Italy is a long country, stretching from the Alps in the north to the toe of the boot in the far south. The difference between a farmhouse in Tuscany and an apartment in Milan is not just a matter of geography. It shapes your daily routine, your school options, how easily you can reach the UK, and whether Italy feels like home or a permanent holiday. Choosing the right region is one of the most significant decisions in your move to Italy from the UK, and it is worth taking seriously.

This guide covers the areas that come up most often among the UK families and individuals we work with, from the well-trodden hills of Chiantishire to the quieter corners of Sicily and Puglia. Each place has genuine advantages and real trade-offs. Our aim is to help you think clearly about what matters to you, so that when you do decide, you are doing so with a clear picture in mind.

Tuscany remains the first place most UK families consider, and with good reason. The infrastructure for British and international residents is more developed here than almost anywhere else in Italy. Florence has international schools, established legal and financial services geared to foreign buyers, a busy airport with UK routes, and a level of familiarity that takes some of the friction out of arriving.

The Chiantishire belt, the hills between Florence and Siena, is where that British presence is most concentrated. The nickname is no accident: a wave of British buyers came here from the late 20th century onwards and shaped the character of the area. If you want an established English-speaking community nearby, well-run local services, and the kind of property market that understands international buyers, this is the most proven option in Italy. It is also where a significant number of the families we work with have settled.

Property ranges considerably, from restored stone farmhouses and olive groves in the countryside to townhouses in Lucca or Siena. Lucca, in particular, draws a quieter British community, while Siena offers medieval character in a more compact city. Florence itself is liveable and practical, though busier and more expensive than the surrounding countryside.

For families with school-age children, Florence has two established options: the International School of Florence, one of Italy’s oldest international schools, offering the IB Diploma and an American High School Diploma for students aged 3 to 18, and the Bilingual School of Florence for younger children. International school places in Florence are in reasonable supply, though it is worth applying early.

If you are moving valuable art, furniture, or antique pieces, Tuscany is a region we know well in this regard. Our in-house crating workshop builds bespoke cases for items of exactly the kind that often make the journey from a London townhouse to a Florentine farmhouse, and our team can advise on CITES documentation where relevant.

One honest note: Tuscany is popular, and pricing reflects that. The Chiantishire belt in particular carries a premium. If budget is a consideration, Umbria or Abruzzo may offer comparable landscapes at lower cost.

Rome is the choice for families whose relocation is driven by work, diplomacy, or a need to be in a major international city. The diplomatic community is large, the corporate international community well established, and the city has more international school provision than anywhere else in Italy.

Schools in Rome include Ambrit International School (IB programmes for ages 3 to 14), Marymount International School (IB Diploma, co-educational since recent years), St George’s British International School (ages 3 to 18, British curriculum), and Britannia International School (ages 3 to 11). Demand for places, particularly at the British curriculum schools, is high. If Rome is your destination and schooling is a priority, begin making enquiries well before your move date.

The trade-offs in Rome are real and worth naming. Traffic is significant. Bureaucracy can be slow. The pace of daily life can frustrate those accustomed to the efficiency of northern European cities. Rome operates on its own terms, and families who thrive here tend to embrace that rather than resist it.

Lazio beyond Rome is worth considering if you want to be within reach of the city without living in it. The Castelli Romani hills, to the south-east of Rome, offer a quieter residential setting with good road connections. Some families use this area as a base and commute into Rome for work and school.

Milan is the natural choice if professional connectivity matters. It is Italy’s financial and commercial capital, with strong transport links to the rest of Europe via Milan Malpensa and Linate airports. Both serve multiple UK departure points, and the frequency of services makes regular travel between Italy and the UK genuinely practical.

International schools are well represented in the city. The European School of Milan, Sir James Henderson British School, and the American School of Milan all serve the international community, and there are several bilingual Italian-English options for younger children.

The city itself is urban, fast-paced, and expensive. Those who find Milan’s property market demanding often look to Piedmont and Lombardy beyond the city, where the cost of living drops considerably and the landscape opens into wine country, alpine foothills, and smaller towns with genuine character. Turin, in Piedmont, is consistently underestimated as a base: elegant, well-organised, and significantly more affordable than Milan or Florence.

The lakes are often considered part of this northern cluster and are covered in the next section, but it is worth noting that proximity to Milan is one of the practical advantages of the lakes region. You can be in the city in under an hour from most lake villages, which matters if you need to remain professionally active.

Lake Como is among the most established destinations for high-net-worth international buyers, and has been for decades. The combination of natural beauty, privacy, proximity to Milan, and strong infrastructure for private residents makes it a consistent choice for families seeking a considered, long-term home rather than a seasonal retreat.

The western shore, from Como town northward through Cernobbio and Tremezzo to Bellagio, carries the highest property prices and the most developed international community. Average prices in Como municipality reached approximately €2,993 per square metre in mid-2025, with prime lakefront positions significantly higher, often exceeding €12,000 per square metre. American, British, German, and Swiss buyers account for the majority of the luxury segment. The market has shown consistent year-on-year growth.

Discretion is a real feature of life on the lake. The area has a long tradition of hosting international residents quietly, and the infrastructure around property management, private security, and professional services reflects that. If privacy matters to your household, this region has established mechanisms in place that many other parts of Italy do not.

For families with fine art, significant furniture, or valued collections, moves to and from the lakes require careful handling. Our team builds bespoke cases to specification and manages the logistics of moves to lake properties, including access challenges that can arise with older lakeside villas.

Lake Maggiore, to the west, and Lake Garda, to the east, offer alternatives at slightly different price points. Maggiore is less well-known internationally but comparable in beauty, and can offer better value in certain areas. Garda is larger and more varied: the southern shore is family-friendly and relatively busy, while the northern end, around Limone and Riva del Garda, is quieter and more dramatic. Both lakes have international communities, though neither quite matches Como’s depth of established international infrastructure.

Liguria runs along the northwestern coast of Italy, from the French border in the west to the edges of Tuscany in the east. The climate is among the mildest in Italy, the coastal scenery is striking, and the Riviera di Levante, east of Genoa, is where most internationally-minded buyers focus their attention.

Portofino and Santa Margherita Ligure are the names that come up most often. Portofino is one of the most recognisable villages in Italy, with a resident population of fewer than 400 people and property prices that reflect both its scarcity and its prestige. Santa Margherita, just around the headland, is more liveable, combining a busy waterfront with year-round services and an established British presence with roots stretching back to the Victorian era.

Genoa’s airport connects to several UK departure points, though with less frequency than Milan or Rome. For families planning regular UK trips, this is worth factoring in. The Cinque Terre villages, further east, are beautiful but not practical for permanent living, given their limited infrastructure and the constraints of their protected status.

Liguria suits families who want coastal Mediterranean living without the southern heat or the infrastructure variation that can come with Sicily or Puglia. The trade-off is that the international community is smaller and more dispersed than in Tuscany or the Lakes, and the wider range of services available in Florence or Milan is not on your doorstep.

Sicily’s appeal among international buyers has grown considerably in recent years, and the profile of that interest has shifted upward. Palermo, Taormina, and the Val di Noto in the south-east have all attracted serious attention from UK and wider European buyers, drawn by the climate, the architecture, and the value that still exists relative to Tuscany or the Lakes.

The island’s climate is the warmest in Italy. The pace of life is slower, the landscape dramatic, and the food culture distinctive even by Italian standards. The Val di Noto, a UNESCO-listed cluster of Baroque towns including Ragusa, Modica, and Noto itself, has developed a quiet international community with a particular draw for buyers looking for restoration projects of genuine architectural significance.

There is a tax consideration worth noting briefly. Italy’s 7% flat tax regime applies to foreign income for new tax residents who move to qualifying southern municipalities. The scheme was updated in April 2026 to include municipalities with populations up to 30,000, broadening eligibility across Sicily and other southern regions. This is a specialist area, and any decision should be made with qualified Italian tax advice, but it is relevant context for buyers considering Sicily or other southern locations.

The honest trade-off in Sicily is infrastructure. Services, broadband, healthcare provision, and road networks vary more than they do in Tuscany or the north, and the variation between urban centres and rural areas is pronounced. Palermo and Catania both have airports with UK connections, and domestic flights make the island accessible from the mainland. Taormina is well served by Catania airport, roughly an hour’s drive away.

For families with school-age children, Sicily has limited international school provision. This is a significant practical consideration if your children are not yet of secondary age or if an English-language curriculum is important to you.

Umbria is often described as Tuscany without the tourists, and that reputation is fairly earned. The countryside around Perugia and Spoleto is genuinely beautiful, property prices are lower than in comparable Tuscan locations, and the pace of daily life is unhurried. It is a considered choice for families who have researched Tuscany carefully and want the landscape without the footfall.

