Riouxmimi,

Unlike most, with a permanent military pension (depending on your husbands rank) provides for a steady income, and that is what they are looking for. You will have to go through the visa process but should fare well with that income, plus you say you have another two. I am a retired USAF 06 and live in San Vito Dei Normanni, Puglia, near the port of Brindisi in the south. While there are no military facilities in the southern part of Italy, Puglia is a beautiful place to live.

I will tell you healthcare from a US military base for retirees is very limited. We make the 3.5 hr trip to the Navy Base in Naples a few times a year but rely on the Italian healthcare system, between the national healthcare and using Tricare for Life to subsidize if we desire to go to a private doctor.

There are few remaining military bases in Italy...you have Camp Darby in Terrenia, Caserma Ederle in Vicenza, Aviano Air Base, and Naples Navy Support Site...that's about it.

Let me know via PM or this forum if you'd like more info.

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00abuse

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My husband and I did exactly what you're talking about this year and it has been truly wonderful. The methods to stay long term are this: go in person to the nearest Italian consulate to get a Visa, once in Italy apply for a permesso di soggiorno at the provincial capital. It is an immense hassle, make no mistake, but if you can prove you have the income to support yourself without working in Italy and have a clean criminal record, your odds are good. We moved to Puglia in January and it has been the most delightful year. We plan to stay at least for one more. All the best.

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00abuse

You will need to apply for an "Elective Residency Visa" at the Italian consulate which serves your current legal residence see http://www.ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/informazioni_e_servizi/la_rete_consolare for a complete list.

Consulates in the US all follow the same rules but with some significant variations. Currently, all seem to require a minimum guaranteed annual income of €31,000 - €35,000 (the exact amount is always in question) for the first visa holder. The variation comes into play for the second and additional members of the family - some consulates simply multiply the above number by the number of people; others tack on a percentage instead. So, for two people, you will probably need to demonstrate somewhere between €40,000 and €70,000 annual guaranteed income and/or very significant cash-like assets. For anyone who wants to retire to Italy, this is by far the biggest hurdle.

As an elective resident in Italy, you will not be permitted to perform work of any kind, whether locally or remotely, hence the income requirements above cannot depend upon any form of continued work-related income.

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00abuse

There is the Sigonella Navy Air Base in Sicily.
Don't discount Sicily, anyone who does hasn't spent time here. You can spend a third of what it costs to live mainland for your everyday needs and the food, culture , beaches are unbeatable. Public transport is reliable and dirt cheap flights to every major European city make it a great base.

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10abuse

Absolutely...good catch! Sig is a great base as well.

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00abuse

Choosing an expat health insurance provider is an important decision. Get a quote from our trusted expat health insurance partner, CIGNA. With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family.

I would never look for housing near the base though. They are too wise to stranieri and you will pay a very inflated price, plus not a nice area. Siracusa or Ragusa provinces are your best bet ,and have a much better infrastructure than the rest of the island.

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00abuse

Thanks so much for the info! We had been thinking of the lower part of the Marche area, but with the recent earthquakes, have been looking further south. I had wondered about the area around Brindisi (as we intend to ferry over to Greece once in a while.) Do you guys enjoy a trip over there occasionally, take trains to other places in Europe (do you have to go to Rome first?) How do you rate cost of living? Has housing become an issue with so many people dislocated by earthquakes? We see the quality of medical care is excellent in Italy, so that is not a huge issue as we are generally healthy and fit. Do you retain your Medicare also, or let it go too? How does Tricare work over there? Self pay and get reimbursed? Know i have a lot to research (plan move 2018) Are there any post exchanges you shop in, if so, are they worth the travel or just buy local? We dont buy much in them here - dont find prices that good...and we're not hooked on convenience foods or require US pkgd. goods. More interested in immersion in the area, the culture, local grown . what do you see as biggest challenge to moving there? Cant tell you how much I appreciate hearing from folks who have similar situation.

