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A tutor can help you in the beginning of your Erasmus experience in many ways: picking you up at the station when you arrive, showing you the city, helping you to buy a phone-card, taking you to the International office, to look for a flat and to make new friends.

PICKING UP: Your personal tutor will welcome you when you come to Palermo, coming to pick you up at the train station and taking you to the hostel-apartment or the other place you booked for your first days of erasmus.

APARTMENTS: Prices for the renting in Palermo are around 200/250 € for a single room, 150/160 for a bed in double room.

Sometimes owners try to get advantage of the foreign people. So that’s why it’s good you can go to look for a flat with a local person who knows if someone is trying to cheat on you.

If you are an international student looking for a room you can send a private message on whatsapp to the number +393284250480 and check directly any availability

Check all the complete list of apartments here:

https://www.palermoerasmuslife.net/english/apartments-for-rent/

TELEPHONE COMPANIES: Buying a telephone card can be very important!

Here it is an update of the costs, updated to November 2025

Best Value for High Data: Iliad

Iliad is often considered the best choice for budget-conscious students who need a lot of data. They are a major operator known for straightforward, low-cost plans with no hidden fees.

Key Plans/Data: Iliad consistently offers plans with massive data allowances, such as 150 GB to 300 GB per month for a very low price (often under €12 per month).
Cost: Extremely competitive, often the cheapest for the amount of data offered. Expect to pay a one-time activation/SIM fee of around €9.99.
EU Roaming: They typically include a generous amount of their national data for use within the EU (e.g., 20 GB to 30 GB, which is more than many competitors).
Coverage in Palermo/Sicily: Iliad's network is strong in major cities like Palermo, though it can occasionally be less consistent in very rural areas compared to TIM or Vodafone. They use a mix of their own network and the WindTre network.

🥈 Great Low-Cost Alternatives (MVNOs)

Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) are smaller companies that use the network infrastructure of the main providers (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre) but offer even cheaper, high-data-volume deals.

Company	Uses Network of	Typical Data Allowance	Monthly Price Range	Note
Very Mobile	WindTre	High data (e.g., 150 GB+)	Very low (€6 - €8)	Good for price/data ratio. Often has special offers for switching from certain carriers.
Kena Mobile	TIM	High data (e.g., 130 GB+)	Low (€8 - €10)	Uses the network with the best overall coverage in Italy (TIM), though speed may be capped on some plans.
Ho. Mobile	Vodafone	High data (e.g., 150 GB+)	Low (€7 - €10)	Uses Vodafone's network (known for speed), though speed may be capped on some plans.

These operators often offer the biggest data-per-euro ratio but may cap your maximum 4G speed. For most daily use (streaming, social media, studying), this speed is perfectly adequate.

🥉 Main Operators (Best Coverage/Speed): Vodafone & WindTre

If you plan to travel outside of Palermo frequently, or if speed is your absolute top priority, one of the main operators is a reliable choice.

WindTre: Generally has the best overall 4G/5G coverage and availability across Italy. They often have specific "Young" or "Under 30" plans that are very competitive, sometimes offering 100 GB+ of data.
Vodafone: Known for having some of the fastest data speeds, though their plans are often slightly more expensive than Iliad or the MVNOs for the same amount of data. They also frequently have specific student/youth plans with large data bundles.

Summary for an Erasmus Student in Palermo

For Maximum Data per Euro (Recommended for most Erasmus students): Iliad or an MVNO like Very Mobile or Ho. Mobile. You will get 150+ GB for under €10-€12/month.
For Best Coverage/Speed (If you travel often): WindTre or Vodafone. Look for their special youth/student plans, which provide good data allowances at a better price point.

Important Tips for Buying a SIM in Palermo

You Need Documentation: To purchase and activate a local Italian SIM card, you will need your Passport and your Codice Fiscale (Italian Tax Code). As an Erasmus student, you should apply for your Codice Fiscale upon arrival, as it's required for many things, including getting a long-term phone plan.
Activation Fee: All carriers charge a one-time activation/SIM card fee, usually between €5 and €15, in addition to the first month's plan cost.
Where to Buy: The easiest places are the official, branded stores for Iliad, Vodafone, WindTre, or TIM, which you can find in the city center of Palermo. They will handle the registration process for you. For MVNOs, you may need to buy online or at authorized dealers (look for smaller phone shops or certain electronics stores).

