From sunny weather and unique natural landscapes to relaxed ways of life and famous food, there are plenty of factors making Italy an extremely popular destination for people looking to move from abroad.
But life in the country can sometimes be overwhelming or even downright scary for international residents, especially so when you're unfamiliar with how things work or don't know who to turn to in a crisis.
Fortunately, Italy has a network of organisations on hand that can assist you with whatever life throws your way – from navigating taxes and legal matters to finding social and cultural opportunities.
Patronati
Italy's patronati are key institutions for anyone living in Italy.
These publicly-funded organisations can give you advice and practical support in all of your interactions with the Italian state and public administration – from taxes and pensions to immigration and healthcare services.
READ ALSO: Italian bureaucracy: What is the 'patronato' and how can they help you?
What's more, many of their basic services are provided free of charge, while others are generally offered at a heavily subsidised rate.
There are two dozen nationally recognised patronati, which operate with various degrees of coverage across the country. A full list is available on the INPS website.
Welcome Association Italy (WAI)
The Welcome Association Italy (WAI) is a trade union focusing on supporting foreigners living or planning to move to Italy.
It offers help with cultural, social, economic and professional integration, but can also assist you in other areas, including training and language courses, visas and health insurance.
The site also connects foreign nationals with job and education opportunities.
Find out more about WAI here.
Caritas
Caritas is one of Italy's major welfare organisations, providing support to vulnerable individuals and families, including foreigners.
They provide support and counselling in multiple areas – from housing to social integration – and though most advice sessions and talks are generally held in Italian, you can occasionally find multilingual advisors too.
Besides counselling, Caritas also offers language courses and emergency aid. Their offices are spread across Italy, making it easy to find help nearby.
Global Shapers
Global Shapers is an international network of independent hubs seeking to address the needs of their local communities – from raising awareness about sustainability to offering support for people with mental health issues.
Each hub is independently run by its members, which allows them to tailor their efforts to their community's needs.
There are currently ten hubs in Italy, including in Rome, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Venice and Naples.
Find out more about them here.
InterNations
The InterNations network helps people living overseas meet up and share their experiences of their new country.
The network offers a range of online and in-person events, and provides a wealth of resources such as city guides and forums where international residents share advice on anything from legal matters to cultural opportunities.
There are communities in a number of major cities, including Naples, Rome and Venice.
Find out more about InterNations here.
Med in Action
There’s no professional requirement for doctors in the public healthcare system to speak a second language, which means that many GPs and specialists in Italy have a poor command of English.
This can create major problems for foreign nationals looking to access even the most basic types of care.
While your country’s embassy or consulate in Italy may hold a list of English-speaking doctors for each Italian region, you can also turn to online platform Med in Action, which offers on-demand medical services from qualified English-speaking professionals.
That said, services are operated outside of Italy's public healthcare system and don't come cheap (for instance, prices for house calls start at 120 euros).
Med in Action is available in a number of locations in Italy, including Rome, Milan, Florence, Naples, Bologna, and Venice. Find out more about their services here.
Nationality- and city-specific associations
There are a few associations in Italy which are tailored to nationality- or city-specific communities.
These groups include the Association of British Expats in Italy and the American Club of Rome, which welcomes all international residents living in the capital and gives them a chance to network.
Other city-focused groups include Milan's women-only Benvenuto Club of Milan and Rome's Professional Women's Association, both of which give English speakers from around the globe a chance to meet up and socialise.
What other options do you have?
If you're looking to meet new people and perhaps make new friends, finding a group or association in your community that fits your interests or hobbies is also a valuable option.
For instance, if you enjoy hiking, the Italian Alpine Club (CAI) has several chapters throughout the country.
Other popular hobbies and sports, including biking and sailing, have their own national and local associations too.
How do you find associations to join?
Apart from looking online and on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, it's advisable to look on your comune's website, which will list local associations and charities, and provide links and information to contact them directly.
Do you know any other groups, organisations or associations that are particularly helpful in Italy? Let us know in the comments below.
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