Italy
A solid all-round choice. Ranked 9 of 55, strongest on climate, softest on retiree visa.
- Healthcare 78
- Retiree visa 72
- Affordability 78
- Safety 76
- Climate 88
- Expat community 78
- Retirement visaYesElective Residence Visa (visto per residenza elettiva), a national long-stay Type D visaconslosangeles.esteri.it
- Min incomeMediumconsnewyork.esteri.it
- Monthly budget~$1,800-2,800/monumbeo.com
- HealthcareGooden.wikipedia.org
- SafetySafeen.wikipedia.org
- Top citiesLucca, Lecce, Bologna
Good to know
- Good healthcare accessItaly runs a universal public health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), established in 1978, covering all citizens and legal residents. Outcomes are strong, with life expectancy among the highest in the OECD, though quality varies by region and public waiting times can be long.en.wikipedia.org
- Dedicated retirement visaElective Residence Visa (visto per residenza elettiva), a national long-stay Type D visaconslosangeles.esteri.it
- Low cost of livingA single person's estimated costs are roughly USD 1,000 per month excluding rent; a comfortable all-in retirement budget commonly falls in the USD 1,800 to 2,800 range depending on city and lifestyle.numbeo.com
- Safe for retireesItaly ranks 35th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.712, placing it in the upper-middle tier for peacefulness. Petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas are the main day-to-day concern.en.wikipedia.org
- Comfortable climateCoastal regions and the south have a true Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters, while the Alpine north and Po Valley interior are colder and more continental, with cold winters and hot summers.en.wikipedia.org
- Established expat communityItaly has a large and established foreign-resident and retiree community, especially in Tuscany, Umbria, and the lakes. English proficiency is moderate, scoring 513 (rank 59) on the EF English Proficiency Index, so English is more common in cities and tourist hubs than in rural southern towns.ef.com
Watch out for
No cautions from the verified data.
Visa & residency
Elective Residence Visa (visto per residenza elettiva), a national long-stay Type D visa
Consulates look for stable passive income commonly cited around EUR 31,000 per year for a single applicant (roughly EUR 2,600 per month), with more expected for couples; higher amounts and savings strengthen the application.
The Elective Residence Visa does not permit any work or employment in Italy. Applicants must prove steady, self-sustaining passive income not deriving from subordinate work, such as pensions, property rental income, or investment returns.
Healthcare
Italy runs a universal public health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), established in 1978, covering all citizens and legal residents. Outcomes are strong, with life expectancy among the highest in the OECD, though quality varies by region and public waiting times can be long.
Legal foreign residents can register with the SSN; many non-EU retirees carry private insurance for faster access and to satisfy visa requirements, and costs remain well below typical US healthcare expenses.
Cost of living
A single person's estimated costs are roughly USD 1,000 per month excluding rent; a comfortable all-in retirement budget commonly falls in the USD 1,800 to 2,800 range depending on city and lifestyle.
Rent in Italy averages about 48.9% lower than in the United States, and overall cost of living including rent is about 23.5% lower.
Safety
Italy ranks 35th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.712, placing it in the upper-middle tier for peacefulness. Petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas are the main day-to-day concern.
Climate
Coastal regions and the south have a true Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters, while the Alpine north and Po Valley interior are colder and more continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
Community & language
Italy has a large and established foreign-resident and retiree community, especially in Tuscany, Umbria, and the lakes. English proficiency is moderate, scoring 513 (rank 59) on the EF English Proficiency Index, so English is more common in cities and tourist hubs than in rural southern towns.
Official language is Italian; some regions have co-official languages. English proficiency is moderate, so learning basic Italian is recommended for daily life outside major tourist areas.
Taxes
Foreign pensioners who become resident in a qualifying southern town (in regions such as Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia, with no more than 30,000 inhabitants since April 2026) can elect a 7% flat tax on all foreign-source income for up to ten years, versus standard rates of 23% to 43%.
Italy has a comprehensive network of double-taxation treaties, including with the United States, which generally prevents the same income from being taxed twice.
Moving & migration
Foreign retirees need: valid passport, Italian tax ID (codice fiscale), a valid residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) or at least the post office receipt proving you have applied for one, and proof of address. EU citizens need passport/ID, codice fiscale, and proof of residency (certificato di residenza or registration receipt). Expat-friendly banks: UniCredit, Intesa Sanpaolo, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, and Poste Italiane (postal bank -- widely accessible). Online banks like N26 and Revolut with Italian IBANs are available to EU residents and can be opened with just a passport and codice fiscale via app. Physical presence is typically required for traditional banks. By EU law, all legal residents in the EU have the right to a basic payment account (conto di base). Banks must provide one even without proof of income. The codice fiscale can be obtained before arriving in Italy through an Italian consulate abroad.
