Moving To Italy: A Guide To Living In Italy As An Expat

Have you been dreaming of la dolce vita? Do you want to live in a place that offers incredible food, epic landscapes, year-round sunshine and buckets of culture – not to mention a healthy helping of luxury? Well then dream no more: your new life in Italy awaits.

In 2025 alone, 150,000 people successfully started a new life in Italy – and you can too. To help you make the transition, we’ve put together this handy guide to moving to Italy. We’ll focus on some of the common challenges expats face, such as finding a job and accommodation, to help you navigate your new life in this amazing country. Let’s get started.

This guide on living in Italy covers

1. What should I expect from living in Italy?
2. How can I find accommodation in Italy?
3. How do I find a job in Italy and how do I get a visa?
4. What is the cost of living in Italy?
5. Do I need health insurance to live in Italy?
6. Your handy ‘moving to Italy’ checklist

Friends eating ice cream in Tuscany, Italy // GETTY IMAGES

Living in Italy as an expat

Already home to more than 5.4 million foreigners – representing about 10% of its workforce – Italy has been a destination for international travellers since the time of the Romans.

Today, Italy is less about aqueducts and coliseums and more about luxury goods and cool cars, but still boasts some of the world’s most impressive cities, countless miles of pristine beaches, and rolling landscapes that have inspired generations of writers and painters.

Living in Italy is not for the faint-hearted, however. Italian culture may seem attractive from the outside, but integrating can potentially be a challenge. Even the most experienced expats will be surprised by Italy’s propensity for bureaucracy and the forthright nature of its people.

Plus, despite being one country, every region of Italy has its own unique cultural quirks, which can make it hard to get a true sense of what is and isn’t ‘Italian’.

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What should I expect from living in Italy?

When we talk of Italy, we’re referring to the Italian Republic, a country that succeeded the Kingdom of Italy. What you may not realise is that this country is relatively new – although Italic ethnicity and language goes all the way back to the Roman era, the country of Italy as we know was only established in 1861.

Prior to that, Italy was a ‘country of countries’, ranging from Venezia, Lombardy and Piedmont in the north, through Parma, Modena, Tuscany and the Papal States, with the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies taking up the southern part of the land, plus the island of Sardinia.

Two countries from this era still exist: the Vatican City in Rome is the last remnant of the former Papal States, while the micronation of San Marino – independent since 301 AD – claims to be the world’s oldest republic.

The rest of these countries are now regions within the modern state of Italy. Most of them retain their own unique histories, cultures and dialects, and crossing a regional border can be like stepping into an entirely different world, which is why it’s important to understand the nuances of each region before deciding where you would like to live.

Generally speaking, here’s a rough guide to the cultural differences between regions of Italy:

• North Italy (Lombardy, Venezia, Piedmont): as the industrial heartland of Italy, people in the north pride themselves on punctuality, industriousness and pragmatism. This region feels culturally closer to places like Britain, Germany and northern France.
• Central Italy (Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria): known for being laid-back, worldly and optimistic, people in the central regions are welcoming, hospitable and community-minded. This feels like the most Mediterranean-esque region of Italy.
• Rome: a world unto itself, Romans are high-octane people with a strong sense of personal pride and a boundless work ethic. For many, Roman identity comes before Italian identity.
• South Italy (Campania, Calabria, Puglia): passion, passion and a bit more passion. People here are known for being extraordinarily expressive, which can often be mistaken for rudeness. Family, worship and local identity are a big part of many peoples’ lives.
• Sicily: considered by many a separate country entirely, life in Sicily is remarkably different to life on the mainland. Life in Sicily fluctuates between frenetic fun and quiet repose, but beware the influence of the Cosa Nostra, the Sicilian Mafia.
• Sardinia: fiercely insular, tradition-heavy and best defined by its unique language and cultural quirks, Sardinians are notoriously suspicious of outside influences – most of all those from Italy herself.

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What is life like in Italy as an expat?

