Moving to Italy from the USA

Step-by-step checklist for Americans moving to Italy — Elective Residency, Digital Nomad, work visa, codice fiscale, permesso di soggiorno, and the first month.

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Visa & legal right to stay

Pick a route: Elective Residency (passive income), Digital Nomad/Remote Worker, Self-Employed, or Family
Must
ERV needs ~€31,000/yr passive income (more for family). DN/RW needs ~€28,000/yr remote-employer income.
Apply at the Italian consulate covering your US state
Must
Submit the permesso di soggiorno application within 8 days of entering Italy
Must

Paperwork to gather before you fly

Apostilled birth + marriage certificates with sworn Italian translations
Must
FBI background check apostilled
Proof of housing (lease, deed, or notarized accommodation declaration)
Must
Private health insurance valid in Italy for at least the first year
Must
Detailed income/asset documentation — Italian consulates are picky

Money & banking

Get a codice fiscale at the consulate or local Agenzia delle Entrate
Must
Open an Italian account (Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit) or use Wise/Revolut at first
Understand the 7% flat tax for retirees in southern towns under 20K people
Italy taxes worldwide income — get cross-border tax advice before you trigger residency

Housing

Stay in a furnished short-term let for the first month
Search Idealista.it, Immobiliare.it, or Subito for long-term rentals
Expect a 2–3 month deposit + agency fee equal to 10–15% of annual rent
Sign a contratto registrato (registered lease) — required for residency and SSN
Must
Get the contract registered with Agenzia delle Entrate within 30 days
Must

Healthcare

Keep your visa-application insurance for the full first year
Must
Enroll in SSN (national health service) once you're a resident
Voluntary enrollment costs ~€2,000/yr minimum for non-workers.
Choose a medico di base (GP) at your local ASL

First 30 days on the ground

Apply for the permesso di soggiorno at the post office's Sportello Amico within 8 days
Must
Get the residenza recorded at your comune
Must
Pick up your tessera sanitaria once SSN is active
Get an Italian SIM (TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, or Iliad)
Convert your US license — Italy currently has no reciprocity agreement, so plan on the Italian driving test within 1 year of residency
Must

FAQ

Can I work remotely on the Elective Residency Visa?

Officially no — ERV requires passive income only. Use the Digital Nomad/Remote Worker Visa for remote employment.

Do I really need to retake the driving test?

Yes. The US-Italy license-exchange agreement expired in the 1990s. You have 1 year from residency to pass the Italian test.

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NextLatitude is for organization and guidance only. Visa rules, tax thresholds, and procedures change — always confirm with the relevant consulate or a licensed professional before acting. Last reviewed 2026-06-01.