How To Move To Italy - Globaloptimizer.com

Want to consider moving to Italy? We comprehend that. After all, there are numerous reasons why individuals relocate to Italy from overseas, including the rich culture, low cost of living, amazing cities, delectable cuisine, and joyful people. However, moving to a new nation requires extensive preparation. If you forget one thing, you could lose out on crucial documentation, make expensive errors, and become stressed. We have written this to guide you through the entire procedure.

Things To Prepare Before Moving to Italy

Learn The Basics About Italy

It would benefit you to be aware of the people and their way of life because Italy has a distinctive culture. You’ll not only comprehend people better but also prevent any cultural shock.

Culture

You might not be aware of all the interesting cultural characteristics of Italy. Are they frequently late, for example? Is the red tape of the Italian government as bad as it is described? Some things could even surprise you, such as the requirement to use plastic gloves while selecting fresh foods from the supermarket due to Italians’ meticulous attention to hygiene. Read up on Italian culture and traditions to discover more about these cultural differences.

Language

Learning the language might be helpful to whether or not speaking Italian is your ambition. For instance, it will be helpful to know that the station names are Italian when taking a day excursion by rail in Italy. Similarly, many administrative procedures—such as filling out documents or phoning an automated phone line—are conducted in Italian. Therefore, educate yourself before moving; your future self will appreciate it!

Weather

The Mediterranean climate of Italy is well known for its scorching summers and moderate, wet winters. But it would be best if you packed differently based on the region of the country you’ll be moving to. For instance, the North can expect snow and below-freezing temperatures, whereas the South can expect pleasant winters.

Make Sure Relocating To Italy Will Meet Your Demands

It is obvious to know whether the nation you’re relocating to provides what you need before making such a significant decision as moving overseas. Whether you’re relocating for employment, school, a family member, or retirement, receive a rundown of all the paperwork and deadlines.

If you are a student: learn more about scholarships and colleges in Italy.
A prospective intern? Learn how to secure a summer internship in Italy.
Do you wish to work in Italy? Learn how to obtain more and more about the workplace atmosphere.
Find out if starting a business in Italy is a possibility for you if you’re more of an entrepreneur or if you may obtain a residence by making an investment in the Italian economy.

Pick A City To Live In

Selecting the Italian city you wish to call home is thrilling and demanding. There are several things to consider, like the cost of living, employment prospects, the number of foreigners, culture, climate, LGBTQ friendliness, etc. Every city is different. Therefore it’s worth taking the time to get this properly.

The top Italian cities for foreigners include:

Milan
Rome
Florence
Turin

Create A Budget To Determine Your Ability To Survive In Italy

Sadly, relocating overseas is expensive! Make sure you have more than the bare minimum to cover unanticipated expenses, given the cost of living in Italy. This is crucial for visa holders since they must demonstrate that they have the means to support themselves financially while living in Italy.

If you’re planning to work, you should also look into the typical salary in Italy for your (potential) industry. This should assist you in negotiating for fair pay following your lifestyle and the cost of living.

Find Out The Requirements For Getting A Visa

You won’t require a visa or residence permit if you shift to Italy from another EU/EEA nation.

However, you’ll need a visa and residence permit if you intend to relocate to Italy from the USA, the UK, or any other country.

Make sure you apply for the appropriate visa based on how long you want to stay:

Work visa
Elective residence visa/retirement visa
Study visa
Family reunification visa
Freelancer visa
Golden or investor visa

Get Our Documents In Order And Apply For The Visa

Make sure your passport has at least three empty pages and is valid for at least three months before you go to the consulate or embassy to apply for your Italian visa.

Translate and legalise any vital documents, including your marriage licence and birth certificate, since you will probably require them. Because these procedures take weeks or months, do this at least three months before your anticipated travel.

Search For Your New Home in Italy

If you are currently enrolled at a university, have an internship, or have a work placement in Italy, you most likely already know where you want to live. Or you’re still figuring out which Italian city is best for ex-pats.

