Moving to Italy from the UK: Complete guide

Italy is a beautiful country to relocate to, especially when you’re escaping gloomy UK weather. The mountains and the seaside, as well as the cuisine and the art are only a few things to look forward to.

In this guide, we’ll cover all the essentials you need to know about moving to Italy from the UK. This includes how to get a visa, what has changed for Brits post-Brexit, the cost of living and the options for retiring in Italy.

We’ll also point out a cost-effective way to manage your money across borders from Wise. Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Italy for low fees* and at the mid-market exchange rate.

Learn more about the Wise account

Want to take your savings with you? Wise can also help you with large transfers. Simply email our expert team or request a call back below.

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Table of contents

Can you move to Italy from the UK? Moving to Italy from the UK How to get an Italian visa? How to move to Italy from the UK? What’s the cheapest way to get to Italy from the UK? How to transport your things Living in Italy - what you need to know Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Italy? Opening an Italian bank account Finding a job in Italy Renting or buying property in Italy Healthcare system in Italy: How it works for UK expats Emigrating to Italy with a family Schools and education Having a baby in Italy Bringing your pets Retiring in Italy: What are your options? Retirement visas Transferring your pensions Checklist for moving to Italy from the UK Save on your relocation costs to Italy with Wise

Can you move to Italy from the UK?

You can move to Italy from the UK, but it’s not as straightforward as it was before Brexit.

Since Italy is in the Schengen Area, you won’t need an entry visa. However, starting from the end of 2026, UK citizens will need ETIAS authorization to travel to Italy for stays up to 90 days. ETIAS is not a visa, but a quick online approval for visa-free travellers.¹

To be able to live and work in Italy, you’ll need a long-term visa, also called a national visa or a D visa.²

Moving to Italy from the UK

It’s more difficult to live and work in an EU country post-Brexit, but it’s not impossible. To move to Italy, you’ll need to qualify for and obtain a long-term visa.

If you don’t already speak Italian, learning the language could be challenging. However, making the effort is important if you want to fully integrate and feel at home.

How to get an Italian visa?

There are various long-term visa options for UK expats, depending on the purpose of your move. You generally need to apply while still in the UK and attend an appointment at the Italian Embassy.³

The main visa types include:

• The Italy study visa
• The Italy work visa
• The Italy self-employment visa
• The Italy family visa
• The Italy retirement visa³

The required documents depend on the exact visa type. For example, if you’re applying for a work visa, you’ll need a valid passport, a recent photograph and work clearance granted by the Single Immigration Desk (SUI).³

Once you obtain a visa, you’ll need to apply for a residence permit or permesso di soggiorno. You must apply within 8 days of arriving in Italy and provide proof of private health insurance, along with documents supporting the purpose of your stay.⁴

How to move to Italy from the UK?

The best way to move to Italy will depend on your individual circumstances. If you intend to work, the most straightforward option is to secure a job with an Italian employer who can sponsor your visa.

If you’re a freelancer, the self-employment visa could be a suitable alternative. You’ll need to provide proof of sufficient income, a certificate from the Chamber of Commerce authorizing your work and a nulla osta, among other documents.³

What’s the cheapest way to get to Italy from the UK?

The quickest and easiest way to get to Italy from the UK is by plane. The cheapest months for flying out are September and October, when the average ticket price is £29.⁵

A good deal is generally easy to find if you’re flexible on dates, but some months are more expensive. For example, a one-way ticket from London to Bologna can cost over £100 in August.⁶

Wise can help you save money on travel costs, especially when you’re paying in a foreign currency. With the mid-market exchange rate and no foreign transaction fees*, you’ll be able to make the most out of your money.

The Wise card can be used for everything from everyday shopping to buying flight tickets for Italy.

💳 Explore the Wise card

How to transport your things

Since the UK is no longer part of the EU, moving your belongings to Italy involves a more complicated process. The best approach is to hire a moving company, since they’ll be familiar with the latest import regulations.

Air freight, sea freight and road freight are the available options. Road freight is the cheapest and best for large items, but air freight is better if you’re short on time.⁷ Here are some companies you could consult:

• PSS Removals
• Britannia Movers
• 1st Move International
• Pickfords

You can also drive to Italy if you’d prefer transporting your belongings yourself. There are different routes available, but you’ll need to take either the ferry or the Channel Tunnel to France and continue from there.⁸

Wise can be very useful when paying for a moving company. It allows you to send, receive and spend in both British pounds and euros. With transparent, low fees* and transactions at the mid-market exchange rate, you get the best value for your money.

