Moving to Italy from the UK: A Post-Brexit Guide
The sunlight, sandy beaches, rich culture of art, history, food, and friendliness — it’s no wonder you might think about moving to Italy from the UK.
Find out more about life in Italy, how to move to Italy after Brexit, options for buying in Italy and options for retiring to Italy, as well as how we can help to make your move smoother.
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‘La Dolce Vita’: Life in Italy
One of the first cultural differences a Brit may come across are Italian greetings. While known for their closeness and friendliness, Italians have more formal greetings than perhaps Brits may be used to — is is customary to shake someone’s hand and say buongiorno, while ciao and a kiss on the cheek may be construed as rude with someone you don’t know so well. Between friends, however, greetings are much warmer: it is very normal to kiss each other on the cheek and go in for a long hug.
When chatting with friends, don’t be shocked by Italian sincerity — both in friendly and hostile situations! While Brits tend to shy away from full honesty out of sheer politeness, an Italian will usually tell you from their heart how it is, which, at first, might seem confrontational. But mutual honesty often gives way to closer relationships, and you might just find that friends you make in Italy last longer than your visa!
Living in Italian
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If you’re learning Italian, you might notice a difference in the use of formal speech — while in English, you is appropriate for everyone in every context, when talking to strangers, Italians will use the formal lei instead of the informal tu. However, if you are moving to Italy from the UK, your Italian neighbours will just be so glad to hear that you are learning their language — they won’t mind if you use less formal language, because your efforts will speak volumes!
Another thing that many guides skip over — the plethora of Italian languages! Yes, most Italians speak ‘standard’ Italian — that is, the Italian you learn from a textbook (or on your phone!) — but many will also speak a dialect as their first or second language. Particularly in southern regions, dialects are used between friends and family and highly regarded as an integral part of regional culture, so if you’ve got an ear for languages, learning a local dialect is a wonderful way to integrate yourself into the local way of life.
Religion in Italy
As a largely Catholic country, religion plays a large part in the daily life of many, from the beautiful cathedrals and churches in the country to the observance of Christian holidays. One of the things that could trip up a Brit is the early closing of shops on a Sunday: many establishments, even larger supermarkets, will close before 14.00 and some shops will also be closed on a Monday. On important Christian holidays such as Easter Sunday, very little will be open at all, so be sure not to leave your shopping too late!
Working in Italy
A world away from the atmosphere of the fast paced, exhausting daily grind so commonly plaguing UK cities, working in Italy is more about work hard, play hard. When moving to Italy from the UK, you will notice that Italian attention to little differences like an hour’s lunch break, normalised coffee breaks and long dinners that are seldom rushed all make for a better work-life balance and feeling your best. The Italian lifestyle of la dolce vita isn’t so much about taking it easy all day, but rather making the most of your down time.
With regards to relocating, if you were living in Italy before Brexit came into effect, then you are protected under the Withdrawal Agreement, and there is no need to apply for a visa. Post-Brexit, things are a little more complicated, but offices are still very keen to take on skilled workers and native English speakers.
British citizens looking to work in Italy will need to apply for an Italian work permit, or another residence permit which allows them to work in Italy — for example, a study visa allows you to work, as does a residence permit granted by marriage. It’s also worth looking into familial connections to other European countries: you might be able to obtain EU citizenship if you have parents, grandparents or even great-grandparents from an EU country, allowing you the right to work and live in the EU!
If you’re looking for seasonal work in Italy, British English is a great asset. Just like full-time work, you will need an Italian work permit and residence permit, but costs for these may be lower if only valid for a shorter duration, and it’s well worth it — you can find work as a teacher, tour guide, bar, hotel and restaurant work and so much more during the summer, in some of the most beautiful towns and coastlines in Europe. In the winter, ski resorts employ thousands of staff and instructors, and many of these jobs include a ski pass!
Driving in Italy after Brexit
Looking to drive in Italy? If you have moved to Italy on or after 1 January 2022, but can use your Uk licence for 1 year from the date you became a resident, but your British driving licence cannot be renewed; as a resident in Italy, you must exchange it for an Italian one and you will need to take a driving test. In the meantime, following EU law, you will need your passport, vehicle registration document, proof of insurance and GB sticker. You must also have a reflective jacket, warning triangle and headlight beam deflectors with you in your car.
