Nowadays more and more foreign nationals are choosing Italy as a destination for their retirement. Some of the key factors behind this choice are the excellent health system and a better quality of life – indeed, the sense of community in Italy is so strong that elders are much more involved in the everyday life and feel less isolated, compared to other UE countries.
Another essential feature is the territorial diversity that each region can offer – from mountains and sea views to countryside landscapes and historic villages, retired people can choose among a vast range of future homes. Among the best Italian regions to start living there are Abruzzo and Sicily, where the cost of living is quite affordable; Umbria offers good facilities and a slow-paced lifestyle. Moreover, most of the time, living in small, rural cities allows you to buy from local markets, and that means a higher food quality.
Bigger cities such as Rome and Milan are well connected and offer a more cosmopolite dimension; yet the cost of living is quite expensive, and the lifestyle might be frantic sometimes.
In addition, since 2019 the Italian Government introduced a Flat Tax of 7% for all pensioners who move their residence to Italy. It is granted to individuals with a pension income paid by foreign sources who transfer their residence to an Italian municipality with a population of no more than 20,000 inhabitants.
This tax regime can only be claimed for five years starting from the year in which it takes effect, and the municipality the retiree moves to must necessarily be in one of the following regions: Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise or Puglia.
However, if you choose Italy as your retirement destination, please consider that you might also face some hurdles, one above all the notorious Italian bureaucracy, that sometimes might result lengthy and confusing.
Anyway, do not let that dissuade you to live a peaceful retirement, as you can always rely on Principal Relocation Company. We can assist you through all the immigration and relocation process: from the first steps for obtaining your visa to the home search, until the enrollment into the national health system.
