Cost of Living in Italy: A Guide for UK Families Moving Abroad

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.