There are so many reasons why you would want to consider moving to Italy from US. Judging from its food, culture, beautiful environment, and renowned artists, there is definitely no reason why you wouldn’t want to have a taste of the la dolce vita. But you might ask, can I move to Italy from US?
Of course, you can move to Italy from US. The purpose of this article is to guide you through the process. However, to move successfully from the United States to Italy, you would have to obtain an Italian Schengen visa and provide the right documents.
Italy attracts people from different parts of the world. This is because Italy is the birthplace of the Renaissance era and the home of all artistic masterpieces.
People come to have a glimpse of the artworks created by Michelangelo, Leonardo da Vinci, and other great artists. It is indeed a desirable place for everyone, especially for you moving from the US to Italy. But there is much more that makes Italy so desirable.
When getting set to relocate to Italy from the US, you have to follow some procedures and provide the required documents. This will ensure that your plans become successful. So, do US citizens need a visa for Italy? And how long can a US citizen stay in Italy?
Of course, they do! But if you intend to visit for three months, a visa is not needed. As a US citizen, you can visit Italy for tourism and other purposes for 90 days.
However, your US passport should be authentic three months after the time you spend in Italy.
Moving to Italy from US is totally different. Relocating to Italy entails that you obtain a visa and get all the necessary documents. Italy, like most Schengen countries, has so many visas.
So, applicants must apply for the visa that best suits their purpose of traveling. In this context, you can apply for a family visa if you are relocating to Italy with your family.
Also, if you are moving from US to Italy without making plans of working in the country, you would need an elective residence visa, which is mostly used by pensioners.
The usually required documents you would need to obtain an Italian Schengen visa are:
The cost of moving to Italy from US isn’t so high. But before setting your feet on Italian soil, you would have to consider the price of a visa and the cost of moving to Italy.
Earthrelo moving experts are professional and specialized in moving to Italy from US. Get a free estimate here.
We recommend you to do the proper analysis of how much you would spend on getting an apartment, visa, and the cost of transportation, food, and others. Apartments are not so costly in Italy, so there is no need to worry. To make things easy for you we have provided all the details below. Keep reading.
The cheapest way to ship to Italy from US is through tracked mail. The tracked mail is usually suitable for non-emergent and unheavy packages. Your small package’s final destination is the post office in Italy.
But to ensure that the package you are shipping to Italy from the US is delivered, you might want to track it online. Some popular tracked mail services you can use in shipping to Italy from US are DHL eCommerce, EMS Parcel Post, and TrakPak.
You can equally do your shipping to Italy from the US with the Courier service. This is way faster than the tracked mail, and it can be done through the economy and express shipping services available. Some economy shipping to Italy from USA include:
When it comes to moving your household belongings then Earthrelo’s Groupage Containers is the best bet. also known as Partial Container Shipments. Benefits of using groupage containerization is that it is cost effective option for overseas shipping and it also covers safety of containerization without the expense of a whole container.
Click here to discuss your requirements with moving experts.
Healthcare in Italy is regarded as one of the best in the world. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), Italy ranks number 2 in healthcare globally.
This gives you an excellent reason to consider moving to Italy from US. In Italy, you get guaranteed good healthcare services that you would never have had in the US.
Based on Worldometers’ GDP by country ranking, Italy is rated No. 9, making it the ninth-largest economy in the world. This indicates that you are certainly not in a developing country when it comes to the job market.
However, Italy’s job market is quite competitive, but if you are capable and have the right connections or network, you will undoubtedly get the job.
When considering moving to Italy from US, you should consider getting a job in Italy’s leading industries. Here is a list of the major industries in Italy:
Tax rates in Italy are progressive. The rates are usually between 23-43%. The banks in Italy are in good shape and allow foreigners to open accounts by providing essential documents.
If you fear that moving from the United States to Italy would adversely affect your kids’ schooling, then you are mistaken. In Italy, the state provides free education from kindergarten to University. Moving to Italy will not make you break the bank to give your kids the befitting education they deserve.
Schooling is compulsory and free in Italy. Also, in Italy, nursery school is essential but not compulsory. That is why education is mandatory for ages 6 to 16. This covers Scuola Elementare (Elementary School) and Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado (Middle School). There is also the High School (scuola secondaria di secondo grado). Italy’s secondary education lasts for eight years, and most universities in Italy are state-financed.
