Here at The Local, we're an international team living in Italy – which means we've either grown up navigating Italian bureaucracy or been through the simultaneously exciting and nerve-wracking process of moving countries. You can sign up to receive our special Moving to Italy newsletter in your inbox before we publish. Just use the sign-up box below or go to your newsletter options.
In a diverse country with 20 regions, at least a dozen major cities, and countless towns, how do you decide where to call your adopted home?
We at The Local recently ran a survey asking readers like you to let us know where they chose to settle in Italy, and why.
We received dozens of responses from foreign residents keen to share why they think their part of Italy is the best, what they’d based their decision on, and what advice they would give to others planning a similar move.
Readers gave a number of reasons for why they chose their location – whether it was because of good access to public transport, financial incentives for relocating to the area, or based on recommendations from friends or relatives.
Here’s what Italy’s foreign residents say to consider when deciding where in the country to put down roots.
Earthquakes and tax breaks: How to choose the Italian region for you
One reader told us how her choice was influenced by the regional availability of Italy’s flat-tax rate for pensioners.
Deborah Maynard, a retired college instructor originally from Oregon, chose to move to Atri, Abruzzo, four years ago.
“I looked for regions (in south and central Italy) and cities (of under 20,000 people) that qualified for the 7 percent flat tax program,” she says.
Deborah is referring to a seven-percent flat tax regime the Italian government introduced in 2019 to encourage pensioners living abroad to relocate.
The offer is still available in 2026, but there are conditions.
For one, you have to move to an underpopulated town in the centre or south of the country. Aside from rules about where you can relocate, there are also restrictions on who is eligible for the programme.
We rounded up everything you need to know about the attractive tax scheme, including its benefits and limitations.
Is Italy's flat tax rate for pensioners still available in 2026?
Questions
The Local's Reader Questions section covers questions asked by our members and is a treasure trove of useful info on all kinds of practical matters.
If you can't find the answer you're looking for, head here to leave us your questions.
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