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00abuse

Well first, I think some posters are missing the point of what you want to do.

You want to TRAVEL throughout Europe for a year with Italy only as a base. However, you realize the Schengen 90 day rule is an issue.

So comments about US bases in Italy for example only matter if you are in Italy. You could just as easily go to a base in Germany.

But the real issue for you is how can you spend an entire year in Europe as a whole given the Schengen rule. And the real answer is that you are correct, you probably can't do just exactly what you would LIKE to do.

Even if you apply for a type D visa for Italy as a retiree, you will still have to spend enough time in Italy to MAINTAIN your status. That means you will have to spend at least 183 days in Italy in the year. That may be more than you want to spend there.

I would also question the financial wisdom of renting a place for the entire year when you will not be there for a significant amount of the time.

There really is no way around the Schengen rule for someone who wants to travel around Europe for a year. On travel forums (remember this is NOT a travel forum here), this question has been asked thousands of times and IF an answer existed, there is no doubt it would be well known on travel forums. I post on travel forums all the time and have NEVER seen anyone come up with an answer. That's the bottom line.

The only way to travel around Schengen Europe for a year is if one of you can come up with a way to get a passport from a Schengen member country. ie. a grandparent born in country X or Y that gets you a passport for that Schengen member country.

Failing that, then the only thing you can do that is practical and legal is to comply with the Schengen rule by not spending more than 90 days in any 180 calendar day period in all of the Schengen countries combined.

But that means going in and out whether you want to or not. If you have as much interest in visiting countries that are NOT Schengen member countries, it is actually not a problem. The problem is when you want to just visit Schengen countries or spend more than the allowed time in Schengen countries. LIke I said, you may not be able to do exactly what you would LIKE to do.

But why not look at a map of Europe and which countries are and are not members of Schengen and see what you CAN do.

For example, have you ever thought of visiting Kosovo, Romania, Albania, Montenegro? All in Europe but not in Schengen. It is in fact possible to spend a year travelling in Europe if you just think a bit more outside the box.
http://foodfuntravel.com/top-5-non-schengen-countries-in-europe-to-visit/

Or, what about spending 90 days living in Gibraltar? Or Morocco? They're non-Schengen, easily reached from Spain and as easy to then return to Schengen countries from.

Think within the Schengen Rule but outside the usual 'visit Europe' box of countries.

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10abuse

Hmmm, interesting post, old-pro...assuming YOU know what they want...a little "pesante", don't you think?

After reading the original post again, it is quite vague and I think those of us that answered gave some very sound advice. There are numerous ways to answer...tactfully of course, without discounting what others have put forth.

Regardless...Riouxmimi here is more info based on your latest inquiry. We live outside of Brindisi and it is very easy to catch a ferry to Greece as well as the train from Ostuni. There is the fast train to Rome with just a few stops, and then the one that stops in many small towns along the way. Once you get to Rome, you can change to many other places within Italy and Europe.

As for Tricare, it is pay first, then get reimbursed. It's actually quite easy, claims can all be filed online and reimbursement right into your bank account. It's a good secondary insurance. As for Medicare depending on your age if you are enrolled I would recommend not dis-enrolling, even though it does you no good outside of the US. If you decide to go back to the US the penalties to re-enroll, or for late enrollment are quite steep.

We personally shop locally it's part of the experience and have found most everything we want. Like I said previously we go to the base maybe once a quarter, for a "little slice of Americana". I prefer to walk around San Vito, or ride my bicycle and go to the panificio and buy bread right out of the oven, then to the macelleria for some fresh cuts of meat, a quick visit the frutta vendolo for vegetables and fruit with a final stop at the caseificio for some of the freshest cheeses you will every eat!!

There is also a chain grocery store Famila that sells most other dry goods you could want and it's a great way to practice your Italian.

Again, if you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask, either on the forum or send me a private message!
Buon Natale.

