Moving to Italy

What's not to love about Italy? From the delicious food and captivating coastline to the rich history and art museums you can find in every city you visit. If you decide to make Italy your new home, you can look forward to fully immersing yourself in the Italian culture and enjoying the European lifestyle. Ready to learn how to move to Italy from the USA?

We're here to help.

We put together a guide to help you plan and prepare for moving to Italy from the USA.

Landscape view of Italy

Why Move to Italy

There are countless reasons to consider moving to Italy from the USA. This country has a reputation for providing individuals with a superior quality of life and work-life balance. Plus, you can enjoy everything a tourist loves about the country daily! This includes:

Beautiful Weather

The weather in Italy is almost always enjoyable. Summers are hot, but you can always retreat to the coastlines for a dip in the ocean. Autumn and spring are mild and pleasant. If you're a snowbird, you'll find great skiing opportunities in the Italian Alps during the winter.

Culture of the World

Italy is known for its rich culture. There are countless museums, churches and historical monuments to explore.

Food & Wine

Who doesn't love endless Italian food? One of the many perks of moving to Italy from the USA is the food and the plenty of restaurants.

Moving to Italy Checklist

If you're an American moving to Italy, there are a few steps you'll need to take to achieve a seamless transition. You'll want to create a checklist to keep you on task and ensure everything is complete before moving day. Here's how to move to Italy.

How to Move Your Belongings Internationally

Before moving to Italy, consider downsizing your belongings. This not only lightens your load but also saves you a significant amount on international moving costs. If it's a temporary move, renting a storage unit in your city might be a smart move. For a permanent relocation, explore custom crates and shipping options with an international moving company. .

Get the Proper Documents (VISA)

Most Americans moving to Italy are required to obtain a VISA before moving. If you plan on moving to Italy for over three months, you're considered a resident. Before arriving in Italy, you must obtain a merit of stay. You can also apply for a work visa later on.

Individuals who apply for a VISA can import household belongings and motor vehicles duty-free within the first three months of moving.

To learn more about living in Italy, visit the website of the U.S. Embassy & Consulates in Italy.

Decide What Area to Live

There are countless cities to consider moving to. Whether Rome, Florence, Palermo or Venice, each city has different advantages and disadvantages.

Before moving, consider narrowing down a list of 2-3 places you want to live. From there, consider the following to help you narrow your choices and find the perfect place to move:

Cost of Living
Job Opportunities
Culture and Community

Look into Health Insurance

Once you've completed the VISA process and have an Italian identity card, you can apply for health insurance at the nearest health authority office. You will be required to bring in additional documentation to obtain health insurance. The average cost of health insurance for foreigners is around $150 a year.

Start Looking for a Job

You'll want to start looking into job opportunities before the move. However, many businesses may not hire you until you obtain a VISA or are already living in Italy. If you work remotely, you may be able to keep your job while living in Italy.

Secure your Finances

Next, you'll need to open a bank account in Italy and start the transition to your new country. You can apply for a bank account once you have proof of employment, a residence permit, and proof of address.

Learn to Speak the Local Language

While learning Italian isn't mandatory, it will help you navigate the different cities and build relationships with the locals. Consider taking online courses or enrolling in an Italian class in your local community.

Get an International Driving Permit

Americans moving to Italy will need to obtain an international driving permit.

To be eligible, you must have a driver's license in the United States, be over 21 and have valid insurance coverage. Also, the traffic laws should be reviewed since they may vary from those in the United States. The process is relatively straightforward, and the application can be completed online.

The North American Van Lines team is here to help if you're moving to Italy from the USA. For over 90 years, we've been helping individuals and families relocate from the USA to Italy. We're here to help you navigate customs, provide custom crating, and give advice on the VISA process.