Everything To Know About Retiring In Italy
Retiring in Italy is a dream for many Americans—and for those who make the dream come true, it doesn't disappoint.
With some of the most history, art, and culture in the world packed into this small country, as well as amazing food and wine, this is a culture vulture's paradise.
What most people don't know is that Italy also delivers on outdoor pastimes , with mountains for skiing, long coasts full of award-winning beaches, oodles of countryside, and national parks to explore.
Whatever kind of lifestyle you're looking for, Italy will deliver.
With such a massive population of Italian descendants in the United States, numbered at 17.3 million according to a 2024 census, it's no surprise than many of them dream of returning to the old country…
And many of them do—nearly 16,000 Americans are reported to be currently living in Italy .
Plus, according to the British Embassy in Rome, 30,000 Brits were living in Italy in 2021, a number which has likely risen since.
That means that you won't have trouble finding English-speaking friends or community here in Italy, though in smaller towns or remote villages, you might need to go to more of a population center to find them.
I've often heard expats in the Italian countryside report that they had lived there for years and had just recently met another foreign couple who'd also been there for years—they had just never crossed paths.
The best way to meet people is to be active on social media and join lots of local groups.
La dolce vita in Italia (the sweet life in Italy) is renowned for a reason…
Italy offers a wide variety of lifestyles, from countryside to cosmopolitan city, from beaches to mountains, and from luxury to completely off-grid.
Because of its location on the Mediterranean, Italy enjoys fairly temperate year-round weather. Even in the north, where it can be rainier, foggier, and cooler than in the south, you won't experience extreme colds here. In the summer, though, prepare for heat and humidity, as well as lots of sunshine.
With its two long coastlines along the Med and the Adriatic, there's a wealth of beaches to enjoy, as well as any other water diversion you'd like.
Its world-class historical cities drew over 68 million visitors from around the world in 2024, a record-breaking number.
From the Roman Empire to the Renaissance, Italy maintains its connection to its past. When it comes to history and cultural sites, Italy has 60 UNESCO World Heritage Sites… to put that in perspective, China has 59 and is about 32 times bigger than Italy.
Italy offers endless opportunities for fun and adventure—especially for nature and history lovers.
Plus Rome and Milan's international airports offer easy access to the world, with direct flights to the United States, Canada, and dozens of destinations all over Europe…
All that in addition to the cuisine, wine, history, culture, arts, and general attitude towards life, make Italy one of the most popular overseas locations in the world for retirement.
On the plus side…
On the other hand…
Tax residents of Italy are subject to income tax on their worldwide income. There are three types of income tax in Italy: national income tax, regional income tax, and municipal income tax.
National income tax is quite high at 23% to 43%. Regional income tax ranges from 1.23% to 3.33% depending on which region you live in. Municipal income ranges from 0% to 0.9% (according to municipality).
On the bright side, first-time buyers of a primary residence in Italy are not subject to tax, and subsequent homes are taxes at just 0.05%.
Italy imposes a wealth tax of 1.06% on real estate and 0.2% to 0.4% on financial investments owned outside of Italy.
Tax treaties with the United States and Canada prevent any risk of double taxation.
Italy does not have a retiree-specific visa, but offers an independent means visa known as the Elective Residency Visa that many retirees use to live in the country long-term.
The basic requirement to qualify is proof of passive income (pensions, dividends, royalties, rents, etc.) of 32,000 euros per year. This grants you a one-year residence permit that is renewable.
The Golden Visa requires an investment of €250,000, €500,000, or €2 million in approved sectors. It's valid for five years and is renewable.
A digital nomad visa is available if you can prove an income of €32,400 per year outside Italy as well as savings of €30,00. It's valid for a year and is renewable. After five years you can apply for permanent residency and after another five for citizenship.
Cities that have become overcrowded with tourists in summer, particularly Venice, have been putting in regulations to limit the number of visitors per day. But this attitude generally only applies to tourists, especially those who descend for just a few hours from cruise ships.
