Moving to Italy sounds idyllic until you’re queuing at the post office clutching the wrong form. A solid moving to Italy checklist makes the bureaucracy far more manageable. These are the essentials you’ll actually need to sort out when relocating to Italy in 2026.
1. Check your visa or residency status first
Before booking removals, make sure you’re legally allowed to stay.
- EU citizens can live and work in Italy, but must register as residents if staying longer than 90 days.
- Non‑EU citizens, including Americans and Brits, need the correct long‑stay visa if remaining in Italy beyond 90 days in any 180‑day period.
Common long‑stay options include work visas, the elective residence visa, student visas and the digital nomad visa (subject to eligibility rules).
2. Apply for your Codice Fiscale
The Codice Fiscale is your Italian tax code, and you’ll use it constantly. It’s issued by the Italian tax office (Agenzia delle Entrate) and acts as your official identification number for most administrative tasks.
You’ll need it to sign a rental contract, buy property, open a bank account, pay taxes, and access healthcare.
Without it, almost nothing moves.
3. Apply for your Permesso di Soggiorno
If you’re a non‑EU citizen staying long term, you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno (residence permit) within eight days of arrival.
The process usually involves collecting the application kit from the post office, submitting documents and paying fees. You'll also attend a fingerprint appointment at the local police headquarters.
The receipt you’re given acts as temporary proof of legal stay while you wait for the card.
4. Register your residency at the Comune
Once you have a fixed address, register with the local Comune (town hall) in the Anagrafe office.
This registration officially confirms where you live. It is required for long‑term residence status and is often necessary for school enrolment and local services
5. Open an Italian bank account
Rent, utilities and many bills in Italy are paid by direct debit. Functioning without a local account is difficult. When opening a bank account in Italy, you'll usually be asked for a passport, Codice Fiscale, proof of address and proof of income or employment.
If you’re transferring funds from outside the eurozone, pay attention to exchange rates and transfer fees as they can significantly affect the final amount.
6. Sort out healthcare cover
Italy’s public healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), is generally excellent, but access depends on your status.
If you’re working in Italy and registered for Social Security, you’ll normally qualify. Some visa types require comprehensive private health insurance before arrival. After registering, you’ll choose a local GP (medico di base).
7. Register for Social Security if you’re working
If employed by an Italian company, your employer handles your registration with INPS (National Social Security Institute).
If you’re self‑employed, you must register for VAT (Partita IVA), pay social contributions and file regular tax returns.
Italian tax administration is paperwork-heavy, so good advice early on can save trouble later.
8. Understand your tax residency
If you spend more than 183 days per year in Italy, you’re generally considered a tax resident. That usually means declaring worldwide income, paying Italian income tax, and reviewing any double taxation agreements with your home country
There are also special tax regimes, including the so‑called 7% scheme in certain southern towns, but eligibility rules are strict, and not everyone qualifies.
9. Secure accommodation before committing long-term
Italy’s property market varies widely by region, and demand is high in cities like Rome, Milan and Florence.
When renting, landlords typically request proof of income, an Italian tax code and a deposit of one to three months’ rent.
If buying, remember the purchase price is only part of the cost. Transfer tax, notary fees and registration charges must all be factored in.
10. Get documents translated and keep copies
Italian bureaucracy loves stamped paper. Many official documents must be:
- Translated into Italian by a certified translator
- Legalised or apostilled
- Submitted in original form
Keep both digital and paper copies of everything. It sounds dull, but it avoids endless repeat appointments.
11. Learn basic Italian
Even in cities with large expat communities, daily life runs more smoothly if you can handle simple conversations.
Booking medical appointments, speaking to your landlord or dealing with the post office becomes far easier with basic Italian. It also shows genuine respect for the local community, which matters in a country where regional identity runs deep.
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