After years spent traveling around Italy or the world, do you feel the desire to put down roots, find a new balance and choose one of Italy’s cities to live in and buy a home? The Italy real estate market is constantly growing and offers various opportunities in cities and towns across the country. For example, you could consider a beautiful villa on Lake Como or Lake Garda or opt for a more people-friendly city like Florence or a cosmopolitan hub like Milan. From the hills of Tuscany or Emilia to welcoming lake or seaside towns, the options are truly vast. Let’s take a closer look at some tips for moving to Italy after many years of travel.
Why Move to Italy After Years of Travelling?
Italy is a country beloved for its climate, the beauty of its cities, its more relaxed and slower-paced lifestyle and of course, its excellent cuisine. These are exactly the reasons why so many expats and digital nomads consider it a permanent destination—somewhere they can settle down and enjoy life. Italy offers a welcoming environment where you can slow down, live well and rediscover a sense of home without giving up cultural stimulation and everyday beauty.
Documents and bureaucracy: what you need to move to Italy
Before choosing where to live, it’s important to understand the practical aspects of relocating. If you're a citizen of a European Union country, the process is relatively straightforward: you can legally stay and reside in Italy, but you must register with the local municipal registry (anagrafe) within 90 days of your arrival. If you're from a non-EU country, you’ll need a visa for long-term stays (for work, study, family reunification or elective residence).
Once you obtain your visa, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days of arriving in Italy. This permit usually lasts about two years, but if you establish yourself with a job - either through freelance work (opening a VAT number) or with a contract from an Italian company - it can potentially be renewed indefinitely. If you don't plan to live in Italy for more than three months a year and simply want to buy a home for vacation use, you won’t need to apply for residency. In that case, a tourist visa will be enough to spend your holidays in the country. For those planning a permanent move, other documents will also be required beyond the residence permit or municipal registration. These include:
If you decide to move permanently, it's essential to complete all the correct administrative steps to live legally in Italy and gain access to the various public services provided by the state.
Once you obtain your visa, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) within eight days of arriving in Italy. This permit usually lasts about two years, but if you establish yourself with a job - either through freelance work (opening a VAT number) or with a contract from an Italian company - it can potentially be renewed indefinitely. If you don't plan to live in Italy for more than three months a year and simply want to buy a home for vacation use, you won’t need to apply for residency. In that case, a tourist visa will be enough to spend your holidays in the country. For those planning a permanent move, other documents will also be required beyond the residence permit or municipal registration. These include:
- Requesting a tax code (codice fiscale), essential for opening a bank account, working or signing contracts.
- Registering with the National Health Service (SSN), which grants access to public healthcare.
- If you have children, you’ll need to get documents for them as well and they can be enrolled in public school for free.
If you decide to move permanently, it's essential to complete all the correct administrative steps to live legally in Italy and gain access to the various public services provided by the state.
How to choose the right city to live in
Italy is an incredibly diverse country and each region has its own distinct lifestyle, job opportunities, cost of living and expat communities. Choosing the right city depends on several factors, such as your work situation, preferred lifestyle, personal goals, proximity to an international community or the desire to live more locally.
One of the most popular cities among expats is Milan—not only a financial and fashion hub but also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Italy. Foreigners often find it easy to live there, with access to high-quality services, a wide range of cultural events and plenty of restaurants. However, Milan also has one of the highest costs of living in the country.
If you love history and the Renaissance and prefer a smaller city with plenty of services, Florence is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for those who want a lively atmosphere with cultural richness. Florence has a strong international community and attracts many expats each year who come to study, work or simply enjoy life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Another well-loved city is Bologna, known for its cosmopolitan feel, beautiful architecture and joyful spirit. Bologna is well connected to other Italian cities like Florence and Milan and offers a high quality of life. Turin is another great option—an elegant and quiet city full of cultural and creative events. It’s growing in the tech and startup sectors and is ideal for those seeking a large city that’s less hectic than Milan but still offers excellent services, green spaces and infrastructure.
Lastly, there are many highly appreciated Italian destinations, such as the charming towns along Lake Garda and Lake Como. Or you could head south to seaside cities with a slower, simpler pace of life. Among the most popular southern cities are Lecce, Naples, Palermo and Catania—all located by the sea and ideal for those who want an authentic experience, even if the international community and available services may be more limited than in northern towns.
One of the most popular cities among expats is Milan—not only a financial and fashion hub but also one of the most cosmopolitan cities in Italy. Foreigners often find it easy to live there, with access to high-quality services, a wide range of cultural events and plenty of restaurants. However, Milan also has one of the highest costs of living in the country.
If you love history and the Renaissance and prefer a smaller city with plenty of services, Florence is an excellent choice. It’s perfect for those who want a lively atmosphere with cultural richness. Florence has a strong international community and attracts many expats each year who come to study, work or simply enjoy life in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.
Another well-loved city is Bologna, known for its cosmopolitan feel, beautiful architecture and joyful spirit. Bologna is well connected to other Italian cities like Florence and Milan and offers a high quality of life. Turin is another great option—an elegant and quiet city full of cultural and creative events. It’s growing in the tech and startup sectors and is ideal for those seeking a large city that’s less hectic than Milan but still offers excellent services, green spaces and infrastructure.
Lastly, there are many highly appreciated Italian destinations, such as the charming towns along Lake Garda and Lake Como. Or you could head south to seaside cities with a slower, simpler pace of life. Among the most popular southern cities are Lecce, Naples, Palermo and Catania—all located by the sea and ideal for those who want an authentic experience, even if the international community and available services may be more limited than in northern towns.
Work, community and lifestyle: what to consider before choosing
Beyond scenic and cultural appeal, there are a few practical aspects to evaluate before deciding where to live in Italy. First, consider your budget: northern cities tend to have a higher cost of living compared to southern ones, so it's important to assess your financial situation carefully.
Your career sector may also influence your decision. Cities like Milan, Bologna and Turin offer more opportunities in digital industries, creative fields, innovation, finance and manufacturing. Language is another factor in the integration process. In cities or tourist areas, you’ll find more English speakers, while rural areas may pose more of a challenge—but they also offer a great chance to quickly learn Italian. Finally, check whether your chosen city has an expat or international community. Having some initial support can help you build a social network. That said, Italians are often friendly and welcoming, so even in places with fewer expats, it’s usually easy to make friends and find people to spend your free time with.
Your career sector may also influence your decision. Cities like Milan, Bologna and Turin offer more opportunities in digital industries, creative fields, innovation, finance and manufacturing. Language is another factor in the integration process. In cities or tourist areas, you’ll find more English speakers, while rural areas may pose more of a challenge—but they also offer a great chance to quickly learn Italian. Finally, check whether your chosen city has an expat or international community. Having some initial support can help you build a social network. That said, Italians are often friendly and welcoming, so even in places with fewer expats, it’s usually easy to make friends and find people to spend your free time with.
Moving to Italy after years of travel is a choice that reflects new priorities: slowing down, building a routine and finding a place to call home. While the Italian bureaucracy can be a challenge, the warm welcome from locals, high quality of life and daily beauty the country offers make the process well worth it.
