid and unexpired
Passport or national ID — carry at all times while driving
Car insurance certificate — verify it covers Italy before departure
Vehicle registration / rental agreement

Emergency Number in Italy

112

112 is the pan-European emergency number, widely accepted across many countries worldwide.

Emergency numbers for all countries

Full Italy Driving Guide

Road rules, toll system, fuel types, parking, regional quirks — everything you need for driving in Italy.

Read the complete guide