Italy may be high on the wish list for a new life abroad, but Italian bureaucracy for foreigners remains a major hurdle. InterNations’ 2026 survey placed Italy near the foot of its Expat Essentials Index, after expats reported difficulties with administration, visas and online public services.
Italy ranked 29th out of 31 destinations in the index.
Italy ranks last for expat administration
Italy came last in the survey’s Admin Topics subcategory. This measures the reported ease of getting a visa, dealing with local bureaucracy and opening a local bank account.
- Italy ranked 30th out of 31 for the ease of getting a visa.
- Only 19% of expats said dealing with Italian bureaucracy was easy, while 63% rated it negatively. The global negative figure was 39%.
- Bureaucracy was also a concern before moving for 32% of respondents, more than twice the global average of 14%.
Digital life in Italy: online administration and internet access
Italy ranked 29th in the Digital Life subcategory.
- Just 44% of respondents viewed online administrative services positively, compared with 61% globally.
- The country also placed 30th for easy access to high-speed internet at home and 26th for cashless payment options.
Language barriers and everyday paperwork in Italy
Italy ranked 23rd in the Language subcategory and last worldwide for ease of living there without speaking the local language.
- According to respondents, 58% said speaking Italian was necessary to get by, compared with 34% globally.
- At the same time, 45% found Italian easy to learn, against a global average of 39%.
The survey also found that 41% of expats already spoke the local language very well, compared with 32% globally.
Life in Italy for foreigners: wider expat results
The InterNations results focus on expats’ reported experiences of administration, digital services, language and other essentials. A move also involves decisions that sit outside those rankings, including visas, healthcare, housing and the practical realities of settling into a new place.
A moving to Italy checklist covers the main areas that may need attention before and after relocating, including visas, healthcare and housing.
Everyday life also comes with social norms that can be unfamiliar at first. Being aware of things to avoid in Italy can help newcomers approach local customs with care and avoid easy misunderstandings.
For a broader introduction to the move, things to know before moving to Italy brings together further considerations for people planning a new life in the country.
- Explore property for sale in Italy
- Explore long-term rentals in Italy
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