Abruzzo, east of Rome on the Adriatic coast, is growing quietly as an option for international buyers. It offers coast and mountains within close reach of each other, very competitive property values, and a lifestyle that feels authentically Italian rather than internationally curated. The expat community is less established than in Tuscany or Liguria, which suits some buyers and gives others pause.

Puglia is the area where the most significant shift in HNW buyer interest is currently playing out. Foreign buyers now account for around 40% of transactions in central Puglia, with the Itria Valley, home to Alberobello, Locorotondo, and Martina Franca, drawing buyers looking for trulli estates and restored masserie. Salento, in the south, has a different character, flatter and more coastal, with Lecce as its elegant centrepiece. Brindisi airport provides UK connections, though less frequent than the major hubs.

UK flight connections 

Flights vary significantly by region. Milan, Rome, and Venice have the most consistent year-round UK services from the widest range of UK departure points. Sicily is well served from several UK airports via Palermo and Catania, particularly in summer, though frequency drops out of season. Naples, Pisa, Bari, and Genoa all have UK connections, but route availability and seasonal frequency should be checked carefully against your specific travel patterns before you commit to a location. Routes do change, so treat any specific timetable as a snapshot rather than a guarantee.

International schools 

Schooling is most strongly represented in Florence, Rome, and Milan. If an English-language curriculum is important for your children, these cities offer the greatest choice and the most established provision. Other regions have bilingual options but far fewer fully English-medium schools, and places are limited. Research school options early, as demand in Florence and Rome regularly outpaces supply.

Italian language 

Language skills vary in importance by location. Tourist-heavy areas and major cities tend to have more English-language services, but in rural Tuscany, Abruzzo, or southern Sicily, daily life requires Italian. Learning the language meaningfully improves day-to-day quality of life wherever you settle, and it is worth beginning before you arrive rather than after.

Local infrastructure 

Infrastructure follows a broadly north-to-south gradient, with the northern regions generally offering more developed healthcare systems, faster broadband, and better road networks. This is not a rule without exceptions, but it is a relevant factor if consistent, high-quality services matter to your household.

Williams & Yates is not an immigration adviser. The visa information in this guide is provided to help readers understand the landscape. Always take specialist immigration advice before applying.

Before Brexit, moving to Italy from the UK was administratively straightforward. EU free movement meant that UK nationals could live, work, and settle in Italy without a visa. That changed on 1 January 2021. UK nationals are now treated as third-country nationals under Schengen rules, which means a national long-stay visa is required before you can make Italy your permanent home.

Getting the right visa in place before you move is not just a formality. Italian consulates can have long waiting times, and the visa must be granted before you travel. Starting this process early, ideally six months or more before your planned move date, gives you the time to gather documentation, wait for processing, and sequence the administrative steps correctly once you arrive. For a fuller picture of what the whole relocation involves, see our complete guide to moving to Italy from the UK.

As a UK national, you can visit Italy, and the wider Schengen Area, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. That is sufficient for a holiday or a short-stay visit, but it does not allow you to live there. If you plan to stay beyond 90 days, whether permanently or for an extended period, you need an Italian national long-stay visa before you enter.

The main visa routes available to UK nationals moving to Italy are:

• Elective Residence Visa – for those with sufficient passive income who do not intend to work
• Digital Nomad Visa – for remote workers employed by non-Italian companies
• Self-Employment Visa – for freelancers and those establishing a business in Italy
• Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis) – for those with Italian ancestry, which confers citizenship outright rather than a visa

Which route is right for you will depend on your circumstances: whether you intend to work, the nature of your income, and whether you have Italian heritage. Each route has its own documentation requirements, processing times, and post-arrival obligations.

The Elective Residence Visa is the most commonly used route for financially independent UK nationals who wish to retire to Italy or relocate without taking employment. It is designed for those with stable passive income, typically from pensions, investments, rental income, or dividends, and it does not permit you to work in Italy. This includes remote work for overseas employers. If you intend to continue working from Italy for a foreign company, the Digital Nomad Visa is the correct route.

There is no single statutory income threshold written into Italian law for this visa. Instead, Italian consulates apply their own guidance when assessing applications. The figures commonly referenced are approximately €31,000–€32,000 per year for a single applicant and approximately €38,000 for a couple, with an additional 20% per dependent child. These are not guaranteed minimums and individual consulates may require more, so confirming the current position with the Italian Consulate General in London before applying is essential.

Documents typically required include: a valid passport, a completed visa application form, proof of passive income (bank statements, investment statements, pension letters), evidence of accommodation in Italy (a signed lease of at least one year, or property ownership documents), private health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000, a criminal record certificate, and passport photographs. All documents originating outside Italy will need official translation into Italian.

Applications are submitted to the Italian Consulate General in London, or whichever consulate covers your region of residence in the UK. Processing typically takes up to 90 days, though timings vary. Applying at least four to six months before your planned move date is advisable.

Italy introduced its Digital Nomad Visa under Decree Law No. 79/2024 in early 2024, making it available to non-EU nationals who carry out highly qualified remote work for employers or clients based outside Italy. Unlike the Elective Residence Visa, this route is specifically for those who are actively earning from remote employment or freelance work, not passive income.

The income requirement is statutory and set at three times the Italian healthcare contribution exemption threshold, which translates to approximately €28,000–€30,000 per year. Applicants must also demonstrate a relevant qualification: either a university degree, a government-licensed professional certification, or a minimum of five years’ professional experience in their field (three years for ICT specialists). Health insurance with minimum coverage of €30,000, proof of accommodation in Italy, and documented evidence of at least six months of remote work experience are also required.

The key distinction from the Elective Residence Visa is the nature of the income. Where the Elective Residence Visa demands passive income and prohibits any form of work, the Digital Nomad Visa is built around active professional earnings from outside Italy. If you intend to work remotely and earn from a UK or international employer or client base, this is the appropriate route to explore.

If you plan to work as a freelancer in Italy or establish a business there, the Self-Employment Visa (visto per lavoro autonomo) is the relevant route. This visa covers a range of activities including self-employed professionals, entrepreneurs, company directors, and certain artists and academics. The Italian Consulate General in London publishes the applicable categories and financial reference figures.

A critical feature of this route is that it requires a nulla osta, a pre-authorisation issued by Italian authorities, before the visa application can proceed. The process is also subject to Italy’s annual decreto flussi, the immigration quota system that determines how many self-employment visas are available each year. Application windows open for limited periods and are not available year-round, which means timing is important and delays are common.

Given the complexity of the quota system, the nulla osta process, and the sector-specific requirements that apply to different professional categories, specialist immigration legal advice is strongly recommended before pursuing this route.

For those with Italian ancestry, citizenship by descent, known as jure sanguinis or “right of blood”, is a distinct pathway that sits outside the visa system entirely. Rather than granting permission to live in Italy, it confers Italian citizenship outright. If you qualify, you would move to Italy as a citizen, with all the associated rights including the right to live and work anywhere in the EU.

The rules changed significantly in 2025. The Tajani Decree (Decree-Law No. 36/2025, converted into Law No. 74/2025 in May 2025) introduced a generational limit on automatic recognition. Claims through great-grandparents are no longer automatically recognised for applications submitted after 27 March 2025. Recognition is now limited to those with an Italian parent or grandparent born in Italy, or those who had a formal application or confirmed consular appointment in place before that date.

If you believe you may qualify, applications are submitted through the Italian Consulate General in London. Documents require apostille certification and official translation into Italian. Given the 2025 rule changes and the complexity of tracing lineage through historical records, specialist legal advice is the right starting point.

Securing the visa is the first part of the administrative sequence. Once you arrive in Italy, several further steps are required, and the order in which you complete them matters.

Codice fiscale

Your codice fiscale is the Italian tax identification number and it unlocks almost every other administrative process: opening a bank account, signing a rental contract, registering with a GP. The most practical approach is to obtain it before you travel, through the Italian Consulate in the UK via the Fast IT online portal or an in-person appointment depending on the consulate’s current process. You can also obtain it after arrival from the Agenzia delle Entrate, but having it ready before you arrive removes a significant bottleneck.

Permesso di soggiorno

Under Legislative Decree No. 286/1998, you must apply for your permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 working days of arriving in Italy. The application is submitted in person at a Poste Italiane office that provides the Sportello Amico service, after which the local questura (police headquarters) will call you for a biometric appointment and process the permit. Actual issuance typically takes several months, but submitting within the 8-working-day window is the legal requirement and missing it can complicate your status.