Living in Italy - what you need to know

Let’s have a look at some quick facts about Italy if you’d like to move there:

💰 Currency:	Euro (EUR)
🗣️ Main language:	Italian
👥 Population:	59,136,4619
🇬🇧 Number of British expats:	26,20210
🧭 Popular expat destinations	Rome, Milan, Florence

Cost of living - how much money do you need to move to Italy?

The cost of living in Italy is lower in Italy compared to the UK, especially when it comes to rent. Some things, like groceries, cost roughly the same in both countries.¹¹

Let’s take a look at a few average prices for common spending categories in Italy, compared to the UK:

• A three-course meal for two people costs around £61 in Italy, while it’s £65 in the UK
• A monthly public transport pass is approx. £31, compared to £70 in the UK
• Rent for a one-bedroom city centre apartment is around £640, compared to £1,041 in the UK
• Utilities for a typical apartment are around £169 per month, compared to £234 in the UK¹¹

Opening an Italian bank account

Opening a bank account in Italy is essential for handling monthly expenses and paying taxes, but also for getting paid.

There are even non-resident account options called conto corrente non residente, but they might not offer the full range of services.¹²

You’ll usually need the following documents for a resident bank account:

• Proof of ID
• Proof of your Italian address
• An Italian fiscal code
• Proof of residence permit
• Proof of job or student status¹²

Some Italian banks might also ask for additional documents or a minimal deposit.¹²

Additionally, whether you’ll be able to keep your UK bank account after moving depends on your bank. For example, Barclays will close both your current and savings accounts once you move abroad.¹³

As an alternative to a bank account, check out the Wise account. You can use it to send, receive and spend in multiple currencies, including British pounds and euros. Opening the account is pretty straightforward and you can open it before you even leave the UK.

Finding a job in Italy

A job in Italy is necessary for certain types of visas, but you might also consider starting a business or being self-employed.

Italy is one of the world’s top ten world economies, but finding work as an expat can be challenging if you don’t speak the language. Most people live in the northern regions, which are more developed, but your job options will still be limited without Italian.

Your UK qualifications are directly comparable to those in Italy thanks to the Bologna Process, so you won’t need to explain them to potential employers.¹⁴

If you’d like to be self-employed in Italy, you’ll need a relevant visa and work permit. Visa requirements include obtaining a nulla osta from your territory’s police station, having sufficient funds to support yourself and having adequate health insurance.³

Here are a few popular websites to start your job search in Italy:

• Glassdoor - English-speaking jobs
• Jooble - English-speaking jobs
• The Local Italy
• Reed
• Total Jobs
• TrovoLavoro.it

Thinking of starting a business in Italy? The exact process will depend on the type of company you’re starting, but you’ll need a business visa. Some of the most popular ones are the self-employed visa, investor visa or start-up visa.¹⁵

📚 Italy Start-up Visa Guide

Renting or buying property in

UK nationals with an Italian residence permit can buy property in Italy, since there’s a bilateral agreement in place between the two countries.

It’s best to consult a local property lawyer for this, since you’ll need to draft a preliminary contract (compromesso), pay a deposit and handle different legal requirements.¹⁶

If you’re up for a challenge, you could consider renovating or even building a house in Italy.

📚 Buying property in Italy

Renting is usually more popular with expats, at least until you get fully settled. Once you find a place you like, you’ll usually need to provide the following documents to the landlord:

• Proof of ID (your passport or ID card)
• Social security number (codice fiscale)
• Three months of pay slips or your tax return if you’re self-employed¹⁷

You’ll also be asked for a security deposit, but you’ll likely be able to negotiate the amount. If you’re living in a block or condominio, you’ll also pay spese condominiali, which are service charges for the upkeep of the buildings.¹⁷

Here are some popular websites for rentals in Italy:

• Immobiliare.it
• Idealista.it
• Spotahome
• Casa.it

📚 Renting in Italy

Given the high costs involved in renting or buying abroad, it makes sense to find a provider with low fees* and transparent pricing.

Wise may save you money, especially on currency conversion fees on larger amounts. Our dedicated team of experts can help assist you with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.