Italy is a bustling country with a population of 59 million. It’s one of the biggest economies in the world and a member of the G7. It’s also a key member of the European Union and boasts the second-largest manufacturing industry in Europe.

That’s saying nothing of its enormous cultural influence: Italy is known around the world for its luxury sports cars, its rich cuisine and its avant-garde fashion houses. It is the 6th most-visited country in the world, drawing around 57 million tourists a year.

Taking all this into account, as an expat, you will find two things to be true of Italy. First, that the Italians have a worldly and internationalist perspective, making them cosmopolitan and accepting of foreigners. And second, that Italians will be quick to accept you so long as you share their values of mutual respect, hard work and community participation.

Will I struggle to integrate in Italy?

Having said that, many expats in the past have struggled to adapt to life in Italy for various reasons. Unique cultural quirks, such as the influence of the Catholic church, commitment to one’s family before anything else, and a strong sense of international scepticism can make it hard for foreigners to see eye-to-eye with some Italians. 

Italian culture also moves to its own, inconsistent rhythm: people live their day-to-day lives in twelfth gear, leaving very little time for pleasantries and small talk; but bureaucracy moves at a snail’s pace, making ordinary tasks an immense task to complete.

Is Italy safe for expats?

Italy is ranked as the 33rd safest country in the world according to the Global Peace Index 2025, and the 23rd safest according to the US News Safest Country Rank 2024. Generally speaking, Italy is a very safe country with consistently low crime rates. Violent crime is especially rare – in fact, Italy has one of the lowest homicide rates in Europe.

However, these figures can vary significantly by region. Crime rates tend to be much lower in the southern regions, although the presence of organised crime is known to be significantly higher in these areas, especially across the island of Sicily. Generally speaking, Italy is a safe country for expats, although expats should still exercise vigilance to protect themselves, their families and their property from crime.

Safety is one of the most important considerations

We look at some of the safest countries in the world for expats

Do I need to learn Italian to live in Italy?

The short answer is yes: life in Italy will be much easier if you speak Italian. 

Italian is the only official language of Italy and is spoken fluently by 94% of the population. English is the most common second language, but is only spoken fluently by around 28% of the population. Most English speakers tend to be found in large cities, so if you live in the countryside you may find it hard to communicate without Italian. Other languages include French (7%), Spanish (4%) and German (3%).

Some parts of Italy also have their own regional languages. Many of these languages have been passed down through centuries of Italian history and are considered endangered, although there still exist many parts of Italy where these languages flourish. These include:

• Neapolitan: 5.7 million speakers, concentrated around Central Italy
• Sicilian: 4.7 million speakers on the island of Sicily
• Venetian: 3.9 million speakers, mainly in the Veneto region
• Lombard: 3.8 million speakers located in the Lombardy region
• Piedmontese: 2 million speakers, mostly in the Piedmont region
• Sard (Sardinian): 1 million speakers on the island of Sardinia
• Friulian (Eastern Ladin): 600,000 speakers in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region

Other minority languages (less than half a million speakers) include Calabrian Greek, Griko, Arberesh, Franco-Provençal, Occitan, Ladin, Cimbrian and Mocheno, plus a small community of Catalan speakers in Sardinia.

Thinking about learning another language?

Discover the best languages to learn as an expat

How can I find accommodation in Italy?

Italy has a robust real estate industry, which makes finding a home relatively straightforward.

Many expats tend to move directly to Italy’s major cities. Milan has the highest proportion of non-EU citizens at 13%, with Rome at 9%. Other cities that are popular with non-EU expats include Turin, Naples, Florence and Bologna (all around 2–3%), while EU expats tend to head for Venice and Genoa.

People retiring to Italy tend to head for coastal regions or for the countryside. Certain areas are becoming increasingly popular among older expats, due to the low cost of living and cheap property prices coupled with the laid-back way of life. Forbes named Abruzzo, Sicily, Puglia, Le Marche, Umbria, Tuscany and Liguria as some of the most popular areas to retire in Italy.

