Living in Italy is comparable to those in major metropolitan areas in the United States. Move-in costs are very high as well. Additional moving fees may be incurred when leasing privately. Car insurance is very expensive. For DA Civilians, the Tax Law of 2018, taxes all your travel, household goods, and car shipping expenses.
Passport and Visa Requirement
It is absolutely essential that you obtain a visa for each of your Family members prior to leaving your current assignment. It is a mandatory requirement and failure to complete this action will subject your family to risk of deportation. It is highly recommended that each driver has a valid U.S. Driver's License and International Driver's License prior to arriving in Italy. It is highly recommended that all family members and Service Members have a Tourist Passport for leisure travel.
Defense Service Network Dialing Instructions:
The DSN is the provider of long-distance communications service for the Department of Defense. Every installation has a special DSN number and the numbers vary by world-wide location. In order to place a call using DSN, the caller must be using a military phone on an installation. Cell phones cannot dial DSN numbers. When dialing a DSN number from a United States installation to another United States installation, it is unnecessary to dial the DSN 312 area code. When dialing a DSN number to/from overseas locations, the DSN area code must be included. The operator can be reached at commercial 719-567-1110. Please note that long distance charges may be incurred. To dial a local DSN number from a cell phone at:
Camp Darby use 050-54-(last 4 of DSN)
Vicenza use 0444-71-(last 4 of DSN)
It is prohibited to ship or transport weapons to Italy. Do not ship major American appliances, as they don't work correctly with Italian 220 Volt current. The Housing Division provides major appliances for service members and DOD Civilians for the duration of the tour.
It is essential that you obtain a Visa for each of your family members prior to leaving your current assignment. The "Missione" Visa is issued by Italian Consulates outside of Italy only and under no circumstances will be issued in Italy. This requirement is mandatory. Without it, your family members may not remain legally in Italy for more than 90 days and may have to return to your home of record at your own expense.
USAG Italy DMC integrates and delivers base support (infrastructure and services) to enable readiness and power projection for USAREUR-AF and SETAF-AF.
In June 1951, the United States and Italy concluded negotiations to establish a line of communication and supply through Italy, in support of U.S. troops stationed in Austria. The military complex was formally dedicated to become a permanent U.S. Army facility on November 15, 1952. It was named Camp Darby in memory of Brigadier General William O. Darby, Assistant Division Commander of the 10th Mountain Division, who was killed in action on April 30, 1945, near Trento, Italy. Since its establishment, Camp Darby has served successively as the 7656th Logistical Command, the 7617th U.S. Forces Austria Support Command, USA Logistical Command, 8th Support Group, Area Support Team - Livorno, the United States Army Garrison Livorno and currently USAG Italy, Darby Military Community.
Darby Military Community is an Army Installation with Army, Air Force, DOD Civilians, Contractors, Retirees, Family members, and Host Nation Employees. The total population currently stands at approximately 1,252.
Livorno: 158,916
Pisa: 90,488
Darby Military Community is an Army Installation with Army, Air Force, DOD Civilians, Non-Appropriated Fund (NAF) Employees, Contractors, Retirees and Family Members.
Darby Military Community, USAG Italy is a small, remote installation located in the Tuscan region of central Italy situated between the cities of Livorno and Pisa. Camp Darby is a 10-minute drive from Pisa, home of the famous Leaning Tower. Camp Darby is 60 miles (a one hour train or car ride) from the city of Florence, home to the world-famous Uffizi Gallery and Michelangelo's masterpiece, the statue of David.
Darby Military Community is 3.5 hours from USAG Italy, Vicenza and 4.5 hours to Aviano Air Force Base.
Darby Military Community is located approximately 6 miles from the Pisa International Airport.
If traveling on a commercial carrier, you should arrive at the Galileo Galilei International Airport in Pisa. Flights originating from the United States will not fly non-stop to Pisa, therefore it is not uncommon for flight delays; unless you speak Italian, you will want to be met at the airport by your sponsor. Keep phone numbers handy so you can update your sponsor if changes are made at the last moment or while in transit. Your sponsor can make arrangements to meet your plane and provide transportation.
Army Active Duty Soldiers and family may have orders for Darby Military Community via Vicenza, in that case, the airport is Marco Polo, Venice. Transportation from Marco Polo to USAG Vicenza is provided by a daily shuttle bus.
If you are driving from the airport (rental cars are available, but are not reimbursable in PCS status), exit the airport to the right. Follow the indication for Aurelia (blue sign) and Autostrada (green sign). Once in that direction, exit at the Camp Darby exit and follow the road for approximately 4 miles until you come to the gate that will be on your right. You will have to show identification at the gate for entrance.
If not met by a sponsor, the First Sergeant or Commander of your organization will be notified and will be responsible to see that you are accommodated. We recommend printing the following section and carrying it with you.
If Your Sponsor Does Not Meet You or You Arrive after Duty Hours
If this should happen there are several options.
We would recommend calling the Desk Sergeant at the Military Police Station at 011-39-050-54-7510 (from a cell phone). The Desk Sergeant will alert someone in your unit that you are waiting. This is a commercial number that can be dialed from an Italian pay phone or your cell phone. There are Italian pay phones located in the Arrival Section of the Airport. These are round silver phones that take an Italian phone card. The phone cards are sold next to the telephone. They will have a corner with a perforated edge that must be removed prior to use. There is also a change "Cambio" booth in the airport that can be used to exchange some dollars for Euro also an ATM.
There is also a Taxi service available from the Pisa Airport and although the cost is a PCS reimbursable expense, you will have to pay the driver initially out of your own pocket. The cost could be as high as 35 Euro (40.00 dollars). When you arrive at the installation gate, the cab will not be allowed entrance and you will have to walk to your lodging. Should arrival be after normal duty hours, there are special procedures to follow. Please stay in contact with your sponsor.
There is no base transportation (shuttles) provided on or off base. Local buses do not stop at the gate. Taxis can be called, but they cannot come on post (you will meet them outside the gate).
Taxi Services:
Radio Taxi- 050.54.1600
Eurotaxi- 050.55.5339
Calling from:
United States: 011-49-611-1435921140 or 011-49-9641715921140
DSN: 314-633-1110
Release 2023.08.17.1