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Perugia, Italy
10 Tips for Living in Italy
Summary: Italy is a dream destination for many, but some expats have difficulty adjusting to the rustic Italian lifestyle. Expats share their top tips for living in Italy.
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About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Some of Betsy's more popular articles include 6 Best Places to Live in Costa Rica, 12 Things to Know Before Moving to The Dominican Republic and 7 Tips for Obtaining Residence in Italy. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
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Living in Italy Guide
Expats in Italy discuss the pros and cons of living in Italy. From bureaucracy to expensive cities, Italy can be a challenge. Most expats find that the amazing food, charming countryside, beautiful beaches and public healthcare make up for the cons.
Italy Forum
Join our Italy forum to meet other expats and talk about living in Italy.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.
Best Places to Live in Italy
Italy is beloved by expats, global nomads and retirees. We've compiled a list of the 12 best places to live in Italy based upon expats' recommendations. They include Liguria, Puglia, Rome, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Sicily and more.
Healthcare in Italy
An overview of the healthcare system in Italy - public and private hospitals, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), getting your Tessera Sanitaria (healthcare card), Covid-19 entry requirements, vaccinations for Italy, prescription medication availability and more.
Moving to Italy Guide
Expats moving to Italy envision a romantic lifestyle in one of the most beautiful countries in the world. However, it is important to make sure that you do comprehensive research and fully understand what it will mean to move to the city, town or village you choose.
Pros & Cons of Living in Italy
Take off your rose-colored glasses and learn what expats have to say about the biggest challenges and the greatest rewards of living in Italy.
Italy Visa & Residency Guide
Expats share their experiences obtaining residency in Italy. They discuss the ins and outs of the applying for the permesso di soggiorno, recent travel issues, permanent residency in Italy and more.
10 Tips for Living in Italy
Italy is a dream destination for many, but some expats have difficulty adjusting to the rustic Italian lifestyle. Expats share their top tips for living in Italy.
Expat Health InsuranceGet a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Expat Health InsuranceGet a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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2022 Guide to Living in Italy
Expats, digital nomads and retirees share what it's like living in Italy and offer advice to newcomers.
2022 Guide to Moving to Italy
What is it like to move to Italy in 2022? Members offer advice for newcomers.
More Advice about Retiring in Italy
Read more about what members have to say about retiring in Italy in 2022.
Comments
guestDec 25, 2012 20:15
Article informative but did not answer my questions. I want to know i I should ship my car to Italy from the USA? If I do, where can I get auto insurance? Do I have to pay on a yearly basis or pay only when I am in Italy? How do I notify the Italian authorities (in Umbria) that I will have a car with USA plates.?
guestMay 28, 2015 17:25
We are looking for suggestions as to where we should live for a year. Want be central for travel to other area to best explore Italy.
guestApr 1, 2018 21:40
Thanks for your article. It helped me understand how it is possible to live in Italy. I'm new to the site and have a question . I plan on retiring soon but want to continue to practice acupuncture and am looking for ways I might volunteer my services. Any suggestions for web sites or individuals to contact. Thanks, Sal
guestJan 10, 2019 08:50
For who needs a car to drive and to move around to visit different places. Australian, Canadian, Newlanders and USA citizens will not be able to drive using theirs driving license after one year of their first date of arrivals in Italy. The only way to continue to drive Italy and Europe * legally is to apply for a new Italian driving license. The driving license for the above countries can not be converted to Italian driving license. The only way to obtain Italian driving license is to apply for a new one. One needs to allow at least 2-3 months in getting his/her new driving license and must pass both exams, driving and the oral exam. Bearing in mind that the exams are in Italian language, in some cases in French or German language if your residency in border of France or Austria. Mounzer
guestAug 8, 2019 20:38
Loved the forum on 7 places in Italy to retire. I especially enjoyed the section on Puglia. Molinari sounds wonderful. Beach on the Adriatic. Would love to hear about more updates and info on living as an American there. My husband and I are thinking about spending about a year or so in Italy for the experience. And we know the north can be quite pricey so Puglia sounds perfect. As we will be on a fixed burget. Any info and feedback would be so much appreciated! Thank you! Adrienne
Perugia, Italy
Expat Health InsuranceGet a quotes for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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Italy Forum
Meet other expats and talk about living in Italy.
Contribute
Help other expats and newcomers by answering questions about the challenges and adventures of living in Italy.
10 Tips for Living in Italy
Italy is a dream destination for many, but some expats have difficulty adjusting to the rustic Italian lifestyle. Expats share their top tips for living in Italy.
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Expats in Italy report loving their lifestyle and experiences in the Mediterranean nation despite the challenges of a slow-moving bureaucracy.
10 Best Places to Live in Liguria, Italy
Liguria, Italy, also known as the Italian Riviera, is a stunning coastal region spanning from Tuscany to the French border. In Liguria you will find mild temperatures and a relaxed lifestyle. If you're thinking about moving here, our list of the 10 best places to live in Liguria is based upon expat advice and recommendations.
7 Best Places to Live in Piedmont, Italy
Piedmont (in Italian: Piemonte) is an expansive region in Northern Italy that borders Switzerland and France. This is a region of great variety - you will find everything from small hilltop towns to cosmopolitan cities set against the snow-capped Alps. If you're thinking about moving to Piedmont, check out our list of the 7 best places to live in Piedmont, which is based upon advice and recommendations from expats already there.
Rome
If you're moving to Rome, our Guide to Living in Rome provides answers to the questions most often asked by newcomers. Is living in Rome expensive? Which are the best International Schools in Rome? What if my apartment is a little smaller than the size required for obtaining a Residency Card? Where do expats live in Rome? The list goes on.
Puglia, Italy
Why is Puglia described as the new Tuscany? People are drawn to Puglia's low cost of living, amazing climate, beautiful beaches hidden away in coves, and, most importantly, the wonderful Pugliese people. If Puglia is on your shortlist, this overview of life in Puglia, Italy is an essential read.
Guides to Cities in Italy
Bergamo
Bologna
Florence
Genoa
Liguria
Milan
Minturno
Modena
Parma
Perugia
Piedmont
Puglia
Rome
Turin
Verona
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