In either case, it’s critical to be aware of the city’s and its neighbourhoods’ rent costs. Not only might this affect the city you relocate to, but housing is also in demand all around Italy, particularly in the more well-known cities like Rome, Milan, Florence, and Turin.

We strongly advise knowing more about the neighbourhoods, the accessibility to public transportation, and the typical monthly rent for various home types in Italian cities:

City Room rent Studio Rent Apartment rent

Milan €728 €1,125 €1,800

Rome €500 €900 €1,575

Florence €500 €920 €1,400

Turin €470 €585 €970

When you’re ready to make a reservation, check whether or not your lease includes utilities because doing so might increase your monthly expenses.

It would be best if you are looking for lodging on a secure site to avoid falling for fraudsters. You are able to rent your new home from another country while having your rental payments protected until you move in.

What To Do After You Move To Italy

Go To Italy And Put Your Life On Hold Overseas.

Make sure you finish everything at home before you drive, fly, or take a train to Italy. This comprises:

Terminating your rental contract or subletting your apartment or room if you plan on coming back after living in Italy.
If your rent does not include utilities, you can choose Italian service providers and cancel your water, gas, electricity, and internet contracts.
Cancelling subscriptions, such as your phone contract or gym membership. When relocating overseas, you typically receive a discount for early termination.
Remove your name from the city directory and let the tax authorities know (if applicable).
Before taking a flight to Italy, make backup copies of all your vital documents.

Collect your residence permit or certificate

If you’re an EU/EEA citizen, you must notify the local police station of your plan to stay in Italy for over three months. After an official confirms your address by visiting your house, you can pick up your residence certificate from the nearby registry office.

Within eight days of their arrival, non-EU nationals must pick up their Italian residency permit. To complete further documentation, you must visit the neighbourhood Questura (police station) and then the post office.

Register Your Address

If you want to stay in Italy for longer than three months, you must register your address and submit a permit application to the Anagrafe office in your municipality. This will also be required for other essentials, such as opening an Italian bank account.

The following paperwork is needed to register at the Anagrafe:

filled-out application form
evidence that you have found housing (e.g. a rental contract)
Passport or ID card and residence permit
Valid health insurance
Four passport-sized photographs
Evidence showing you can support yourself financially while studying in Italy

Get Your Italian Tax Number.

Make sure you have all the paperwork ready to obtain your Italian tax identification number, or Codice Fiscale, if you want to work and must pay taxes on your income or assets. Like a social security number, it’s required when you sign an employment contract, establish a bank account, signs up for utilities, purchase a house, etc.

After registering your residence with the neighbourhood Anagrafe or municipality, you can apply for a Codice Fiscale. With your passport, go to the tax office in your municipality and complete the tax number form. A formal card will be mailed to you when you obtain the number immediately.

Apply For Health Insurance

Most EU, EEA, or Switzerland residents may unwind since their quick visits are protected by their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC).

Non-Europeans must enrol in the Italian public health insurance system if they want to live in Italy for an extended period, such as to work or visit relatives. Additionally, although it is more expensive, private healthcare is offered.

If you’re an international student, you must have complete coverage in Italy through an international health insurance policy.

Argentina and Australia are two nations that had earlier agreements with Italy’s health organisation. In this instance, your health insurance from your home country also protects you in Italy.

All foreign nationals should register with a physician at the Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL), the closest local health authority.

Get A Local SIM Card.

Your internet will function in Italy if you travel from another EU nation. However, depending on your plan, calls or texts may or may not be included. Things appear differently when you arrive from the USA or another non-EU nation. The easiest way to save costs is to get a local SIM card in Italy with a monthly subscription.

Prepare Your Pet For Travel (If Applicable)

You might want to bring a pet companion to Italy with you. You must adhere to particular guidelines depending on whether you own a dog or a cat. You may relocate with your dogs because we have a whole area devoted to this.

Things To Do After Moving To Italy Your First Two Weeks

After you arrive in Italy, you might be tempted to sit in a beer garden and soak in all the gorgeous sights, but you will first need to take care of a few formalities to ensure a seamless transition into your new life.