How would the world be without pizza and the beloved Gelato? Italy has indeed proven to be the heart of all fantastic food recipes and cuisines.
Moving to Italy from US would give you complete access to good food and wines. Italians are food enthusiasts. So, it’s indeed correct to say that moving to Italy is synonymous with moving to the home of delicacies.
The cost of living in Italy is solely dependent on location, family size, and lifestyle. This is also applicable to the cost of living in the USA. If you decide to move to Italy with your family, you would have an increased living cost. Conversely, if you move to Italy on your own, you could get lesser living expenses depending on your lifestyle.
The average monthly living cost for a family of four in America amounts to $4,599, while the average monthly living expenses of a single person in the USA amounts to $2,611.
This is relatively higher than the average living expenses of most Italians. If you are planning on moving to Italy from US, you will get average monthly living expenses of €1,300 ($1,576).
While the necessities of life have been added to form the average living expenses, your other needs for an all-around enjoyable stay in Italy could make the average living cost shoot up.
But never forget that healthcare is free and affordable to all. Also, don’t forget about free education, they can hugely reduce your living cost in Italy.
According to Nationmaster following is the comparison stats for the cost of living between Italy and the USA:
| Criteria | Italy | United States |
|---|---|---|
| Average monthly disposable salary | $2,117.76 | $3,258.85 |
| Basic utilities | $215.12 | $162.08 |
| Cinema ticket price | $10.92 | $10.00 |
| Clothing and shoes | $123.18 | $76.09 |
| Internet | $34.89 | $45.72 |
As an American, you might have gotten used to paying over $1,000 a month for even a one-bedroom apartment, which is something Italians are not used to.
Here is a shocker for you; when it comes to the price of property and apartments, Italy is one of the best countries to relocate to, with an average rent of €450 a month.
When these figures are converted to dollars, they still appear to be less than the average cost of an apartment in the US, which is $1,468 a month.
However, as with any country, the price of an apartment or property largely depends on the location. If you desire an apartment in the city center, you might have to pay a little above €450, but bear in mind that the monthly rent of an apartment in Italy ranges between €450 to €1,000 depending on the location.
With the rate of house prices in Italy, an American can purchase property at an affordable price. So, what else are you waiting for?
As an expat, you will have to get used to so many things before you can completely get acclimated to Italy’s system and culture. Italy is different from the US in so many ways. Here are some of the things you will need to get acclimated to Italy:
Unlike the US, where almonds and walnuts are preponderant, Italy relies heavily on hazelnut to prepare cuisines. Although Italy is the second-major producer of hazelnuts globally, it doesn’t entirely denote that other nuts are not grown in Italy. Italy is also rich in pistachios, almonds, and chestnuts.
If you are moving to Italy from US, you will have to get used to using the driveway with scooters. The drivers in Italy are reckless and coupled with the narrow and cobblestone roads of streets. There is a need to be extra careful while resisting the urge to drive recklessly.
Italy has one of the highest death toll levels in Europe, and they have dangerous roads like Stelvio Pass. So, if you are fortunate to own or ship your car, treat it well by driving carefully. Conversely, if you are a pedestrian, tread carefully. Avoid the wildness of reckless Italian drivers.
If you are a coffee lover, moving from the US to Italy would mean that you will have to say a sad goodbye to coffee as Italians don’t drink coffee. The best alternative you would have in Italy is Caffe Americano, which is merely espresso and water. Italians would comfortably have a cup of cappuccino or espresso, nothing like coffee.
For an American relocating to Italy, it is essential to note that the word Papa is used to address the Pope. If you are among the few Americans that call their fathers Papa or who’s kids call Papa, you would have to get used to the startled eyes that would peer directly in your face in Italy if you refer to your dad as Papa or if your kids refer to you as Papa. Instead, Italians call their fathers papà.
Italians believe in family gatherings, and this is often achieved through dinner. Instead of the quick American dinners, Italian dinners take three courses. The first one (primo), which is often pasta, the next one (a secondo), and the last one (dolce) is served.
The cultural richness of Italy dates way back to the epoch of Imperial Rome. Moving to Italy would allow you to bask fully in the Italian style and fashion. You will enjoy the artworks from different excellent artists. You will grace all the Renaissance period’s memories.
