It’s safe to say Italy is a popular choice for Brits looking to move abroad, as around half of all English-speaking residents in the country are UK nationals according to official statistics.
The Local’s British readers tell us that a better quality of life, lower cost of living, better food, weather and scenery are all among the major draws for those making the move.
But few people would say moving to a new country is easy, particularly post Brexit as visa and residency permit requirements now apply to UK nationals, like all other non-EU citizens.
READ ALSO: 'Not just extra paperwork': What it's like moving to Italy after Brexit
Plus there have been some changes to Italian law in recent years that have affected certain aspects of life here for Brits and other international residents.
The exact requirements and challenges you’ll face when moving to Italy differ depending on your situation, particularly on whether you’re working or retired.
Whatever your reasons for moving, here's our checklist of things you'll want to factor in before making the leap.
Visa
Unless you are lucky enough to have dual nationality with an EU country, you will need a visa in order to move to Italy.
The type of visa depends on your personal situation (e.g. whether you're retired, want to work in Italy or are a student) - so the first step is figuring out what type of visa you need.
Note that visas must be applied for at your nearest consulate in the UK (in London, Manchester or Edinburgh) before you leave - it's only once the visa is issued that you can move to Italy.
READ ALSO: How to apply for an Italian elective residency visa from the UK
You can make short visits in advance if you want to house-hunt, but it's strongly advised not to make any long-term financial commitments until you know that your visa application has been successful.
This can be tricky when applying for a visa that requires you to provide proof of address in Italy. In this case, you'll want to seek advice about adding a get-out clause to the contract with your landlord. A short-term holiday rental usually won't cut it for these types of visa applications.
For more details on the process of applying for a visa, contact your nearest Italian consulate.
Residency permit
Once your visa is approved, it’s time to look at the next step: getting the matching Italian residency permit. You can only do this part once you’re in Italy.
The exact process varies depending on the type of visa that you have, but in most cases you will need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residency permit) within eight working days of arriving in Italy.
Applying for an Italian residency permit is a multi-step process that starts with filling out a form at your local post office in Italy, followed by at least a couple of trips to your nearest Questura police headquarters.
READ ALSO: Permesso di soggiorno: How to get Italy's residency permit
As for how long it takes to get the permit, this partly depends on where you are as every Questura is different. But be warned that it can take a while. Some international residents in Italy told The Local in 2024 that they faced wait times of over a year just to get an initial appointment.
Once you have completed the application, keep hold of the receipt. Not only will you need it when tracking the status of your application but you can often show it in lieu of the permit itself when completing many bureaucratic procedures.
Rent/buy property
Unless you already have a place to live, you’ll be looking to either rent or buy an apartment or house. Starting the property search early is never a bad idea as it may take time to get used to the peculiarities of the Italian market.
If you’re looking to buy, keep in mind that while taking out a mortgage in Italy is possible, it can be far from straightforward for non-EU nationals and may take a lot longer than you’d expect.
READ ALSO: Can I get a mortgage in Italy as a foreigner?
For those looking for a rental, be aware that there’s stiff competition (and high prices to match) in desirable locations, particularly in the centres of Rome, Milan, Florence and other major cities. Find out more about searching for a long term rental in Italy here.
Note that Italian rental contracts are a bit different than those we’re used to in the UK. This is not necessarily a bad thing, as they often afford more protection to tenants (for example, in most cases landlords in Italy can’t simply increase the rent whenever they like.) But it’s still a good idea to familiarise yourself with the world of Italian rental contracts in advance.
Banking
As a resident of Italy you’ll very likely need an Italian bank account, with an Italian IBAN, including if you earn a salary, pay taxes, or use the social security system.
When opening your account one of the very first decisions you’ll be faced with is whether to opt for a traditional bank or a digital banking platform.
Readers of The Local have pointed to traditional banks as the best option in Italy, citing greater levels of trust in traditional institutions, the advantage of dealing with people face to face and, in some cases, the availability of specific services and information for foreign nationals.
READ ALSO: Which documents do I need to open an Italian bank account?
While you shouldn’t have any issues opening an account as a UK national, you should be prepared for the fact that Italian banks charge fees for simply holding an account, and may also charge customers for making cash withdrawals and other transactions. It pays to shop around before you sign any contracts.
Healthcare
Registering with Italy's national health service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN) gives you access to the same healthcare services available to Italian citizens – and under the same conditions (basic services such as GP appointments are free of charge, whereas more complex forms of care and diagnostic tests require copayment).
READ ALSO: SSN: Who can register for national healthcare in Italy?
Whether or not you have to pay a fee to register with the SSN depends on your circumstances.
Some categories of non-EU resident - including employees of Italian companies, the self-employed and those on family permits, among other groups - are eligible for 'mandatory registration' (iscrizione obbligatoria), which is free of charge.
Other non-EU residents, such as pensioners on ERVs, diplomatic staff of foreign governments and volunteer workers, can opt in to the SSN through iscrizione volontaria, or 'voluntary registration', meaning they have to pay.
READ ALSO: How to book a doctor's appointment in Italy
This is important to consider ahead of time when budgeting for your move, as the annual registration fee soared in 2024 and now ranges from €2,000 to €2,788.87 per person.
Private healthcare coverage is also an option, but readers tell us that a comprehensive policy is likely to cost even more.
Driving
Particularly if you're relocating to a small town or village, you will almost certainly need your own vehicle to get from A to B, as public transport provision in Italy can be patchy to say the least.
You may already know that new residents can drive on a foreign-issued licence for up to 12 months after moving to Italy. But then what?
READ ALSO: Can you be fined for driving a foreign-registered car in Italy?
The good news for British nationals is that, as of 2022, the UK is one of a small number of countries to have a driving licence exchange deal with Italy, meaning you can swap your licence with no need to retake your test in Italy, a requirement which applies to many non EU citizens.
Find out how to exchange your British licence for an Italian one in our guide here.
Tax
This may not be an immediate concern, but it’s one big consideration to keep in mind when taking up residency of another country.
Anyone classified as ‘tax resident’ in Italy is liable to pay taxes to the Italian state. This applies to everyone who is legally resident in Italy, but may also apply in other cases. Non-residents who own property must also pay certain local taxes.
READ ALSO: How does Italy decide if I'm a tax resident in the country?
If your tax situation is in any way complex, you may wish to consult a qualified tax advisor familiar with both Italian and UK tax law ahead of taking up residency.
Settling in
It's not all tedious admin and form filling. After all, part of the reason most people move to Italy is for the opportunity to meet interesting new people and learn a new language (if you don't already speak Italian).
Here are our readers' top tips for learning Italian, and some advice on how to how to integrate into your community once you've made the move.
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