The list below should be read in order since several items build upon one another.

Learn Italian And The Culture

With a few minority languages spoken around the nation, Italian is the official language of Italy. Griko is one of the minority languages spoken in Southern Italy. The Griko people, considered decedents of the ancient Greek settlements in Southern Italy, speak this language. You could also hear Gardiol, Sardinian, Vastese, Toitschu, and Molise Croatian, among other minority languages.

When you arrive in Italy and begin adjusting to your new life abroad, you will need to know the following fundamental phrases:

Buongiorno! (bwohn-johr-noh) (Hello! and Good morning!)
Arrivederci! (ahr-ree-veh-dehr-chee) (Goodbye!) (Formal)
Ciao! (chou) (Hello! and goodbye!) (Informal)
Buonasera! (bwoh-Nah-seh-rah) (Good afternoon! Good evening!) (Formal)
Buonanotte! (bwoh-nah-noht-teh) (Good night!) (Informal)
Come si chiama? (koh-meh see kyah-mah) (What is your name?) (Formal)

According to one research, there are over 250 gestures used in regular communication in Italy, where people prefer to let their hands do the talking. You may say, “I couldn’t care less”, by wiping your fingers beneath your chin, or you can say “, what are you talking about” by pinching your fingers together and moving your hand up and down.

You should be aware of the following essential facets of Italian culture before relocating to Italy:

There is NO Spaghetti with Meatballs. Pasta and meats are often consumed separately in Italy, with pasta coming first before your selected protein.
People may appear to be fighting as you’re walking down the street, but it’s just the way Italians talk to speak loudly.
In Italy, the idea of time is looser. Be late to catch your bus since, except for public transit, people aren’t exactly on time.
The hours of hopping are likewise quite different in Italy from America. The majority of stores often close around noon and don’t reopen until late in the day.
Your dinner will arrive at a restaurant at various times based on your order. As previously indicated, pasta is often served first and then meat. Therefore, you may anticipate your food arriving at various times if you order pasta while your companion chooses meat.
The people of Italy are pretty kind. You will be getting a warm welcome and treated like family if you already have a chance to learn Italian. Hopefully, making new acquaintances in Italy won’t be too difficult.
Italy’s North and South are very distinct from one another. The South often consists of poorer regions and fewer large cities and museums. Some of the largest cities are in the North, which is more costly and has more historical landmarks and museums.
Don’t forget to attend a game because watching soccer or football is essential to Italian culture.
It is necessary to use extra caution when crossing the road in Italy. If you cross outside a marked crosswalk, you are liable for any damage to the car. Only call a cab in the approved zones if you wish to. You cannot be picked up by a taxi along the side of the road.

Residence Permit

A Permesso di Soggiorno is required for stays longer than three months in Italy. We advise starting this procedure as soon as possible after relocating to Italy because it can take up to six months. Inquire at the nearby Questura (police station).

Those who want to settle permanently in Italy might follow the following paths:

Through a work permit that allows the holder to dwell and work in Italy for a predetermined amount of time before applying for permanent residency;
Foreign nationals can launch their enterprises here through the programme for entrepreneur residency permits.;
By way of the Golden Visa Scheme, which calls for investment in a particular area of interest recognised by the Italian government.;
Obtaining a visa for independent contractors enables the foreign national to operate as a sole proprietor in Italy.;
A student visa is an option for international students who can convert such a visa into a work permit.

Additionally, spouse visas or Italian citizenship are options for foreign nationals married to Italians who want to move to Italy permanently.

Get Settled At Your New Home

Setting Up Internet In Italy

It would help if you considered getting an internet plan for your new house. Remember that installing your internet connection might take anywhere from one to four weeks!

Telekom and Vodafone are the two leading internet service providers. However, many smaller providers can use their lines and cables for less money.

Find An Electricity Provider

Rental agreements typically do not cover electricity, so you must sign up for an energy provider. Each city has a local supplier, but you may uncover more reasonably priced or environmentally friendly energy providers with a little web investigation.