But what about driving in Italy in general? We hear a lot of stories of poor Italian driving in the UK, but the reality is that Italian roads are no less safe than the average EU country — safer, in fact, than much smaller countries such as Belgium and Luxembourg. There are, however, some uniquely Italian aspects to driving that are helpful to be aware of before moving there!
First of all, the Italian ZTL: zona a traffico limitato, a restricted traffic area introduced to protect historic city centres from excess traffic and pollution. There are around 200 of these in Italy, and only local residents and registered vehicles can enter these areas during the specified time, and not observing this risks an expensive fine. Unless you are living or working in the historical centre of a city — in which case you will be able to register your car to access the ZTL — but since these are not often very well marked, nor marked in multiple languages, it is important to be aware of them when driving in cities.
Moving to Italy from the UK, you may find that driving in Italian cities can also be difficult due to complex networks of narrow, one-way streets and some rural roads can be equally narrow and difficult. Italian motorways — autostrade — are mostly toll roads, but sometimes it’s well worth your money to stick with it rather than to find a cheaper, more scenic route — they’re very well-kept!
But the public transport integrated into Italian lifestyle almost makes driving unnecessary: far cheaper and more convenient than the UK, trains and buses will take you anywhere you need to go in a city, and almost anywhere you need to go in a rural area. For mountainous journeys and village-hopping trips, a car is probably most convenient, but otherwise, there’s almost definitely a high-speed train that will get you there faster.
All the more reason to let us do the hard work with your belongings!
Where to Live in Italy
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Once you have decided about moving to Italy from the UK, you might want to decide where to live: city, countryside, rented house, purchased house.
Renting a house or apartment in Italy can be tricky — often, the best properties are found not on real estate sites, but on Facebook or sites such as idealista.it and subito.it, where landlords often list properties themselves. We strongly advice you to see the property in person, before committing to anything, and ask as many questions as possible.
Buying a property in Italy after Brexit might seem overly complicated, but with high rent in some areas and an Italian tradition of buying a property to keep in the family, it may well be the right decision for you if your move is permanent.
Although Italy does not currently have a Golden Visa scheme allowing non-EU nationals to gain residency through high-value real estate purchases, UK nationals are free to buy property — it is largely considered a ‘no restrictions’ country in this respect. The property market is currently in good shape for doing so: despite the effect on property prices that COVID-19 has had throughout the world, prices are relatively stable in Italy at the moment.
The question isn’t ‘should I buy a property in Italy?’; it’s ‘where should I buy a property in Italy?’ For professionals looking to relocate to Italy, the vast majority of work is in the cities, making it a good investment both for yourself and in case of an eventual buy-to-let property. Here’s our guide to where to live in Italy, and where to buy your first Italian property.
Arezzo
A beautiful, historically significant city in Tuscany, Arezzo has the charm and the culture of Florence without the sky-high prices or the tourists. With excellent train links to local cities and a lively city centre, this is perfect for those working in Arezzo itself and the occasional commute to Florence or Bologna. While tiny apartments on the outskirts of Florence will start around €300,000, a 2 bedroom apartment in the centre of Arezzo will go for as little as €200,000!
Naples
Who wouldn’t want to purchase in the homeplace of the pizza? Local cuisine aside, Naples has a lot to offer — proximity to the sea, major transport links, a plethora of job opportunities for UK professionals. Compared to some Northern cities, Naples property prices are much lower — as is the cost of living. A three-room apartment can sell for as low as €170,000 in the city’s historical centre — adding to its value as a future holiday or other let.
Genoa
One corner of Italy’s ‘industrial triangle’ and a historically significant port, Genoa is a testament to new developments in an ancient city. The birthplace of Christopher Columbus and Giuseppe Mazzini, a key figure in the unification of Italy, the city is a hub for both business and tourism, making it the perfect investment. Prices here start at just €150,000 for a 2-bedroom apartment in the historical centre.
Turin
Another corner of the ‘industrial triangle’ and birthplace of Fiat and Juventus, Turin similarly offers a lively city atmosphere with a wealth of job opportunities as well as a sizable community of expats. Possibly one of the biggest draws of this city, however, is the novelty of being so close to the mountains — just 90 minutes from some of Italy’s top ski resorts, the location is incredible for keen skiers and those who just want the opportunity to escape the city from time to time. Prices are a little higher here, but a 2 bedroom apartment is unlikely to set you back much more than €250,000, and many of them are newbuilds!
