Emigrate to Italy in 15 steps

You've been dreaming about it for a while: a new life in Italy. You recognized yourself completely in the article '100 reasons to move to Italy' and not in the reasons to not to do that. A move to the country of la dolce vita so it seems to you. In fact, you want to go all out. But how do you go about that, living in Italy? A 'normal' move is already a lot of work if you consider what it involves. Emigrate to Italy much more.

So what else should you think about as soon as you think beyond borders? For potential emigrants to Italy, this overview with the most important tips that ensure a flying start.

1. Emigrate to Italy, but where to?

Italy is a big country. With regions and regions that can be very different from each other. It seems obvious, but think carefully beforehand about where you would like to live.

Nose around the area to get a feel for the atmosphere and get a better idea of ​​the places that are/are not suitable for making it your new home.

Keep in mind that going on holiday somewhere makes different demands on your environment than living somewhere: for 2 weeks 25 kilometers from the nearest supermarket is manageable, but as a 'local' a little less far is of course more pleasant.

2. Learn the Basics of Italian

You could emigrate to Italy without speaking a word of Italian, but it is not really advisable: the first phase in which you have to arrange everything and anything is a lot less stressed if you at least understand something of what the people tell you and ask.

Don't count on being able to use your English too much: it is changing very slowly, but many people are not fluent in English.

Take an Italian course at a People's University, an association of Dante Alighieri or a language institute near you. Or sign up right away for This is Italian, our special Italian courses for Italy lovers. A little knowledge of the Italian language and culture makes that first period so much easier.

3. Think about what you will live on

Not unimportant to think about before you leave: how will you ensure that you can continue to pay for your Italian dream? Do you want to start for yourself? Do you have a nice B&B or agriturismo in mind? Can you also work from abroad for your current employer?

Or do you have enough reserves or regular income to not worry about that anymore? Finding a job in Italy is of course also an option, but due to the economic situation at the moment it is not as easy as it was before.

4. Prepare family and relatives for your emigration to Italy

You are completely enthusiastic yourself, but keep in mind that others react very differently to your plans. If you have children who come along, take into account their grief at leaving everything known behind and their fear of the new.

Give them time to get used to the plans in their own way. And for those left behind, they are often happy for you that you are taking the step, but at the same time they will be very sad because of your departure and the future loss.

5. Find your dream palace… or something similar

Just like in the Netherlands, there is currently a large supply on the Italian housing market. However, that does not mean that it is easy to get a (temporary) home everywhere.

Take the time to find out via the internet, newspaper advertisements or together with an authorized Italian real estate agent (real estate agency) to view all kinds of different rental or owner-occupied homes and apartments.

When viewing with a real estate agent, don't be too quick to act: the homes they show you first are often the ones that are difficult to get rid of. If you are unable to find your dream palace right away, look for temporary accommodation.

Make sure you inquire about the possibility of canceling the contract before it expires: most rental contracts are concluded for 3 or 4 years.

6. Bring pets

What do you do with your four-legged roommate? Are you looking for a new home for him or her with family or friends or do you take them with you? In the latter case, they need their own passport stating the validity of their anti-rabies vaccination. Your vet can help you with this.

Dogs and cats under three months of age that have not been vaccinated against rabies are not allowed in Italy! Your pets will also require a microchip for identification or a legible tattoo applied before July 3, 2011.

7. And then: emigrate to Italy itself

Moving to Italy is more difficult than moving within the Netherlands. You don't 'just' rent a van to drive back and forth a few times to move your things (although in principle you could).

It is convenient and sensible to engage a recognized mover. Not only can they help you pack everything you need to bring with you, but they can also take care of the paperwork that goes along with entering your stuff. Have descriptive statements made of any works of art and/or antiques that you bring from the Netherlands and add them to all documents.

Should you ever decide to return to the Netherlands, you will avoid being accused of running Grandma's cuckoo clock as 'Italian art/antique'.

8. Your 'codice fiscal': you can't live without it

The very first thing to do when arriving in Italy is to apply for a fiscal Code, the tax number, for everyone who moves with you.

You are often asked for it, sometimes at the strangest moments, whether you want to register with the municipality, open a bank account, sit in the emergency room with a bleeding sob in your hand or buy a SIM card for your phone.

You can apply for it with your passport at the local tax office, l'Agenzia dell'Entrate. You will receive it immediately.

You can also apply via the Italian embassy in the Netherlands or Belgium by completing the application form and sending it in together with a copy of your passport.

9. Register with the municipality in Italy

Officially, you must register with your municipality within three months of arrival. And then the red tape conjuring up the documents you need.

In Italy a difference is made between place of residence (you have your official residence address in Italy) or customer's home (you are still registered with your Dutch municipality, for example because of your second home).

Do you want to register as resident, then you need a valid passport and a copy of your (Dutch) health insurance that states that your insurance is valid for at least another year.