Get A Italian Mobile Number

This is likely the most important service available today to help you go around your house more quickly and easily. There are two different plans available to you:

A mobile contract often holds you down for 24 months, and you have the choice to use it to pay for a new phone at your monthly cost as well.
A prepaid sim-only plan provides far more freedom but does not allow purchasing a new phone in payments.

Getting Your New Driver’s License

You must pass the Italian driving exam after one year of residency in Italy unless you are from a nation having a reciprocal agreement with Italy, which is now simply the EU. You will thus need to repeat the exam if you obtained your licence in the US, just as Europeans who obtained their licences in the US must do so.

After one year (counting from the day you submit a residence request at the town hall), your old licence will formally expire. Since we could not get residence, we must utilise our licences; but if you want or need to purchase your vehicle, this won’t be an option.

Since the test is only offered in Italian, you must be proficient in the language to pass it. However, you may get a practice book and memorise the questions.

Open A Bank Account

Having a local bank account in Italy is beneficial for making it quick to pay your rent and utility bills, splitting expenditures with friends, avoiding withdrawal fees, etc.

Before opening an Italian bank account, check with your local bank to see whether you may withdraw money overseas and if your card will work there. This procedure could take some time. It’s a good idea to carry extra cash just in case.

Get Some Essential Insurance

After coming to Italy, you need to consider a few other insurances besides your health insurance.

The two insurances I sincerely advise you to purchase are:

Personal Liability Insurance

In Italy, it is a need. It protects you from unintentionally hurting other people or their property. The cost of this insurance is not high. Undoubtedly, having this insurance is crucial.

Home Contents Insurance

This insurance is worthwhile if you have more than just a few pieces of clothing in your apartment. It safeguards the worth of your possessions from burglary, vandalism, flood, fire, and storm damage.

Determine Your Means Of Transportation

Decide if a bicycle, a vehicle, or public transportation will be your primary mode of mobility once you have gained a feel for your new neighbourhood and commute.

Italy has an extensive public transit system. Both inside a city and across the nation. There is a substantial network of railroads, subways, and buses. I advise purchasing a monthly pass rather than paying for each journey separately if you want to utilise public transportation regularly.

Despite the excellent public transit system, many people still drive. You might have to choose a car, depending on where you reside and how far your commute is. I advise enrolling in a car-sharing programme or renting a car for the weekends if you occasionally require one or if you need to utilise a car.

Enjoy The Benefits Of Life In Italy

There are many great reasons for living in Italy. Ultimately, it offers an excellent experience for ex-pats looking for work and retiring.

In Italy, the vibrant nightlife is waiting for you. Life in Italy often revolves around the social interactions you have every day.
In Italy, the majority of residential settings are kept up nicely.
Italy offers you some breathtaking scenery. Perhaps more than any other place on earth, Italy has a rich history you can discover while you live there.
Italy has delicious and reasonably priced food.
Children’s education is greatly emphasised in Italian society, where many accessible educational alternatives exist.
Italy has top-notch public transportation alternatives.
You can’t go a day in Italy without hearing at least one criticism about the country’s public transit networks.
You have the top-notch public healthcare system in Italy.
Compared to other nations, Italy makes it simpler to become a citizen.
If you reside in Italy, you must fulfil residence criteria to become a citizen.
If you wish to reside in Italy, purchasing property is straightforward.
In Italy, opening a bank account is not too difficult.
Italy often has fantastic weather.No matter where you go, and you can nearly always discover something lovely.
You may travel the rest of Europe while residing in Italy. If you begin living in Italy, you will be dwelling in a Schengen member state. As a result, the visa or residence you acquire to enter this country will allow you to travel across most of Europe.

Conclusion

How to move to Italy should be more apparent now. The remaining question is, will you take those steps and make it happen? Moving to Italy might seem like a long and complicated process at first. But trust me, these processes work! So don’t be intimidated. You will get through it.

On the other side of all the steps you need to take to settle into this great country, you will find the freedom to enjoy one of the countries with a super high quality of life.