21 Secrets About Living In Italy To Know Before Moving

With beautiful landscapes, mouthwatering food, and passionate people, Italy is one of the most sought-after European destinations.

Here are some of the best-kept secrets about Italy that you might want to know if you are planning on moving there.

Sections

1. Cost of living in Italy

The cost of living will vary depending on where you plan to live. For example, major cities like Milan or Rome will be much more expensive than quiet towns and villages in the countryside. Generally speaking, the cost of living is slightly less than that of the US.

2. Italian healthcare is available to all

The Italian healthcare system is available to foreign-born residents as well as local citizens, meaning you will be able to enjoy universal healthcare when you get to become an Italian resident

Private health insurance policies are still recommended as out-of-pocket costs towards healthcare costs can be over 20%.

Italian citizenship options should be explored if you are planning to move to Italy to ensure you benefit from the health care system.

3. The currency used in Italy is the Euro

Italy is a European Union country, meaning it shares its currency with Germany, France, Portugal, Spain, The Netherlands, and many more. This makes it great for trips to neighboring countries without the hassle and expense of changing your currency.

Currency values will fluctuate daily. However, at the time of writing, 1 US Dollar is equal to 0.90 Euro.

4. A work visa is needed for employment in Italy

Your Italian employer will have to apply for and secure your work permit. This is a relatively straightforward process, with work visas generally lasting between 3 months and two years.

As well as a work permit, you will require a valid residence permit which must be applied for within eight working days of your arrival in Italy. You can collect application kits from Italian post offices.

After receiving your residence permit, you will have 20 days to apply for your certificate of residence. The residence permits you can apply for are either the permesso di soggiorno that lasts for up to 2 years or the carta di soggiorno that lasts 5.

If your stay is going to be long-term and longer than one year, you will have to learn about and be tested on the civil structure of Italy, the culture, and the language. You must agree to do this by signing an integration agreement.

5. The weather is excellent

Italy boasts a Mediterranean climate with traditionally warm, hot summers and cooler, wet winters. This makes it popular among tourists and ideal for locals to enjoy the beautiful coastlines and beaches.

6. Italian income tax

If you move to Italy, you will need to pay municipal, regional, and national income tax. Tax rates will vary and can be explored here.

7. Italy is great for coffee drinkers

Italians love coffee, especially espressos that are consumed at the counter of cafes around the country. Cappuccinos are enjoyed in the morning, and you won’t see many large coffee cups in Italy.

8. Some of the best food in the world is found in Italy

Italians take their food seriously, and with some of the best dishes in world cuisine, it is not hard to see why. As well as pizza and pasta, the long coastlines make seafood particularly popular too.

9. The people are soccer fanatics

If ever a country was passionate about soccer, it is Italy! With a proud international pedigree and a great list of successful domestic teams, no matter where you turn in Italy, you will be sure to come across soccer fans.

With some of the world’s best players and historic stadiums to visit, even those that don’t normally follow the sport will get caught up in the passion.

10. Italy has a north/south divide

Italy is definitely a country divided, with the north seen as the fast-paced, wealthy, and cosmopolitan region, compared with the more traditional, agricultural south.

With as much as 90% of the country’s exports coming from the north, there is a financial imbalance, and cities tend to have better infrastructures.

The north is considered more modern and attracts many people from the south looking for a glitzier lifestyle. That does mean there are opportunities in the south for people to enjoy cheaper real estate in beautiful locations.

11. Embrace “il dolce far niente“

Il dolce far niente translates as ‘the sweetness of doing nothing” and explains the great Italian pastime of doing nothing but watching the world go by.

This phrase was made famous in the book and film starring Julia Roberts and exalts the beauty of being able to take time for yourself to relax and live in the moment.

12. Italian cities

Italy is blessed with wonderful cities that have everything to offer. The bigger cities like Rome and Milan offer everything you would want from a modern city while boasting incredible historic architecture and sights.

You will be able to visit the Duomo di Milano, or the Colosseum, or visit some of the best designer shops in the world. As well as that, you will be able to experience the vibrant nightlife, incredible parks, and world-class restaurants.

Cities like Florence and Venice offer more picturesque settings that are popular with tourists from around the world.

13. The Italian countryside

Not everyone is built for city life. Italy’s beautiful and peaceful countryside has a thriving agricultural industry and quaint villages and towns that boast traditional architecture and unbeatable views.

With everything from mountainous regions to rolling hills and luxurious vineyards, the Italian countryside offers a lush, green paradise for those looking for a slower-paced life.

14. The Italian coast

As well as cosmopolitan cities and beautiful countryside, Italy has breathtaking coastlines that are home to wonderful sandy beaches, coastal towns, cities, and fishing villages.

