Daily life
Codice fiscale
KO-dee-cheh fees-KA-leh
Your Italian tax code — free, same-day, and required before a lease, a bank account, a SIM or a doctor.
Permesso di soggiorno
per-MES-so dee sod-JOR-no
The residence permit. Non-EU arrivals file for it within eight working days of entry, on paper, at a post office.
Caruggi
ka-ROOD-jee
The alleys of the old town, in Genoese. Some are a metre wide, most never see the sun, and together they form one of Europe's largest medieval centres.
Creuza
KROY-tsa
A narrow walled lane climbing the hills between garden walls. Half of Genoa's geography is vertical and the creuze are how you cross it on foot.
Ascensore pubblico
ash-en-SO-reh POOB-blee-ko
A public lift. Genoa's are part of the transport network and take the ordinary AMT ticket, alongside the funiculars and the metro.
Contratto registrato
kon-TRAT-to reh-jees-TRA-to
A lease registered with the tax authority within 30 days. Without it you cannot register residence, and without residence almost nothing official works.
Emergency
Allerta arancione
al-LER-ta a-ran-CHO-neh
Orange weather alert. Issued by Regione Liguria and ARPAL — schools, parks and markets can close, and it happens several times a year here.
Social
Belin
beh-LEEN
The Genoese all-purpose exclamation — vulgar in origin, now applied to surprise, annoyance, admiration and punctuation. You will hear it hourly.
Mugugno
moo-GOON-yo
The Genoese art of grumbling while getting on with it. Locals describe it as a civic characteristic, and they are not entirely joking.
Food
Focaccia col formaggio
fo-KAT-cha kol for-MAD-jo
The Recco version — two paper-thin sheets with stracchino between. Different from ordinary focaccia genovese, and an argument if you confuse them.
Pesto genovese
PES-to jeh-no-VEH-zeh
Made with the DOP basil grown on the terraces at Prà. Ordering it outside Liguria and ordering it here are different experiences.
Health
ASL 3
AH-zel treh
The local health authority for Genoa. Liguria numbers its ASLs one to five; you register with ASL 3 Genovese at the district covering your address.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.