Living in Italy is a dream for many people. After all, amazing food and stunning scenery are just some of the things that make Italy attractive and desirable for expats. Find out more about what you need to know to move to Italy

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Guests of Italy often stick to the thought of staying here forever. Moreover, even those who have never been here are thinking about it. Why Italy does have it all? It is one of the top 10 most influential world economies, its language, rich culture, history, traditions, cuisine, nature, charm, and extremely developed sphere of fashion attract like a magnet.

Pros and cons of life in Italy

Advantages:

• Developed economy, a wide range of social guarantees and benefits, including free medicine;
• The location that allows traveling around Europe, the countries of North Africa, and the Middle East;
• Comfortable climate, picturesque landscapes, access to the sea and mountains;
• Incredible opportunities for travel, tourism, and recreation throughout the year;
• Cheap fruits, vegetables, and seafood;
• Access to education, high standards, and recognition of local diplomas in the leading countries of Europe and the whole world;
• Friendly and cheerful people: Italians live life like a holiday, and they sincerely enjoy it.

The system of adaptation of foreigners and repatriates is also noteworthy. It provides a wide range of concessions, adjuvant measures, and positive reinforcements. For example, benefits for the real estate purchase, help with finding a job or launching a business.

Disadvantages:

• Standards of living depend on the settlement and region;
• High level of taxes;
• Bureaucracy and unemployment;
• Problems with ecology, including flooding in some regions and drought in other ones, general pollution of air and rivers;
• The tension between southerners and northerners;
• Locals’ obvious conservatism, theatricality, and hot temper.

An additional disadvantage is that foreigners will be given a minimum pension here by default.

Knowledge of Italian is mandatory. Without it, you won't be hired. Also, most of the locals don't want to learn foreign languages ​​out of respect for their one. Therefore, no more than 30% of the population speaks English here.

The average salary in Italy is 2,000–2,300 euros in large cities and 1,300–1,500 in small ones. The subsistence minimum is set at the level of 850 euros.

Ways of moving

A Schengen visa allows staying in the territory of relevant countries for no more than 3 months in half a year. Tus unlimited period of stay in Italy demands obtaining a type D visa. This document is issued obased on

• family reunification or marriage;
• signed employment contract with a local company (which is not easy, as Italians suffer from unemployment);
• studying in Italy (however, students with this type of visa are often denied a temporary residence permit);
• purchase of property or the ability to prove financial independence;
• launching a business on the territory of the country (with the obligatory condition of organizing workplaces for the local population);
• investments in the country's economy of 250 000 euros at least;
• refugee.

After obtaining a visa and arriving in Italy, the immigrant must submit documents for a temporary residence permit (TRP). Here it is granted for a period of 6 to 24 months, depending on the basis for issuing the document.

If a foreigner legally resides in the country for 5 years or more, he/she has the right to obtain a permanent residence permit (KMA), called a TRP for a long-term stay or a residence permit for a long-term resident. Unlike a short-term residence permit, this document does not require an extension and confirmation of its basis. Still, it requires renewal every 5 years.

To obtain a permanent residence permit, an immigrant needs to:

• pass an exam on Italian language proficiency;
• confirm the level of income, which must be no lower than the minimal  annual unemployment compensation;
• have a permanent place of residence (own or long-term rent).

Usually, short-term rent here is offered on the condition of daily payment exclusively. And a long-term one is only possible if you have a signed employment contract with an Italian company or institution. Often immigrants can be asked to pay for the first 2-3 months before check-in. The cost of rent, excluding utilities, is about 500–800 euros. Realtors charge a sum equivalent to 1 month of residence. Without their help, you will not be able to rent accommodation. 

Extra option

Italy is actively fighting against the reduction of the population and the moving from the countryside. To deal with this issue state authorities, heads of regions and even towns and villages initiate programs with subsidies and privileges for those who agree to move to the settlements determined by the program. Terms vary, but most often they require:

• age up to 40;
• having a family;
• relocation and opening of a local business (or involvement in options offered by the state).