Moving to Italy is a dream for many as the country offers warm weather, beautiful natural landscapes, and unparalleled cultural and culinary heritage.
Before upping sticks however, there are a number of things you need to do.
Check your residency rights
If you plan to stay in Italy for a period of more than 90 days and do not have citizenship of a country covered by EU freedom of movement rules, you will need a visa, and the type you'll need to apply for depends on the reason why you’re moving to the country (study, work, retirement or family reasons).
Staying in Italy for a period of over 90 days without a valid visto could land you in serious legal trouble.
Whichever type of visa you need, you should apply for it at the Italian embassy or consulate in your home country before you leave. Bear in mind that the process can take a while, which is why it’s advisable to ask your consulate for an idea of the required timeframe and then start as early as you can.
It’s also worth noting that your visa isn’t the only permission you’ll need if you want to live in Italy as after entering the country you’ll have eight days to apply for a residency permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local police headquarters.
Decide where you want to live
Where you decide to move largely depends on your personal needs and tastes.
If you enjoy the hustle and bustle of a big city and are looking for an area with lots of native English speakers, then Milan, in the northern Lombardy region, or Italy’s capital Rome may be the right fit.
READ ALSO: RANKED: The 'best and worst' Italian cities to live in
It should be noted however that the advantages of living in a large metropolitan area come at a price as Milan and Rome are among the most expensive Italian cities to live in.
But if you’re looking for quieter surroundings and pristine natural landscapes, Italy offers a unique mix of rolling hills, forests, mountains, lakes and seaside locations.
This means that, whatever you’re looking for, you’ll be spoilt for choice – but you’ll need to do some research to find the place (and part of the country) that best suits your needs.
Are you going to rent or buy?
This of course depends on your personal circumstances, but most people tend to recommend renting for a period before purchasing a house after you first move to Italy.
Renting can turn out to be a better call, especially if you're not sure about your long-term plans or if you want to stay in the country – or in that particular place – forever.
And though most people aim to own their own home eventually, some are put off by the taxes and charges involved in buying property in Italy, or find they struggle to meet the requirements for getting a mortgage as a foreigner.
That said, finding a place to rent in the long term can also be a daunting task, especially in cities where demand is high all year round such as Rome, Milan and Florence.
Consider your healthcare options
If you’re planning on moving to Italy as a non-EU national, it’s strongly advisable that you consider your health coverage options well in advance, not least because adequate healthcare cover is one of the conditions to get your residency permit.
While a temporary private health plan is often the only solution available to new foreign residents as they await their residency permits, permit holders have two options: either register with the country's national health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, SSN) or take out a private healthcare policy.
READ ALSO: SSN: Who can register for national healthcare in Italy?
If you fall into the category of foreign residents that are eligible for 'mandatory registration’ (iscrizione obbligatoria), you can register with the SSN for free. If you don't, you can still register with the system on a 'voluntary' basis (iscrizione volontaria) - but will have to pay a fee, whose minimum amount rose to €2000 in 2024.
Familiarise yourself with the Italian tax system
Under Italian law, anyone who’s considered a resident for tax purposes is required to file and pay taxes in Italy.
As Italy’s tax office explains, you’ll be considered a tax resident in Italy if, for at least 183 days a year, you are registered with Italy’s Anagrafe registry or have your place of “residence or habitual residence” in Italy.
As an Italian tax resident you’ll be required to declare your global income, i.e. income generated not just in Italy but anywhere in the world (foreign pensions, foreign rental income, etc.).
READ ALSO: How does Italy decide if I'm a tax resident in the country?
This however doesn’t necessarily mean you will have to pay tax on it: Italy has dual taxation agreements with most countries, including the UK and US, meaning that if you have already paid tax on your income in another country, you won't be taxed on it again – though you’ll still have to tell the Italian taxman about it.
Consider your banking situation
If you’re planning on moving to Italy, opening an Italian bank account will be one of the very first things you’ll have to do in the country.
Non-EU accounts (especially from outside the eurozone) are unlikely to cut it for everyday tasks like paying bills and taxes, receiving an Italian salary and taking out insurance, as many Italian authorities require an account with an Italian IBAN number for these purposes.
Italy has a large number of banks to choose from, ranging from traditional Italian institutions to a host of online-only operators, but scarce online information on the required documentation and a swarm of different offers can make it hard to find the right option.
Will you be able to use your driving licence in Italy?
Barring big cities and popular tourist hotspots, public transport in Italy can be very limited, especially in rural areas.
If you plan on living in the countryside, you are probably going to need a car. To do this, you will of course need a driving licence.
If you hold a driving licence issued by another EU member state, you can drive on your EU licence until it expires. After that, you’ll have to convert it to an Italian one (this will be a simple exchange).
But if you hold a driving licence from a non-EU country, you can drive in Italy for a maximum of one year from obtaining legal residency. After that, you'll need to exchange it for an Italian licence (this is only possible if your home country has a reciprocal agreement in place with Italy) or take a driving test in order to get an Italian licence.
Barring diplomatic and consular personnel, Canada and the US don't currently have licence exchange agreements with Italy.
Following a post-Brexit agreement, UK driving licence holders can swap their licences for an Italian one without having to resit their test in Italy.
Have a stab at learning Italian
While you might be able to get by in some areas without speaking any Italian, having a basic knowledge of the language will help you greatly when dealing with various bureaucratic tasks, making friends and understanding the local culture.
READ ALSO: 'You'll survive but not settle': Can you move to Italy without any Italian?
Our Learning Italian section includes plenty of key tips for learners, as well as essential vocabulary for a range of common situations – from visiting your doctor to taking your driving test to dining out.
We also have an Italian Word of the Day section, which will allow you to learn a new word or expression every day.
Read up about local culture and lifestyle
Relocating to a different country means coming into contact with new (and often slightly surprising) habits and traditions.
Learning about at least some of the local customs beforehand may well spare you one or two culture shocks once in the country.
If you’re a fan of books, there are some reads that can help you get a useful insight into the nuances of life in Italy.
And our Italy Explained section may also come in handy, as it includes a wide range of explainers on some of Italy’s most puzzling cultural aspects – from local superstitions and obsessions to the reasons behind Italians’ long summer holidays.
Have we missed anything out? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.
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