How hard is it to move to Italy?
Last updated on February 7th, 2026.
It’s no secret that I live in Italy (it’s plastered all over my website!).
My experience of living in, and traveling around, Italy, forms the foundation for my detailed travel guides and itineraries.
But living in the country is an entirely different ball game.
While there are many perks of living in Italy, like anywhere, it also has its downsides.
If you’re planning on, or dreaming of, moving to Italy one day, stick around till the end. In this guide, I’ll be covering ‘how hard is it to move to Italy?’
It'll bring together my lived experience of what it entails to build a life here. No sugar coating, just 12 real truths from a local.
I want to make it crystal clear that this isn’t a guide on how to move to Italy.
There are plenty of existing articles online that cover legal and expatriate matters and do it well. They also have the right credentials to speak on the subject.
Instead, I’ll be covering the issues related to how hard is it to move to Italy?
Why move to Italy?
Terms like moving to Italy, how to move to Italy and moving to Italy from USA are some of the most-searched relocation phrases.
And I totally understand why.
Italy is one of the most desirable countries to move to.
The weather is good, as is the quality of life, the food is amazing and many Italians are very social.
Italy also has the highest life expectancy in Europe. As of 2024, life expectancy at birth reached around 83.4 years.
Groceries are reasonably priced and food markets sell fresh and seasonal produce, most of which adheres to the 0km rule.
All in all, living in Italy has many pluses.
How did I move to Italy?
I’ve never told my story of how I moved to Italy simply because there’s not much to tell. In short, I moved here because my husband is Italian.
This didn’t (unfortunately) shield me from having to deal with Italian bureaucracy. I did, and still do, have regular contact with our local council (municipio) for a whole host of issues.
My circumstances were also slightly easier when we moved given that I was a UK citizen. The UK at that time was still part of the European Union, meaning I had no issues staying long term. Once Brexit was announced, I made sure to obtain my Italian residency before it came into effect.
Years later, and I’m navigating life in Italy as a wife and a mamma. Ultimately, I enjoy living here; it just takes a bit of time to adjust.
I'm aware that my experiences of moving here will be far different to anyone relocating from a non-EU country. A US citizen that wants to move to Italy without any Italian contacts or network will likely face more obstacles.
How hard is it to move to Italy?
Physically moving to Italy is easy; it’s the logistics, the paperwork and the rest that’s hard. But what makes it hard? It usually relates to one of the following items:
- How complicated is Italian bureaucracy?
- How expensive is it to live in Italy?
- How easy is it to get a visa?
- What is everyday life like in Italy?
- Will I fit in socially, culturally and speak the language?
When you fully understand the system the process of moving to Italy becomes much easier.
1. You need patience and time to deal with Italian bureaucracy
If you’ve been researching moving to Italy for a while, you’ll likely have read about the notorious Italian bureaucracy.
Without trying to sound like a negative Nancy, the bureaucracy in Italy can be a complete nightmare.
Italian offices don’t always run on schedule. Documents can take weeks or even months to process.
Systems are archaic and trying to contact the correct department can feel like waiting for a bus that never comes.
You may need multiple visits to the same office — something I’ve plenty of experience — to get something done.
Ultimately, you need a lot of patience, perseverance and time to handle Italian bureaucracy. More so if you’re moving from a country that has more developed, and competent, systems in place.
2. Choose your city/town wisely
All Italians are aware of the north/south divide in the country.
Much of the north is richer and home to more industry. Cities in the north are more expensive but are better maintained and typically more organized. Healthcare services are of a higher standard and tend to be more advanced.
This isn’t to say that the south of Italy isn’t desirable. There are many perks to relocating here, like the lower cost of housing. Places like Bari and Catania are some of the cheapest places to live in Italy.
But, as someone who splits our time between northern Italy and Sicily, I couldn’t live full time in the south.
Sure, it’s warm for most of the year but for me, it’s not enough to make a permanent move. The contrast is just too big and I personally prefer the efficiency that I’m used to living in the north.
Things in the north move faster while the south offers a slower pace (bureaucracy too). The mentality is also different, and it’s either one that you’ll adapt to or get frustrated with.
3. You really should learn Italian
This might sound obvious, but I’m mentioning it because I don’t think learning to speak Italian is prioritized enough.
Some people moving to Italy from English-speaking countries expect many Italians to speak English.
While some might know basic English or a few words, the onus is on you to learn Italian.
Speaking, reading and writing, Italian unlocks the door to living independently and enjoyably in Italy.