Ask for a call back 📱

Healthcare system in Italy: How it works for UK expats

Once you become a legal resident, you can access the Italian healthcare system for free. Minor children of foreign nationals are also guaranteed access to public healthcare.¹⁸

You can apply for public healthcare at your local health office by providing the following:

• Proof of ID
• Codice fiscale
• Residence permit or proof of renewal application
• Documents proving family status

As mentioned earlier, you’ll need private health insurance when you first arrive in Italy and are applying for a residence permit.⁴

Emigrating to Italy with a family

Here’s what you should know when moving to Italy with a family:

Schools and education

Education in Italy is mandatory between the ages of 6 and 16. The five phases of Italy’s educational system are:

• Kindergarten
• Primary
• Lower secondary
• Upper secondary or the vocational training system
• University¹⁹

The majority of the system is state-funded and education is open to foreigners. Public education is free, but there’s financial aid available for school-related expenses.¹⁹

Having a baby in Italy

Anyone enrolled in Italy’s public health system (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale or SSN) can access free pregnancy and childbirth care.

Public maternity services can be accessed through your local family planning centre (consultario familiare).²⁰

Bringing your pets

Your pet must have an ISO compliant microchip, a rabies vaccine 21 days before entry and an Animal Health Certificate (AHS).

Some additional requirements might apply for dogs, such as tapeworm treatment. Your AHS will be valid for 10 days from the date of issuing.²¹

Retiring in Italy: What are your options?

Italy is a dreamy retirement location, so let’s look at your best visa options.

Retirement visas

The Italian elective residency visa (residenza elettiva) is made for retirees with sufficient funds to support themselves.

Your annual income needs to be at least €31,000 if you’re single or €38,000 if you’re married. You’ll also need proof of permanent accommodation, health insurance and a clean criminal record.²²

📚 Retiring abroad from the UK

Transferring your pensions

If you retire in Italy, you can also claim your UK state pension there. You can ask for it to be paid into a UK bank account or an Italian one, in which case you’ll be paid in euros. You can choose how often you’ll get paid - anywhere from 4 to 13 weeks.

Contact the International Pension Centre to get the most recent information.²³

📚 Tranferring UK pension to Italy

Checklist for moving to Italy from the UK

Let’s go through some of the most important steps of moving to Italy from the UK:

• Go through available visa options, gather your documents and apply for your visa of choice
• Find a place to live
• Get quotes for shipping your belongings to Italy
• Start researching Italian banks and check if you can open an account before arriving
• Look into registering for healthcare
• Look into the procedure for getting a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) once you arrive
• Tell HMRC that you’re leaving the UK
• Book your flight

Save on your relocation costs to Italy with Wise

Moving abroad comes with a range of expenses to consider, such as visa applications, health insurance and rental deposits.

Open a Wise account and you can send money between the UK and Italy for low, transparent fees and the mid-market exchange rate. It’s not a bank account but offers many similar features.

You can also use Wise once you arrive in your new home. You can spend in euros from the moment you step off the plane using your Wise card.

It works in more than 150+ countries and automatically converts your pounds to the local currency, only adding a tiny, upfront currency conversion fee*.

Remember, if you’re moving to Italy or anywhere else in the world, Wise can help with sending or receiving large amounts, our dedicated team of experts are ready to help with every step of your transfer. Simply email us or request a call back below.

Ask for a call back

Sources used in this article:

1. ETIAS - ETIAS for British citizens
2. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - types of visa
3. Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation - visa requirements
4. IASS - moving to Italy from the UK
5. Skyscanner - UK to Italy flights
6. Skyscanner - London to Bologna flights
7. Pickfords - shipping to Italy
8. RAC - driving to Italy from the UK
9. Worldometers - Italy population
10. Tuttitalia - British expats in Italy
11. Numbeo - cost of living in Italy compared to the UK
12. Arletti Partners - opening a bank account
13. Barclays - living outside the UK
14. Prospects.ac.uk - work in Italy
15. Expatica - starting a business in Italy
16. Giambrone Law - Italian real estate
17. Expatica - renting in Italy
18. Arletti Partners - healthcare in Italy
19. Expatica - education in Italy
20. Expatica - having a baby in Italy
21. PBS Pet Travel - pet travel to Italy
22. Giambrone Law - retiring in Italy
23. Gov.uk - State Pension if you retire abroad

Sources last checked on date: 21-Jul-2025