Then, you would want the Milan fashion and style’s satisfaction and the memorable literature from astute writers like Dante and Prince Machiavelli. Also, there is the glorious Italian music that glaringly showcases the Italian grandiose. All these and more would be available to you if you push through with your relocation to Italy.
Before you decide to moving to Italy from the United States, you should have a picture of the kind of area you would love to reside in. So, the decision is dependent on your taste and purpose of travel.
Nonetheless, here is a list of the best places you can live in Italy as an American.
It is easy for anyone to be mesmerized by the beauty of this enchanting city of Romeo and Juliet. Merely thinking of all the glorious events of the past that took place in Verona would evoke even more love for the city.
It is a must to consider living in Liguria if you are moving to Italy from US because you have more access to good food, beaches, and other exciting things. Liguria is one of the places that make Italy has the highest UNESCO World Heritage sites.
Sicily is the largest island in the Mediterranean. If you are an American who fancies living by the water, then this is the right fit for you.
Living in Abruzzo would certainly make you enjoy and value nature even more. This territory is largely made up of national parks.
If you crave to be in the center of Italy’s financial activities, then consider moving to Milan.
The best way to send your package from the US to Italy is to utilize shipping carriers. Some of the most used carriers are FedEx, US Postal Service, and United Parcel Service.
To ensure that you opt for the one that suits your need, make sure you provide the details to each of these carriers and run a comparison check to determine the appropriate one.
Any US citizen who intends to get married in Italy must come to the Civil Registrar of the city with all the required documents, including a birth certificate, drivers’ license, authentic US passports, and an affidavit that states that the couple is free to marry. The couple must also bring two witnesses.
Moving to Italy as an American is possible, but it involves several steps, including obtaining the appropriate visa. The most common pathways include work visas, student visas, and elective residence visas for retirees or those with sufficient income. The process requires gathering necessary documents, such as proof of income, health insurance, and a place to stay in Italy. While the visa application process can be detailed and time-consuming, many Americans successfully navigate it with proper planning.
Yes, you can live in Italy as a US citizen, but you need to obtain a visa for stays longer than 90 days. Common visa options include work, study, and elective residence visas. Once you have a visa, you can apply for a residence permit (Permesso di Soggiorno) upon arrival in Italy. This permit allows you to live in Italy legally for an extended period. It’s important to renew your residence permit as required and comply with local regulations to maintain your legal status.
The amount of money needed to move to Italy varies depending on your lifestyle, location, and visa type. Initial moving costs, including flights, shipping, and setting up your home, can range from $5,000 to $10,000 or more. Additionally, you should budget for at least three months of living expenses while you settle in. Monthly living expenses in Italy can range from €1,500 to €3,000, depending on your location and lifestyle. It’s advisable to have sufficient savings to cover these initial costs and to support yourself while you get established.
There are various initiatives in Italy, particularly in rural or underpopulated areas, where local governments offer incentives to attract new residents. These incentives can include grants or financial assistance, but they are usually tied to specific conditions, such as starting a business or buying a home in a designated area. The amount offered can vary widely depending on the program and location. It’s important to research these opportunities thoroughly and understand the requirements before planning your move.
In general, the cost of living in Italy is lower than in many parts of the USA, particularly when compared to major US cities like New York or San Francisco. Housing, healthcare, and daily expenses such as groceries and transportation are often more affordable in Italy. However, the cost of living can vary significantly depending on the region. Major cities like Rome and Milan are more expensive than rural areas or smaller towns. Overall, many expatriates find that they can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle in Italy for less than in the USA.
Yes, Italy is generally friendly to Americans. Italians are known for their hospitality and warmth, and many people in urban areas, especially in the tourism sector, speak English. The country has a long history of welcoming expatriates and tourists from around the world. While there may be cultural differences to adapt to, most Americans find that they are welcomed and can integrate into Italian society with ease. Learning some basic Italian and showing respect for local customs can enhance your experience and help you build connections in your new community.
If you are interested in moving from the US to Italy, the home of all artistic splendors, follow all the steps and guides provided in this article. Italy is waiting for you! Good luck!
We have been trusted by over a million customers based on our years of provided Industry-best service. Contact EarthRelo for your moving to Italy journey today!
We are proud to have earned the trust and recognition of many reputable organizations and platforms. Here are some of them.