I’ve made new friends and contacts from being able to converse in Italian; something I’m really proud of.
What’s more, many locals will treat you more than a mere foreigner knowing that you can converse in their language.
4. Private healthcare is affordable
Every person applying for their Italian residency (called Permesso di soggiorno) must have proof of private healthcare.
It relieves the state from having to pay for you should you require medical assistance in Italy.
However, citizens from EEA countries, Switzerland and certain UK residents that own a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) are exempt. Cardholders can receive medical assistance at a reduced cost, or free of charge, in the same way as Italian citizens.
Having used both private and public healthcare in Italy, I can tell you that prices for private services are reasonable.
Many Americans living in Italy have told me how much cheaper health insurance is here compared to back home.
They schedule yearly checkups, bloodwork etc, things that wouldn’t be possible to do in the US because of the cost.
5. Utilities can be less so
The high cost of utilities isn’t something that’s exclusive to Italy. But when talking about ‘how hard is it to move to Italy’ it’s impossible to ignore.
From my experience I find Italian energy prices to be very high, especially compared to the cost in the UK. According to Reuters, Italy had 'sky high’ energy costs in 2024 despite a push towards renewable energy.
On the other hand, one of my good American friends thinks the opposite. She finds that energy costs and other utilities are much cheaper in Italy compared to the US.
However, I should point out that she’s basing her experience from living in New York City, which is notoriously expensive.
Ultimately, your individual circumstances coupled with your lived experience will determine where you stand on this subject.
The silver lining
It’s not all expensive (for us) when it comes to utilities. Cellphone data packages in Italy are very affordable as is high-speed WiFi for the home.
To give you an idea, I pay €10 ($11.64/£8.72) a month for mobile data. There’s no contract involved, and it includes 100GB plus free international calls (landline) to the EU, US and UK.
Nb: You need a form of Italian documentation, i.e. a passport or identity card, before you can get this kind of package.
If you don’t have any, you can ask an Italian friend/acquaintance who can take it out on your behalf.
Map of Italy
6. Basic medicines can be costly
One thing I dread about living in Italy is visiting the pharmacy.
It’s not because the pharmacists aren’t friendly (they are), it’s because standard (non-prescription) medicines cost a lot.
I’m talking about medicines that everyone regularly keeps in their cupboards like paracetamol and ibuprofen.
I found this out the hard way when I asked our local pharmacy for a generic no-name brand of ibuprofen. I was shocked when he told me it cost €8 ($9.30/£6.90) for a standard box.
In the UK, I used to pay around £0.50p ($0.66/€0.57) for a box from a big chain drugstore.
The same applies to other products like no-name vitamins and multivitamins. While I wouldn’t expect to pay £0.50p for vitamin C, I also never expected to pay over €20 ($23/£17).
Is there a more affordable solution?
One way of buying cheaper standard medicines in Italy is to purchase them online.
I regularly buy from sites like eFarma and Redcare. They’re trustworthy and regularly sell branded products and a variety of over-the-counter medicines at discounted prices.
7. Good jobs are far and few
While the quality of life in Italy is great, the same can’t be said for the employment opportunities.
It’s one of the main concerns when discussing how hard is it to move to Italy.
This likely won’t apply if you’re planning on moving to Italy as a retired person, student or a digital nomad.
But, if you’re of working age or looking for jobs in Italy for Americans know that it’s not easy. For one, most of the jobs are for Italian speakers (naturally). So, your level of fluency and written comprehension needs to be top tier to even be considered.
The same applies to many of the English-speaking jobs in Italy. When these jobs are advertised, don’t hesitate to apply; applicant numbers are usually sky high.
The best solution is to have a job secured before moving to Italy. Whether it’s office-based or working from home, it’s one less thing to think about.
Americans living in Italy
If you plan on working remotely and living in Italy as an American citizen, there are other things to know.
For one, you can’t work remotely for a US company without declaring your tax status in Italy. Your US income could be taxable in Italy as well.
While the US-Italy tax treaty prevents double taxation you still need to file in both countries.
8. Loneliness will hit you hard
Despite years of living in Italy and having people around that I consider as good friends, I still get lonely.
The messenger apps are a godsend but sometimes it’s just not enough when you want to physically see loved ones.
Missing out on family events and dinners hits harder when watching it from a screen.
For me, it’s something that’s not talked about enough when discussing how hard is it to move to Italy.