Would you like me to look up the exact addresses of the Iliad or WindTre stores near the University of Palermo?

INTERNATIONAL OFFICE: It’s important you go as soon as possible to the International office for the registration. Only with the registration you will be a real Erasmus student in Palermo.

The International Office at the University of Palermo (UniPa)

The International Office (often referred to as the International Relations Office or the Welcome Office for Erasmus students) at the University of Palermo is the central administrative hub for all incoming exchange students. It's the first and most important place you must visit to formally start your Erasmus experience in Sicily.

What is the International Office?

It is the University department responsible for managing international mobility programs, primarily Erasmus+. Think of it as the official gateway to the University of Palermo for any non-local student.

Location: The main International Student/Welcome Office is typically located on the University campus (Viale delle Scienze), often within Building 2 (Edificio 2) or Building 3, on the second floor. However, always check your official acceptance emails for the most up-to-date building number.
Key Services: They handle all the non-academic, formal paperwork required for your mobility.

Why is it Crucial to Visit Upon Arrival?

Visiting the office upon your arrival is the single most important administrative task you have. You must go as soon as possible for the following reasons:

Official Check-in/Registration: This is where you officially "check in" and activate your status as a UniPa student. You are not considered a "real" Erasmus student until this step is complete.
Attendance Certificate: They issue the Certificate of Arrival (or "Declaration of Arrival"). This is a vital document required by your home university to validate your mobility period and release your Erasmus grant payments.
Student Card/Access: Once registered, you gain access to various University facilities, such as the student canteens (mensa) for subsidized meals, libraries, and Wi-Fi.
Administrative Support: They provide guidance on other initial steps, such as registering for your Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code, essential for renting and opening a bank account) and, if you are a non-EU student, applying for your Permesso di Soggiorno (Residence Permit).

In short, no check-in, no Erasmus grant, no official student status.

⏰ Typical Timetable (Opening Hours)

The International Student/Welcome Office at UniPa typically maintains limited public hours. It is highly recommended to check the official UniPa website or your welcome email for confirmation, as hours can change, especially during holiday periods.

Day	Time (General Hours)
Monday	09:00 - 13:00
Tuesday	Closed or by appointment only
Wednesday	09:00 - 13:00
Thursday	Closed or by appointment only
Friday	09:00 - 13:00

MEETINGS AND PARTIES:

Expats Living in Palermo: The Local Immersion

This group is a fantastic resource for Erasmus students looking to meet either students or non-students (both locals and long-term foreigners) and participate in more varied activities than just parties.

Activity Type	Description	Frequency/Focus
Language Exchange Meetings (Tandem)	Casual meetings (often at a pub or café) designed for practicing different languages. You can practice Italian with locals and help others practice your native language.	Usually weekly (Wednesdays). These are excellent for integration.
Aperitivi and Social Gatherings	Weekly or bi-weekly evening meetups at bars, focused purely on socializing and getting to know the international community in a relaxed setting.	Weekly (often Fridays).
Trips and Excursions in Sicily	Organized day trips to iconic spots outside of Palermo that are often hard to reach without a car, such as: Agrigento (Valley of the Temples), Siracusa, Taormina, or Mount Etna, Favignana.	Monthly (especially on weekends).
Sports Events	Organizing simple, weekly social sport events like football (every tuesdays and thursdays), padel (every mondays), volleyball (sometimes on saturdays)	Weekly or bi-weekly. Contact the group administrator to join the international football community.
Cultural Events	Attending local events together, like the Opera dei Pupi (traditional Sicilian puppet theatre) or visiting unique historical sites with a group.	Occasional, depending on the local calendar.

How to find them: The primary hub for this community is their Facebook Page and Facebook Group (Search for "Expats Living in Palermo" or "Palermo Expats, Foreigners, Digital Nomads & International People").

Check the event calendar as well on the website:

https://palermoforexpats.com/events/