When it comes to people wanting to move to the country, Italy has been known to be especially welcoming, putting in incentive programs for business people and digital nomads, selling homes for just a few euros, offering tax breaks, and offering citizenship through proving you have Italian-born parents or grandparents.
Italy is no secret to those of us who love culture, great food and wine, and the beauty of the Old World. Any lover of history, art, culture, fashion, and food would love a life in Italy.
This popular European destination is a haven for expats searching for a dreamy, sunshine-filled retirement that offers the best of the outdoors, as well.
Along with this generous stretches of coastline, Italy offers one of the most varied landscapes on Earth, including scenic mountain ranges like the Alps and the Apennines, and stunning lakes such as Lake Garda and Lake Como.
If you don't think you're up for learning Italian, though, you'll have a hard time settling in here. It's also not the best destination for LGBTQ+ retirees, as this is one of the most conservative and traditional Catholic cultures in Europe.
Aside from those two caveats, Italy is a welcoming and hospitable country for Americans. So whether you prefer cities or the outdoors, retiring in Italy will deliver an enviable lifestyle for just about anyone.
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Yahoo
a minute ago
- Yahoo
Qantas passengers trial major airport change, two Aussies' $4.8m lotto prizes unclaimed for years, Opposition says China testing 'weak' Albanese
Hello and welcome to Yahoo's live news blog this Thursday. There's a renewed push from lotto officials to find two unwitting Aussies who've scooped $4.8 million each on the 10-year anniversary of Set for Life's launch. One of the winners has less than two years to come forward before their prize is surrendered. Scores of Qantas passengers were the first to ditch passenger arrival cards at Sydney Airport on Wednesday as part of a trial to switch to digital declarations. It was an extension of a trial began last year at Brisbane Airport and the airline have hailed the latest step as "significant". Follow along as we bring you regular updates throughout the day. Toyota's dominance in Australia continues While it has been the top selling vehicle for the past two years, the Ford Ranger has been tipped at the top of July's sales list by rival Toyota. Both its HiLux and RAV4 models had better sales last month than the Ranger. Toyota has long been the market leader in Australia, spanning more than two decades. Last year, it sold 140,000 more vehicles than nearest manufacturer Ford. In fact it's been a difficult first half of 2025 for Ford, with Mazda jumping into second spot for overall sales. Plans for world's largest suspension bridge given green light Italy has cleared the way to build the world's largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive A$25 billion infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the spectre of mafia interference. The Strait of Messina Bridge will be 'the biggest infrastructure project in the West,' Transport Minister Matteo Salvini told a news conference in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project. 🌉 I #ponti sono sempre stati acceleratori per l'economia e lo sviluppo dei paesi. E #Webuild ha dato il suo contributo a questa storia.🇮🇹 Il Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina è una grande sfida ingegneristica per una grande opportunità di sviluppo economico, industriale,… — Webuild (@Webuild_Group) August 6, 2025 Premier Giorgia Meloni said that the bridge "will be an engineering symbol of global significance.'' Salvini cited studies showing the project will create 120,000 jobs a year and accelerate growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more in investments are made in roads and other infrastructure projects accompanying the bridge. Preliminary work could begin between late September and early October, once Italy's court of audit signs off, with construction expected to start next year. Despite bureaucratic delays, the bridge is expected to be completed between 2032-2033, Salvini said. Read more here. China sees Albanese as 'weak', Coalition says The Coalition says China and Russia are "testing" Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they see him as a weak leader when it comes to defence. China and Russia are currently carrying out joint patrols in the Western Pacific, right on Australia's doorstep. Beijing's mouthpieces have framed the patrols as 'jointly countering security threats' and a testament to 'deepening of China-Russia military ties'. Opposition Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie suggests the patrols should prompt more resistance from the government. 'While concerning, this is not surprising. They are testing us because they see weakness in Prime Minister Albanese," he told NewsWire. 'The Prime Minister has set a dangerous precedent by repeatedly refusing to stand up for our Australian Defence Force. 