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Moving to : Italy

There are a number of things you will need to research or do before moving to Italy, these include:

• Local Culture 
• Residence Permits/Visa Requirements/Fees 
• How to search for work if you do not already have a job 
• The importance of your Contract of Employment 
• Self Employed? Starting a new business 
• Studying in Italy 
• School/Childcare - admissions, childcare, registration 
• Retiring to Italy 
• Accommodation, property search 
• Removal Companies and Personal Effects 
• Public Healthcare 
• Registering with a Doctor/Dentist 
• Medication 
• Private Medical Insurance, Healthcare and Hospitals 
• Banking 
• Setting up TV, Telephone and Internet 
• Registering for a mobile phone 
• Taking your car 
• Moving your pets 
• Make sure your passport is valid 
• Tickets for your move, hotel bookings and car rental 
• UK Voter Registration 
• Final Checklists 
• Final Notifications 

Italian culture is defined in many ways. From the latin lover to their culinary skills. Clicking on the links below will help you understand the country and its unique appeal. They are a people who love life and everything about it.

Italian Culture 
Kwintessential - Language & Culture
Foreign Office - Culture

Each area of Italy will also have its own history and culture. Don't forget to run a search specifically on the area of Italy you are looking at moving to. We recommend Google for all searches and the easiest way of searching for local culture is to put "culture" + the area of Italy you are investigating.

Information regarding the "Permesso di soggiorno" (residence permit) which is no longer necessary, "Certificato di residenza" (residence certificate) which is compulsory, and the "Permesso di soggiorno for family members" (residence permits for family members) can be found by using the link below.

Foreign Office - Arrival in Italy

Finding a job in Italy is not easy, so is always best to be prepared, and have employment set up before you go. However it is possible to enter the country as a tourist and register with the central employment exchange (ufficio di collacamento) to look for a job once you arrive.

Due to a recent change in legislation, residence permits and worker’s registration cards are no longer required to live and work in Italy. However, before leaving for Italy contact an Italian Consulate office in the UK to check on the up-to-date situation on documentation that may be required. You could also write to the British Consulate nearest to where you are going to live. It is a legal requirement in Italy that you carry some form of identification on you and that you obtain a "Certificato di residenza" and, if working, a Codice Fiscale and Libretto di Lavoro/Scheda personale. More information can be found on this in our "living in..." Registering your arrival in the Country.

It cannot be emphasised too strongly that unemployment in Italy high. Unless you speak fluent Italian or have a special skill which the Italians desire, you have little chance of finding a job there.

Foreign Office - Finding a Job
4ICJ
Job Centre Plus
Euro Jobs - Finding work in Italy
Jobs Abroad
Executives on the Web
Tip Top Jobs

If you do not have an employment contract you will be working illegally and could be sent home. In order to work you will need a Codice Fiscale and possibly a Libretto di lavoro. More information can be found about this on our "living in..." Tax registration with the authorities.

If you are planning on going to Italy and starting your own business, these sites may be of use to you:

Business Opportunities 
Doing Business

The establishment you choose should provide you with information regarding the enrolment process. Do not trust this information! It is a good start, but quite likely to be incomplete, inaccurate, or out-of-date. Italian law changes with the wind. Check with the Italian embassy or consulate in the UK to find out if you need a student visa. Be sure to do everything well in advance of any possible deadlines. If the school year begins in November, then call the consulate in March. If you find yourself in Italy, wishing to attend a school, without the proper visa, your life has just become more complicated. It is possible, depending on the school, to study without a student visa. In any case you should report to the local Questura to report your arrival.

Trans World - Studying in Italy
Prospects - Postgraduate study
Open University - Business School in Italy
Rome Schools - International Options
ECIS - International Italian Options

There are very few public nursery schools (pre-schools) in Italy and when you do find one, they are both over subscribed and expensive. We would advise you to speak with the local authority about this prior to moving.

INCA - Italian Schooling Information

The rules for compulsory schooling are simple. Children are expected to start school at the age of 6. One of the biggest decisions you need to make will be "Do I want my children educated in English, at an International school, or in a Italian school?" Once you have made this decision, you can contact either local schools or one of the International schools. Be aware there is usually a huge waiting list and applications should be made early.

Rome Schools - International Options
British International Schools

If you are considering retiring to Italy, then the following sites should be useful:

SAGA - Retiring to the Sun - the facts!
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Moving Abroad
International Living - Italy 
Life in Italy - Retiring in Italy

The decision regarding whether to purchase or rent a property in Italy can be difficult. If you are looking to buy, these links will help.

Foreign Office - Finding Accommodation

Homes in Italy - Information on Purchasing
Market Trend - Italian Real Estate
Right Move - Property Website
World of property - Information about Italy

Rental can be harder as most real estate agencies focus on short term/holiday rentals, however it is not impossible. You will usually be expected to pay a deposit and a months' rent in advance and property search for rentals is usually easier in autumn and winter as during the summer months the shorter lease periods are more appealing to landlords.

InTouch - Buying
UK NET Guide
Italian Homes - Renting
Property Abroad - Rental

When shipping your personal (household) effects within the EU, they are not subject to normal customs formalities or restrictions.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on English speaking removal companies.

The Form E111 is no longer valid. You should obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) before leaving the UK. The EHIC is not a substitute for medical and travel insurance, but entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Italian nationals.

NHS Guide
Foreign & Commonwealth Office - Travel Insurance
Foreign Office - Italian Health System
Property Showrooms - Healthcare - Italy

If you require medical treatment in Italy, you should contact the Local Health Unit ‘Unita Sanitaria Locale – USL’ Hand your European Health Insurance Card to the ‘USL’ and obtain a certificate of entitlement. Ask for a list of the scheme’s practitioners, and then take the certificate to one of them, who will charge you a fee.