Here’s how much you could expect to pay for accommodation in Italy:

Accommodation

Average cost in Italy (US$)

1 bedroom apartment, city centre

$853.45

1 bedroom apartment, outside of city

$663.70

3 bedroom apartment, city centre

$1,495.16

3 bedroom apartment, outside of city

$1,097.58

Source: Numbeo (May 2026)

Renting a property in Italy

Finding a property to rent in Italy is fairly simple, and many websites exist to help you in your search. Try immobiliare.it and idealista.it to start your search, or look for specific property agents if you know which city you would like to move to.

When renting your first property, there are some things you should bear in mind, such as:

• You will need an Italian tax code, and you will need to register your rental contract with the Italian tax agency. If you don’t have a tax code yet, you may wish to consider choosing a short-term holiday rental while you complete your registration.
• You will need proof of income in the form of an employment contract or payslips.
• You’ll also need to show your passport and residency visa when signing your rental contract.
• Security deposits are typically 2–3 months’ worth of rent, so you may need to have some savings before agreeing a contract.

Most properties in Italy are rented without utility bills included, so you may need to contact the electricity, gas and water boards in your area to arrange your bills.

You may also need to set up the internet in your own home.

Can expats buy property in Italy?

Yes, foreigners can buy property in Italy, and in fact there are certain places in Italy that will even pay you to move there.

The process will be much easier if you are already a citizen of the European Union, as you’ll have the same property purchasing rights as Italians, and/or if your country has reciprocal rights for Italians. In other words, if Italians can freely buy property in your country, you can buy property in Italy, and this is true for citizens of the UK and US (but not Canada, unfortunately).

Furthermore, there is no minimum investment threshold for foreign buyers in Italy, so you won’t need to worry about meeting so-called ‘golden visa’ requirements (although this also means you won’t be automatically eligible for a visa if you buy property in Italy). 

Do bear in mind, there are certain requirements you must meet in order to complete a property purchase in Italy. These include:

• You must have an Italian tax code, and you will need to pay registration tax (Imposta di Registro) when purchasing your property. This ranges from 2% for your primary residence, to 9% for holiday homes, plus additional taxes on new-build homes.
• You may also need to pay additional costs such as notary fees and mortgage taxes, and you will need to be prepared to pay annual property taxes and municipal taxes.
• Italian banks do offer mortgages to foreign buyers, but your loan-to-value ratio may be higher as a foreign buyer.
• All documentation will be in Italian, so you may need to hire a translator or a bilingual property agent to act on your behalf.

Living and working outside of your home country?

Read our guide to paying taxes as an expat abroad

A road lined with cypress trees in Tuscany, Italy // GETTY IMAGES

How do I find a job in Italy and how do I get a visa?

As a highly industrialised country with a strong services sector, there is rarely a shortage of employment in Italy. Indeed, unemployment in Italy reached an all-time low of 5.7% in November 2025.

Italy has several strong sectors that attract workers from all over the world. One of the biggest – employing 12% of the country – is the tourism industry.

But Italy is growing in other sectors too: the government is particularly keen to seek talent in:

• Aerospace
• Agriculture
• Automobile production
• Design
• Fashion
• Health
• Engineering
• Sustainable energy
• Shipping
• Media

Suffice to say, you should have little problem finding your dream job in Italy. However, in doing so, you should be prepared to grapple with one of Italy’s biggest problems: bureaucracy.

Finding a job in Italy

Finding a job in Italy is relatively straightforward, and there are many websites to help you begin your job search. Try:

• Indeed Italy
• The Local
• XPat Jobs
• EnglishJobs.it

Many employers will allow you to interview for jobs in Italy via video conference, so you may be able to secure your job ahead of moving to Italy.

It’s easier than ever to search and apply for jobs overseas

Here’s our pick of some of the best jobs for expats

Do I need a visa to work in Italy?

Yes. Unless you are a citizen of the European Union, you will need to secure an employment visa to work in Italy. Thankfully, there are several options available to you.

The Subordinate Work Visa

The most common type of employment visa for foreign workers in Italy is the Subordinate Work Visa. In order to obtain this visa, you must have a valid job offer and an employment contract, and your employer will need to apply on your behalf.

