How do you move to Italy from the UK?
There have been so many reasons to love Italy since time immemorial. Beautiful scenery, the enviable lifestyle, architecture and food – not to mention a few little tax breaks too.
For such reasons, it has also risen to become a contender in the "where shall we move to?" conversation that many people are having as life in the UK loses its lustre.
In 2026, it's up there with Spain, Cyprus and Portugal as one of the favourite possibilities for a better quality of life in Europe, often at a lower price point than in the UK.
But what are the key things to consider?
Where are the best places to live in Italy?
From beaches to mountains, Italy has a bit of everything, all within easy reach of each other – and the UK. In most regions (and even within sight of chic Lake Como!) you can find properties for as little as £100k, but if you are moving there are major regional differences to consider.
Many of us have romantic ideals about the green heart of Italy, whether it's world-famous Tuscany or Umbria. Northern Tuscany has been especially popular with A Place in the Sun house hunters for the greater value it offers, and access to Pisa or Florence airports.
Yet go north or south and you'll find big differences.
Heading south, the Le Marche and Abruzzo regions offer beautiful green scenery, vineyards and ancient hilltop towns at a lower price point. The trade-off is that access is a little less straightforward and the infrastructure is less geared towards tourists or expats.
For those on a budget, Calabria has been one of our most searched-for locations, whilst Puglia is a very special area offering wonderful beaches and olive grove-lined countryside dotted with its distinctive masserie, or fortified farmhouses.
Sicily has also been growing in popularity, leading the way in the €1 homes programme and offering a wealth of elegant Baroque buildings ready for restoration.
Southern Italy offers tax breaks (see below), but you do need to consider access and amenities carefully, especially if you are retiring.
For many families relocating, or those still working, the north is often more practical, although property prices and the cost of living are generally higher.
Three airports around Milan alone – not to mention Verona, Venice, Turin and Bologna – provide excellent air connections, alongside extensive rail links.
International schools also predominate in the north. There are 76 in Italy, but only six are in the south, including two in Rome and one in Sicily.
SEARCH FOR PROPERTIES IN ITALY
Can UK buyers still buy property in Italy?
There are no major restrictions on foreign buyers purchasing residential property in Italy. Brexit has made no difference to these rights for British buyers.
The purchase process can be simpler and less stressful than buying in the UK, but we won't suggest it's always quicker!
Once you find a property you like, you'll need to make a formal offer, which becomes legally binding once accepted. A notary manages the purchase contract and prepares the final deed.
You will need to obtain an Italian tax code (codice fiscale), and budgeting around 10% for purchase costs is a sensible benchmark.
Tip: Transfer tax (stamp duty) is based on the property's cadastral value, which is often much lower than the sale price. Many buyers mistakenly assume their purchase costs will therefore be much higher than they actually are.
In most regions of Italy, you can find affordable properties. The average property search budget on A Place in the Sun in 2026 was just £123k, and that really does mean you can find a home that's ready to move into in regions such as Tuscany, Le Marche, Abruzzo or Puglia.
For the record, the most popular searches were Bagni di Lucca in Tuscany, followed by Scalea (Calabria), San Siro (a small town on Lake Como), Cianciana (Sicily) and Vagli Sotto (near Lucca).
Renovation projects also offer the chance to add value or put your own stamp on a property. There are now English-speaking companies that provide project management services for overseas buyers, and many estate agents also offer this as part of their business. In some areas, renovation grants may also be available.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT BUYING PROPERTY IN ITALY
What tax benefits are available when moving to Italy?
Italy's flat-tax regime has so far attracted at least 1,136 new residents from overseas. The €200,000 annual flat tax has drawn wealthy individuals to cities such as Milan and Rome for their business and education opportunities.
But there are also incentives to move to less populated regions in central and southern Italy, where retirees can benefit from a 7% flat tax rate.
This means paying just 7% tax on qualifying overseas income for up to 10 years.
There's a big difference between paying 7% and up to 43% income tax on your pension, which is the standard Italian rate for higher levels of overseas income.
Until April 2026, qualifying towns had to have fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, but this threshold has now increased to 30,000.
There are around 70 new qualifying municipalities, many in Puglia, Sicily and Abruzzo. These larger towns often have small hospitals and can be more practical places for retirees to live.
What visa do you need to move to Italy?
For those without an EU passport, Italy offers several visa options for stays of more than 90 days.
Italy offers a Digital Nomad Visa. It requires an annual income of at least €28,000, health insurance, a university degree or equivalent professional experience, and an address in Italy.
The Elective Residency Visa (ERV) is designed for those who can support themselves financially without working (it's sometimes referred to as a retirement visa). You need to prove an annual passive income of at least €31,000 per person or €38,000 for married couples.
This can include pension income, rental income and investment income, and savings may also be taken into account if they are of a sufficient size.
If you are over UK state pension age, you can access Italian healthcare with an S1 Certificate, which can save you thousands on private medical insurance.
Italy also offers an Investor Visa (sometimes called a "golden visa"), which provides a route to residency for non-EU nationals. Applicants can choose from four investment routes, ranging from €250,000 in an Italian start-up to €2 million in Italian government bonds.
There are also work visas, student visas, family visas and self-employed visas for entrepreneurs wishing to establish a business in Italy.
FIND OUT MORE ABOUT VISAS IN ITALY
Ready to start your move to Italy?
Whether you're dreaming of a Tuscan farmhouse, a coastal home in Puglia or a lakeside retreat in northern Italy, we're here to help you take the next step.