'Australia must show strength, and we're not seeing it from Labor.' Read more here. Renewed appeal to find lotto winners as prizes go unclaimed for years The Lott is celebrating 10 years of its Set for Life game – and the lottery authority is reminding Australians there are two winners who are yet to claim their $4.8m prize. "Two Aussies remain oblivious to their good fortune, with two Set for Life division one prizes unclaimed, each worth $4.8 million. In New South Wales and the ACT, players have six years from the date of the draw to claim their prize," The Lott said on Thursday. One of the tickets was purchased at Thistle Kiosk in Canberra's Woden in April 2021 while the other was bought at Nextra Kiama in NSW's Kiama in November 2024. Set for Life differs from traditional lottery games by drip-feeding winners their prize. Winners are paid $20,000 a month for 20 years. Qantas trial makes it to Australia's busiest airport It's a trial we're sure most Aussie flyers will embrace, and it's now made it's way to the country's busiest airport. Qantas customers flying in from New Zealand's Queenstown or Auckland on Wednesday were able to complete a digital declaration through the airline's app before their flight instead of filling out an arrivals card. The trial has been running at Brisbane Airport since last year and has been warmly welcomed by the aviation industry and passengers. 'Extending the trial to Australia's busiest airport means, every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, The Guardian reported. Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube. Toyota's dominance in Australia continues While it has been the top selling vehicle for the past two years, the Ford Ranger has been tipped at the top of July's sales list by rival Toyota. Both its HiLux and RAV4 models had better sales last month than the Ranger. Toyota has long been the market leader in Australia, spanning more than two decades. Last year, it sold 140,000 more vehicles than nearest manufacturer Ford. In fact it's been a difficult first half of 2025 for Ford, with Mazda jumping into second spot for overall sales. While it has been the top selling vehicle for the past two years, the Ford Ranger has been tipped at the top of July's sales list by rival Toyota. Both its HiLux and RAV4 models had better sales last month than the Ranger. Toyota has long been the market leader in Australia, spanning more than two decades. Last year, it sold 140,000 more vehicles than nearest manufacturer Ford. In fact it's been a difficult first half of 2025 for Ford, with Mazda jumping into second spot for overall sales. Plans for world's largest suspension bridge given green light Italy has cleared the way to build the world's largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive A$25 billion infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the spectre of mafia interference. The Strait of Messina Bridge will be 'the biggest infrastructure project in the West,' Transport Minister Matteo Salvini told a news conference in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project. 🌉 I #ponti sono sempre stati acceleratori per l'economia e lo sviluppo dei paesi. E #Webuild ha dato il suo contributo a questa storia.🇮🇹 Il Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina è una grande sfida ingegneristica per una grande opportunità di sviluppo economico, industriale,… — Webuild (@Webuild_Group) August 6, 2025 Premier Giorgia Meloni said that the bridge "will be an engineering symbol of global significance.'' Salvini cited studies showing the project will create 120,000 jobs a year and accelerate growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more in investments are made in roads and other infrastructure projects accompanying the bridge. Preliminary work could begin between late September and early October, once Italy's court of audit signs off, with construction expected to start next year. Despite bureaucratic delays, the bridge is expected to be completed between 2032-2033, Salvini said. Read more here. Italy has cleared the way to build the world's largest suspension bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily in a massive A$25 billion infrastructure project that has been long delayed by debates over its scale, earthquake threats, environmental impact and the spectre of mafia interference. The Strait of Messina Bridge will be 'the biggest infrastructure project in the West,' Transport Minister Matteo Salvini told a news conference in Rome, after an interministerial committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project. 🌉 I #ponti sono sempre stati acceleratori per l'economia e lo sviluppo dei paesi. E #Webuild ha dato il suo contributo a questa storia.