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Dreaming of rolling hills, rustic farmhouses, and long lunches under the Italian sun? You’re not alone. “How to move to Italy” is one of the most searched phrases on Google each month — and no wonder. Italy’s lifestyle, food, and (frankly) affordable property prices are hard to beat.

But here’s the thing: while thousands search for answers, most get lost in a spaghetti bowl of outdated advice, conflicting Facebook posts, and bureaucratic jargon. That’s where we come in.

We’ve helped dozens of people actually move to Italy, and this post breaks down what you really need to know — including real success stories, myth-busting truths, and how our Move to Italy Retreat can turn your dream into a plan.

Step-by-Step: How to Move to Italy

There’s no one-size-fits-all plan, but here’s what most people need to figure out:

1. Understand Why You’re Moving

Are you retiring, working remotely, relocating for love, or just desperate for better pasta? Knowing your ‘why’ helps guide everything else — from your visa type to where you’ll live.

2. Choose the Right Visa

Italy isn’t part of the “show up and figure it out” club anymore — especially for non-EU citizens.
Some popular visa types include:

• Elective Residency Visa (ideal for retirees with passive income) Official requirements here
• Digital Nomad Visa (new and evolving – see this article from The Local Italy)
• Work Visa (if you’re being hired by an Italian employer)
• Family Reunification Visa

TIP: If you’re unsure which visa fits you, our retreat includes a session with an immigration lawyer who can help you navigate it all.

3. Residency & Bureaucracy

Getting residency can be… let’s say “interesting.” You’ll need documents translated, appointments with the comune, and patience.
Meeting professionals who’ve done it (and who speak Italian fluently) can save you months of confusion — and hundreds of euros. For a clear overview of what non-EU citizens need to live in Italy long term, check the EU Immigration Portal for Italy.

4. Finding a Property

Buying a home in Italy isn’t quite like popping into your local estate agent. There are multiple players involved: notaries, geometri, surveyors, and more.

You can read more about how to buy a property in Italy here — or better yet, join our Move to Italy Retreat where we take you to visit actual homes, with real estate agents, and answer every “what if” along the way.

5. Test the Waters (Before You Jump In)

Here’s a radical idea: visit Italy before you buy a house.

That’s exactly why we run our Move to Italy Retreat — a chance to explore, ask questions, meet experts, and see properties. No rose-tinted glasses required.

Myths About Moving to Italy (That Could Cost You)

There’s a lot of advice out there… not all of it good. Let’s debunk a few popular myths:

• “You can buy a €1 house and live happily ever after!”
  No. Most of those homes require €50k–€150k+ in renovations and a local team to help navigate it.
• “You don’t need a surveyor or a geometra — just a good builder.”
  False. The geometra is your most important person after the seller — sometimes even more important.
• “You can sort your visa and residency once you’re in Italy.”
  This could lead to denied residency or being sent home. Prep matters.

Our retreat exists to clear up these myths with real info, direct from the experts.

How Our Retreat Helps You Move to Italy with Confidence

Imagine sitting down over a glass of wine with:

• A real estate agent who knows the local market
• A lawyer who explains residency and property laws (in English!)
• Expats who’ve already done what you’re trying to do
• And a geometra who can tell you if that dream house is actually a nightmare in disguise

Now imagine doing all that while staying in a restored farmhouse in Le Marche, eating fresh Italian meals, and seeing homes in person. That’s our Move to Italy Retreat. Click here to learn more and join the next retreat.

MOVE TO ITALY RETREAT: WHAT TO EXPECT

Real Success Stories from the Retreat

“Gary and David provided us with the opportunity to take the first steps on our journey to buying a home in Italy in a safe, friendly, relaxed and enjoyable experience.”
— Peter & Linda, N.IRELAND. Attended in 2023, bought a home in 2024.

“The contacts I made at the workshop allowed me to purchase two homes in Le Marche!”
— Shayne, USA. Attended in 2019, now owns two homes in Le Marche.

“We attended the retreat in 2024 and have just closed on beautiful country home with a pool in the Italian countryside!”
— Eden & Jay, USA. Attended in 2019, bought a home in 2020.

“Thanks to Gary and David, we now own a beautiful home in the Italian countryside!”
— Tina & Thierry, BELGIUM. Attended in 2019, bought a home in 2020.

Guests who attended our 2023 Move to Italy Retreat shared their thoughts and personal diaries with us afterward. Read their full stories here.

MOVE TO ITALY RETREAT: WHAT OUR GUESTS THINK

Can I Retire in Italy?

Absolutely. In fact, many of our retreat guests are retirees looking for a slower, better (and more affordable) life.
Italy offers:

• Access to excellent public healthcare
• A warm, slower pace of life
• Smaller towns where your pension goes further

We’ve written a full guide on how to retire to Italy — including visa info and success stories.

Thinking About a Vacation Home in Italy?

You don’t have to move full-time to enjoy la dolce vita. In fact, many of our retreat guests are looking to buy a vacation home — a place to escape to a few times a year, rent out occasionally, and maybe retire to later.

But even if you’re only planning to spend part of the year in Italy, there are still rules to follow — and knowing them in advance can save you a world of stress (and surprise tax bills).

Here’s what we cover on the retreat for part-time homeowners:

• Visa & stay limits: How long can you stay in Italy without residency? What are your options if you want to stay longer?
• Owning property as a non-resident: Yes, you can buy without being an Italian resident — but there are nuances depending on your nationality.
• Local property taxes: What you’ll pay annually, and how to avoid falling foul of local rules.
• Setting up bills, utilities & local services: Including practical tips for getting electricity, water, and rubbish collection sorted — and what to do when you’re not in the country.
• Paying bills and managing the property from abroad: Banking, automatic payments, and how to avoid chasing invoices across time zones.
• Whether to open an Italian bank account: When it makes sense (and when it doesn’t), plus how to do it without speaking fluent Italian.

You can find official property tax guidance on the Agenzia delle Entrate (Italian Revenue Agency) website.

You don’t need to move full-time to need full-time support — and that’s exactly what the retreat offers.

A Real-Life Example: Moving from the USA to Italy

One of our clients, originally from Atlanta, Georgia, thought it would be difficult to relocate. But with the right help, she found a home, sorted the paperwork, and now divides her time between the USA and Le Marche. She even bought a large fixer-upper project in Italy because one home is never enough! You can read her full story here.

Ready to Make the Move?

Don’t just dream about living in Italy — take the first real step.
Join our next Move to Italy Retreat, meet the experts, visit beautiful homes, and turn your dream into a practical plan.
Click here to reserve your spot or join the waitlist

Final Tips Before You Book That One-Way Ticket:

• Start the visa process early
• Talk to professionals — not Facebook strangers
• Don’t skip the geometra
• Come to Italy before committing
• And most importantly… try the local wine first

READ MORE:

• HOW THIS COUPLE FROM BELGIUM FOUND THEIR ITALIAN HOME
• VIDEO – HOW TO BUY A HOUSE IN ITALY: OUR TOP TIPS
• RETIRING TO ITALY: YOUR TAX QUESTIONS ANSWERED