This can be a long process, as they will need to seek authorisation from both the local authority and your foreign embassy. It’s then up to you to collect your visa from the embassy and register for a residency permit in your local area (which you must do within eight days of arriving). 

Subordinate Work Visas are also limited in supply across Italy, so simply receiving a job offer is not a guarantee that you are ready to move to Italy. Be prepared to cover the cost of any consular fees, and to spend many hours standing in line or waiting on the phone – bureaucracy can be a slow and painful process in Italy.

When living overseas, it’s important to know about your embassy

Find out more about what an embassy is and what it can do for expats

The Working Holiday Visa

Also known as the Youth Mobility Visa, this is a short-term working visa especially for people aged 18–30 (or 35 for Canadians, as part of the Italy-Canada Youth Exchange Program). It is valid for between six to 12 months and offers unlimited freedom to work, although anyone applying must be able to prove they have funds to cover their cost of living, health insurance and proof of return travel. It is currently only offered to workers from specific countries, including Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand.

The Decreto Flussi

Introduced in 2026 and running until 2028, the Decreto Flussi (Flow Decree) is a limited-supply non-EU work visa designed to address short-term labour shortages in Italy while also combating illegal migration. It is intended to make it easier for foreign workers to move to Italy by connecting them with employers seeking their specific skills.

Around 500,000 Decreto Flussi are set to be released, of which 164,850 are available in 2026. Permits are split into three categories: lavoro stagionale (seasonal workers); lavoro subordinato non-stagionale (non-seasonal workers); and lavoro autonomo (self-employed workers).

Workers with skills or experience in specific sectors are the more highly sought-after candidates, although there are a wide number of industries looking for Decreto Flussi candidates, including agriculture, forestry and fishing, textiles and clothing, construction, retail, tourism, transport and logistics, and more. More than 13,000 visas are earmarked for workers in the healthcare sector.

EU Citizens

If you are an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in Italy visa-free.

However, if you are moving to Italy to work, you must register with your local authority (anagrafe) within three months of arriving in Italy.

Does Italy have a Golden Visa scheme?

Yes, the good news is that investing money in Italy is a route to achieving residency. The scheme is open to all non-EU citizens with a clean criminal record and offers a two-year residency permit, which can then be renewed up to three times. After five years, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency.

To obtain a Golden Visa for Italy, you must do one of four things:

1. Invest €250,000 in a startup
2. Invest €500,000 in an Italian limited company
3. Buy €2 million of government bonds
4. Or make a €1 million philanthropic donation

Unlike other countries, Italy does not offer a Golden Visa in return for property purchases, and there is also no direct from a Golden Visa towards Italian citizenship.

What is the cost of living like in Italy?

Italy, like many nations in Europe, is in the midst of a cost of living crisis driven by the War in Ukraine and high inflation. But while Italy is not the cheapest destination for expats, its cost of living is actually among the lowest of the most modernised European countries.

In fact, it sits fairly close to the EU average for prices. So, it’s not cheap, but not too expensive either. Overall, Italy ranks 32nd in the world for cost of living.

The cost of living in Italy, according to Numbeo, is around 9% cheaper than the UK as of January 2026. However, an added bonus is that the cost of rent in Italy is a whole 36% cheaper than the United Kingdom.

Here’s how much you could expect to pay for everyday expenses in Italy:

Item

Average cost in Italy (US$)

1 litre of milk

$1.66

Loaf of bread

$2.42

1kg of rice

$3.05

12 eggs

$4.28

Domestic beer (0.5l)

$5.85

Small bottle of water

$1.42

Meal for two at a restaurant

$81.84

Source: Numbeo (May 2026)

If keeping costs down is a priority, it may be worth considering some of Italy’s more affordable cities.

Some of the cheapest cities in Italy include:

• Arezzo
• Andria
• Udine
• Ancona

At the other end of the scale, some of the most expensive cities in Italy are:

• Rome
• Milan
• Naples
• Turin

Higher living costs in these locations are often driven by stronger demand for housing, larger job markets, and greater access to amenities, transport links, and cultural attractions.

