Living in Lecce: the ultimate expat guide

The job market in Lecce reflects the economic realities of southern Italy, where opportunities differ significantly from the industrial north. Understanding these dynamics helps expats set realistic expectations and identify viable career paths. Remote work has opened new possibilities for those who can bring their employment with them.

Key Employment Sectors

The local economy centers on tourism, agriculture, and services. The hospitality industry expands dramatically during summer months, creating seasonal positions in hotels, restaurants, and tour operations. Olive oil and wine production represent major agricultural industries, with Puglia producing approximately 40% of Italy's olive oil. The University of Salento provides academic positions and research opportunities. The ceramics and papier-mâché craftsmanship industries, though smaller, maintain centuries-old traditions. For foreign professionals, teaching English remains a consistent opportunity, particularly in language schools and private tutoring.

Employment Data

The table below summarizes key employment indicators for the Lecce province. Note that unemployment runs higher than the national average, reflecting broader challenges across southern Italy.

Sources: INPS, ISTAT 2024

Work Permits for Non-EU Citizens

Non-EU nationals require a work visa (visto per lavoro) before arriving in Italy. The employer typically initiates the process by obtaining authorization from the local immigration office (Sportello Unico per l'Immigrazione). EU citizens can work freely but must register with local authorities after three months. Many expats in Lecce work remotely for companies abroad, though this requires appropriate visa status—Italy's Digital Nomad Visa, introduced in 2024, may suit some professionals.

Lecce hosts one of southern Italy's most dynamic universities, making it an attractive destination for international students seeking quality education at affordable prices. The academic environment brings cultural diversity and youthful energy to this historic city.

University of Salento (Università del Salento)

Founded in 1955, the University of Salento serves approximately 18,000 students across eight departments. The university ranks within the top 1001-1200 globally in the QS World University Rankings 2026 and holds strong regional recognition, particularly in humanities, engineering, and sciences. The campus spreads across several locations in Lecce, with the main administrative center at Piazza Tancredi.

Programs and Faculties

The university offers 32 Bachelor's degree programs and 34 Master's degree programs, including 9 international courses taught in English. Key departments include:

1. Engineering for Innovation
2. Biological and Environmental Sciences
3. Cultural Heritage and Archaeology
4. Managerial Sciences and Economics
5. Law Studies
6. Mathematics and Physics

The ISUFI (Higher Institute of University Formation Interdisciplinary) provides advanced training programs for high-achieving students.

Tuition and Admission

Tuition fees at the University of Salento are remarkably affordable compared to institutions in the UK, US, or northern Europe. Annual fees typically range from EUR 1,000 to EUR 1,500, calculated based on family income (ISEE declaration). International students follow specific enrollment procedures through the university's International Relations Office, which also assists with visa documentation, accommodation, and orientation. Italian language courses are available for non-Italian speakers.

Sources: University of Salento International, QS World University Rankings

Lecce has emerged as an attractive retirement destination for those seeking authentic Italian life without the crowds and costs of more famous cities. The mild climate, affordable living, excellent healthcare, and welcoming community make it particularly appealing to retirees from around the world.

Why Retirees Choose Lecce

The combination of factors draws retirees to Puglia's cultural capital:

1. Cost efficiency: A couple can live comfortably on EUR 1,800–2,200 per month, including rent.
2. Healthcare quality: Italy's public health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) ranks among the world's best.
3. Climate: Mild winters and warm, sunny summers with over 300 days of sunshine annually.
4. Pace of life: Relaxed rhythms suited to enjoying daily pleasures.
5. Community: A small but supportive expat network alongside friendly local residents.

Visa Options for Retirees

Non-EU retirees typically apply for Italy's Elective Residence Visa (Residenza Elettiva), designed for financially independent individuals who will not work in Italy. Key requirements include:

Sources: Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Pathway to Residency

The Elective Residence Visa grants an initial one-year permit, renewable annually. After five years of continuous residency, holders may apply for permanent residency. Italian citizenship becomes available after ten years of legal residence, requiring Italian language proficiency (B1 level). Retirees spending more than 183 days per year in Italy become tax residents—some may benefit from the 7% flat tax rate on foreign income available in designated southern Italian regions, including Puglia.

Families relocating to Lecce will find a well-established public education system alongside limited but growing private options. While international schools are scarce in this part of Italy, the Italian school system offers quality education and excellent opportunities for children to integrate into local culture.

The Italian School System

Compulsory education in Italy runs from ages 6 to 16. The system divides into:

1. Scuola dell'Infanzia (Preschool): Ages 3-6, optional
2. Scuola Primaria (Primary School): Ages 6-11, five years
3. Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (Middle School): Ages 11-14, three years
4. Scuola Secondaria di Secondo Grado (High School): Ages 14-19, five years

Public schools are free for residents, with families paying only for books and supplies. The academic year runs from September to June.

International and Private Options

Unlike Rome or Milan, Lecce does not have established British or American international schools. Families seeking English-language education typically consider:

1. Private bilingual schools in Lecce offering enhanced English instruction
2. International schools in Bari (approximately 1.5 hours away)
3. Online international schooling combined with local activities

Private preschool and kindergarten fees in Lecce average EUR 250–800 per month. For families committed to international curricula, annual tuition at schools in larger Italian cities ranges from EUR 10,000 to EUR 25,000.

Enrollment Process

To enroll children in public schools, families must register with the local Comune (municipality) and provide residence documentation, health records, and previous school transcripts (translated into Italian). The school administration office (segreteria) guides families through the process. Many expat children adapt quickly, often becoming fluent in Italian within one to two years.

