Paris Calling: High Salaries, High Costs – The Reality for Italian Expats

Paris Calling: The Italian Exodus and the High Cost of a French Dream In 2024, over six million Italians lived abroad, with many being young, educated professionals. Paris is a popular destination, home to the second-largest European community of Italian citizens. But the allure of higher salaries is tempered by a significantly higher cost of living. Francesca, a restaurant manager, earns €2400-€2500 net per month. "I wouldn't have achieved this level of career progression in Italy in such a short time," she says. However, rent in Paris is steep: €900 for a studio, and upwards of €2200 for a two-bedroom apartment in the city center. While salaries are higher, the cost of living eats into savings. Elena, a civil engineer, manages to save €500-€600 a month, a stark contrast to the €800-€900 saved by others. The video showcases the financial realities alongside the cultural adjustment challenges faced by Italian expats in Paris. Despite the difficulties, the expats' stories highlight resilience and opportunity in a new country.