Living in Italy

The choice between northern and southern Italy can bring a major difference in everyday spending.

In recent years, environmental protection has become a central consideration in the design, construction and management of buildings.

Italy ranks 25th in Visual Capitalist’s 2026 ranking of the best countries for quality of life, behind Spain and Portugal but ahead of the United States.

A village on Lake Como has decided to help young people stay and live there through funding allocated via a public call to people who choose to establish their official residence in Bellano and build a life there. Called “Abitare Bellano”, the initiative is a trial measure set up by the local Comune — municipal council — for 2026. It has a total fund of €100,000 and addresses an issue shared by many small Italian towns. On Lake Como, it takes on a particular form: a picturesque area that is increasingly unaffordable for the people who would genuinely like to make their home there.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year is approaching, and the return to the classroom will not look the same across the country.

Italy’s 2026–27 school year starts in September, although the exact first day differs by region. The earliest published return date is 7 September, while the latest is 17 September 2026.For families with children in Italian schools, the important dates are not limited to the first day of term.

The rules for joint residence for married couples include specific tax and registry regulations. If a husband and wife live in separate homes, the ISEE (Equivalent Economic Situation Indicator) and tax return requirements remain in place, while specific parameters apply to the IMU exemption and family status.

Trentino and Alto Adige are often grouped together as one Alpine destination, yet they are two autonomous provinces with distinct languages, cultures and histories.For foreigners considering life in the region, the most noticeable contrast is linguistic: Trentino is predominantly Italian-speaking, w

Until a few decades ago, leaving home before the age of 30 was considered a natural step towards adulthood.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an autonomous Italian region. Yet the two names joined by a hyphen point to areas shaped by different histories, languages, landscapes and cultural influences.Friuli occupies the western and central part of the region, while Venezia Giulia sits to the east.

In recent years, the idea of the smart home has also become more widespread in Italy, shifting from a luxury for a few to a practical choice for many households.

Generally speaking, the cost of repainting a rented property depends on what caused the walls to deteriorate, or on any agreement made between the parties. The basic rule on who pays for painting in a rented home is based on normal deterioration over time. The landlord is responsible for ordinary wear and tear, such as yellowing walls or marks caused by structural damp. The tenant only has to pay for repairs when deterioration results from improper use of the property or their own negligence.

Italy may be high on the wish list for a new life abroad, but Italian bureaucracy for foreigners remains a major hurdle.

Environmental and biodiversity protection is increasingly at the center of public and regulatory debate. But what does the law on the keeping of wild animals provide? Generally speaking, Law 147/1992 and Legislative Decree 135/2022 prohibit the capture of animals from the wild and establish lists of exotic species requiring special certifications. In some cases, owners of wild and exotic animals must undergo specific training to acquire the necessary protections for the care and safety of their animals.

As cities turn into ovens and tropical nights become the norm, more and more Italians are looking uphill.

Living in Abruzzo, Italy, can feel refreshingly grounded: beaches and mountain towns are part of the same region, housing costs sit well below the national average, and smaller cities still have a proper everyday rhythm. It is not, however, a shortcut to an effortless life abroad.

Italy’s rental market is changing shape.

Moving to Italy involves far more than choosing between a city break favourite and a sun-soaked coastal town.

Italy’s luxury property market is increasingly pairing home ownership with access to private clubs, curated estate facilities and hospitality-led services.

A reopened flight route, a surname spotted on the village bell tower, a recipe scribbled in pencil: sometimes that is all it takes to trigger a return ticket.

To find Italy’s most pleasant climate in 2026, you need to look east, along the Adriatic coast, which dominates the ranking. In this context, Bari confirms its place at the top for the third consecutive year. The data comes from the Sole 24 Ore Climate Index, which each year compares Italian provincial capitals based on overall climate wellbeing.

Only 2.7% of people in employment in Italy worked mainly from home in 2025.

Italy’s residential property market set a new milestone in the first quarter of 2026.

IMU (property tax) in Italy continues to be one of the most significant taxes for owners of properties, second homes, and buildings other than their primary residence.

Which city will be the most affected by inflation in 2026? The picture reveals an unexpected divide: the North leads in absolute terms, while the South has the highest rates but the smallest price increases.