Overall, Lombardy is considered Italy’s most expensive region, while Molise is among the least expensive.

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Do I need health insurance to live in Italy?

Yes. As an expat, you will be required to show proof of private health insurance when applying for a residency visa in Italy.

(Unless, of course, you are an EU citizen moving from another EU country, and you already hold a GHIC.)

Can I receive state healthcare as an expat in Italy?

Italy does have its own national health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), but you can only register for this after arriving in Italy. Therefore, you must be prepared to take out a private health insurance policy for at least the first few months of your stay in Italy.

If you are an employee of an Italian company, you will be automatically enrolled in the SSN through tax contributions, and you should be able to register immediately after arriving. If you are a retiree, you may be eligible to apply for the SSN by transferring your state pension to Italy, which you can do by filling in an S1 form.

Self-employed workers, students and those not in employment can still access the SSN, but you will need to make voluntary contributions through your regional tax office.

To register for the SSN, you will need to:

1. First obtain a Codice Fiscale (an Italian tax code) and an Italian residency permit
2. Apply directly to your local authority
3. Wait to receive your Tessera Sanitaria (your public health card) – as always, bearing in mind that bureaucracy in Italy can be quite slow

Does Italy offer good healthcare?

Yes, Italy’s healthcare system is generally considered one of the best in the world. In the CEOWORLD Healthcare Index 2025, Italy ranked 22nd best in the world. 

Even so, the OECD found that only 44% of people in Italy were satisfied with the quality of public healthcare – one of the lowest scores among developed nations. Some of the reasons given for this low score include long hospital waiting times, short-staffedness, outdated infrastructure and a stark North-South divide (with the quality of care significantly higher in the North).

Growing dissatisfaction has pushed many Italians towards the private healthcare sector in recent decades. In 1999, just 2% of Italians had some form of voluntary health insurance – by 2024, the proportion was up to 30%.

How do you gain access to private healthcare abroad?

Learn how private healthcare works and how you can benefit

Your handy ‘moving to Italy’ checklist

If you’re ready to make the move to Italy, make sure you’ve ticked off as many items on this list as you can – it will make life much easier when you land to start your new life abroad:

Accommodation

☐ Have you researched places you’d like to live?

☐ If you’ve found an apartment or house you’d like to rent, have you contacted the company offering the accommodation?

Work

☐ Have you received a job offer from an Italian employer?

☐ Have you checked whether you will be entitled to a Subordinate Work Visa?

☐ Do you have money set aside to pay consular fees to secure your residency visa?

Healthcare

☐ Have you researched healthcare in your local area and know the best hospitals to use?

☐ Have you taken out international health insurance before moving to Italy?

☐ Have you looked into other forms of health insurance to support your life in Italy, such as life insurance and income protection?

Banking

☐ Have you planned to open a bank account in Italy?

☐ Do you have all the paperwork necessary to complete your application for a bank account?

Relocation

☐ Have you used our relocation calculator to check the cost of relocating to Italy?

☐ If you’re bringing your own furniture from home, have you received a reliable quote from a shipping company?

☐ Have you looked into schooling for your children?

Got more questions about moving abroad?

Check out our guide for expats looking at moving overseas

Before you go…

Moving to another country can be challenging, but one thing you don’t need to worry about is choosing the right international health insurance.

At William Russell, we have over 30 years’ experience helping expats like you move and settle into their new lives overseas, with the peace of mind of knowing their families are covered by a comprehensive and flexible health insurance policy.

Speak to us today to find out more about how international health insurance could benefit you and your family as you start your new lives in Italy.

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Terms & conditions apply to our insurance products and services. You can find full details of what our plans cover (and what they don’t cover) in our plan agreements.

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This article is part of our series of guides to expat life. It’s just for general information, and we don’t provide professional advice on moving abroad (we’re an expat insurance provider). We update this article regularly to keep it useful as possible, but if you want to know more – please seek independent advice.