Campione d'Italia - Campione d’Italia

Campione d'Italia is a small place in Italy.

background

Campione d'Italia (Campione for short) is located on the eastern shore of Lake Lugano and is completely surrounded by the Swiss canton of Ticino; it is therefore an Italian exclave.

Until the end of 2019, Campione had very generous special rights. The place did not belong to the customs area of ​​the European Union, but also not to the Swiss customs area. The place thus became a tax haven and, together with the scenic location, a popular residence for the celebrities of the world, who had to pay almost no taxes here. Campione lived almost exclusively from the income of the local casino, which benefited from the comparatively liberal legislation and the high purchasing power of the population.

When the exchange rate of the Swiss franc to the euro was released in 2015 and the franc then appreciated sharply, the casino got into massive difficulties and had to file for bankruptcy. The place was on the verge of the abyss and had to give up its special rights in order to be able to service the debts to the Swiss canton of Ticino (which took on numerous tasks such as vehicle registration, driver's license, garbage collection, water and telephone supply). Campione has been a fully fledged part of the EU customs territory since 2020; Travelers from Italy to Campione have to go through customs twice, goods also have to be taxed twice. This led to a massive economic crisis in the place; it remains to be seen whether the place will recover from this or whether Campione will develop into a ghost town.

getting there

By plane

By train

The nearest train station is in Melide, from there the post bus goes to Campione.

By bus

In the street

Campione is just across a dead end from Bissone to reach. The place is about that to be reached quite quickly.

By boat

Campione has a ferry dock on Lake Lugano.

mobility

The place is quite small and easy to traverse on foot.

Tourist Attractions

activities

shop

kitchen

nightlife

accommodation

health

Practical advice

trips

literature

Web links

http://www.comune.campione-d-italia.co.it/ - Official website of Campione d'Italia