You have found a place to live, started exploring your neighbourhood and perhaps already discovered your favourite coffee bar.
Then come the practical questions.
Do I need a Codice Fiscale? When should I register my residence? How does healthcare work? What about taxes if I still earn money abroad?
The good news is that moving to Italy becomes much easier when you know what to do and in what order.
Here is a practical checklist for your first 90 days.
Before you arrive: get prepared
A little preparation before moving can save you a great deal of time once you are in Italy.
If you are an EU citizen, you can generally enter Italy with a valid passport or national identity card. You do not normally need a residence permit, although additional formalities may apply if you intend to stay for more than three months.
If you are a non-EU citizen, you may need a visa depending on your nationality, the intended length of your stay and the reason for moving, such as employment, self-employment, study, family or remote work.
Before leaving, make sure you have copies of the documents you may need in Italy, including:
- your passport or national identity card;
- your visa, where applicable;
- employment, business or freelance documentation;
- health-insurance documents;
- documents relating to your accommodation;
- civil-status documents, where relevant.
Requirements vary depending on your personal circumstances, so it is sensible to review your immigration position before travelling.
You should also start thinking about your Codice Fiscale.
Your first days: get your Codice Fiscale
The Codice Fiscale is your Italian tax identification code, but despite the name, it is not used only for tax purposes.
You may need it when dealing with public authorities, signing contracts, accessing healthcare, opening certain accounts and carrying out many other administrative activities.
For most newcomers, obtaining a Codice Fiscale should therefore be one of the first items on the list. In certain circumstances, it may also be possible to apply through an Italian diplomatic or consular authority before moving.
Expath tip: get this sorted early. You may be surprised by how often somebody asks you for it.
Your first week: take care of immigration formalities
This is where the process differs significantly between EU and non-EU citizens.
EU citizens do not generally need an Italian residence permit. However, those intending to remain in Italy for more than three months will normally need to register their residence with the local Comune and demonstrate the basis for their stay, such as employment, self-employment, study or sufficient resources and appropriate healthcare coverage.
For non-EU citizens, immigration formalities can be more time-sensitive. Depending on the type and duration of the stay, it may be necessary to apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno within eight working days of arriving in Italy. The correct procedure and supporting documents depend on the visa and the reason for the stay.
Do not assume that all residence permits allow the same activities. In particular, the right to work as an employee or as a self-employed person should be checked carefully.
Your exact requirements depend on your personal situation. This is something worth understanding before travelling, rather than after you have already arrived.
Your first month: make Italy your home
Once the initial formalities are under control, you can start organising everyday life.
If you are staying long term, registering your residenza anagrafica with the Comune may be an important step. Your housing arrangements will often be closely connected to this process, so make sure your rental contract or other evidence of your right to occupy the property is in order.
Depending on your circumstances, you may be asked for identification, your Italian tax code, details of the property or lease, and documents supporting your employment, self-employment, studies, resources or healthcare coverage.
This is also a good time to organise utilities, internet, a mobile phone and your banking arrangements.
You do not necessarily need an Italian bank account for every transaction. However, having an account suitable for paying rent, bills, taxes and recurring expenses can make life in Italy considerably easier.
Your second month: healthcare and digital life
Once the basics are in place, turn your attention to healthcare.
Italy’s public healthcare system is the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, usually referred to as the SSN. Whether you can or must register, and on what basis, depends on factors such as your nationality, residence status and employment position.
Once properly registered with the SSN, you can generally select a medico di base, your local general practitioner.
You will also quickly discover that much of Italian bureaucracy is now digital.
Depending on your position, tools such as SPID and the Carta d’Identità Elettronica, or CIE, can provide access to a wide range of public-administration services.
Setting up the digital tools available to you can save time later.
Your third month: understand your tax position
This is one of the areas that international residents sometimes overlook.
Living in Italy can change your tax position, even if your income is paid from abroad or deposited into a foreign bank account.
Perhaps you work remotely for a foreign company. Maybe you freelance for international clients, own investments or property abroad, receive dividends or continue managing a business in another country.
All these circumstances may have Italian tax implications once you become tax resident in Italy.
Italian tax residence is not determined exclusively by your registration with the Comune. Your personal circumstances, physical presence and connections with Italy must be considered under the applicable rules.
If you are self-employed, you may also need to consider:
- whether a Partita IVA is required;
- the appropriate tax regime;
- Italian invoicing obligations;
- social-security contributions;
- the treatment of foreign clients and income;
- any business or company you continue to maintain abroad.
The important thing is not to wait until the first tax deadline to investigate these issues.
Obtaining advice early can make your move considerably simpler and may help you avoid having to correct your position later.
Ninety days later: welcome home
Three months ago, Italy was the place you were moving to.
Now you know your neighbourhood. You have your favourite bar. You have probably learned a few new Italian words and survived your first encounters with Italian bureaucracy.
Italy is starting to feel like home.
The paperwork is not always simple, but you do not have to figure everything out by yourself.
Work with Expath
Expath helps international people navigate life in Italy, from getting started with a Codice Fiscale to tax, accounting and administrative support.
Your life in Italy, made simple.
Need help getting started in Italy? Talk to Expath.