Anagrafe

If you are staying for more than three months, you are required to register with the anagrafe, the civil registry held by your local municipality. This registers you as a resident and is needed to access a range of local services. Registration is done at the local town hall and requires your passport, visa, and proof of address.

The sequencing of these steps matters practically as much as it does legally. Your dedicated move coordinator can help you plan the timing of your physical relocation around the administrative calendar, so that nothing stalls once you arrive. Visa and immigration advice, however, should always come from a qualified specialist. We work alongside trusted specialists regularly and can make an introduction if that would be helpful.

When you are ready to plan the move itself, our removals to Italy service covers every aspect of the physical relocation, from packing and crating to customs documentation and delivery to your Italian address.

Can I Visit Italy While My Visa Application Is Being Processed?

Yes, you can visit Italy as a tourist while your visa application is under review, provided your visit falls within the 90-day Schengen allowance. You should not enter Italy intending to stay as a resident until your national long-stay visa has been granted and you are able to apply for your permesso di soggiorno on arrival.

How Long Does the Elective Residence Visa Take to Be Approved?

Processing times vary by consulate and by the complexity of the individual application. The Italian Consulate in London typically processes applications within up to 90 days, though it can take longer. Applying at least four to six months before your intended move date gives a reasonable buffer, particularly if additional documentation is requested during the process.

Can My Family Members Join Me in Italy?

Yes. Spouses, minor children, and in some cases dependent parents can typically apply for a family reunification visa to join you once you are legally resident in Italy. Each family member will need their own visa application and documentation. The income threshold assessment for your initial visa may also take into account the number of dependants, so confirming requirements with a specialist before applying is advisable.

Do I Need to Renew My Permesso di Soggiorno?

Yes. The permesso di soggiorno is not a permanent document. Initial permits are typically valid for one to two years, depending on the visa type, and must be renewed before they expire. After five years of legal continuous residence, you may be eligible to apply for a long-term EU residence permit, which offers greater stability. Your immigration adviser can guide you on the renewal process and timelines.

Can Williams & Yates Help with the Visa Application?

We are not immigration advisers and we do not handle visa applications. What we can do is help you plan and time the physical move so that it fits around your administrative milestones, whether that means flexible removal dates, temporary storage of your belongings while permits are processed, or careful coordination of customs and delivery to your Italian address. If you need an introduction to a trusted Italian immigration specialist, your dedicated coordinator will be glad to assist. To discuss your relocation, get in touch with our team.

Moving from the UK to Italy involves two parallel processes that need to run alongside each other, not one after the other. The first is administrative: visas, residency registration, tax planning, school applications, and the various steps required by Italian law after you arrive. The second is logistical: deciding what comes with you, arranging a survey, packing, customs documentation, and the physical move itself.

Most people focus on one track at a time. The administrative steps tend to feel more urgent, and the removal logistics feel like something to sort out closer to the time. In practice, leaving the logistics side too late creates pressure at exactly the wrong moment, when visa decisions are landing, property completions are happening, and the administrative workload is already at its peak.

This checklist runs both tracks in parallel, month by month, so you can see where the two intersect and plan accordingly. Your Williams & Yates move coordinator handles the logistics track throughout, which means your attention can stay on the administrative steps that require your direct involvement.

The earlier you begin, the more options you have. Several of the most consequential decisions, including your visa route and tax position, are much harder to reverse once the process is underway.

Decide on your visa route.

Since Brexit, UK nationals require a long-stay visa to live in Italy. The right visa depends on your circumstances: the elective residence visa suits those with sufficient passive income; the digital nomad visa suits remote workers; other routes exist for employment, self-employment, and family reunification. Instruct an Italian immigration specialist early. See our guide to visa options for UK nationals for a full breakdown.

Begin gathering documents. 

Visa applications require originals and certified translations of a range of documents, including proof of income, criminal record checks, and health insurance. Many of these take time to obtain.

Apply for your codice fiscale. 

Italy’s tax identification number is needed for almost every administrative step that follows, including property transactions, opening a bank account, and registering with a doctor. UK residents in the London consular district can apply by emailing the Italian Consulate General London with a completed AA4/8 form and passport copy. Alternatively, a power of attorney can be used to apply directly to the Agenzia delle Entrate in Italy.

Begin your property search. 

Whether you intend to rent long-term or purchase, the Italian property market moves at its own pace. Beginning your search early gives you time to understand the market in your preferred area without pressure.

Tax residency planning.

If applicable, engage UK and Italian tax advisers to consider your exit from the UK tax system and your position in Italy. Italy’s flat-rate tax regime for new residents can offer significant advantages for high-net-worth individuals, but the planning needs to happen before you move, not after.

Make initial contact with your removal company.
At this stage, a preliminary discussion and in-home survey allows us to assess the scope of your move, identify any items requiring specialist handling, and give you a clear picture of logistics, timeline, and costs. This is particularly important if you have fine art, antiques, a vehicle, or a large property to move.

This is typically when the administrative process moves from planning to action, and when the logistics side needs to become concrete.

Submit your long-stay visa application. 

Applications are submitted to the Italian Consulate General in London. Processing typically takes up to 90 days, so submitting at the six-month mark allows time for any delays without disrupting your move date.

Confirm your Italian property.

A signed lease or exchange of contracts gives you the fixed address you will need for subsequent administrative steps, including residency registration on arrival.

Begin decluttering. 

Decide what comes with you, what you will sell, and what goes into storage. A detailed inventory at this stage makes the customs documentation process significantly smoother later.

Arrange private health insurance. 

Most long-stay visa categories require proof of comprehensive health insurance before the visa is issued. Even where it is not a visa requirement, private cover is advisable until you are registered with the Italian national health service after arrival.

School applications. 

If you have school-age children, international school places in Italy often have waiting lists. Confirm places as early as possible.

Vehicle re-registration research. 

If you plan to bring a UK-registered vehicle, the re-registration process in Italy requires a certificato di conformità (certificate of conformity) from your vehicle’s manufacturer or an accredited distributor. This document can take several months to obtain, so begin the process now. You will also need to notify the DVLA of permanent export. Once you establish Italian residency, you have 60 days to complete re-registration before the vehicle risks impoundment.

Confirm your removal date and inventory.
Work with your coordinator to agree a moving date, finalise your inventory, and identify any items requiring specialist crating or custom packaging. For high-value items, our in-house crating workshop builds bespoke packaging to specification.

With your visa confirmed and property secured, the focus shifts to practical preparation on both tracks.

Confirm your visa has been received. 

If there are any delays or queries from the consulate, three months gives you time to resolve them without disrupting your move date.

Begin packing with your coordinator’s guidance. 

A systematic approach, room by room and category by category, reduces the risk of items being missed or damaged. Your coordinator will advise on the sequence that works best alongside your removal date. When moving with Williams & Yates, the packing is handled for you in the days running up to your move date.

Notify HMRC of your departure. Inform HMRC of your intended departure date and residency change. De-register from UK systems where relevant, including your NHS GP and the electoral roll.

Arrange utility disconnections. 

Agree disconnection dates for utilities at your UK property that align with your departure.

Begin transfer-of-residence customs documentation. 

Household goods moved as part of a genuine change of residence can qualify for customs relief, meaning they enter Italy without import duty. This requires an itemised inventory, proof of prior ownership, and your codice fiscale. Your coordinator will manage this documentation alongside the logistics, but your input on the inventory is needed at this stage. See our guide to customs and transfer-of-residence relief for full details.

Pets. 

If you are moving with a dog, cat, or ferret, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian. Since April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer valid for travel to EU countries, following APHA guidance issued that month. An AHC must be obtained within 10 days of your departure date and covers a single entry. Begin the process with your vet at this stage to understand timing and costs, which typically range from £90 to £350 per pet.

Fine art and CITES items.
If your move includes fine art, antiques, or items containing materials from protected species (ivory, certain hardwoods, coral, tortoiseshell, or reptile skin), additional permits are required. A UK export licence administered by Arts Council England is needed for cultural objects leaving Great Britain. CITES permits for protected species materials can take 5 to 30 business days to process. Your coordinator will initiate the permits process and manage it through to collection.

The final month is about confirming everything is in place and closing out your UK commitments in an orderly sequence.

Final inventory check. 

Your coordinator will run a final check against the agreed inventory to confirm nothing has been added, removed, or changed since the customs documentation was prepared.

Confirm Italian property access. 

Check that your Italian property will be accessible on the date your consignment arrives and that any building management or access arrangements are in place.

Redirect post and update contacts. Set up a Royal Mail redirection and update your banks, financial institutions, and HMRC with your Italian address.

Italian bank account. Some Italian banks allow accounts to be opened remotely; others require an in-person visit in Italy. If you have not already done so, arrange this now. Having a local account in place before arrival simplifies the first weeks considerably.