If you are in receipt of Sickness Benefit in the UK, you may be able to transfer payment to Italy. Ask at your local Jobcentre, Jobcentre Plus office or Social Security office in the UK for more information.

Many Doctors and Dentists are English speaking, especially in the more commercial areas of Italy. You have a free choice of general practitioner, paediatrician and several specialists within your area, providing your choice does not bring the doctor's/dentist's list above the maximum patients permitted. For an English speaking Doctor, ask around - other Brits in the neighbourhood can help as well as many of the locals.

For prescribed medicines you will be charged a standard fee, which is non-refundable. If the pharmacy receipt carries the word ticket, the full cost of the item is payable.

Without a ‘USL’ certificate, you will have to pay for treatment and may have difficulty getting the money back afterwards, and then probably only a partial refund. If you are charged in full for medicines, keep the price tags – you will not get a refund without them.

Before taking any medication into Italy make sure that you check that it is legal to do so. Interestingly 63% of Britons didn’t know that some medication in the UK e.g. alcohol based prescription drugs and painkillers such as codeine are illegal in some countries. In Japan for instance, the Vicks inhaler and Sudafed are illegal!

Private medical insurance is a personal choice. Although not compulsory, many Italians do choose to have a private medical plan. As the public healthcare system in Italy can be seen as inadequate. Having private insurance can be worth its weight in gold if something goes seriously wrong.

In addition, medical treatment can be very expensive as prescription charges and medical treatment costs are based on your income. Additional charges are made for medical tests and specialist examinations.

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on additional medical insurance, general private heathcare and private hospitals.

Opening a bank account can be a challenge! Hopefully, this site should give you the information you need to help

Foreign Office - Opening a bank account

Please check our Resources section to see if there is any further information on international banking.

Many companies take a while to set these up, so once you know where you will be living, you might want to contact these companies in advance, so you are able to have connection from the day you move in.

The most popular company for both Telephone and Internet is Telecom Italia. Their website is:

Telecom Italia

Like most companies, this website is in Italian. If your Italian is not fluent, you will need an Italian speaker with you when you register.

To run a television in Italy is much the same as doing so in the UK. You will need a "Canone" (License) which you can obtain from the local post office and then it's plug and go!

Please check our Resources section to see if there are any alternatives.

There are loads of different mobile phone options in Italy. Trying to help you decide which one to go with would take forever! However, once in Italy, taking ID (your passport) into a shop will be all you need. One thing to consider, mobile phone billing can be very inaccurate in Italy. "Pay as you go" may be better until you can really understand your phone bills. The two most popular carriers are Vodafone and Tim Mobile. Vodafone in general has better coverage.

As for your UK mobile. Our guess is that you will be returning to the UK from time to time and may want a low cost way for people to contact you when you are there. So why not cancel your contract, but switch to a "Pay as you go"? This is a number that most of your friends/family will already have, so record your voicemail explaining that this phone is now only on when you are in the UK, and tell them how to contact you when you're not. Be careful when choosing your PAYG plan as some expect you to use your phone every few weeks to keep it active.

Deciding whether to take your car or not, is something you will need to think about. What is "right" varies from person to person. For example, for my first move, I took my UK car with me for the first 6 months only. This gave me the security blanket when I wasn't sure if I would stay. Had I returned to the UK, I wouldn't have then had to look for a new car. Having decided to stay, I returned my UK car to the UK, and bought a local one. Just make sure that if you decide to take your own car, your insurance covers you properly with a "permanent green card"!

Don't forget you must also notify the DVLA if you plan to take your car out of the UK either temporarily or permanetly. 

Direct Gov - Taking your car abroad

If you buy a new left hand drive car in the UK and your stay in Italy is temporary, keep your customs receipt and you won’t have to re-register it. If, however, you have moved permanently, you will need to re-register within 10 days of taking up residence. You will need proof of residence, your car’s customs clearance certificate, proof of ownership and vehicle documents. Your car must also pass an inspection (collaudo). The registration will take place at the local motor vehicle office (agenzia pratiche auto) in your nearest town. Remember you will also need road tax (bollo) and insurance (assicurazione). Display the original document on the windscreen of your car.

Foreign Office - Driving in Italy

No one wants to leave their other family members behind, so take them with you! Also, please don't forget to consider they may need their own Residency permits once in Italy.

DEFRA - Qualifying Countries for the PETS Scheme
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (cats, dogs & ferrets)
DEFRA - Preparing your pet for travel (rabits and rodents)
Foreign Office - Taking your pet to Italy

Make sure you have a valid passport. You do not need a minimum period of validity; however it must remain valid for the duration of your stay.

UK Passport Office - UK Passport Information

When moving you need to set a date to do so. Once you have this date, you need to consider your flights or travel arrangements. Investigate cheap flights or travel. There is no need to spend a fortune getting there when there are many cheap options available. The following site details the list of low cost airlines flying to Italy:

Attitude Travel - Guide to Cheap Airline Carriers

If you have not arranged somewhere to live, make sure you have accommodation until you do. Book yourself a hotel. In addition, you may be going to sign contracts for your accommodation. This does not mean you can stay there on the first night! This may not be possible. So make sure you know exactly what your plans are and make arrangements that take these into consideration.

Where car hire is concerned do your research. Different companies offer different deals at different times.

Please check our Resources section to see if there more information on car hire and deals.

Don't Lose Your Vote!

If you are 18 and over, and were previously registered to vote in the UK within the last 15 years, you can apply to register again as an overseas voter.

Overseas Voting