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Local Italy
2 days ago
- Business
- Local Italy
How hard is it to move to Italy from the US in 2025?
A growing number of US citizens have relocated to Italy in recent years. In 2024, 2,000 more people made the move compared to 2022, as Italy gained 16,534 new American residents. The trend has so far looked set to continue, with a rising number of queries from Americans reported by everyone from relocation consultants and immigration lawyers to members of The Local's Living in Italy Facebook group. But, while interest in moving to Italy may be on the rise, has the country made the process of becoming a resident harder? Some recent news reports from Italy might suggest so. But whether or not anything has changed for your relocation plans will depend on the route you were planning to take to obtaining Italian residency. Citizenship via ancestry There were sudden changes to the rules on claiming citizenship via ancestry in March, imposing a two-generational limit for eligibility, which left many would-be applicants dismayed. Having Italian citizenship, or citizenship of any EU member state, would make a move to Italy considerably easier as it removes the requirement for a visa. But experts stress that this doesn't necessarily mean people will be unable to move to Italy in future. In fact, "despite these changes, residency in Italy remains very accessible," says relocation consultant Federica Grazi, Founder and Managing Director of Mitos Relocation Solutions. Visa options Italy offers several different visas for new residents, depending on their personal circumstances. 'The most straightforward options are for those with income sourced outside of Italy,' Grazi advises. 'In 2024, Italy introduced a Digital Nomad Visa for qualified remote employees and independent professionals. "There's also the well-established Elective Residency Visa (ERV), ideal for retirees and individuals with passive income.' described it as a challenge, though it's obviously possible for many people to succeed. We have some detailed advice on completing the process here. Citizenship via residency Also in the news in early June was a vote on a proposed amendment to the law on gaining citizenship via residency, which would have made the process quicker - though, ultimately, nothing has changed there. Many existing residents had hoped that they might be able to apply for citizenship sooner if the law was changed. However, this issue seems unlikely to affect the existing plans of anyone hoping to move to Italy in future. Some of those who are no longer eligible to apply for citizenship via ancestry following the law change have told The Local that they are now exploring the residency route instead. Other requirements While adding a visa requirement makes things more complicated, readers often tell us that the process of moving to Italy from the US was always far from straightforward. In fact, there are several important things to consider beyond the applications for a visa and residency permit. New residents have long needed to navigate healthcare requirements and tax rules, as well as meet a requirement to re-sit their driving test - in Italian. 'Many Americans already call Italy home — and despite the recent tightening of citizenship laws, that trend is very likely to grow,' says Grazi.
Local Italy
30-01-2025
- Health
- Local Italy
How much does it cost to register with Italy's health service in 2025?
Foreign nationals registered with Italy's national healthcare (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, or SSN) have access to the same healthcare services available to Italian citizens – and under the same conditions. Emergency services and consultations with a general practitioner are free of charge, whereas more complex forms of care and diagnostic tests are provided under a co-pay system, with health authorities contributing to part of the cost. But while registration with the SSN comes at no cost for some international residents, it involves the payment of an annual fee for others. Foreign nationals who have valid residency permits for reasons including employment, self-employment, family reunification and awaiting citizenship are eligible for iscrizione obbligatoria ('mandatory registration'), which is free of charge. You can see further details on who's entitled to free registration here. Generally speaking, anyone who's a legal Italian resident and doesn't qualify for 'mandatory registration' is eligible for iscrizione volontaria ('voluntary registration'), which involves the payment of an annual registration fee. People who fall under the iscrizione volontaria category include: students and au pairs, people on an Elective Residency Visa, and diplomatic staff working for foreign authorities operating in Italy. You can see further details here. How much does iscrizione volontaria cost in 2025? Several readers of The Local have recently reached out to us, asking what the fee for 'voluntary registration' with the national health system is this year. Milan's local health authority ATS (Azienda di Tutela della Salute) confirmed to The Local on Thursday that the criteria for the calculation of the fee in 2025 are the same as last year's. Your registration fee will be calculated by your local health authority office (Azienda Sanitaria Locale, or ASL) at 7.5 percent of your income up to €20,658, plus 4 percent of your income up to €51.645,69. If your income exceeds €51.645,69, the portion in excess of that figure will not be taken into account by the ASL. Barring some exceptions (see below), the healthcare fee cannot be lower than €2,000 (contributo minimo) nor higher than €2,788,87 (contributo massimo). So, for instance, if the fee resulting from the above-mentioned calculation is lower than €2,000, it'll be automatically bumped up to €2,000. Up until December 31st, 2023, the minimum fee stood at €387.34 This was raised to €2,000 under a controversial amendment included in Italy's 2024 budget law. Please note: your local ASL will ask you to declare your worldwide income (meaning income generated anywhere in the world, not just in Italy) to calculate the fee. It's also worth pointing out here that the fee is fixed for the calendar year, so you'll pay the same amount regardless of when you register, whether that be January or November. If it's late in the year, it's generally advisable to use a private healthcare plan for a month or two before registering with public healthcare at the start of the following year. Are there any exceptions? Students, au pairs and religious personnel all pay a flat rate (contributo forfettario) that's unrelated to income. Students and religious staff pay €700, while au pairs are charged €1,200. How to register for the first time Here's where things get a little complicated. In Italy, healthcare is managed on a provincial basis, so things vary significantly from province to province, and often from town to town. What you can be certain of is that you will need to make at least two visits to your ASL office before you manage to complete the registration process. On your first visit you'll find out exactly which documents your particular ASL requires. At this point you may also find out the exact amount you need to pay, or you may be asked to return with further documentation such as your most recent tax return. Once you know how much you have to pay, you'll need to fill out an F24 tax form (modello F24) at a post office or bank, making the payment out to your regional health authority (your ASL will give you the payment details). Make sure to hold on to the receipt – you'll need this when you return to complete your registration. Alternatively, the Italian health ministry's website says some ASL offices will allow you to make the payment directly by bank transfer - so it's always worth asking if this is an option. Once you've paid the registration fee, you'll return to the ASL with your receipt (or proof of online payment), and the other required documentation, including your Italian tax code, residency permit and ID document. At this point you'll be issued with a receipt of your registration with the SSN, which you can use as proof of registration while you wait for your tessera sanitaria - Italian health card - to be mailed to your home address. Is renewing it any easier? As mentioned earlier, registration via iscrizione volontaria must be renewed every year (which means that the registration fee must also be paid every year). Though you'll already be familiar with the documents required by your ASL, the renewal process may not be much easier (or less time-consuming) than your first registration, as you'll likely need to make two in-person visits to the nearest ASL office – one to have your fee calculated by officials based on your income from the previous year and the other one to bring your payment receipt and complete the renewal.