Confirm collection logistics. 

Your coordinator will confirm the collection date, timing, and access requirements at your UK property. If there are parking restrictions, building management permissions, or lift bookings needed, and your removal company doesn’t handle these on your behalf, arrange these now.

Finalise insurance. 

Confirm that your private health insurance is active for your arrival date and arrange travel insurance that covers the move period itself.

The first days in Italy carry a clear administrative sequence. The order matters: each step tends to depend on the one before it.

Apply for your permesso di soggiorno. 

Under Article 5 of Italy’s consolidated immigration law, non-EU citizens must apply for their residence permit within 8 working days of entering the country. The application is submitted at your local Poste Italiane branch using the kit giallo (yellow kit). Missing this window can create administrative complications, so treat this as your first priority after arrival.

Register with the anagrafe. 

Once you have a confirmed address, register with the anagrafe office at your local comune (town hall). This establishes your official Italian residency and is a prerequisite for accessing a range of public services.

Register with a local GP. 

Once your SSN (codice sanitario) registration is in order through the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale), you can register with a medico di base (local GP). The sequence varies slightly by region, so a local relocation contact can advise on the specific steps in your area.

Italian tax residency.
If applicable, begin the Italian tax residency election process with your tax adviser. The timing of this step has implications for your tax position in both the UK and Italy, so take advice before acting.

Once the immediate arrival steps are complete, the focus moves to confirming everything has arrived safely and closing out your remaining UK obligations.

Check your delivery against inventory. 

Your coordinator will be available to address any queries about the delivery. Check all items against the agreed inventory and flag any concerns promptly.

Close out UK commitments. 

Close UK accounts you no longer need, settle any final utility bills, and confirm that all post redirections are working as intended.

Begin settling in.
Register with local services, establish a healthcare routine, and if you have children, begin the school settling-in process. The administrative workload eases considerably from this point, and the focus can shift to making Italy home.

How soon after arriving in Italy do I need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno?

Under Italian immigration law, non-EU citizens must apply within 8 working days of entering the country. The application is made at a local Poste Italiane branch using the kit giallo. Missing the deadline can create administrative difficulties, so treat this as your first priority on arrival.

Can I bring my household goods to Italy without paying import duty?

Household goods that qualify under transfer-of-residence (ToR) relief can enter Italy without import duty, provided you are making a genuine change of residence, the items have been owned and used for at least six months, and the necessary documentation is in order. Your coordinator will manage the customs documentation, but an itemised inventory and your codice fiscale are needed in advance. See our customs and transfer-of-residence guide for full eligibility criteria.

What do I need to bring my dog or cat to Italy?

Since April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer accepted for travel to EU countries including Italy. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian, obtained within 10 days of your departure date. Your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. A new AHC is required for each trip. Begin the process with your vet at least three months before your move date to understand the timing and costs involved.

What happens if I want to bring a UK-registered vehicle?

You have 60 days from establishing Italian residency to re-register a UK vehicle. The key document is the certificato di conformità from your vehicle’s manufacturer or an accredited distributor, which confirms the vehicle meets Italian road standards. This can take several months to arrive, so begin the process at least six months before your move. You will also need to notify the DVLA of permanent export.

I have fine art and antiques. What do I need to arrange?

Moving fine art and antiques from the UK to Italy requires a UK export licence for cultural objects, administered by Arts Council England. If any items contain materials from CITES-listed species, such as ivory, certain hardwoods, coral, tortoiseshell, or reptile skin, additional CITES permits are required. Processing times typically run from 5 to 30 business days depending on the species. We recommend beginning the permits process at least three months before your move. Your coordinator will manage this alongside the specialist crating and handling arrangements for your collection.

For most people planning an international move, tax is one item on a longer list of practicalities. For UK nationals with significant foreign income, including investment portfolios, pension income, and overseas business interests, Italy’s tax landscape can, in the right circumstances, be the primary reason for choosing Italy over any other destination.

This guide covers the key elements of the Italian tax position for new residents from the UK, the main things to understand about the UK side of the equation, and where the two interact. It is an orientation guide, not tax advice. The decisions involved are significant enough to warrant proper specialist input on both sides.

For an overview of the move itself, our complete guide to moving to Italy from the UK covers visas, residency, healthcare, and logistics in full.

Most people who move to Italy do so for reasons that have nothing to do with tax: the climate, the culture, the slower pace, proximity to family or property they already own there. For those people, the Italian tax picture is background context, something to understand and plan for, but not the driver.

For a smaller, specific group, UK nationals with substantial foreign income, the picture is different. Italy has operated a flat-rate tax regime for new residents since 2017 that replaces the normal progressive tax treatment of foreign-sourced income with a fixed annual payment, regardless of how much foreign income you actually earn. For those with large investment portfolios, significant pension income, or major overseas business interests, this can represent a material change in their overall tax position.

Whether that change works in your favour depends on your specific circumstances. What follows is a factual account of how the regime works, what it costs, and what it does and does not cover.

Italy introduced the flat-rate new resident regime in 2017 under Article 24-bis of the TUIR (Testo Unico delle Imposte sui Redditi, Presidential Decree No. 917/1986). The scheme was designed to attract internationally mobile high-net-worth individuals to establish Italian tax residency, drawing on similar frameworks operating in Portugal, Switzerland, and the UK’s former non-dom regime.

Who Qualifies

To be eligible, you must not have been an Italian tax resident in at least nine of the ten tax years immediately preceding the year you establish Italian residency. Italian tax years follow the calendar year. If you have spent time in Italy in the past, you will need specialist advice to determine whether and when you qualify.

What the Scheme Covers

Once you opt in, your entire foreign-sourced income, including dividends, interest, capital gains on foreign assets, foreign rental income, foreign pension income, and royalties, is removed from the ordinary Italian progressive tax system and replaced with a single annual substitute tax, regardless of the actual amount earned abroad. You pay a fixed lump sum; the Agenzia delle Entrate does not require sight of your total foreign income for the purposes of this charge.

Italian-sourced income remains outside the scheme and is taxed at ordinary IRPEF rates.

The Rate History

The scheme launched at €100,000 per year. That figure applied from 2017 until Decree-Law No. 113/2024 (the Decreto Omnibus), which doubled it to €200,000 for individuals establishing Italian residency after 10 August 2024. Existing participants at the time were not affected and continued at €100,000.

From 1 January 2026, Italy’s 2026 Budget Law (Law No. 199/2025) raised the substitute tax further, to €300,000 per year for new elections. Individuals who opted into the scheme before 1 January 2026 are grandfathered at their rate at the time of election. If you established residency between 10 August 2024 and 31 December 2025, your rate remains €200,000. If you established residency before 10 August 2024, your rate remains €100,000.

Family Members

Qualifying family members, including spouses, children, parents, and siblings, can be included in the scheme under a separate election, at an additional charge per person. For elections made from 1 January 2026, the family member rate is €50,000 per person per year. Those who joined before that date pay the prior rate of €25,000.

Duration

The regime runs for up to 15 years from the tax year in which you first establish Italian residency and opt in. There is no extension beyond this period. Once the 15 years are exhausted, you move onto ordinary Italian taxation.

Electing into the Scheme

You elect into the regime via the relevant section (section NR) of your Italian annual tax return (Modello Redditi Persone Fisiche) in the first year of residency. Alternatively, and before establishing residency, you may apply for an advance ruling from the Agenzia delle Entrate to confirm your eligibility. The ruling is not mandatory, but it gives certainty before you commit to the move. Your Italian tax adviser will guide you through this process.

Leaving the Scheme

You can revoke the election at any time. If you do, the revocation is permanent: the regime cannot be reinstated once abandoned. The election also terminates automatically if you fail to pay the substitute tax by the 30 June annual deadline, or if you cease to be an Italian tax resident.

What the Flat Tax Does Not Cover

The substitute tax replaces Italian tax on foreign-sourced income only. The following remain subject to ordinary Italian taxation:

• Italian-source income, including employment income, Italian rental income, and Italian business income
• Capital gains on Italian assets
• Inheritance and gift taxes on Italian-sited assets (though foreign-sited assets are exempt from Italian inheritance and gift tax for the duration of the regime)

Ordinarily, Italian tax residents are required to pay two annual charges on assets held abroad: IVAFE, a tax on the market value of foreign financial assets (standard rate 0.2%, or 0.4% for assets held in certain low-tax jurisdictions), and IVIE, a tax on foreign real property (currently 1.06% of taxable value, increased from 0.76% from FY2024). Both are declared via the Quadro RW section of the Italian tax return.