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11abuse

Actually we want to live there. Travel will be intermittant and to a location or two, then back home to wherever we live. Then off again for a week or so to a different place and back home again, probably not leaving again for a month or more. We have friends in several countries to visit and see their area (London, Milan, Munich, etc. ) , so we plan to apply for residency and rent long term and vacation, not travel continuously. We are really retiring- so no plans to work, only have fun and relax. We have no plans to return to USA except maybe a visit occasionally. We dont think we will have time - all our friends and relatives want to come visit??

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00abuse

Have been looking at Sicily all day! Love it already, and want to come over for CouCous festival in Sept. What fun! Food! Yay. Id leave tomorrow if i could??

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00abuse

I thumbed down instead of up! Don't know how to fix that!

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00abuse

I did a thumbs up for you lindanoto, so that cancels it out. LOL.

OK, so now you have clarified what you want to do Riouxmimi. Clarity is a wonderful thing.

So your only option is to get a long stay type D Schengen visa and then residency in Italy.

That is in fact a straightforward process (or as straightforward as any bureaucratic process ever is). Either you get a visa or you do not. Have you applied for one yet?

Your initial comment that, " it appears we are dreaming? due to 90 day restrictions on residency." is entirely incorrect IF you apply for a visa.

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00abuse

Maluza86, you are correct I committed the sin of 'assuming'. Something I often tell others not to do, so mea culpa.

The only thing I can say in my own defense is that when someone writes, "We have never been able to visit Europe to see everything we'd like to see. We plan to sell our home in US and thought about basing ourselves initially in Italy, traveling by train to see other countries, and buying a small used car for short trips around Italy countyside. We had thought to rent fully furnished for a year til we decide how to proceed further in settling permanently. ", they want to travel not live in one place with the odd week or two spent elsewhere in Europe.

I thought their intentions were clear. They wanted to travel around Europe for a year before deciding anything and that was why the '90 n 180' rule was relevant. I guess that will teach me to not always believe what people write.

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00abuse

Question about the Elective Residency Visa - can one still make and sell their art or play/perform in jazz clubs and the like?
That's not a 'job' in the sense of being paying a salary.
Thanks

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00abuse

Technically yes...will you be receiving money for your art and playing in Jazz clubs? If the answer is yes, then you are obligated to pay taxes on the income which makes it a job. If you are not paying taxes and receiving cash, well that's "black money" and illegal as well.

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00abuse

It is not a question of paying taxes or not paying taxes. It is illegal for an Elective Resident to perform paid work of any kind; even busking on street corners for tips is a no-no as you are "taking work away" from those legally entitled to do it.

Selling art that you own is acceptable (but very risky if you are not exceedingly careful about paying taxes correctly - a fact that applies even to "garage sales"); however selling art that you create (or jewelry, or hand-made soaps, or whatever) is not legal.

Writing a book ("Under the Tuscan Sun" style) is a grey area, but selling it is very iffy.

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00abuse

Johng8103. The answer is simple. NO you cannot sell art you create or perform musically if you are paid for it at all.

NO means NO.

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00abuse

Why do people assume that art is made only for sale. Dont presume or assume and dont lecture people.... If someone who wants to learn what i know about doing art and teach me something at the same time, there is no money exchanged, nothing bought or sold, only human relationships

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00abuse

NOT interested in starting a business - am RETIRED. I assume the craft police will not be coming to my house to see if the art i do for pleasure is for sale...

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00abuse

Riouxmimi, I believe the answers were to John98103, who specifically asked about making and selling art. :-)

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10abuse

You can do all the art you want. Selling is the problem. Chances are you will never get caught selling but keep in mind that Italy has financial police that make random checks. If you have a stall or tent, they may stop by. If you're selling privately, chances of being found out are small. But consequences could be severe. Same with teaching. You can teach privately (off the books) but not publicly. It's a risk manegment problem.

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10abuse