Where To Live In Italy As An American?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • Rome – For Convenience and Excitement. …
  • Abruzzo – For the Quiet Alternative to the Capital. …
  • Tuscany – For Classic Italy and La Dolce Vita. …
  • Northern Italy – For the Most Affordable Place to Live in Italy. …
  • Sardinia – For the Ultimate Island Experience.

Can I live in Italy as an American?


Living in Italy as a US citizen is possible if you have the right permit

. There are 2 types of residence permits in Italy: 1. Permesso di Soggiorno: a temporary, renewable residence permit with varying durations of validity.

Is it expensive to live in Italy for an American?

In general,

the northern Italian regions and big cities are the most expensive

. These areas tend to cost more than living in the U.S. But if you steer clear of tourist hubs and opt for life in a small town, it can be quite affordable.

Is it hard for Americans to live in Italy?

Unless you have an Italian or E.U. passport, have family in Italy, or marry an Italian citizen,

it’s extremely difficult to move to Italy without a job

. Italy’s job market was already quite tough to break into (even for Italians) and the pandemic is wreaking havoc on the economy.

Where should I move in Italy?

  • Rome – For Convenience and Excitement. …
  • Abruzzo – For the Quiet Alternative to the Capital. …
  • Tuscany – For Classic Italy and La Dolce Vita. …
  • Northern Italy – For the Most Affordable Place to Live in Italy. …
  • Sardinia – For the Ultimate Island Experience.

What is the safest area in Italy?

Italy’s Safest Regions. In general, the country’s

north and center

are considered to be the safest parts of Italy. As per the 2018 Quality of Life ranking (produced by Italy Oggi and The Sapienza University of Rome), the northern provinces of Bolzano, Trento, and Belluno offer the highest quality of life.

Can an American buy a house in Italy?

The answer is yes!

American citizens can buy houses in Italy without needing to have any special documents and do not have to pay higher taxes compared to EU citizens

. This is because Italy has mutual agreements which enable the buying and selling of real estates in Italy by foreign citizens.

What are the pros and cons of living in Italy?

  • Pro: The La Dolce Vita lifestyle.
  • Con: The language barrier is high.
  • Pro: The food is exquisite.
  • Con: The cost of living can get quite high in the main cities.
  • Pro: Well-developed healthcare system.
  • Con: Bureaucratic public services.

Is Italy a good place for expats?


Expats in Italy experience a very high quality of life

. Life here is relaxed and enjoyable, and the Italian people’s vivacious nature means that it is always interesting. There is a large expat community in Italy, especially in major cities such as Rome and Milan.

Is healthcare free in Italy?

Italy’s health care system is a regionally based national health service that

provides universal coverage largely free of charge at the point of delivery

. The main source of financing is national and regional taxes, supplemented by copayments for pharmaceuticals and outpatient care.

Why are homes in Italy so cheap?

Tax Advantage

There is no capital gains tax for non residents if they sell their houses more than five years after they bought it.

Transaction costs for buyers are lower in Italy than in Spain or Portugal

, although they are higher than in France, according to the 2021 Knight Frank report.

Does Italy have free healthcare?


Universal coverage is provided through Italy’s National Health Service (Servizio sanitario nazionale, or SSN)

, established through legislation in 1978. The SSN automatically covers all citizens and legal foreign residents. Since 1998, undocumented immigrants have had access to urgent and essential services.

What are the cons of living in Italy?

  • You’re going to need to know Italian on some level. …
  • There is a legitimate problem with grime when living in Italy. …
  • It can be expensive to live in Italy. …
  • Italy has access to limited resources. …
  • High schools in Italy do not provide a holistic curriculum.

Can I just move to Italy?


If you’re a member of the European Union, moving to Italy is easy

. You are free to live and work there without a visa. However, a work visa is necessary for everyone else coming to Italy for non-tourism purposes. Expats need to organize more than just their work visas.

What is the easiest country to move to from America?

  • Mexico.
  • Portugal.
  • Ecuador.
  • Malta.
  • Spain.
  • South Korea.
  • Australia.
  • Canada.

Where do expats live in Italy?

  • Milan – much more than a fashion capital.
  • Lake Como – the best retirement destination in Lombardy.
  • Bolzano – not very Italian but charming.
  • Trento – a quiet urban lifestyle.
  • Brescia – young and vibrant.
  • Liguria – mild weather all year round.
  • Padua – close to Venice and less expensive.

How can an American move to Italy?


Americans must have an entrance visa which should be obtained at an Italian consulate before coming to Italy

, in order to remain in Italy more than three months and gain resident status. This procedure will take several weeks to complete so it is advisable to apply well in advance of the departure date.

What part of Italy has the best climate?

Aided by the mild temperatures, the scarce rains and 2,570 hours of sunshine annually, Imperia is considered to have the perfect climate to make you feel good. And the winner of best weather in Italy is

Imperia, in Liguria

.

What places to avoid in Italy?

So, what are the top places to avoid in Italy in 2021?

Rome, Venice, Naples, Florence, the Amalfi Coast, Lake Como, Milan, Cinque Terre

, and any place you’ve actually heard of before.

Is Italy a good place to retire?


Italy is often referred to as one of the best countries in the world to retire to

for various reasons, from a relaxed lifestyle to large expat communities in some areas, not forgetting the Mediterranean climate, high quality of life and the incredible food and wine culture that Italy has to offer.

Does Italy have a lot of crime?


Crime in Italy ranks from low to moderate, but is present in several forms, such as murder, sexual violence, corruption, and several more

. However, Italy is most notorious for its organised crime groups, present all over the world, known as the Italian Mafia.

Does Italy have good healthcare?


Italy ranks among the World Health Organization’s top 10 countries for quality health services

. The Italian healthcare system is far from perfect, though, as this rating is mainly based on equality of access and health outcomes such as life expectancy and healthy life years.

How long can I stay in Italy if I own a property?

The residency permit allows you to stay in Italy for a period of time which ranges from

2 to 5 years

, and which generally allows you to travel to other Schengen countries for up to 3 months every 6 months.

Can an American citizen retire in Italy?

In order to retire to Italy, a foreign citizen must comply with a few requirements. Among these,

the foreign citizen must be retired and have a minimum annual income of EUR 31,000

. For married couples seeking to retire in Italy, the minimum amount necessary is EUR 38,000.

Are Italians friendly?

Here’s a post which will help you understand Italian culture. Generally in my experience,

Italians are helpful, courteous, considerate and friendly

– much more so once they know you. This certainly makes life in Italy a lot easier.

How much money do I need to retire in Italy?

You will also have to provide proof of sufficient retirement funds with which you can support yourself. More specifically, these annual income requirements are

€31,160 (about $35,200 as of the time of writing) for individuals and €38,000 (about $43,000 as of the time of writing) for married couples

.

Why is Italy not a good place to live?

Respondents complained about a

relatively high cost of living compared to salaries, lack of childcare and quality education, poor digital services, difficulty making local friends and political instability

as some of the negatives of life in Italy.

Maria LaPaige
Author
Maria LaPaige
Maria is a parenting expert and mother of three. She has written several books on parenting and child development, and has been featured in various parenting magazines. Maria's practical approach to family life has helped many parents navigate the ups and downs of raising children.