For participants in the Article 24-bis flat-rate regime, both IVAFE and IVIE are waived on foreign assets for the duration of the scheme. This exemption is a material feature of the regime, not an incidental benefit. The Quadro RW reporting obligation is also suspended for covered assets while the scheme is in force.

If you choose not to opt into the flat-rate scheme, or when the scheme ends after 15 years, ordinary IVAFE and IVIE apply in full on your foreign-sited assets. At those rates, a substantial international portfolio or overseas property holding can give rise to a significant additional charge each year.

Even within the flat-rate scheme, Italian-sourced income is taxed at Italy’s progressive rates. For the 2026 tax year, the IRPEF rates published by the Agenzia delle Entrate are:

• 23% on taxable income up to €28,000
• 33% on income between €28,001 and €50,000 (reduced from 35% under Italy’s 2026 Budget Law)
• 43% on income above €50,000

Regional surcharges of between 1.23% and 3.33%, and municipal surcharges of up to 0.9%, apply on top of the national rate and vary by location.

For those who do not qualify for the flat-rate scheme, or who choose not to apply, these IRPEF rates apply to worldwide income from the point at which Italian tax residency is established.

Ceasing UK tax residency is a matter of law, not intention. It is governed by the UK’s Statutory Residence Test, which applies a set of conditions based on time spent in the UK, whether you have maintained a UK home, and a series of connecting factors. The change does not happen automatically on the date you leave. Getting the SRT position right is essential, and it typically requires specialist advice in the tax year of departure.

No UK Exit Tax, but a Five-Year Shadow

The UK does not impose an exit tax: there is no deemed disposal of worldwide assets at the point you leave. HMRC’s guidance on temporary non-residence confirms that gains realised during your non-resident period are not brought into charge at departure.

However, the temporary non-residence rules mean that if you return to UK tax residency within five complete UK tax years of leaving, certain gains and income categories realised during your absence can be brought back into charge in the year of your return. The rules are not an exit tax, but they are an effective deterrent against short-term non-residence planning. If your intention is a long-term move to Italy rather than a temporary arrangement, the five-year window is unlikely to affect you, but it is worth understanding before you leave.

UK-Sourced Income

HMRC retains taxing rights over UK-sourced income regardless of where you live. UK rental income from property you continue to own, income from UK partnerships, and certain UK pension income will still give rise to UK tax obligations after your departure. The UK-Italy Double Taxation Agreement, signed in 1988 and in force since 31 December 1990, allocates taxing rights between the two countries and prevents the same income from being fully taxed twice.

Under the treaty, private and most occupational pensions are generally taxable in Italy as the country of residence. UK government-service pensions, including civil service, armed forces, police, and teaching, remain taxable in the UK only. The treaty contains tie-breaker provisions (Article 4) that determine residency where both countries might otherwise have a claim.

Non-Dom Status and the Remittance Basis

If you previously benefited from UK non-domiciled status and the remittance basis, it is worth noting that the remittance basis was reformed with effect from 6 April 2025. Those who had structured their affairs around remittance basis treatment should take specific advice on the implications for their transition to Italian residency. The interaction between the two regimes is individual to each taxpayer’s position.

UK Tax Year Timing

The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April. Italy’s tax year is the calendar year. The date on which your UK residency ceases, and the date on which you establish Italian residency, will determine which country taxes income earned in the transition period. Careful planning around these dates, ideally before you commit to a move date, can materially affect your position in the first year.

How Do I Elect into Italy’s Flat-Rate Tax Scheme?

The election is made via the NR section of your Italian annual income tax return (Modello Redditi Persone Fisiche) in the first year of Italian tax residency. Before establishing residency, you can also apply for an advance ruling from the Agenzia delle Entrate to confirm your eligibility. The ruling gives legal certainty before you commit. Your Italian tax adviser will handle the mechanics, but the decision to apply, and the timing, is one to make jointly with your advisers on both sides.

Does the Flat Tax Cover My UK Pension Income?

Most private and occupational pensions are allocated to the country of residence under the UK-Italy Double Taxation Agreement. Once you are an Italian tax resident, private pension income will typically be taxable in Italy. Under the flat-rate scheme, that foreign-sourced pension income is covered by the substitute tax rather than ordinary IRPEF. UK government-service pensions, including civil service and armed forces, are an exception: they remain taxable in the UK regardless of where you live. The precise treatment depends on the nature and source of your pension, and requires individual advice.

What Happens If I Return to the UK before the 15 Years Are Up?

If you return to UK tax residency, you cease to qualify for the Italian flat-rate regime. Your Italian tax position reverts to ordinary IRPEF on worldwide income from the point of departure. On the UK side, the temporary non-residence rules mean that if you return within five complete tax years of leaving, gains and certain income realised during your Italian residence period may be brought back into UK charge in the year of return. Both consequences carry potentially significant financial implications, and you would need specialist advice on both sides promptly.

Can I Still Own UK Property and Use the Flat-Rate Scheme?

Yes. Owning UK property does not prevent you from establishing Italian tax residency or opting into the flat-rate regime, provided you genuinely establish Italy as your tax domicile and habitual abode under the relevant tests. Rental income from UK property remains UK-taxable under the DTA, and UK property gains are subject to UK CGT regardless of where you live. Owning UK property while claiming Italian residency also requires careful management of your UK ties under the Statutory Residence Test.

Do I Need Both a UK and an Italian Tax Adviser?

In almost all cases, yes. The UK and Italian tax systems interact in ways that are difficult to navigate with only one jurisdiction covered. Your Italian adviser will handle the election, the Agenzia delle Entrate ruling if applicable, and your annual Italian compliance. Your UK adviser will handle the SRT analysis, the P85 notification to HMRC, your final UK self-assessment return, and the ongoing treatment of any remaining UK-source income. The two advisers also need to be coordinated on timing, since decisions made on one side can have unintended consequences on the other.

Relocating a significant collection to Italy requires a different kind of preparation. Fine art, antiques, and high-value objects sit at the intersection of several distinct regulatory systems: UK export controls, international wildlife protection law, Italy’s own cultural heritage framework, and, since June 2025, new EU-wide import controls for cultural goods. Each applies independently. Together, they mean that the documentation process for a collection of any complexity needs to begin well before your move date.

The good news is that this is manageable, provided the planning starts early and the right expertise is in place from the outset. This guide explains what you need to know.

For a full overview of relocating to Italy, visit our guide to moving to Italy from the UK.

Italy has some of the world’s most detailed cultural property legislation. The Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio (Legislative Decree 42/2004) governs the protection, circulation, and export of items of artistic, historical, and archaeological significance. Italian customs authorities take this framework seriously, and the documentation requirements for goods entering the country from outside the EU have become more complex since Brexit.

There are now four distinct layers of compliance to consider: UK export licensing, CITES documentation, Italy’s own cultural property rules, and the new EU import controls that came into force on 28 June 2025. None of these replace the others. A collection that clears CITES requirements still needs to meet UK export licensing rules, and both need to be in order before the EU import framework is satisfied.

Planning ahead is what removes risk from a move that should, by the time your belongings arrive in Italy, feel entirely seamless.

Arts Council England (ACE) administers the export licensing system on behalf of the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. Applications are made online through ACE’s export licensing portal.

The Open General Export Licence (OGEL) covers most antiques and cultural objects over 50 years old where the value per item or matching set falls below the relevant threshold for the category. For most cultural objects, that threshold is £65,000. For oil paintings, it sits at £180,000. Items above these thresholds require an individual export licence from ACE.

These thresholds have remained frozen since 2002, which means objects that previously fell comfortably below the limit may now sit closer to it, particularly if values have risen over time. Manuscripts and UK archaeological finds have no minimum value threshold and require a licence regardless of value. The export licence process is entirely separate from, and in addition to, any CITES requirements that may also apply to your collection.

Once an individual licence is issued, a digital copy is attached to the Export Declaration submitted to HMRC through the Customs Declaration Service. ACE advises applying well in advance of your planned move date.

CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, governs the international movement of items containing materials derived from protected species. For a private collection, this can affect more pieces than many owners expect.
The materials most commonly encountered in antiques and fine art include ivory (piano keys, carved handles, inlay, jewellery), tortoiseshell (boxes, frames, decorative objects), Brazilian rosewood and certain other tropical hardwoods (antique furniture, inlay work), coral, exotic leathers (crocodile, alligator, snake), and certain feathers. Musical instruments frequently contain more than one CITES-listed material.

Since January 2021, when the UK left the EU’s single market, items containing CITES-listed materials require a permit from the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to move from Great Britain to any EU member state, including Italy. This is a meaningful post-Brexit change.

