Refuelling a Car in Italy
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By Dion Protani
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Latest update: 20 October 2023
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Surely there's no need for a big explanation on refuelling a car in Italy - it's really rather straightforward isn't it?
Well yes, it should be but often isn't! Whichever country you live in, be it the United States, the United Kingdom or anywhere else, you'll be used to filling up your car at home and probably wouldn't think it works differently abroad. While that thought pattern is accurate for the most part, there are certain idiosyncrasies to the whole process in Italy that can catch you out from time to time if you're not prepared for them. So let's have a look at some of the subtleties of Italian petrol stations. |
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There are a number of things that happen or don't happen at Italian gas stations that can sometimes leave you scratching your head or in a state of frustration but much of this can be avoided once you understand the general processes.
Self or Servito?
The traditional Italian petrol station will offer two ways of filling up your car: either you'll do it yourself or the petrol pump attendant will do it for you. You may have worked out already that self is the do it yourself option so of course, servito is the alternative where you get served by an employee of the gas station.
So if there's an attendant that will provide the service for you, why on earth would you want to do it yourself? The simple answer to that, is to save money. There are two tariffs which are usually displayed by the pumps: there's one price (per litre) for self, and another for servito which is generally more expensive.
It's a work of folly to offer precise figures between one and the other because they differ from region to region and from one petrol station brand to another. Suffice to say though, that the simple effort of filling the car up yourself is worth it unless you have a really good reason to not want to do it, such as it's too cold or raining for example.
The traditional Italian petrol station will offer two ways of filling up your car: either you'll do it yourself or the petrol pump attendant will do it for you. You may have worked out already that self is the do it yourself option so of course, servito is the alternative where you get served by an employee of the gas station.
So if there's an attendant that will provide the service for you, why on earth would you want to do it yourself? The simple answer to that, is to save money. There are two tariffs which are usually displayed by the pumps: there's one price (per litre) for self, and another for servito which is generally more expensive.
It's a work of folly to offer precise figures between one and the other because they differ from region to region and from one petrol station brand to another. Suffice to say though, that the simple effort of filling the car up yourself is worth it unless you have a really good reason to not want to do it, such as it's too cold or raining for example.
How does Servito work?
As you're paying a little bit extra, this should be considered as the luxury option. In theory, you pull into the bay next to the appropriate pump and an attendant comes over to you. You wind down your window and tell him or her how much fuel you want: you can do this either by stating an amount of money that you'd like to spend such as "ten Euros", or ask for the tank to be filled by saying: "pieno per favore" which means literally "full please".
Do you need to tip the gas station attendant?
The simple answer is no; remember, you're paying extra for this service and this is a different situation from say being in a restaurant or a taxi. Sometimes the attendants will be extra helpful and give your windscreen a clean but this is part of the service you're paying for, there's absolutely no obligation to provide a gratuity even if this happens.
As you're paying a little bit extra, this should be considered as the luxury option. In theory, you pull into the bay next to the appropriate pump and an attendant comes over to you. You wind down your window and tell him or her how much fuel you want: you can do this either by stating an amount of money that you'd like to spend such as "ten Euros", or ask for the tank to be filled by saying: "pieno per favore" which means literally "full please".
Do you need to tip the gas station attendant?
The simple answer is no; remember, you're paying extra for this service and this is a different situation from say being in a restaurant or a taxi. Sometimes the attendants will be extra helpful and give your windscreen a clean but this is part of the service you're paying for, there's absolutely no obligation to provide a gratuity even if this happens.
How does Self service work?
So you've decided you're going to fill up the car yourself. You've pulled into the Self bay, not the Servito one where you have to pay a little bit more. There's no hard and fast rule for what happens next because it depends on the payment systems offered by the garage. If the garage is closed for example, there'll be no Servito guy around anyway and you'll need to use the payment machine first before you can start filling up.