Because it sometimes seems that every civil servant interprets the same law in a different way, it is wise to obtain international certificates regarding your marital status and your family composition from your old municipality before leaving the Netherlands, so that you can do everything might be asked to have with you.

In addition, you must be able to demonstrate that you have sufficient means to support yourself (and that of your family). So bring proof that you are working, looking for work or studying in Italy.

Or a document that proves that you are enjoying your pension or that you have income in some other way. Often, however, a Self-declaration, a self-declaration, also sufficient.

And very special: you will only be officially registered if the municipal police has checked whether you do indeed live at the specified address. So don't be alarmed if suddenly two people in uniform are on your doorstep!

10. Gas, water, light

You must request the connection of gas, water and light from one of the utility companies. Just like in the Netherlands, there are now all kinds of different energy providers in Italy. Find out which ones are available in your area and choose the most suitable one.

If you are registered as a 'resident' at the address for which you are requesting electricity, and in the case of a rental property your contract is registered, you pay a lower rate for your consumption. You can send the invoices that you receive every two months with the enclosed bill pay at the post office.

Although many Italians are wary of it themselves, you can also have the payments run automatically through your bank.

11. Telephone and Internet

A connection to the fixed telephone network is the work of Telecom Italia, the owner of the telephone network in Italy. However, it is worth investigating whether it makes sense to join them.

The line is not always sufficient for ADSL traffic and it does not really look like Telecom will change that in the near future. It can be much more beneficial to use a good offer including mobile internet with one of the many mobile providers.

Or opt for internet via satellite. Or through the use of (paid) piggybacking on internet antennas such as Wimax or VPN Wireless. Your new neighbors must have good ideas about that.

12. Register with the Italian health insurance fund ASL (or USL)

Here in Italy you are insured against medical expenses through the ASL, also known as USL. If you start working for an employer, they will take care of your registration with the ASL.

If you do not work, you must be able to demonstrate that you are registered as a 'job seeker'. Self-employed entrepreneurs must demonstrate with their application that they are registered with the Italian Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber of Commerce, and a VAT number, have opened a VAT number.

You also need your passport, of course you fiscal Code and a photocopy of the certificate of place of residence. Although some ASLs have a Self-declaration also accept.

With regard to the latter, it is therefore wise to let your Dutch health insurance continue for a while after you leave to avoid Kafka-esque situations: in principle you need proof of registration in your new place of residence to be able to register with the ASL. that you only get if you can prove that you have health insurance.

At the end of registration you can choose your GP from a list of affiliated doctors. Children do not necessarily have to choose the same doctor as their parents: it is very common for children up to the age of XNUMX to have their own pediatrician as their general practitioner.

13. Open your own account at the bank or post!

When opening an account, it is also wise to do some field research beforehand into the banks that are out there and what they have to offer you. And not only that: the costs of opening and having an account can be very different.

To open an Italian checking account, a checking account, you need a valid ID document, of course your indispensable fiscal Code and, in the case of a bank, proof of place of residence.

But very often the bank is also satisfied with the bill for the gas, water or light where your name and address is stated or with the purchase or rental contract with the address on it.

14. Schools in Italy

Are your accompanying children between 6 and 16 years old? Then they are of compulsory education and have to go to school. Depending on their age, you can enroll them in a primary school (Primary School, for children aged 6 to 11), lower secondary education (often le media named, official la scuola secondaria di primo grado, for the age group 11 to 14 years) and upper secondary education (le superiori popularly, la scuola secondaria di secondo grado, for youth aged 14 to 19).

At the town hall they can tell you which schools are nearby and give you information about how to register. There is sometimes a choice between state and private schools.

In general, education in state schools is better, but of course there are always exceptions to prove the rule. Again, it is wise to light up the people around you.

15. Your driver's license and your car after emigration

You are not obliged to register your Dutch driving license in Italy if you have a European model issued after June 1996. If you do choose to have it registered, you can often already indicate this when you register with the municipality. You will then receive a sticker with your new address on your driver's license.

Please note: your driving license is then valid in Italy, but no longer in the Netherlands! It is wisest to convert your Dutch driving license into a Dutch driving license within a year Italian driver's license. You must then place of residence have in Italy. At the Motorization you can get more information about that.

And as for your car: if resident you can continue to drive around with your Dutch license plate for one year before you take the step to import the car and apply for an Italian license plate.

If you only have a customer's home in Italy, a period of 6 months applies. Ask the Dutch RDW for information about how to export your car. At the Motorization they can tell you what to do and then enter your car.

Your emigration to Italy is unique

Of course, these 15 steps will help you quite a bit with the preparations if you are going to emigrate to Italy. But of course these remain general tips and advice, based on rules and laws that change regularly.

On the site of the Netherlands Embassy in Rome you can find more specific information if you want to live in Italy. And if you have any questions or additions to this article, let us know in the comments!