How to Make Expat Friends in Italy (Honest Tips & Real Experience)

Making friends in a new country isn’t always easy.

And honestly… I don’t think people talk about this enough.

When I first moved to Italy, I thought friendships would just happen naturally.

But the reality is making friends as an adult, in a new country, with a different culture and language…

can be challenging.

So in this post, I want to share my honest experience making expat friends in Italy what worked, what didn’t, and what to expect.

Before even talking about Italy…

Let’s be real.

Making friends as an adult is not the same as:

• school
• college
• university

Back then, it felt easy.

Now?

It takes effort.

So when you add:

• a new country
• a new culture
• sometimes a new language

…it becomes even more challenging.

When you first arrive, something interesting happens.

You’re just happy to meet anyone.

You might:

• go out more
• say yes to everything
• quickly connect with other expats

And that’s completely normal.

Here are some a few related posts for you to read:

The Reality of Living in Italy: 9 Honest Cons No One Talks About

How to Find a Job in Italy as an Expat (Realistic Tips That Actually Help)

Mistakes I Made Learning Italian (So You Don’t Have To)

One thing I’ve experienced is that some expat friendships don’t always last.

Why?

Because sometimes you bond over:

• being new
• talking about Italy
• shared experiences

But after a while…

you realise you don’t have much else in common

And the friendship slowly fades.

This is probably one of the biggest challenges.

You meet someone:
you connect
you build a friendship

…and then suddenly:

they move away

This happens a lot.

Especially with expats who:

• are travelling
• don’t have strong roots
• are still figuring things out

It can feel frustrating but it’s part of expat life.

Even when you meet other expats, it’s not always easy.

You might meet people from:

• different countries
• different cultures
• different mindsets

Even if you speak the same language, there can still be differences in:

• communication style
• humour
• expectations

It takes time to find people you truly connect with.

This is something I’ve noticed.

Some people:

• want friends
• but don’t fully open up
• or prefer a more independent lifestyle

And that’s okay.

It just means:
not every connection will turn into a deep friendship

is it complete ? seems no 

You’re right it cut off. Let me finish it properly so you have a complete, publish-ready post 

It’s easy to go on Instagram and see:

• groups of friends
• people always out together
• perfect-looking expat lives

But that’s not always the full picture.

Focus on real connections, not appearances.

One thing I’ve learned is this:

it’s better to have a few good friends than many surface-level ones

Even:

• 1–3 solid, reliable people
  is more valuable than a big group you don’t truly connect with.

At the beginning, it’s easy to feel a bit… eager.

You might:

• say yes to everyone
• overlook red flags
• try to force friendships

That’s normal but be careful.

Choose your friendships wisely.

This is something people don’t talk about enough.

Ask yourself:

• Am I making an effort?
• Do I follow up with people?
• Am I being a good friend?

Because sometimes, we expect things from others that we’re not giving ourselves.

I’ve noticed that some people carry negative experiences into new friendships.

They might say things like:
“I don’t trust people”
“I’ve had bad friendships before”

And while that’s valid…

bringing that energy into new friendships can affect them

It’s better to:

• stay open
• stay positive
• but still keep your boundaries

Not every friend has to be everything.

You might have:

• a coffee friend
• a deep conversation friend
• a going-out friend

And that’s okay.

Not every friendship needs to tick every box.

This is a big one.

Living abroad often means:
you will spend time alone

And instead of fighting it…

learn to enjoy it

• go out alone
• explore
• take yourself on little dates

This builds confidence and makes everything easier.

For me, friendships in Italy have been… up and down.

I’ve:

• made friends
• lost friends
• had phases of being social
• and phases of being alone

And that’s just how it is.

Do I have my perfect friendship group?

No.

But I do feel like I’m getting closer.

Making expat friends in Italy isn’t impossible.

But it does take:

• time
• effort
• patience

And most importantly:

the right mindset

Don’t rush it.

Don’t force it.

Focus on building genuine connections.
If you’re living in Italy (or planning to move), what has your experience been like making friends?