Living in Italy: Setup Guide for Expats
Italy offers residency pathways for non-EU citizens, including options for remote workers, self-employed individuals, and retirees. This guide covers the administrative sequence for setting up banking, healthcare, and legal residency.
What to Expect
What to know about bureaucracy:
Italian bureaucracy is often described as slow and document-heavy. Processes frequently require multiple visits to different offices, and requirements can vary between regions and even between individual offices. Patience and persistence are typically necessary.
What to consider about language:
Italian is the official language, and most government offices, banks, and healthcare providers operate primarily in Italian. English proficiency varies; it is more common in tourist areas and northern cities but limited in many official contexts. Having documents translated and bringing an Italian speaker to appointments is often helpful.
What to know about timing:
Full setup—from visa application to established banking and healthcare—typically takes several months. Visa processing times vary by type and consulate. After arrival, obtaining a codice fiscale, completing residency registration, and opening a bank account may take additional weeks depending on appointment availability and local office efficiency.
What to prepare beforehand:
Before beginning the process, most applicants need: apostilled documents from their home country (criminal background check, birth certificate for some visas), proof of income or financial means, and health insurance coverage. Specific requirements vary by visa type and consulate.
How Life Setup Works in Italy
Most processes in Italy depend on your legal status and official documentation. The following sequence shows how each step unlocks the next. Understanding these dependencies helps avoid delays.
Visa/Residency Status
Your legal status determines access to banking, healthcare, and long-term housing.
Codice Fiscale (Tax Code)
The Italian tax identification number is required for nearly all official processes.
Residency Registration (Anagrafe)
Municipal registration at the comune proves your residence in a specific city.
Permesso di Soggiorno (Permit of Stay)
Required for non-EU citizens staying longer than 90 days. Applied for after arrival.
Bank Account
An Italian bank account enables salary deposits, direct debits, and local payments.
Healthcare Registration (SSN)
Access to public healthcare requires enrollment in the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale.
Common Workarounds
Some setup steps depend on others being completed first. In practice, people often use temporary or partial solutions to move forward.
Some processes in Italy create circular dependencies. A common example: landlords may require proof of income or a bank account, but banks may require proof of address. A common approach: Short-term rentals, Airbnb, or hotels can provide initial accommodation while you complete paperwork. Some neobanks (Wise, Revolut) allow account opening without Italian residency. Some traditional banks may open accounts for non-residents with a codice fiscale.
Note: This sequence applies to most non-EU citizens. EU citizens have different requirements and do not need a visa or permit of stay, though residency registration is still required for stays over 90 days.
What You Need to Set Up
These are the core areas to research and plan for. Each links to a detailed guide with Italy-specific information.
Visas & Residency
Italy offers visa pathways including the Elective Residence Visa, self-employment visas, and student visas. EU citizens have different rules.
Key question: What visa or residency pathway applies to my situation?
View GuideBanking
Italian banks typically require a codice fiscale and proof of address. Non-residents may face restrictions. Some banks have English-speaking branches in major cities.
Key question: How do I open a bank account, and what do I need first?
View GuideHealthcare
Italy has a public healthcare system (SSN) accessible to legal residents. Access depends on residency and employment status. Private insurance is common during the transition period.
Key question: How do I access healthcare, and what coverage do I need during the transition?
View GuideCost of Living
Costs vary significantly between Milan, Rome, and smaller cities. Northern Italy tends to be more expensive than the south.
Key question: What financial planning do I need for relocation and ongoing life?
View GuidePopular Cities in Italy
Where you live in Italy affects your cost of living, administrative efficiency, and daily experience. Regional differences in bureaucracy and culture can be significant.
Where to Start Based on Your Stage
Your next step depends on where you are in the process.
If you're still researching whether to move
Start with cost of living to understand whether your budget aligns with life in Italy. Review visa options to confirm you have a viable pathway.
If you've decided to move but haven't started the process
Visas and residency should be your first research area. Everything else depends on your legal status and visa type.
If you have a visa and are preparing to arrive
Obtain your codice fiscale at the Italian consulate if possible. Gather apostilled documents and arrange initial accommodation.
If you've arrived and need to complete setup
Apply for your permesso di soggiorno at the post office within 8 days. Register at the comune, then focus on banking and healthcare.
If you're established but have specific questions
Browse the detailed guides below for specific topics, or explore city-specific information for local considerations.
Common Pitfalls & Misconceptions
These are common mistakes and misunderstandings that can cause delays or complications when setting up life in Italy.
Pitfall: Missing the 8-day deadline for permesso application
Non-EU citizens must apply for their permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arrival. Missing this deadline can complicate your legal status.
Pitfall: Not obtaining codice fiscale before arrival
The codice fiscale can often be obtained at an Italian consulate before you travel. Having it ready speeds up banking and rental processes significantly.
Pitfall: Underestimating regional variation
Administrative processes, wait times, and even requirements can vary significantly between cities and regions. What works in Milan may not apply in Rome or Naples.
Pitfall: Not having documents apostilled and translated
Official documents from your home country typically need apostilles and certified Italian translations. Getting these after arrival is more difficult and time-consuming.
Misconception: Assuming English is widely spoken in official contexts
While English is common in tourist areas, government offices, banks, and healthcare providers typically operate in Italian. Professional translation or an Italian-speaking assistant is often necessary.
Misconception: Believing bureaucratic processes will be quick
Italian bureaucracy is often slow by design. Permits, registrations, and bank accounts may take weeks or months. Building in extra time for administrative processes is essential.
Important: This guide provides general information for planning purposes. Requirements, costs, and processes change frequently. Always verify current information with official Italian government sources, consulates, or qualified professionals before making decisions. This is not legal, tax, or immigration advice.