🇮🇹 Il Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina è una grande sfida ingegneristica per una grande opportunità di sviluppo economico, industriale,… — Webuild (@Webuild_Group) August 6, 2025 Premier Giorgia Meloni said that the bridge "will be an engineering symbol of global significance.'' Salvini cited studies showing the project will create 120,000 jobs a year and accelerate growth in economically lagging southern Italy, as billions more in investments are made in roads and other infrastructure projects accompanying the bridge. Preliminary work could begin between late September and early October, once Italy's court of audit signs off, with construction expected to start next year. Despite bureaucratic delays, the bridge is expected to be completed between 2032-2033, Salvini said. Read more here. China sees Albanese as 'weak', Coalition says The Coalition says China and Russia are "testing" Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they see him as a weak leader when it comes to defence. China and Russia are currently carrying out joint patrols in the Western Pacific, right on Australia's doorstep. Beijing's mouthpieces have framed the patrols as 'jointly countering security threats' and a testament to 'deepening of China-Russia military ties'. Opposition Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie suggests the patrols should prompt more resistance from the government. 'While concerning, this is not surprising. They are testing us because they see weakness in Prime Minister Albanese," he told NewsWire. 'The Prime Minister has set a dangerous precedent by repeatedly refusing to stand up for our Australian Defence Force. 'Australia must show strength, and we're not seeing it from Labor.' Read more here. The Coalition says China and Russia are "testing" Prime Minister Anthony Albanese as they see him as a weak leader when it comes to defence. China and Russia are currently carrying out joint patrols in the Western Pacific, right on Australia's doorstep. Beijing's mouthpieces have framed the patrols as 'jointly countering security threats' and a testament to 'deepening of China-Russia military ties'. Opposition Defence spokesman Andrew Hastie suggests the patrols should prompt more resistance from the government. 'While concerning, this is not surprising. They are testing us because they see weakness in Prime Minister Albanese," he told NewsWire. 'The Prime Minister has set a dangerous precedent by repeatedly refusing to stand up for our Australian Defence Force. 'Australia must show strength, and we're not seeing it from Labor.' Read more here. Renewed appeal to find lotto winners as prizes go unclaimed for years The Lott is celebrating 10 years of its Set for Life game – and the lottery authority is reminding Australians there are two winners who are yet to claim their $4.8m prize. "Two Aussies remain oblivious to their good fortune, with two Set for Life division one prizes unclaimed, each worth $4.8 million. In New South Wales and the ACT, players have six years from the date of the draw to claim their prize," The Lott said on Thursday. One of the tickets was purchased at Thistle Kiosk in Canberra's Woden in April 2021 while the other was bought at Nextra Kiama in NSW's Kiama in November 2024. Set for Life differs from traditional lottery games by drip-feeding winners their prize. Winners are paid $20,000 a month for 20 years. The Lott is celebrating 10 years of its Set for Life game – and the lottery authority is reminding Australians there are two winners who are yet to claim their $4.8m prize. "Two Aussies remain oblivious to their good fortune, with two Set for Life division one prizes unclaimed, each worth $4.8 million. In New South Wales and the ACT, players have six years from the date of the draw to claim their prize," The Lott said on Thursday. One of the tickets was purchased at Thistle Kiosk in Canberra's Woden in April 2021 while the other was bought at Nextra Kiama in NSW's Kiama in November 2024. Set for Life differs from traditional lottery games by drip-feeding winners their prize. Winners are paid $20,000 a month for 20 years. Qantas trial makes it to Australia's busiest airport It's a trial we're sure most Aussie flyers will embrace, and it's now made it's way to the country's busiest airport. Qantas customers flying in from New Zealand's Queenstown or Auckland on Wednesday were able to complete a digital declaration through the airline's app before their flight instead of filling out an arrivals card. The trial has been running at Brisbane Airport since last year and has been warmly welcomed by the aviation industry and passengers. 'Extending the trial to Australia's busiest airport means, every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, The Guardian reported. It's a trial we're sure most Aussie flyers will embrace, and it's now made it's way to the country's busiest airport. Qantas customers flying in from New Zealand's Queenstown or Auckland on Wednesday were able to complete a digital declaration through the airline's app before their flight instead of filling out an arrivals card. The trial has been running at Brisbane Airport since last year and has been warmly welcomed by the aviation industry and passengers. 'Extending the trial to Australia's busiest airport means, every day, hundreds more passengers will have a more seamless travel experience," Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said, The Guardian reported.