Italy has a national public healthcare system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale - SSN) that provides comprehensive coverage. To register: (1) Obtain residency (iscrizione anagrafica) at the local Comune (municipality) -- this requires the residence permit (or receipt) and accommodation. (2) Once registered as a resident, go to the local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) health authority with: passport, codice fiscale, residence certificate or permesso di soggiorno, and proof of enrollment in the SSN. (3) Choose a GP (medico di base) from the list provided. (4) You receive a Tessera Sanitaria (health card/EHIC card). EU citizens who are retired in Italy: bring S1 form (formerly E121) from your home country's pension authority to register for SSN at no cost (based on bilateral agreements). Non-EU retirees on an 'elective residence' visa: must register with the SSN by paying a voluntary annual contribution. The fee is income-based: approximately EUR 387/year for incomes up to EUR 20,658 (2024 figure, adjusted annually), scaling up to EUR 2,788/year for higher incomes. Alternatively, you must hold private health insurance valid for the duration of the residence permit (minimum coverage typically EUR 30,000/year). Private insurance for retirees: EUR 150-400/month. Private hospitals and clinics are common in major cities as supplements to SSN.
EU/EEA driving licenses are valid in Italy indefinitely. Non-EU licenses: valid for 1 year from the date of obtaining residency (permesso di soggiorno). Within that first year, you must either convert or obtain an Italian license. Italy has reciprocity/conversion agreements with certain countries (including UK, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, and some others) allowing direct conversion without tests. If your country has no agreement (including USA, Canada, Australia), you must take the full Italian driving exam: (a) Theory test (patente B -- 30 true/false questions, max 3 errors, available in Italian, French, or German only -- NO English), (b) Practical driving test. The theory test is challenging and requires significant study (the Italian Highway Code is complex). Many expats use driving schools (autoscuole) to prepare (EUR 500-1,000+ for full prep). You must pass the theory exam before the practical. Medical certificate required. Age-based renewal: license valid until age 50 (10-year renewal), 50-69 (5 years), 70-79 (3 years), 80+ (2 years). After 65, a specialist medical check is required at renewal.
EU citizens moving household goods to Italy: free movement, no customs formalities (except for excise goods and motor vehicles). Non-EU citizens: duty-free import of used household goods and personal effects when transferring normal residence to Italy. Key conditions: (1) goods must have been owned and used for at least 6 months before the move, (2) goods must arrive within 6 months of the date of transfer of residence (arrivo del trasloco), (3) goods must not be sold, rented, or lent for at least 12 months after import. Required documents: detailed inventory list in Italian (two copies), copy of passport, visa or residence permit, certificate of residence from the Comune or consular certificate of transfer of residence, bill of lading, and a customs declaration (DAU form). Motor vehicles: one vehicle may be imported duty-free under transfer of residence if you have lived outside the EU for at least 12 months and owned the vehicle for at least 6 months. Prohibited items: weapons, drugs, counterfeit goods, endangered species, certain food items. Italy requires a TIN (codice fiscale) for customs clearance. Typical costs: shipping a 20ft container from North America is $4,000-$8,000 USD; from within Europe EUR 1,000-3,000. Working with an Italian customs agent (spedizioniere doganale) is recommended.
Italy follows EU pet travel regulations (Regulation (EU) No 576/2013). Requirements: (1) ISO 11784/11785 microchip. (2) Valid rabies vaccination: primary vaccination at least 21 days before travel, booster immediately valid if within previous validity window. (3) For entry from non-listed non-EU countries: rabies antibody titre test (FAVN) at an EU-approved lab, sample drawn at least 30 days after vaccination and at least 3 months before travel. (4) EU pet passport (for EU-resident pets) OR Annex IV animal health certificate for non-EU pets. (5) Pets must enter through a designated Travellers' Point of Entry (major international airports: Rome FCO, Milan MXP/LIN, Venice VCE, Bologna BLQ). (6) Maximum 5 pets per person. (7) No quarantine for properly documented pets. (8) Italy has a national dangerous dog registry and 13 restricted breeds (including Pit Bull, Rottweiler, Dogo Argentino, Fila Brasileiro, Tosa Inu, etc.) for which owners must obtain a special license (patentino) and carry liability insurance. Some municipalities have additional restrictions (e.g., muzzles in public for certain breeds). (9) Dogs entering Italy must also be registered with the regional canine registry (anagrafe canina) within 30 days of arrival.
