Italy
Claim citizenship through your ancestors, retire on a 7% flat tax in the south, or just live for the food.
Southern EuropePros
- Many Americans qualify for citizenship by descent (jure sanguinis) — this grants full EU citizenship and passport
- The 7% flat tax for retirees moving to southern Italy is one of Europe’s best tax deals
- Extraordinary food, culture, history, and architecture everywhere you look
- Very affordable outside of Milan and Rome, especially in the south and smaller cities
Cons
- Italian language proficiency is essential for daily life and navigating bureaucracy
- Italian bureaucracy is among the worst in Europe — patience is not optional
- The economy can be stagnant with limited job opportunities for foreigners
- Internet and infrastructure quality varies wildly between the affluent north and the rural south
Cost of Living
Monthly estimates in USD for a single person. All figures are approximate.
| Expense | Italy | US Average | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1BR, city center) | $1,000 | $1,800 | $800 |
| Rent (1BR, outside center) | $650 | $1,200 | $550 |
| Groceries | $350 | $400 | $50 |
| Dining out | $250 | $300 | $50 |
| Transportation | $40 | $200 | $160 |
| Internet | $30 | $70 | $40 |
| Healthcare | $0 | $450 | $450 |
| Total | $2,320 | $4,420 | $2,100/mo |
Visa Options for Americans
Citizenship by Descent (Jure Sanguinis)
Remote work OK Family eligibleIf you have Italian ancestry, you may be entitled to full Italian (and therefore EU) citizenship. For applications submitted after March 27, 2025, eligibility is limited to those with an Italian-born parent or grandparent (Decree-law 36/2025). Previously, the line could go back any number of generations through an unbroken male line, or post-1948 through the female line.
- Cost
- $600 USD
- Processing time
- 6–24+ months (varies greatly by consulate)
- Duration
- Permanent
- Path to residency
- Immediate — citizenship grants automatic right to reside anywhere in the EU
- Path to citizenship
- Immediate — this is full citizenship with an Italian passport
- Family
- As an EU citizen, non-EU family members can join under EU family reunification rules. Minor children may also claim citizenship.
Tips
- Start gathering vital records (birth, marriage, death certificates) for every person in the lineage chain
- If the female line was broken before 1948, you may still qualify through a 1948 court case in Italy
- Wait times at US consulates can be years — some people apply directly in Italy to speed things up
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Elective Residency Visa
Family eligibleItaly’s visa for retirees and financially independent individuals. Particularly attractive combined with the 7% flat tax for those who settle in southern Italy or municipalities under 20,000 people.
- Cost
- $116 USD
- Processing time
- 3–6 months
- Duration
- 1 year, renewable
- Path to residency
- Renewable annually, eligible for permanent EU residency after 5 years
- Path to citizenship
- Eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residence
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children can apply together with additional income proof.
Tips
- You need approximately €31,000/year in demonstrable passive income
- If you settle in a southern Italian town, you can take advantage of the 7% flat tax on all foreign income
- This is strictly no-work — you cannot be employed or freelance on this visa
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Digital Nomad Visa
Remote work OK Family eligibleLaunched in 2024, Italy’s digital nomad visa is for remote workers earning from non-Italian clients or employers. One of the newest additions to Europe’s growing roster of remote work visas.
- Cost
- $116 USD
- Processing time
- 1–3 months
- Duration
- 1 year, renewable
- Path to residency
- Renewable annually, may lead to long-term residency after 5 years
- Path to citizenship
- Eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residence
- Family
- Spouse and dependent children can apply together.
Tips
- You must earn at least €28,000/year from non-Italian sources
- Italy launched this visa in 2024 so the process is still being refined — expect some bureaucratic confusion
- Having private health insurance is mandatory for the application
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Work Visa (Nulla Osta)
Family eligibleItaly’s standard employer-sponsored work visa. The employer must obtain a nulla osta (clearance) from the immigration office, and the process is subject to annual quota limits.
- Cost
- $116 USD
- Processing time
- 2–6 months
- Duration
- Up to 2 years
- Path to residency
- Renewable, eligible for EU long-term residency after 5 years
- Path to citizenship
- Eligible for Italian citizenship after 10 years of legal residence
- Family
- Family reunification possible after demonstrating adequate housing and income.
Tips
- Italy uses an annual quota system (decreto flussi) that limits the number of work permits issued each year
- Your employer handles most of the paperwork including the nulla osta application
- Quota slots fill up quickly when released — timing is critical
Official source · Last verified August 2026
Healthcare
- System type
- Universal
- Quality rating
- 4/5
- GP visit
- $N/A
- ER visit
- Free (public)
- Dental cleaning
- $60
- English-speaking doctors
- Available in major cities, less common in south
You'll need health insurance as an expat. SafetyWing is popular with American expats — plans start around $45/month.
Tax Implications
- US tax treaty
- Yes
- Local income tax
- 23%–43% progressive (7% flat tax option for retirees in south)
As a US citizen, you'll still file US taxes from abroad. The Foreign Earned Income Exclusion (FEIE) lets you exclude up to ~$130,000 (2025 tax year) of foreign earned income. The US-Italy tax treaty may help avoid double taxation on certain income types.
This is not tax advice. Consult a tax professional who specializes in expat taxation.
Filing US taxes from abroad? MyExpatTaxes is built specifically for Americans overseas, or use Greenback Expat Tax Services if you want a CPA to handle everything.
American Expat Community
Estimated American expats: 50,000+ Americans
Key cities: Rome, Milan, Florence, Bologna, Naples
Expat Resources
Planning your move to Italy?
Spend a month in Italy first. Find a short-term rental on Airbnb or book a longer hotel stay on Booking.com.
You'll need to transfer funds internationally. Wise offers the best exchange rates with low transparent fees.
You still owe Uncle Sam from abroad. MyExpatTaxes (DIY) or Greenback (full-service CPA) specialize in American expats.
A VPN keeps your US streaming services working abroad.
Need legal help with your move to Italy?
Tell us what you need and we'll connect you with the right attorney — whether that's someone in Italy for visa and residency paperwork, or a US-based expat specialist for tax and asset planning.
Free, no obligation. We'll reach out within a few business days.