Italy – Visas
Italy forms part of the Schengen Area, which means nationals of many countries may enter without a visa…
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Your life in Italy starts here
Make your move to Italy
The scenery, food and pace of Italian life come with strong healthcare and famously generous tax incentives, including a favourable regime for pensioners. A dedicated route suits those with means and no need to work.
Italy at a glance
Cost of living
Moderate
Property
Moderate
Healthcare
Strong
Safety
Very safe
Climate
Warm (~16°C)
English
Moderate
Expat community
Established
Where Italy is strongest: safety #11 of 78healthcare #20 of 78visa ease #31 of 81
Worth weighing up: English-friendliness #57 of 81property affordability #50 of 75cost of living #51 of 77
TaxWorldwide; flat-tax & 7% pensioner regimes
Visa / residencyElective-residence visa (~€31k/yr)
General information to compare destinations, not personal financial, tax or immigration advice.
Health insurance in Italy
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Your first steps to Italy
Italy – Residency
Non-EU nationals who wish to establish residency in Italy must follow a two-stage process: securing a long-stay national…
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Fresh from Italy
Latest articles
Why Milan Is Becoming A Magnet For Wealthy Expats
Milan is reinventing itself as Europe’s new expat hotspot, blending tax perks with la dolce vita.
Read more →Staying Well In Italy: Health Tips For Expat Families
Discover how expat families can access Italy’s healthcare system, combine public and private care, and embrace a lifestyle…
Read more →Is It Safe To Do Business In Italy? Navigating Crime, Corruption & Opportunity
Is it safe to do business in Italy? Explore crime, corruption, bureaucracy, and the opportunities awaiting expat entrepreneurs…
Read more →You won’t be the first
Real people who made the move
Audra De Falco, Catania, Italy
From navigating Italy’s legendary bureaucracy to discovering the power of language, community, and citizenship by descent, Audra De…
Read more →Stefanie Reilly, Salento, Italy
From Melbourne to southern Italy at 40, Stefanie shares why embracing uncertainty changed her life.
Read more →Rachel Gilbert, Lake Como, Italy
Who are you? I’m Rachel, originally from the UK and now living on Lake Como in Italy. I’m…
Read more →Ben and Estel, Molise, Italy
Who are you? We are a Belgian couple, Ben and Estel (46 and 42 years young), who share…
Read more →Caterina, Italy
Who are you? My name is Caterina, and I’m a 61-year-old who still thinks she’s 30. Where, when…
Read more →Zach Stafford, Milan
Who are you? My name is Zach. I am a financial advisor based in Milan, Italy. I am…
Read more →Hear it first hand
The Expat Focus Podcast on Italy
The complete picture
Italy moving guide
Italy – Air Travel
Italy boasts a mature and extensive aviation infrastructure, with approximately 37 airports distributed throughout the country and robust…
Read more →Italy – Animal Welfare and Cultural Issues
Italy is a country with a genuine affection for animals, where pets — dogs and cats above all…
Read more →Italy – Banking
Italy’s banking sector is mature and well-established, anchored by a handful of dominant domestic institutions, a rapidly expanding…
Read more →Italy – Buses and Trams
Italy’s bus and tram infrastructure is a mosaic of municipally operated urban networks, regional services, and competitive long-distance…
Read more →Italy – Buying or Importing a Car
Purchasing or importing a car in Italy is entirely possible for foreign nationals, but the process involves considerably…
Read more →Italy – Buying Property
Foreign nationals are broadly permitted to purchase real estate in Italy, though non-EU buyers must satisfy the principle…
Read more →Italy – Car Rental
Hiring a car in Italy is a manageable process as long as you gather the necessary paperwork beforehand.…
Read more →Italy – Citizenship
Italy provides multiple routes to citizenship, encompassing naturalisation through residency, citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis), and citizenship through…
Read more →Italy – Complementary and Alternative Medicine
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) — referred to in Italy as medicine non convenzionali (MNC) — is deeply…
Read more →Italy – Cost of Living
Italy’s cost of living tends to be more modest than that of comparable Western nations such as Germany,…
Read more →Italy – Cycling
Cycling holds a distinctive place in Italian life — shaped by the legendary racing traditions of the Giro…
Read more →Italy – Dentists and Dental Treatment
Italy’s dental care landscape is overwhelmingly private in nature. Although the national health service (SSN) does provide emergency…
Read more →Need an international mover?
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