Sources: Italian Ministry of Education (MIUR), Numbeo 2025

Finding accommodation in Lecce proves considerably easier and more affordable than in Italy's northern cities. The rental market offers everything from restored historic apartments in the centro storico to modern units in residential neighborhoods. Property prices have risen in recent years but remain accessible compared to the national average.

Neighborhoods for Expats

Centro Storico (Historic Center): The heart of Lecce offers stunning Baroque surroundings, pedestrianized streets, and proximity to restaurants, shops, and cultural sites. Apartments here tend to be older with character but may lack modern amenities. Rents run higher than outer neighborhoods.

San Lazzaro and Salesiani: Popular residential areas just outside the historic walls. These neighborhoods offer a mix of apartment buildings and houses, good local services, and easier parking. Many young families settle here.

Leuca and Santa Rosa: Quieter residential zones with newer construction. These areas suit families seeking more space and a suburban feel while remaining connected to the city center.

Rental Prices

The table below shows average monthly rental costs in Lecce as of 2025:

Sources: Numbeo 2025, Idealista

Renting Process

Most rentals require a standard Italian lease contract (contratto di locazione), typically lasting 4+4 years for residential purposes. Landlords usually request a security deposit of 2-3 months' rent plus the first month in advance. Property prices for purchase average approximately EUR 1,400 per square meter in the city center.

Lecce rewards curious residents with endless opportunities for cultural exploration, outdoor activities, and social experiences. The city's Baroque heritage provides a stunning backdrop for daily life, while proximity to the sea opens up summer possibilities that few Italian cities can match.

Museums and Cultural Sites

History unfolds at every corner in Lecce. Must-visit attractions include:

1. Basilica di Santa Croce: The masterpiece of Lecce Baroque, featuring an elaborately carved facade with mythical creatures and intricate floral designs.
2. Roman Amphitheatre: A 2nd-century arena in Piazza Sant'Oronzo that once seated 25,000 spectators.
3. Museo Faggiano: A private home-turned-museum revealing 2,500 years of history discovered during plumbing renovations.
4. Museo Sigismondo Castromediano: Puglia's oldest public museum, showcasing Greek and Roman artifacts (free entry).
5. Castello Carlo V: A 16th-century fortress housing exhibitions and the unique Papier-Mâché Museum.

Parks and Outdoor Activities

Villa Comunale (Giuseppe Garibaldi Public Garden) offers green space for walking, relaxing, and people-watching in the city center. The surrounding Salento region provides endless outdoor opportunities: cycling through olive groves, hiking coastal paths, and exploring nature reserves like Porto Selvaggio. Beaches at San Cataldo and Torre Chianca lie just 15 minutes from the city.

Nightlife and Entertainment

Evening life centers around Piazza Sant'Oronzo and the surrounding streets, where cafés, wine bars, and restaurants fill with locals and visitors. The cultural center Manifatture Knos, housed in a former industrial space, hosts contemporary art exhibitions, concerts, and performances. U.S. Lecce football club competes in Serie A, with home matches at the Stadio Via del Mare (capacity 31,500) drawing passionate crowds.

Food and Cooking

Puglian cuisine shines in Lecce. Local specialties include orecchiette pasta, pasticciotto leccese (custard-filled pastry), and dishes featuring the region's renowned olive oil. Cooking classes teaching traditional recipes have become popular with residents and visitors alike. The weekly markets offer fresh produce, local cheese, and seasonal ingredients.

Sources: TripAdvisor, Wikivoyage

Daily life in Lecce follows the rhythms typical of southern Italy—mornings at the market, long lunches, a quiet afternoon riposo, and lively evenings in the piazzas. The compact historic center makes walking the primary mode of transport, while the city's infrastructure continues to improve for residents.

Public Transportation

SGM (Società Gestione Multipla) operates Lecce's urban bus network, covering approximately 183 kilometers of routes across the city and surrounding areas. The fleet includes around 46 buses and 12 trolleybuses, with many vehicles featuring air conditioning and accessibility features. Key information:

1. Single ticket: EUR 1.00–1.20
2. Monthly pass: EUR 35
3. Operating hours: 6:00 AM to 10:30 PM (extended to midnight on Saturdays)

Bus routes connect the historic center with residential neighborhoods, the train station (Lecce Centrale), and the hospital. The centro storico is largely pedestrianized, with buses circulating around its perimeter. For regional travel, STP buses connect Lecce to coastal towns like Otranto, Gallipoli, and Santa Maria di Leuca. The Salento in Bus summer service (June-September) provides direct connections to beaches.

Getting to Airports

Brindisi Airport lies approximately 40 kilometers north of Lecce, with bus connections from Lecce City Terminal. Bari Airport, about 150 kilometers away, offers more international routes. Car rental agencies operate in both airports and in Lecce.

Local Lifestyle

Lecce operates on Italian time. Shops typically close between 1:00 PM and 5:00 PM for lunch. The evening passeggiata—the traditional stroll through town—fills Piazza Sant'Oronzo and surrounding streets as residents socialize before dinner. Weekly markets sell fresh produce, cheese, and local specialties. Learning basic Italian dramatically improves daily interactions, though younger residents often speak some English.

Sources: SGM Lecce, Wikivoyage

One of Lecce's greatest appeals is its affordability. Living costs run substantially lower than in northern Italy or other Western European cities, allowing residents to enjoy a high quality of life without excessive expenditure. The tables below provide realistic monthly budgets based on current data.

Monthly Budget: Single Person

Monthly Budget: Family of Four

Sources: Numbeo 2025, LivingCost.org

Everyday Prices

A meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs around EUR 15, while a three-course dinner for two at a mid-range establishment runs approximately EUR 60. A cappuccino costs about EUR 1.70, and a local beer at a bar averages EUR 4. Groceries remain affordable, with fresh produce available at weekly markets at competitive prices.