Many Americans find themselves curious about the possibility of relocating to Europe, particularly Italy. This article will serve as a guide on how to move to Italy for Italian citizens, citizens of a European Union country, and non-EU citizens. We will discuss the visa options that are available for those looking to reside long-term in the country and the ways to acquire Italian citizenship. In addition, we will outline how to buy property in Italy and the benefits of being an Italian resident and citizen.
Traveling to Italy for EU and Non-EU Citizens
US citizens may wonder if they need a visa when traveling to Italy, or other countries in the European Union, and how long they are allowed to stay in the country if they do not have dual citizenship. In fact, US citizens do not need a visa to enter Italy but will be only allowed to stay in the country for a maximum of 90 days. This is because Italy is part of the Schengen Area, which consists of 29 European countries that have a shared visa policy allowing for freedom of movement throughout the member countries. The Schengen Visa, or tourist visa, is required for citizens of certain countries when entering the Schengen Area. However, the United States is a visa-exempt country, but its citizens are still required to adhere to the 90-day stay restriction.
In order to stay longer than 90 days in Italy, it would be necessary to secure a long-stay visa, also called a Type D visa. Examples include the Elective Residence Visa, Investor Visa, and Digital Nomad Visa. In Italy, a visa and residence permit are a two-step process that begins at an Italian consulate abroad. First, you would apply for the appropriate visa, which allows you to enter the country, and then once in Italy, the visa can be converted into the corresponding residence permit. This permit of stay allows you to reside in the country for the duration set by the visa. The Elective Residence Permit, sometimes called the Retirement Visa, is designed for those with sufficient passive income who can support themselves without engaging in gainful employment while living in Italy. The Investor Visa, also called the Golden Visa, is granted to those who make a significant financial investment to the Italian economy. The Digital Nomad Visa is available for highly-skilled remote workers or self-employed individuals who meet a set of requirements.
However, if you are an Italian citizen or citizen of an EU country, you can travel to and reside anywhere in the EU without any restrictions. You are permitted to live, work, and study visa-free in any of the EU member countries. In addition, EU citizens who stay longer than 90 days in Italy must register as a resident in the municipality where they are living.
Italian Citizenship
By Descent
Being an Italian citizen brings many benefits, so you may be wondering how to acquire Italian citizenship. In fact, if you are a US citizen with Italian ancestry, you may qualify for Italian citizenship by descent. Italian citizenship law is based on the principle of jure sanguinis, or right of blood. This means that Italian descendants have the right to claim recognition of their Italian citizenship through their ancestors born in Italy who emigrated elsewhere. Transmission of citizenship must be shown from one generation to the next, meaning that no one in the lineage renounced their Italian citizenship. It’s important that your Italian-born ancestor was born after March 17, 1861 or still living in Italy after this date, and if they naturalized in the US, they must have done so after June 14, 1912 and after the birth of their child, the next descendent in line. Furthermore, according to new guidelines issued October 3, 2024 by the Italian Government, if your Italian-born ancestor naturalized while their child was still a minor (before March 9, 1975, the age of majority was 21 in Italy), the minor lost his or her Italian citizenship automatically. This would have interrupted the chain of citizenship, making you ineligible to apply through this Italian ancestor at an Italian consulate or Italian municipality. However, if you fall into this category of a “minor age” case, you have the possibility of filing your claim via the Italian courts, as the Italian courts are not bound by the above-mentioned guidelines and are currently approving the majority of cases involving an ancestor who has naturalized when their child was a minor.
Also, if you have a female Italian ancestor who gave birth before January 1, 1948, you will not be able to apply through her at an Italian consulate or Italian municipality, as women were not allowed to pass citizenship down to their children before the ratification of the Italian constitution on this date. However, you can file a claim via the Italian courts, which will argue this as unlawful and discriminatory.
By Marriage
Another path to Italian citizenship is if you are married to an Italian citizen. The requirements include proving your knowledge of the Italian language at the B1 level as well as submission of clean criminal background records. Also, you must have been married 2 years before applying, for those residing in Italy, and 3 years of marriage, if residing abroad.
If you are the spouse of an EU citizen and you both plan on living together in Italy, there is the option of obtaining a residence permit for spouses of EU citizens. First, the EU spouse will need to have registered their residence in the town where you both are living. Then the foreign spouse will submit an application along with supporting documentation including a marriage certificate and proof of accommodation. This residence permit is valid for 5 years and allows the foreign spouse to work in Italy and travel to other EU countries.
Buying Property in Italy
Additionally, many US citizens are interested in buying property in Italy. In fact, you don’t need to be an Italian citizen or resident to purchase Italian real estate. This is because of reciprocità, meaning that you can purchase property in Italy if there is an international treaty between Italy and your country of origin, such as the US, that allows this condition of reciprocity. It’s important to remember, however, that simply owning property in Italy does not automatically grant you residency or allow you to stay past the 90-day restriction if you are a non-EU citizen.
Establishing Residence
Finally, after all the preparation leading up to your relocation, the next step upon arrival in Italy will be to register your residence. This process entails filing an application for legal residency at the registry office (ufficio anagrafe) in the town where you are living, along with documentation proving your accommodation, employment status, and financial resources. Once your residence status is approved, you will be able to apply for a photo ID card (carta di identita).
Additionally, you will need a codice fiscale if planning to reside in Italy, as it is essential for many administrative procedures, including opening a bank account in Italy, signing an employment contract, registering a property purchase contract, and signing a rental agreement. This alphanumeric number is assigned to Italian citizens at birth and can also be applied for by foreign individuals at the Italian Tax Office (Agenzia delle Entrate). Contrary to its name, a codice fiscale does not automatically imply tax duty, but if you are a registered resident, reside in Italy for more than 183 days during the year, own eligible assets in Italy, or earn a taxable income in Italy, you may be liable for Italian taxes.
Benefits of Italian Citizenship and Residence
As an Italian resident, either as a citizen or with a residence permit, you are entitled to access the Italian national healthcare, Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). This system offers free or low-cost healthcare and medical services to all residents. Registration is free and takes place at your local health authority, Azienda Sanitaria Locale (ASL). You will then be issued a health insurance card (tessera sanitaria), be assigned a general practitioner located in your area, and will have access to specialists, exams, and laboratory analyses.
Another benefit to having Italian citizenship is freedom of movement within the other European Union countries. With Italy being a member of the EU, its citizens have the right to live, work, study, and retire in all 27 EU countries visa-free.
For those who don’t have Italian ancestry, there are other European countries that allow individuals to claim citizenship by descent. For example, if you have Irish or Polish ancestry, and you meet the eligibility criteria, you may have the opportunity to apply for citizenship of that country. Both Ireland and Poland are members of the European Union, and as a citizen of that country, you would have the ability to live, work, and study in the other EU countries, including Italy.
Conclusion
Relocating to Italy can be an exciting, but also overwhelming process, with many considerations. Furthermore, the procedure may look different if you are a non-EU citizen or hold dual citizenship. However, there are several options for those looking to apply for Italian citizenship or to secure a residence permit. This article has outlined the relevant information for those looking to move to Italy and establish residence in the country, including some of the benefits of being an Italian resident. If you have further questions or would like more information, don’t hesitate to contact us at [email protected].
