As early as the 2nd century BC, there is strong evidence for an Egyptian presence in Italy, in various professions including bankers, surgeons, actors, musicians, fortune tellers, soldiers, slaves, and the like.

[7] Many Egyptians are employed in food-related industries, and in Milan have come to dominate traditionally Italian trades such as pizza and other baked products.

[7] Other Egyptian businesses in Milan include coffee shops, restaurants, and halal butchers.

Egyptian migrants increasingly prefer their children to maintain religious endogamy, especially in the case of their daughters.

[2] It was estimated in 2011 that there were also 20,000 to 25,000 Coptic Christians in Italy, heavily concentrated in the Milan metropolitan area.