Milan
The third corner of the industrial triangle and undoubtedly a more expensive option, Milan is absolutely the business centre of Italy, and the national home of fashion, art, international businesses and job opportunities and, of course, a wide network of fellow expats. Moving to Italy from the UK and buying real estate in Milan is a bold move, but the property will be a high-return investment. Prices have a wide range here, but a smaller apartment might start at €300,000, while a 2-bedroom flat in the city centre is unlikely to be less than €400,000.
Retiring to Italy After Brexit
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If you or a loved one is relocating to Italy for retirement, there truly is no better place to be. Moving to Italy from the UK is a step forward into an idyllic, calm and stimulating later life.
Post-Brexit, British citizens need to apply for an elective residency visa, or ERV, a type of long-stay visa allowing retirees to reside in Italy. This needs to be supported by proof of suitable accommodation for a year, whether rented or purchased, and is said to be one of the easiest visas to obtain!
So, with the paperwork sorted, where will you move to in Italy? Throughout the country, the relaxed lifestyle, Mediterranean climate and diet and comparatively lower living costs than many UK cities make it difficult to choose. Based on costs, quality of living, expat communities and much more, here are our top five regions!
Sicily
With beautiful coastlines, fresh food and warmer weather than more northern areas of the country, Sicily seems like a great choice for a leisurely retirement. What’s more, living costs are lower than the mainland — on average, rent is over 60% cheaper than in Rome! The island is also home to some fascinating archeological sites such as the Greek theatre of Syracuse and the Greek temples of Agrigento, as well as incredible geological sights such as the volcanic Aeolian islands. A treat for your mind, stomach and wallet, this might be a fantastically stimulating retreat for you or your loved ones.
Tuscany
If sipping wine, taking in luscious landscapes and immersing yourself in Renaissance art and architecture is your idea of retirement, Tuscany could be your new home. Loved for its extensive vineyards of chianti wine, cosy towns and milder summers than in Northern Italy, Tuscany has already become home to a thriving expat community, especially in and around Florence. This might be a great choice if you’re less confident in Italian, if the heat of the South seems overwhelming, or simply if you enjoy fine art and wine — and it’s still considerably cheaper than living in or around London!
Emilia-Romagna
Home to the University of Bologna, the oldest university in the world, Emilia-Romagna is a wonderful region for those looking for an intellectual escape during their retirement. The city of Bologna is also ranked very highly in terms of wealth and quality of life in Italy. Modena is also a notable city in the area for its rich operatic culture (and its balsamic vinegar!) and has an excellent expat community. And for those looking for an active retirement, there are 16 ski resorts in Emilia-Romagna!
Campania
Home to the Amalfi coast, Campania is an astonishingly beautiful region of Italy, with an incredible culinary culture and home to limoncello. This is the perfect place to retire to if you’re seeking a peaceful, warm retirement, full of good food and gorgeous views. Much like Sicily, Campania has much lower living costs than elsewhere in Italy, and much like Emilia-Romagna, there is plenty of opportunity for an active lifestyle — coastal towns like Amalfi and Sorrento are perfect for a plethora of watersports. And, perhaps most importantly, it’s home to Naples, the birthplace of the pizza, and the incredible remains of Pompeii!
Lazio
The region wherein Rome is situated, Lazio is popular among expats for its high standards of healthcare and widespread Anglophone community. Property is considerably more expensive here, which is both a positive and a negative point; while you may not get as much space for your money, the eventual return on your investment should you wish to move will be higher and likely more stable. Rome and its surrounding areas are well-loved for the lively atmosphere of the city and the rich culture to explore in it. It’s also wonderfully well-connected, making visits from your loved ones that much easier!
Removals to Italy from the UK
Now that you’ve planned out your dream life in Italy, it’s time to start thinking about the move — and trying to work out the logistics of putting all your belongings in a suitcase can be an absolute nightmare! From moving to packing to storing your belongings, we at Matthew James Removals have decades of experience in helping British expats realise their dreams, hassle-free. Get in touch for a free quote today!