For non-EU retirees (Elective Residence Visa -- visto per residenza elettiva): Step 1: Apply for an Elective Residence visa at the Italian consulate in your home country. Demonstrate: stable and substantial passive income (typically EUR 31,000-38,000+/year from pensions, rentals, investments -- amounts vary by consulate), accommodation in Italy (lease or property deed), and comprehensive private health insurance valid in Italy for at least 1 year. Processing: 1-3 months. Step 2: Enter Italy. Within 8 days of arrival, apply for the permesso di soggiorno (residence permit). Go to any post office that offers 'Sportello Amico' service, pick up a yellow kit (kit giallo), complete the forms, pay the fee (EUR 70.46 for the card + EUR 30.46 postal fee + EUR 40-100 tax), and submit. You receive a receipt (ricevuta/rinnovo) and an appointment slip for fingerprinting at the Questura (police headquarters). Step 3: Attend the Questura appointment for fingerprinting (typically 1-3 months after postal submission, but can be longer in busy cities). Bring passport, 4 passport photos, originals of all documents submitted. Step 4: The actual permesso di soggiorno card is mailed to your address or you're notified to collect it. Processing: 3-6+ months from application. Step 5: The Elective Residence permesso is typically valid for 1-2 years initially. Renew it at least 60 days before expiry (at the post office again, same process). Step 6: After 5 years of continuous legal residence, you can apply for the EU Long-Term Residence Permit (Permesso di Soggiorno UE per Soggiornanti di Lungo Periodo), which is permanent. This requires proving: minimum income of approx. EUR 8,500+/year (for single person), adequate housing, and passing an Italian language test (A2 level). Step 7: Italian citizenship by naturalization: possible after 10 years of continuous legal residence. Requires: stable income over the last 3 years, clean criminal record, Italian language proficiency at B1 level or higher, and passing the citizenship exam. Italy recognizes dual citizenship.
Popular retirement spots
Where retirees in Italy tend to settle, and the honest reason why. Each note shows its source.
Lucca
Walled Tuscan "city of art" whose intact Renaissance-era ramparts form a pedestrian promenade around a well-preserved historic centre.
Lecce
Baroque city nicknamed "the Florence of the South," on the Salentine peninsula at the heel of southern Italy.
Bologna
Emilia-Romagna's capital, a university city with 38km of UNESCO-listed porticoes sheltering a walkable historic centre.
Questions about retiring in Italy
Answered from the verified data on this page. Every answer shows its source; anything we have not confirmed says so plainly rather than guessing.
- Does Italy have a retirement visa?
Yes. Italy offers the Elective Residence Visa (visto per residenza elettiva), a national long-stay Type D visa.
conslosangeles.esteri.it- Do EU citizens need a visa to retire in Italy?
No. Under EU freedom of movement, EU citizens may live and retire in Italy. You can stay up to three months without registering, then register with the local authorities for longer stays.
europa.eu- How much monthly income do I need to retire in Italy?
As a guide: Consulates look for stable passive income commonly cited around EUR 31,000 per year for a single applicant (roughly EUR 2,600 per month), with more expected for couples; higher amounts and savings strengthen the application. Treat this as indicative and verify the current official figure before you rely on it.
consnewyork.esteri.it- Is healthcare good for expats in Italy?
Healthcare quality is rated good. Italy runs a universal public health service, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN), established in 1978, covering all citizens and legal residents. Outcomes are strong, with life expectancy among the highest in the OECD, though quality varies by region and public waiting times can be long. On cost: Legal foreign residents can register with the SSN; many non-EU retirees carry private insurance for faster access and to satisfy visa requirements, and costs remain well below typical US healthcare expenses.
en.wikipedia.org- How expensive is it to retire in Italy?
Lower than the US. A comfortable single-retiree budget is A single person's estimated costs are roughly USD 1,000 per month excluding rent; a comfortable all-in retirement budget commonly falls in the USD 1,800 to 2,800 range depending on city and lifestyle.
numbeo.com- Is Italy safe?
Safe. Italy ranks 35th of 163 countries on the Global Peace Index with a score of 1.712, placing it in the upper-middle tier for peacefulness. Petty theft and pickpocketing in tourist areas are the main day-to-day concern.
en.wikipedia.org- What is the climate like in Italy?
The climate is Mediterranean, with alpine and continental variations in the north. Coastal regions and the south have a true Mediterranean climate with hot dry summers and mild wet winters, while the Alpine north and Po Valley interior are colder and more continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
en.wikipedia.org- Where do retirees live in Italy?
Popular retirement spots include Lucca, Lecce and Bologna.
en.wikipedia.org
Compare Italy with its closest rivals
The three countries whose RetireScore sits nearest.