A common misconception is that a genuine antique is automatically exempt. Pre-Convention items, those made before the relevant species was listed under CITES, may be exempt from trade restrictions, but they still require documentation to cross borders. The exemption removes a restriction; it does not remove the paperwork. For ivory specifically, there is no antique exemption from the permit requirement.

APHA permits are valid for six months and the agency advises applying at least 30 days before the move. Italy enforces CITES requirements at customs; without the correct documentation, goods can be delayed, held, or refused entry.

Italy’s approach to cultural property is governed by the Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio (D.Lgs. 42/2004), one of the most comprehensive cultural heritage frameworks in the world. When items of artistic, historical, or archaeological significance enter Italy from outside the EU, Italian customs and the regional Soprintendenza (heritage office) assess whether those items can circulate freely within the country.

For older items above the applicable threshold, an Italian certificate of free circulation may be required. This involves presenting the item to the relevant export office, providing documentation of its provenance and lawful origin, and obtaining the certificate before the item enters unrestricted circulation.

EU Regulation 2019/880, which came into force across all EU member states on 28 June 2025, introduces new import controls for cultural goods entering the EU from non-EU countries. As the UK is now a third country for EU purposes, this regulation applies to collections moving from the UK to Italy.

The regulation applies in two tiers. Category B covers items over 250 years old, regardless of their value. This includes archaeological objects, antiquities, and items from prehistoric periods. Before these goods can enter Italy, an import licence must be obtained through the EU’s Import of Cultural Goods (ICG) digital system. Category C covers items over 200 years old valued at €18,000 or more. These require an importer statement rather than a full licence, but the statement must still be submitted through the ICG system before import.

Importantly, these requirements apply to all imports, including those made as part of a private relocation. There is no general personal-use exemption.

Proving lawful export from the item’s country of origin is central to the application. Auction catalogues, historic export licences, purchase invoices, and insurance records all help. For older collections, some of this documentation may need to be reconstructed. This is one of the reasons starting the documentation review early makes such a practical difference.

Wine is explicitly excluded from Transfer of Residence (Trasferimento di Residenza) relief under Italian customs rules. Unlike furniture, art, and personal effects, which may qualify for duty-free import under the relief if they have been owned and used for at least six months, wine and alcohol cannot be imported duty-free as part of a household move regardless of how long the collection has been held.

Moving a significant wine collection to Italy requires temperature-controlled transit throughout, appropriate insurance that reflects the collection’s value, and a separate customs assessment on arrival. The administrative and logistical requirements are distinct from those for the rest of the household.

Your move coordinator can manage the wine collection as part of the broader relocation plan, ensuring that transit conditions and documentation are handled alongside everything else.

The physical care of a collection during transit is inseparable from the documentation process. Both need to be planned together, and both require specialist knowledge.

Our in-house crating workshop builds to the exact dimensions and structural requirements of each piece. Crates are not standardised. A framed oil painting, a marble bust, a cabinet of lacquerwork, and a set of ceremonial silver all require different approaches to internal bracing, material choice, and climate management. Standard household removals packing is not designed for pieces where any environmental variation or structural stress represents an irreplaceable loss.

At the in-home survey, your coordinator assesses the condition, dimensions, and specific packing requirements of every item in your collection. They also review the documentation status of each piece: which items may need export licences, which contain CITES-listed materials, and which fall within the scope of the new EU import controls. This means the logistics and the compliance work are managed as a single process rather than two separate ones.

Climate-controlled vehicles are used throughout transit. Your dedicated coordinator manages the full pipeline from survey to delivery, including liaison with Arts Council England, APHA, and Italian customs where required. You have one point of contact for everything.

Does My Collection Need an Export Licence to Leave the UK?

It depends on the category and value of each item. Most antiques over 50 years old and valued below the relevant threshold for their category are covered by the Open General Export Licence and do not require an individual application. Items above the threshold require an individual licence from Arts Council England. Oil paintings valued above £180,000 and most other cultural objects above £65,000 fall into this category. Your coordinator can help identify which items in your collection need a separate application before the move.

What Is a CITES Permit and Does My Antique Furniture Need One?

CITES governs the international movement of items containing materials from protected species. If your furniture contains rosewood, ivory, tortoiseshell, or certain other exotic materials, it will need an APHA permit to leave Great Britain and enter Italy, even if the piece is a genuine antique. The rules changed after Brexit, and items that previously moved between the UK and Italy without individual CITES documentation may now require permits. The antique status of a piece does not automatically remove the paperwork requirement.

Can I Include Wine in My Household Move to Italy?

Wine is excluded from Transfer of Residence relief under Italian customs rules and cannot be imported duty-free as part of a household move. Collections require a separate arrangement, including temperature-controlled transit and a customs assessment on arrival. We can advise on how to manage this as part of your overall relocation plan.

What Is the Attestato di Libera Circolazione?

It is an Italian certificate of free circulation for cultural objects, issued by the relevant regional authority. Italian customs may require evidence of an item’s lawful origin and provenance when it enters Italy from outside the EU, and older items above the applicable threshold may need to be presented to the relevant Soprintendenza as part of that process. The Attestato is also relevant if you later decide to sell or move the item again. Your coordinator will advise which pieces in your collection are likely to require this assessment on arrival.

How Far in Advance Should I Start Planning the Documentation?

For a collection of any size or complexity, we recommend beginning the documentation review at least three months before your planned move date. APHA permit applications typically require at least 30 days to process. EU import licence applications under Regulation 2019/880 add further lead time. Some of this work, particularly reconstructing provenance documentation for older pieces, can take longer than expected. Starting early is the single most effective thing you can do to keep the move on schedule.

Moving from the UK to Italy, most families hit the same question early: what will this actually cost? The national figures you find online are not useless, but they rarely describe the reality of a household moving from London or the Home Counties. This guide focuses on the costs that tend to matter most for families making a considered international move, and why the region you choose shapes the budget as much as anything else.

For a broader picture of what the relocation involves, see our guide to moving to Italy from the UK.

Italy’s cost of living varies more by region than almost anywhere else in Western Europe. The north, particularly Milan, the Lakes, and coastal Liguria, sits broadly in line with major northern European cities. The south, including Sicily, Calabria, and Puglia, is substantially cheaper across almost every category.

Urban and rural gaps add to this. City-centre living in Rome or Florence carries a significant premium over the surrounding countryside, while rural properties in quieter provinces can be good value by UK standards. National averages tell you very little when you are choosing between specific regions.

The Chiantishire belt, the stretch of Tuscan countryside between Florence and Siena that British and American buyers colonised from the 1980s onwards, is worth singling out. Decades of demand from affluent foreign buyers have pushed prices well above the Tuscan average. A stone farmhouse in Greve in Chianti will cost considerably more than a comparable property in Umbria, the Marche, or less-visited parts of Tuscany such as Lunigiana or the Maremma. If this part of Italy appeals to you, the Chiantishire premium is a real planning factor.

Italy’s property market runs from Milan city apartments that rank among the most expensive in southern Europe to Sicilian farmhouses available for a fraction of comparable UK prices. The regional picture matters more than any single national number.

Milan is the most expensive Italian city, with asking prices in central and sought-after areas running well above Rome and Florence.

Lake Como can rival or exceed Milan for lakefront positions. The Lakes luxury market has seen sustained international demand, with ultra-prime properties in Cernobbio and Laglio among the highest-priced in Italy.

Rome is more affordable than Milan across the city as a whole, though Parioli, Prati, and the historic centre are expensive. Florence sits in the middle: city-centre prices are above Rome’s average, but the suburbs and surrounding countryside offer considerably more space for the same money.

Tuscany covers a wide range. The Chianti Classico corridor carries a sustained premium, with restored stone properties in good positions frequently above €500,000. Rural properties in less-visited Tuscan provinces such as Grosseto and Pistoia start at meaningfully lower levels.
Liguria, Umbria, and Sicily each work differently. Liguria’s coastal strip, particularly around Portofino and the Cinque Terre, is priced by scarcity. Umbria attracts buyers looking for an alternative to Tuscany at lower prices. Sicily is the most accessible part of the Italian market for buyers with flexibility on location.

The gap between a restoration project and a ready-to-live-in property is real. A structurally sound farmhouse needing full renovation will cost a fraction of a finished equivalent. For families who do not want to manage a building project from the UK, the premium for a turnkey property is justified.

Prices across all regions move. Your move coordinator can connect you with trusted Italian property professionals as part of the relocation process.

Schooling is typically one of the larger cost items for families moving with children. International provision concentrates in Rome, Milan, and Florence, with a smaller number of options in Turin, Bologna, and other northern cities.

