Moving to Italy Checklist: Everything Americans Need to Know

Last Updated: January 8, 2026

Affordability

Healthcare

Taxes

Safety

Stability

Relative Ratings versus the United States

TL;DR

Italy attracts Americans seeking 'La Dolce Vita' lifestyle, particularly in Southern Italy. Elective Residency Visa requires €31,000 annual passive income with no work permitted. Digital Nomad Visa available for remote workers earning €28,000+. Cost of living 30-40% lower than USA outside Milan/Rome. Access to highly-ranked Italian healthcare system (SSN) with annual income-based fee.

What Makes Italy Special for Americans?

In 2026, Italy has shed its reputation for impenetrable bureaucracy, at least for American remote workers. With a fully streamlined Digital Nomad Visa, Italy is now a top-three European search for Americans. While the "Dolce Vita" lifestyle is the primary draw, the 2026 trend is focused on Southern Italy—Sicily, Puglia, and Calabria—where the combination of historic charm and aggressive tax incentives is creating new expat hubs.

Italy offers a lifestyle centered on gastronomy, history, and community. For Americans used to the "fast-food" pace of life, the Italian transition requires a mindset shift toward quality over speed.

What Visa Options Are Available for Americans?

Italy's new digital nomad policies have balanced the scales for non-EU citizens.

Digital Nomad Visa: Recently refined for 2026, this visa is for highly skilled remote workers. It requires a minimum income (approx. €28,000) and proof of health insurance, bypassing the complicated "Sponsoring" requirements of traditional work permits.
Elective Residency Visa (ERV): This is the classic "retirement" path. It requires a high passive income (roughly €31,000 per year for individuals) and strictly prohibits any form of local or remote work.

Available Visa Pathways:

Education
Work
Entrepreneurship
Retirement
Study
Other (Digital Nomad)

Is There a Special Tax Program for Retirees?

Italy offers a special 7% flat tax for retirees who move to specific small towns in Southern Italy; this incentive is a major draw for Americans who can prove a stable pension and want to maximize their retirement savings.

What Is the Cost of Living Like Compared to USA Cities?

Outside of Milan and Rome, the cost of living in Italy is 30-40% lower than in the U.S.; groceries and local wine are exceptionally affordable, with a weekly market run costing a fraction of a trip to Whole Foods.

How Does Healthcare Work for Americans?

The Italian "Servizio Sanitario Nazionale" (SSN) is highly ranked globally; Americans can "buy into" the public system for a small annual fee based on income, gaining access to care that is nearly free at the point of service.

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At Bring Me Abroad, we synthesize official government data, local legal requirements, and real expat experiences to create our relocation guides. Our goal is to simplify the complex process of moving abroad for US citizens.

About Aaron

Aaron is a seasoned designer and entrepreneur with over 15 years of experience building digital products for the SaaS and hospitality industries. In 2023, he navigated the complex journey of relocating from the U.S. to the Netherlands—a process that revealed a fragmented landscape of outdated visa blogs and "browser tab overload." After successfully launching a design studio in the Netherlands, Aaron co-founded Bring Me Abroad to solve the "Day 1" information gap. His mission is to democratize relocation by replacing expensive consultants with high-utility, data-driven reports that help early-stage explorers get situated quickly. When he isn't decoding immigration logistics, Aaron can be found cycling through the Dutch rain in search of the perfect apple pie or navigating the nuances of the Dutch language.