Forbes
6 hours ago
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Eternal Sunshine: Beautiful Books To Put You In A Summer Mood
Photography: Daria Reina; Courtesy of Passalacqua For all the talk of AI killing creativity, there's no curbing the appetite for print—especially for design-led coffee table books. Informative and inspiring, these gorgeous tomes whisk us off to new worlds through stunning photography and immersive stories. Whether or not you're off to somewhere nice this summer, these books dedicated to the enviable Mediterranean lifestyle bring that feeling of long, lazy days and warm sunshine right to your shelf. Here are some worth reading and adding to your collection. In just three years since opening, Passalacqua is already etched in the history books as the first property to top the inaugural World's 50 Best Hotels list in 2023. Built on land originally owned by Pope Innocent XI and set in the former home of composer Vincenzo Bellini, this 24-key boutique hotel isn't short of stories to tell. The De Santis family embarked on a top-to-toe transformation that features the work of local artisans and heritage makers so much so the hotel has become a living, breathing example of la dolce vita. The real magic of this 18th century villa lies largely in its storied location in Lake Como. Overlooking the majestic lake and surrounded by terraced gardens dotted with 15 water fountains, it's not surprising that Passalacqua is the most desired stay in Italy. Like the labor of love that is their hotel, the owners worked with Daria Reina and Andrea Ferolla on this beautiful book published by Assouline. Inside you'll find dreamy images, intimate stories and charming illustrations—a portal into Passalacqua and a wonderful ode to the grandeur of Lago di Como. Available exclusively on and Campania: Recipes & Wanderings Across Italy's Polychromatic Coast Courtesy of Belmond and Apartamento Due to the sheer number of food books published, they can sometimes look—and feel—the same. That can't be said for this particular Campania, which is chock-full of color, character and artistic photography. Following Liguria and Penang , this book is the third installation in Belmond and Apartamento's Recipes & Wanderings series—an exploration of food and travel around the globe. The focus is on Campania, a region described as Italy's culinary heartland, certainly high praise in a country that is incredibly serious about its food. Turn the pages and it reveals an eclectic mix of photographs by Lea Colombo, stories on local producers that craft delicious ingredients like mozzarella di bufala and Amalfi lemons, as well as essays from Elisa Carassai, Claudia Durastanti, and Margo Schachter. When you get hungry, which is inevitable, the cookbook features 21 classic dishes to replicate at home. These time-honored recipes are taken from the kitchens of Caruso, A Belmond Hotel, as well as shared by the likes of Salvatore Giuliano, part of the family behind Mimì alla Ferrovia, a historic Napolitan restaurant established by his grandfather in 1943. Available at Apartamento Magazine Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands Photography: Neige Giacalone; Courtesy of Assouline Is a sojourn across the Med ever complete without indulging in a bottle of its enticing wine? If you enjoy a glass (or two) of vino when you travel, this new addition to Assouline's Wine & Travel series is up your alley. Penned by renowned sommelier Enrico Bernardo, Wine & Travel Mediterranean Islands traverses the region's mythical places where wine, culture and nature meet. Through beautiful photography (including some retro shots by Slim Aarons), the book takes readers to the volcanic vineyards of Sicily, the airy corners of Corsica, as well as the hidden enclaves of Majorca. Bernardo shares his expert and personal insight into the wine hotspots in the Mediterranean, offering a closer look not only on the terroir, but also the traditions and the people that shape the wine. Of course, it's also serves as a guide to the wines one must try (and take home), which include Assyrtiko from Greece, Cannonau from Sardinia and more. Available at MORE FROM FORBES Forbes Hotel Il Pellicano Marks 60th Birthday With Highsnobiety Collaboration By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Ginori Terrace At The St. Regis Is Where Aperitivo Dreams Come To Life By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Artist JR Uses Trains As His Canvas —See Inside His Latest Masterpiece By Kissa Castaneda Forbes Is Quiet Luxury Over? Top Designer André Fu Believes It's Here To Stay By Kissa Castaneda Forbes 6 Intriguing Installations At The Venice Biennale Of Architecture 2025 By Kissa Castaneda
Washington Post
6 hours ago
- Washington Post
Teen and bestie fight as two-week trip nears. Hax readers give advice.