In Rome, fully private international schools offering British, American, or IB curricula charge annual tuition typically between €15,000 and €27,000 per child. IB Diploma and A Level years sit at the top of that range. Transport, lunches, capital levies, and exam fees typically add another 10 to 15%.

In Florence, the International School of Florence publishes 2026-27 tuition ranging from €14,950 for Early Years to €26,420 for the IB Diploma. New students pay a one-time entrance fee of €7,800. These figures are broadly in line with UK independent day school fees. Boarding is less common at Italian international schools, and some UK families keep older children in UK boarding arrangements while the parents relocate.

In Milan, several schools offer IB and English-language curricula with fees broadly in line with Rome and Florence. Fees vary by year group and curriculum track, so it is worth confirming directly with each school.

Italian state schools are free and generally good. For families planning to stay long-term, particularly those arriving with younger children, the state system works well for many. Older children making the jump to Italian-medium secondary education tend to find the transition harder.

Places at the most established international schools in Rome and Florence can be limited. Starting the admissions process before a move date is confirmed is worth doing.

Italy’s national health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), covers legal residents. For UK families, access depends on how you arrive and whether residency has been established.

UK retirees receiving a State Pension may be able to register with the SSN using an S1 form from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services. With an S1, you pay only the standard co-payments, called tickets, that Italian residents pay: broadly €18 to €38 for a specialist visit.

For UK nationals without an S1, voluntary enrolment is available once residency is confirmed. Voluntary contributions are currently set at €2,000 per year for most applicants, rising to a maximum of €2,788.87 for higher earners, covering GP registration, hospital care, and maternity services. Verify the current figures with your local ASL, as these amounts are revised periodically.

Between arrival and confirmed residency, and for families who want coverage that includes the UK as well, private or international health insurance is the practical option. Providers such as Allianz Care, Cigna Global, and Foyer Global Health offer policies covering both countries. Costs vary considerably by age, cover level, and whether UK treatment is included, so getting tailored quotes before committing makes sense.

Day-to-day life in most Italian regions costs less than in London or the south-east. The gap is clearest in food. Lunch at a local trattoria, a shop at a good market, a bottle of local wine: Italy is noticeably cheaper than the UK here, and the quality is high.

Grocery shopping is generally favourable. Produce, meat, and staples tend to cost less than UK equivalents, and restaurants outside the tourist centres are typically more affordable than comparable London options.

Utilities vary. Monthly household utility costs for a mid-sized property are broadly comparable to the UK, though older stone buildings without modern insulation can run higher in winter. Recently restored or newly built properties perform better on energy costs.

Domestic staff, including housekeepers, gardeners, and estate managers, cost less than in London or the Home Counties. For families running larger rural properties, that difference adds up over a year.

Outside major cities, car ownership is the norm. Fuel prices are broadly in line with the UK, though motorway tolls add a regular cost UK drivers are not used to. Public transport in Rome and Milan is good and significantly cheaper than London.

Is Italy cheaper than the UK to live in?

Mostly, yes. Food, restaurants, and domestic services typically cost less than in the UK, and rents are lower across most of Italy. The gap is smaller in Milan and in popular expat areas of Tuscany, and larger in southern Italy and rural regions. How much cheaper depends on where you settle and how you live.

How much do international schools cost in Italy?

Fees at leading international schools in Rome, Milan, and Florence are broadly in line with UK independent day school fees. Annual tuition at fully private schools in Rome typically runs between €15,000 and €27,000 per child. The International School of Florence publishes 2026-27 tuition from €14,950 to €26,420, with a one-time entrance fee of €7,800. Additional costs for transport, lunches, and fees typically add another 10 to 15%.

Can I access free healthcare in Italy?

Once you are legally resident, you can register with the SSN and use public healthcare. UK retirees with an S1 form from the NHS can register at their local ASL paying only the standard co-payments for specialist visits. Without an S1, voluntary enrolment costs €2,000 per year for most applicants. Before residency is confirmed, private or international health insurance is the practical route to coverage.

Are property prices in Italy rising?

In the premium markets, yes. Demand for quality rural and coastal property in Tuscany, Liguria, and the Lakes remains strong, and Rome and Milan have seen steady price growth in central areas. The south has moved more slowly. Prices keep shifting, so figures should be checked with Italian property professionals when you are actively searching.

What is the typical cost of an international removal to Italy?

There is no single figure. The cost depends on the volume of your contents, the distance from your UK home to your Italian destination, and any specialist requirements such as fine art, antiques, vehicles, or wine. Your move coordinator will give you a recommendation after an in-home survey. To start the process, arrange a consultation with our team.

Italy draws UK families for reasons that are difficult to articulate and almost impossible to resist. The climate, the culture, the pace of life, the food, the landscape. For many people who contact us, the decision to move to Italy has been forming quietly for years before it becomes a plan.

This guide is for those at the serious planning stage: people who are moving from the UK to Italy and want to understand what is actually involved. It covers the main planning topics in enough depth to help you think clearly, with links to dedicated guides where more detail is needed.

There is no single version of life in Italy. A hilltop farmhouse in Umbria, an apartment overlooking a Milanese piazza, a villa on Lake Como, a townhouse in a Sicilian hill village: these are different countries in almost every respect other than the passport you will carry. What they share is a quality of life that, for many UK families, represents something the UK has quietly stopped offering.

The pace is one part of it. Italian life tends to be organised around enjoyment in a way that feels deliberate rather than accidental. Meals are long. Schools close for the afternoon in some regions. The seasons are marked and observed. For families with children, this can feel like a revelation, particularly when set against the pressures of London or the larger English cities.

Climate is another consideration, though it varies more than people expect. Northern Italy shares some of the UK’s grey winters. Central and southern Italy offer long, warm summers and mild winters, with the south and Sicily remaining warm well into autumn. Families who want reliable warmth tend to look south or to the islands. Those who want proximity to the Alps and easy access to the rest of Europe tend to look north.

International schooling is available in Florence, Rome, Milan, and other cities, which matters for families whose children are mid-education or whose careers require a degree of international mobility. Safety is generally high by European standards, though it varies by city and neighbourhood. Healthcare, once you are properly registered, is well regarded, particularly for chronic and specialist care.

The question most families are really asking is not whether Italy is the right country, but whether the version of Italy they have in mind is the right version for their life. That is worth thinking through carefully before any planning begins.

Since the end of free movement on 1 January 2021, UK citizens are treated as third-country nationals by Italy. You can visit Italy visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, but to live there, you will need to apply for a long-stay visa before you leave the UK.

The main routes for HNW individuals and families are as follows. The Elective Residence Visa is designed for those who can support themselves without working in Italy. It requires demonstrable passive income from pensions, investments, rental income, or similar sources.

The income threshold is not fixed in Italian law, but specialist commentary and consular guidance commonly reference approximately €32,000 per year for a single applicant, with higher expectations for couples and families.

The Digital Nomad Visa is available to those working remotely for non-Italian employers or clients, with a minimum income requirement of approximately €28,000 to €30,000 per year. The Self-Employment Visa covers freelancers and those establishing a business in Italy, though requirements are specific and legal advice is strongly recommended.

For those with Italian ancestry, citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) is a separate route entirely: it confers Italian citizenship based on documented lineage rather than residence, and bypasses the visa process altogether.

Once you arrive in Italy on a long-stay visa, you must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within 8 days of arrival, at your local questura (police headquarters) or posta italiana. You will also need to register with the anagrafe, the local municipality registry, if you are staying for more than three months.

The codice fiscale, Italy’s equivalent of a National Insurance number, is an alphanumeric tax code you will need for almost every administrative process, from opening a bank account to signing a lease. It can be obtained from Italian consulates in the UK before you depart, or from the Agenzia delle Entrate after arrival.

The process involves more documentation and more interdependencies than many people expect. Your dedicated coordinator can help you sequence the administrative steps around your moving timeline, so that nothing is delayed by a document that should have been obtained in the right order.

Italy’s cost of living is broadly lower than the UK’s, but the range between regions is wide enough that any single comparison is almost meaningless. Property prices in central Florence or the more established areas of Lake Como can approach London levels. In rural Tuscany, Umbria, or Sicily, the same budget buys something quite different. For HNW households, Italy tends to offer strong value in terms of what lifestyle quality costs per pound or euro spent, particularly outside the major cities.

Property is the area where the variation is most dramatic. The Italian market includes everything from habitable farmhouses in need of attention to fully restored villas with staff quarters and private land. For those buying in popular areas such as Chiantishire, the Amalfi Coast, or Lake Como, prices have risen steadily in recent years, driven partly by international demand. For those willing to look further, the value proposition remains compelling.

