You’ve been secretly dreaming about it ever since your last vacation in Rome or Tuscany… The idea of leaving everything behind to live in Italy is appealing to more and more French people. With its unparalleled cultural heritage, world-renowned cuisine, and exceptionally mild climate, the peninsula has some serious selling points. No wonder it now ranks high among the countries with the most French expatriates.
However, moving to Italy isn’t just about eating pasta in the sun. To ensure your dream doesn’t turn into an administrative nightmare, thorough preparation is essential: paperwork, budgeting, taxes, and, of course, health insurance. Check out our comprehensive guide!
1. Démarches et formalités : comment s’installer légalement ?
For French and European citizens, living in Italy is made much easier by the freedom of movement within the EU. You do not need a visa. However, if you plan to stay for more than 3 months, there are two steps you must take:
The Codice Fiscale (Tax Code): This is your key to life in Italy. You’ll be asked for this alphanumeric number for everything: renting an apartment, opening a bank account, signing up for internet service, or getting hired. You can apply for it through the Italian Tax Agency (Agenzia delle Entrate) or even at the consulate before you leave.
Registration with the Anagrafe: You must register with the resident population registry at the town hall (Comune) of your new place of residence.
💡 careXpat Tip: Before you pack your bags, be sure to plan out all the steps involved in leaving France so you can move abroad with peace of mind.
2. Le coût de la vie et l’immobilier en Italie
Italy is a country full of contrasts, and this is particularly evident when it comes to the budget. If you’re looking to move abroad on a budget, you’ll need to choose your region carefully.
Overall, the cost of living is slightly lower than in France, but the North-South divide is very pronounced:
Northern Italy (Milan, Turin, Bologna) and Rome: The cost of living and rent there are comparable to those in major French cities. Milan is, in fact, the most expensive city in the country.
The South (Apulia, Sicily, Calabria): The cost of living there is significantly lower, whether for daily groceries, going out, or lodging.
When it comes toreal estate in Italy, the rental market can be tight in major student or tourist cities. Landlords generally require a 2- to 3-month security deposit (caparra). However, buying real estate in small towns in the South or in Abruzzo remains very attractive to foreigners.
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3. S’installer en Italie pour la retraite : le paradis fiscal du Sud
This has been one of the major trends in recent years. Moving to Italy for retirement now goes hand in hand with tax optimization!
To attract new residents and revitalize certain regions, the Italian government has introduced an extremely favorable tax regime: an income tax rate set at just 7 percent, valid for 10 years.
To be eligible, you must meet certain requirements:
Receiving a retirement pension from a foreign source (French, for example).
Not having been a tax resident in Italy during the previous 5 years.
Transfer your residence to a municipality with fewer than 20,000 residents located in the southern regions: Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Puglia, Abruzzo, or Molise.
A great opportunity to enjoy a peaceful retirement in the sun while significantly increasing your purchasing power!
4. Santé : pourquoi l’assurance maladie privée en Italie est incontournable
This is the key issue for any expatriate. Italy has a public healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). While it provides free or low-cost access (through the payment of a “Ticket” copayment) to basic care, in practice it has significant shortcomings:
Endless wait times: It is not uncommon to have to wait several months to see a specialist or undergo an imaging test (MRI, CT scan) in the public healthcare system.
Significant regional disparities: While hospitals in the north (Lombardy, Veneto) are renowned for their excellence, facilities in the south often suffer from a severe lack of resources and staff.
That is why the vast majority of expatriates choose to turn to the private healthcare sector. Italian private clinics offer excellent care, very short wait times, and optimal comfort. But the costs are very high.
To avoid putting your budget at risk and to ensure access to the best care (and sometimes to French-speaking doctors), taking out private health insurance in Italy is essential. At careXpat, we help you find the international coverage best suited to your needs (covering costs from the first euro or as a supplement to the CFE), always including medical repatriation.
👉 Ready to take the plunge? Take back control of your health while living abroad and check out our guide and ourinternational health insurance plans so you can leave with peace of mind!