We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below. Dear Carolyn: My 15-year-old daughter is supposed to go on vacation with her best friend and her family to France for two weeks. Great plan except bestie now has a boyfriend and has been canceling each and every plan with my daughter for the past couple of months. Daughter has been feeling terribly neglected and cries over this weekly. I am worried she will have a miserable time on vacation with bestie constantly checking in on her boyfriend and ignoring my daughter. Bestie's parents don't see a problem and deny bestie has been mean/immature. My daughter still wants to go and hopes she will win bestie back. Should I intervene and prohibit her from going? Or let her go and learn a lesson? I am taking my other daughter to Italy, and we could easily bring daughter along. — Vacation Woes Vacation Woes: If you said yes to this trip before, then I don't think suddenly saying no to try to protect your daughter is a good thing. It takes agency away from your daughter, and she might blame you for taking away her opportunity to 'win bestie back.' Have a frank conversation with your daughter about what is happening with bestie and try to give her a realistic preview of what the trip will be like, complete with bestie ignoring your daughter in favor of calling/texting the boyfriend. Is your daughter still willing to go on the trip with bestie if that ends up being the result? If she says yes, then let her go. At least she won't be going in blind. If she says she doesn't want to go, or if she's on the fence, offer her the Italy trip as an alternative. But let her choose after giving her your best insight into what the trip might look like. — Choice Vacation Woes: To be blunt, but I hope not unkind, I think you need to remove yourself from your daughter's friendship. That you've talked about this with bestie's parents reveals just how ensnared you are in this relationship. These bumps in friendships should be sorted by the kids themselves (with obvious caveats for safety, etc.). Accusing a 15-year-old of immaturity is just, well, of course she's immature. They're all immature and learning how to be humans who coexist with other humans. — Butt Out Vacation Woes: While there are times to hold teens accountable to their choices, spending several thousand dollars for a kid to go to Europe when there is trepidation — for an understandable reason — might not be one of them. Since you are in the unusual position of being able to offer an equally appealing alternative, ask your other daughter you are taking to Italy how she would feel about including her sister, and let her response guide you. If she is amenable, make the offer to your other daughter with the caveat that she will need to tell bestie and family why her plans have changed. Offer to have her talk through her reasons with you and even to be present as silent support for that conversation. It's a messy situation, so neither choice will be easy, but it could produce a win-win. In both cases, your daughter will come away with valuable reflections about trusting her instincts vs. following through with imperfect obligations, and the pros and cons of sticking with a friend vs. carving out the space to get through a rough patch. And your daughters will learn the power of being there for each other during a rough patch, too. — Options Vacation Woes: Unless your daughter wants to cancel, you shouldn't jump in and do it for her. If your daughter wants to go, then this is a great opportunity for her to discuss her concerns and expectations about the trip with her friend beforehand. If her friend really won't even have that discussion with her, then jump in to discuss canceling the trip with daughter. And invite her to Italy. — Convo Vacation Woes: The teen years are so painful because the lessons the teens are learning for the first time are really close to the bone. Maturity doesn't come easily, but you can use this chance to empower her when she sees herself as a victim. Have a talk with your daughter that focuses entirely on her. Act as if you have confidence that she can find a solution. If she's not sure whether she wants to go, you can do a pros and cons list, giving equal positives to opting out. If she wants to go but is afraid, say, 'Supposing Jane ignores you and you start to feel bad. Let's put our heads together and think of things you can do on the trip to make yourself feel better.' You may not know this, but just your having confidence that she can work this out will do your daughter even more good than whatever she decides. — Confidence Every week, we ask readers to answer a question submitted to Carolyn Hax's live chat or email. Read last week's installment here. New questions are typically posted on Thursdays, with a Monday deadline for submissions. Responses are anonymous, unless you choose to identify yourself, and are edited for length and clarity.