The Cinque Terre and Amalfi Coast are just two of the picture-perfect locations that spring to mind when you think of the great coastal locations in Italy.

15. Rich history

It is challenging to avoid Italy’s rich and storied past, not that anyone would want to. The incredible architecture, ancient ruins, art galleries, and monuments are everywhere and make for a fascinating place to live.

There is no shortage of day trips or things to learn no matter where in Italy you find yourself.

16. Great style and fashion

One thing you will notice if you move to one of Italy’s larger cities is how well everyone dresses. There is an undeniable style you start to notice when you live in Italy, and cities like Milan are home to some of the most prominent designers in the world.

People travel the world over to shop in cities like Milan and Rome, so the opportunity to live in them or nearby is too good to miss!

17. Italians don’t shake hands

Shaking hands when you meet someone for the first time or meet up with friends and family is pretty much commonplace in the US, but you might have to get used to slightly different customs if you move to Europe.

Air kissing either cheek is a much more popular greeting in Italy and can take a bit of getting used to. This custom is known as ‘il bacetto,’ which translates as ‘the little kiss’ and does not actually include contact with the cheek.

To avoid the embarrassment of both going the same way, traditionally, the custom would start on the right cheek before moving to the left.

18. Great wine

As well as great food, you will be able to enjoy great wine thanks to the great selection of Italian vineyards across the country.

Wine is particularly popular at mealtimes, as well as during the aperitivo hour, a pre-dinner ritual that prepares you for the meal ahead.

It is an excellent opportunity to shoot the breeze, enjoy a little nibble and a drink before dinner. It is not customary to drink too much at this time, though!

19. Italy is one of the world’s healthiest countries

The World Health Organization ranks Italy as second overall among their countries in terms of health, with the US down in 37th place. For more information on this, click here.

Italy also ranks in the world’s top ten for life expectancy at 82.4. This is partly put down to the great climate, diet, and even the moderate consumption of wine!

20. Great Lakes

As well as the marvelous beaches, many expats also make their way to the great lakes of Italy, including Lake Garda and Lake Como. The stunning surroundings and peaceful nature of Italy’s lakes help to make it one of the most popular tourist destinations. Thankfully this doesn’t disturb the incredible location.

Popular among the rich and famous for years, it is the ideal place to relax and make the most of the wonderful Italian views.

21. Sicily

Separated from the toe of the famous Italian Boot by the Messina Straight, Sicily is an incredible and interesting place. Many Sicilians see themselves as distinctly unique from mainland Italians.

The history of Sicily has seen it change hands and be invaded by various forces throughout the years. One thing is for sure, though, despite its troubled past, Sicily is a truly beautiful island.

With an excellent tourist trade, incredible mountain towns, and great cities like Palermo, Sicily is a vibrant island that is often blessed by the scent of citrus trees that grow thanks to its great Mediterranean location.

Some locations were even made popular by The Godfather films and continue to benefit from the tourist trade to this day.

FAQs

Is Italy safe?

Generally speaking, Italy is safe, but there will always be an element of crime like in all countries. In context, Italy ranked 13 places better than the US in the 2022 crime rate rankings by the government.

Is Italy expensive to live in?

The cost of living in Italy is slightly better than in the US. The United States is ranked as the 20th most expensive place to live, with Italy placing 27th.

Is Italian hard to learn?

Learning a new language takes time and dedication, but the good news is that Italian is one of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers.

Does Italy have a good education system?

Italy trails the US in world education rankings, with the US taking the top spot and Italy in fourteenth place. It is worth mentioning that this is an improvement of two places since 2020 for Italy, showing a marked improvement in Italian schools and their results.

Is Italy an excellent place to raise a family?

Italy is ranked 12 places below the US in the rankings for the best countries to live in. This is based on variables like average life expectancy, literacy, financial stability, and more. Generally speaking, though, Italy can offer a great location for families to be raised thanks to the excellent infrastructure, history, food, and education.

Final Thoughts

Now that you are armed with this information, all you need to do is apply for your residence permit and find the perfect location for you and your family to start your new life.

With everything from chic, vibrant cities to country villages, or coastal towns to choose from, you will be able to soak up the wonderful atmosphere and bask in the glorious weather of Italy of your dream destination.

This great EU country makes it relatively straightforward for those moving to start a new job to enjoy residency. It is slightly easier for an EU citizen, so you might want to apply to the Italian Embassy for an Italian passport if you have an Italian family member. Non-EU citizens needn’t worry as the Italian government has not made it impossible for you either.

This country offers so much for people moving, and you are bound to love Italy thanks to its delicious food, warm, welcoming, and passionate people, and incredible towns, cities, and villages. There are locations to suit all preferences, whether you want the buzz and excitement of big cities or are happier with life at a slower pace.