Again I'll use the phrase "in theory", to say that bank or credit cards are widely accepted. They are the preferred option when they do work because it can be a bit tricky entering a bank note into the machines at times. You might have it the wrong way around or it might be the older/newer version of that particular denomination.
If the card option doesn't work then you're only other alternative is to pay cash if the petrol station is closed. If it's open, you can sometimes start filling up and then go to pay at the booth (the method that most countries employ), or pay at the machine and then fill up.
So you've decided you're going to fill up the car yourself. You've pulled into the Self bay, not the Servito one where you have to pay a little bit more. There's no hard and fast rule for what happens next because it depends on the payment systems offered by the garage. If the garage is closed for example, there'll be no Servito guy around anyway and you'll need to use the payment machine first before you can start filling up.
Again I'll use the phrase "in theory", to say that bank or credit cards are widely accepted. They are the preferred option when they do work because it can be a bit tricky entering a bank note into the machines at times. You might have it the wrong way around or it might be the older/newer version of that particular denomination.
If the card option doesn't work then you're only other alternative is to pay cash if the petrol station is closed. If it's open, you can sometimes start filling up and then go to pay at the booth (the method that most countries employ), or pay at the machine and then fill up.
Confusing moments
The occasions when you really start to scratch your head are when you've chosen the Self option and the attendant comes over to help anyway, or you've chosen the Servito option and there's nobody to be seen and you end up having to drive across to another pump!
As to why an attendant should come over when you've opted for the Self bay, we can only speculate. It's worth bearing in mind though there are usually two types of petrol available: the basic unleaded and a more expensive version which is supposedly better for your engine, even if not for your wallet!
That said, it's often the case that you've already started filling with the standard unleaded and the attendant comes over, brushes you to the side and just continues with the same pump you were using yourself. It's worth noting that in the instances when the attendant fills up your car, it gets filled that little bit more. Most people stop when the pump hits the limiter but the stations attendants in Italy tend to keep going a little further in order that you spend a bit more with them.
The occasions when you really start to scratch your head are when you've chosen the Self option and the attendant comes over to help anyway, or you've chosen the Servito option and there's nobody to be seen and you end up having to drive across to another pump!
As to why an attendant should come over when you've opted for the Self bay, we can only speculate. It's worth bearing in mind though there are usually two types of petrol available: the basic unleaded and a more expensive version which is supposedly better for your engine, even if not for your wallet!
That said, it's often the case that you've already started filling with the standard unleaded and the attendant comes over, brushes you to the side and just continues with the same pump you were using yourself. It's worth noting that in the instances when the attendant fills up your car, it gets filled that little bit more. Most people stop when the pump hits the limiter but the stations attendants in Italy tend to keep going a little further in order that you spend a bit more with them.
Motorway service station vs regular station
If at all possible, try to limit the amount of fuel you purchase on motorway service stations as the prices are significantly higher. Depending on the type of car you have, you may find you've paid an extra €20 to fill up compared to when you did so away from the motorway.
If at all possible, try to limit the amount of fuel you purchase on motorway service stations as the prices are significantly higher. Depending on the type of car you have, you may find you've paid an extra €20 to fill up compared to when you did so away from the motorway.
Petrol station shops and facilities
The more modern gas stations will have a well-stocked shop where you can buy groceries and quite often a bar next door where you can grab a coffee. The motorway service stations are for the most part very well equipped with restaurants, good toilet facilities, bars, shops and rest areas.
Older or smaller petrol stations away from the large metropolitan areas don't always have a shop where you can buy refreshments but even in those cases, there are often bars on-site where you can grab a coffee.
The more modern gas stations will have a well-stocked shop where you can buy groceries and quite often a bar next door where you can grab a coffee. The motorway service stations are for the most part very well equipped with restaurants, good toilet facilities, bars, shops and rest areas.
Older or smaller petrol stations away from the large metropolitan areas don't always have a shop where you can buy refreshments but even in those cases, there are often bars on-site where you can grab a coffee.