Schooling is a practical consideration for families. International schools operate in Rome, Milan, Florence, and a handful of other cities, with fees that are broadly comparable to UK independent schools. State schools are free, well regarded in many areas, and an effective route for children to integrate, though the language transition requires planning. Healthcare, once you are registered with Italy’s national health service (SSN), is free at the point of use for most treatments and well regarded for specialist care.

Everyday living costs, including food, restaurants, and local transport, tend to be meaningfully lower than in London or the south-east of England, particularly in smaller towns and rural areas. For families making the move from expensive parts of the UK, the shift in what daily life costs can be substantial.

Italy is a long, varied country, and the choice of where to live shapes almost everything else about the move. The regions below are the ones that come up most often among the families we work with, though this is far from an exhaustive picture.

Tuscany

Tuscany remains the most established destination for UK families moving to Italy. Florence offers city life with excellent international schools and strong transport links. The Chiantishire belt, the rolling hills between Florence and Siena, has an established British expat community, beautiful landscape, and a quality of life that many regard as difficult to improve upon. Lucca is a well-preserved walled city with a calmer pace and a growing international community. Property in Tuscany spans the full range, from restored farmhouses to working estates.

Rome and Lazio

Rome and Lazio suit those who want a world-class city with direct international connections. Rome has several strong international schools, a large diplomatic and corporate community, and a cultural life that is simply without parallel. Traffic, bureaucracy, and the pace of the city are the trade-offs. Lazio beyond Rome offers quieter alternatives within an easy commute.

Milan and the north

Milan and the north draw those with business interests in Europe or who want strong transport connectivity. Milan is Italy’s financial and design capital, with excellent international schools, a dense expat community, and direct flights to most European cities. The surrounding Lombardy and Piedmont regions offer good value relative to the city itself.

Lake Como and the lakes

Lake Como and the lakes attract those looking for privacy, scenery, and a well-established international community. Properties on the western shore of Como command significant prices, but the lake region also includes more accessible options around Lake Maggiore and Lake Garda.

Liguria

Liguria, the Italian Riviera, offers a Mediterranean coastline, a mild climate, and close proximity to the French border. Portofino, Santa Margherita, and the Cinque Terre region draw buyers looking for coastal living within reach of Genoa’s airport.

Sicily

Sicily has grown steadily in popularity among international buyers, particularly those drawn by warmth, value, and a quality of life that feels unhurried. Palermo, Taormina, and the Val di Noto in the south-east all have established international communities.

For HNW individuals and families considering a move to Italy, the tax position warrants serious attention before any other planning begins. Italy operates a Regime dei Nuovi Residenti, a flat-tax scheme for new residents, that was originally introduced in 2017. Under the rules set out by the Agenzia delle Entrate, qualifying individuals pay a flat annual substitute tax on all their foreign-sourced income, in place of ordinary Italian income tax rates on those earnings.

The rate for new opt-ins from 1 January 2026 is €300,000 per year, regardless of how much is earned abroad. Family members can be included for an additional €50,000 per person per year. The scheme lasts for up to 15 years. To qualify, you must not have been an Italian tax resident in at least 9 of the 10 tax years immediately before transferring your residency to Italy. Italian-sourced income is taxed separately under ordinary Italian rates and is not covered by the flat tax.

For those who transferred their residency and opted into the scheme before the 2026 rate change, existing participants remain on their entry rate for the duration of their 15-year period. The rate history is worth noting: the scheme launched at €100,000 per year, was raised to €200,000 from August 2023, and was raised again to €300,000 for new opt-ins from 1 January 2026.

This scheme is a significant consideration for those with substantial foreign investment income, pension income, or overseas business interests. However, it is not the right structure for everyone, and the interaction with the UK-Italy double taxation treaty, UK exit charges, and the timing of residency transfer all require specialist advice before any decisions are made.

A well-executed move to Italy involves a sequence of decisions and actions that need to happen in the right order. The visa application comes first, because you cannot live in Italy without one, and processing typically takes up to 90 days for an Elective Residence Visa. Once you have a visa and an arrival date, the administrative sequence begins: permesso di soggiorno within 8 days, anagrafe registration, codice fiscale, healthcare registration, and, where relevant, the tax residency process if you are opting into the Regime dei Nuovi Residenti.

Alongside the administrative sequence, the physical move needs to be planned. For a household with furniture, personal effects, vehicles, and collections, this involves considerably more coordination than a domestic move. Customs documentation for household goods, careful management of CITES-regulated items, specialist packing for fragile or high-value pieces, and coordination with Italian customs authorities all need to happen in parallel with the administrative work.

Your dedicated coordinator manages the logistics thread from the initial survey of your household through to delivery and placement in your Italian home. That includes the inventory and customs paperwork for your household goods, the specialist handling and documentation for any high-value collections, and the sequencing of delivery around your arrival date and the availability of your new property. Having a single point of contact for the physical move means that the logistical complexity sits with someone who has managed this route many times, while you focus on the administrative and legal steps that require your personal attention.
For those moving with vehicles, pets, or fine art, your coordinator can also advise on the additional documentation and timing involved in each.

Italy has some of the most comprehensive cultural property legislation in the world, and it applies not only to items already in Italy but, in some circumstances, to items being brought in. Anyone moving a significant art collection, antique furniture, or heritage objects from the UK to Italy should understand the documentation landscape before the move begins.

For items leaving the UK, Arts Council England administers export licences for cultural goods. Items of significance may require a UK export licence before they leave the country. Items made from or incorporating materials derived from protected species, including ivory, tortoiseshell, certain tropical timbers, and exotic leathers, will require CITES documentation. This applies to antique furniture, musical instruments, decorative objects, and jewellery, as well as more obviously regulated items. Since the UK is now a third country for EU customs purposes, these requirements apply fully to moves between the UK and Italy.

Within Italy, the Codice dei Beni Culturali e del Paesaggio governs the movement and export of cultural property. From 2026, the threshold for an Attestato di Libera Circolazione, the certificate required to move qualifying artworks, has been raised to €50,000 for items created more than 70 years ago. However, Italian cultural property law is complex, and the specific rules for items being imported as part of a household move can differ from those governing commercial art transactions. Legal advice is strongly recommended for anyone moving a collection of significance.

Specialist handling matters here beyond the documentation. Oil paintings, antique furniture, marble sculptures, ceramics, and textiles all require packing methods and environmental controls that standard removals cannot provide. Our in-house crating workshop builds to specification for each piece, and our team manages the documentation alongside the physical move, so that nothing is delayed at customs or at the Italian border.

Do UK Citizens Need a Visa to Live in Italy?

Yes. Since 1 January 2021, UK citizens are no longer EU nationals and must apply for an Italian long-stay visa if they wish to live in Italy for more than 90 days in any 180-day period. The most common routes for those relocating from the UK are the Elective Residence Visa, the Digital Nomad Visa, and the Self-Employment Visa. You apply through the Italian consulate in the UK before departure. Your specific route will depend on your income, employment situation, and personal circumstances, and specialist immigration advice is worth taking before you apply.

Can I Bring My Household Goods to Italy Without Paying Customs Duties?

In most cases, yes, provided you qualify for Transfer of Residence relief. Personal effects and household goods can be imported into Italy duty-free, as long as the items have been owned and used for at least six months prior to the move and you are making a genuine transfer of your primary residence. New items purchased for the move do not qualify and will be subject to Italian import duty and VAT. Full documentation is required, including a detailed inventory of all goods. Your coordinator can help ensure the inventory and customs paperwork are prepared correctly ahead of your move date.

How Long Does an International Removal to Italy Typically Take?

Transit times vary depending on the volume of your consignment, the origin and destination addresses, and whether you are moving as a full-load or as part of a groupage service. Your coordinator will advise on a realistic timeline for your specific move once the initial survey of your household has been completed.

Do I Need an Italian Tax Number Before Moving?

You will need a codice fiscale, Italy’s alphanumeric tax identification code, for a wide range of administrative steps, including opening a bank account, signing a lease, and registering with the healthcare system. You can apply for one through the Italian consulate in the UK before you depart, which is often the most practical approach. Your coordinator can flag the timing of this step in the context of your wider moving plan.

What Happens with My NHS Coverage When I Move to Italy?

Your NHS entitlement ends when you move abroad permanently. If you are receiving a UK State Pension, you may be eligible for an S1 form, which allows you to register with Italy’s national health service (SSN) with healthcare costs reimbursed by the UK. If you are not yet of pension age or do not qualify for an S1, you will need private health insurance when you first arrive, until you meet the residency and registration requirements to enrol in the SSN. Your coordinator can flag this in the planning sequence so that appropriate cover is arranged ahead of your arrival date.