9. Learning to live without creature comforts
If you’re ready to move to Italy, prepare to leave behind any cultural comforts.
The following are mostly American examples based on questions/comments I’ve received. If you’re not American but can relate to any of these, you might be in for a slight culture shock.
We have air conditioning in Italy, but you won’t find it in every establishment.
Restaurants don’t automatically bring your drink with ice; you need to ask for it. Many Italian restaurants/trattorias simply don’t have the space for large ice machines and therefore don’t prioritize it.
The 24-hour mentality doesn’t exist in Italy as it does in the USA. We don’t have 24-hour shopping centers like Walmart, drugstores or late-night diners. We have late-night drive-thrus but they close around 1 or 2am.
Fast food places don’t offer free refills, nor do they give you unlimited condiments!
10. Look forward to a cleaner lifestyle
One of the biggest perks of living in Italy is the quality of ingredients and the culture surrounding it.
Our food, and many other products, i.e. our skincare and beauty are GMO free. We shop locally, buy fresh and support local farmers at the food markets. Prices are very reasonable, high quality and many farmers adhere to the 0km rule.
To give you an idea, we spend around €25 ($29/£22) a week on farm fresh fruit and vegetables.
Meat and fish naturally cost more than buying at the local supermarket but we mix it up. We'll buy one good quality piece of meat from the farmers’ market and another from the supermarket.
11. Prepare to walk a lot more
If you’re coming from a country that doesn’t typically have walkable cities or towns, Italy might surprise you.
While many Italians own a car, walking, or riding a bicycle to, from and around the center is normal.
Services are also within walking distance, like local bakeries and butcher shops. It’s a great way to get your daily steps in as well as to assimilating to life in Italy.
12. Not everyone is welcoming
While many Italians are friendly and welcoming to foreigners settling in Italy, others simply are not.
Part of this stems from the European migration crisis that started in 2015. The large influx of migrants arriving in Italy caused a huge strain on the country, fueling anti-migrant sentiment.
Some Italians are suspicious/curious of foreigners. Tourists are one thing; they know they’ll be going home sooner or later. Foreigners living there day in, day out? That’s a whole other kettle of fish.
As a woman of color living in Italy I’ve never (yet) experienced any negativity. I’m used to the looks and stares whenever I walk into a restaurant, but it doesn’t fazes me.
I simply smile, walk to my table and proceed to scan the menu like everyone else.
13. Don’t romanticize life in Italy
Many of you will have come across the phrase 'la dolce vita’ when referring to life in Italy.
They’re words that conjure up images of a sun-kissed scene by the sea. Bronzed figures (all good looking of course) smiling while sipping spritz Aperol with not a care in the world.
In reality, ‘the sweet life’ is something that only a handful of Italians experience on a regular basis. Bar summertime when many Italians are on vacation and everyone looks happier and sun kissed.
But if you’re basing wanting to relocate to Italy on this concept you might be in for a rude awakening.
Life here can be great, but like anywhere, it also has its downsides. The excitement of moving abroad will eventually wear off and regular life will take over.
If you’re serious about moving to Italy, be prepared for a slow start. Be open to new experiences, learn the language and cultural norms and give it time to adjust.
By doing so, you’ll be creating your own dolce vita, which is the best outcome you can wish for.
Is Italy a good place to live?
For me, Italy is a good place to live if your expectations are aligned with reality.
The cost of living is cheaper and the quality of life is good. The visa process can be long and drawn-out and that’s just the first hurdle.
But, once you’ve made it to the other side, I’m sure you’ll be glad that you took that leap.
What are your thoughts of this guide on 'how hard is it to move to Italy’? Is there any other topics you wanted to know about? Leave me a comment below or send me a DM on Instagram.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that I’ve recommended. Thank you for your support.
Like this post? Pin it!
You Might Also Like
Ciao! Truly enjoyed this article, even though I had to compete with continual pop-ups. I live in Santa Fe, NEW Mexico, a state in the US. Our utilities are much more expensive, as is health care here. In our three trips to Italia, we have learned the drug store prices are about the same here. I am still mulling it around. So many of your personal and shared experiences have been ours as well.
My granddaughters go with me and we are always amazed at how we are treated, with kindness, respect, warmth. Just a couple of folk who were having a bad day.
Grazie mille per l'istruzione. Cordiali saluti,
Julie Trapp
Ciao Julie! Thank you so much for your lovely comment and also for sharing your life experience there. There are always pros and cons to living anywhere and I'm glad you have had a positive experience here 🙂