Retire in Italy in 2026: The Ultimate Guide

If you are looking to retire in Italy, then you have made an excellent choice. The country provides top-tier public and private healthcare, has a fantastic standard of living, and has accessible visa options like the Italian Elective Residence Visa and the Italy Golden Visa.

This article will explore these visa options in more depth, provide an overview of how to retire in Italy, break down the pros and cons, and more.

Retire in Italy: Key Takeaways

Retiring in Italy offers excellent benefits, like the country’s healthcare system, its accessible visa options, and the nations’ weather.

The Italian Elective Visa allows you to live in Italy long-term, with the biggest barrier being a yearly passive income requirement of €32,000 per year for a single applicant and €38,000 for a couple.

The Italian Golden Visa is a residency program with a starting cost of €250,000, and the ability to bring family members.

Permanent residency is available is in Italy after 5 years, and citizenship after 10.

Italy boasts expat retiree communities in many cities and towns.

Italian Elective Residence Visa

To retire in Italy as a non-EU citizen, you’ll need a long-term visa. The most common option is the Italian Elective Residency Visa (ERV). This visa is designed for non-EU citizens who wish to reside in Italy without working. It is particularly suitable for retirees and individuals with sufficient financial means to support themselves without employment. Note that the minimum income requirement is €32,000.  The following is required for the application:

• Complete application form
• One passport-sized color photo (white background, maximum 6 months old)
• A valid passport (Validity of at least three months longer than the visa requested)
• If living in France, a copy of a valid French permit of stay with at least 3 months residual validity, copy of the previous French D visa and any other Schengen visa
• Proof of suitable accommodation in Italy (Rental agreement of property ownership)
• Proof of substantial, steady economic resources from private income sources (e.g., pensions, properties, securities, or stable entrepreneurial activities).
• Last 12 months’ pay slips (if applicable)
• Last 12 months’ personal bank account statements
• Last 12 months’ credit card statements
• Private medical insurance (Minimum €30,000 coverage per year per person)

The temporary residence permit granted through the Elective Residence Visa allows you to stay in Italy temporarily. Fortunately, after five years, you can apply for permanent residency. This also opens the door to acquiring Italian citizenship and making it your new home country after ten years.

Italian Golden Visa

Launched in 2017 by the Italian government to encourage foreign direct investment, the Italy Golden Visa, also called the Investor Visa for Italy, allows third-country nationals (non-EU/EEA and non-Swiss) to obtain a residence permit in exchange for an investment in the country’s economy.

Italy’s Golden Visa also provides you with access to a special tax incentive that allows golden visa holders to pay reduced income tax after becoming an Italian tax resident. The minimum investment amount is €250,000 in government bonds, corporate shares, innovative startups, or philanthropic donations, and the investor residence permit is valid for two years, which can be renewed for three more years. It can also be renewed continuously if the investment is upheld.

The residence permit allows you to stay in Italy for long periods, but like most European Union countries, non-EU citizens can obtain permanent residency after five years. This also opens the door to acquiring Italian citizenship after 10 years of residence.

Requirements for permanent residency

Five years after you retire in Italy, you shouldn’t have a problem knocking off the requirements from the list. To apply for full-time residency, leading to citizenship, you must prove the following to the nearest Italian Consulate or Embassy:

• You’ve been residing in Italy for the past four years (EU citizens) or ten years (Non-EU citizens)
• Present a clean criminal record.
• Pass an Italian language test proving that you have at least a proficiency level of A2.
• Have sufficient income to support yourself or any dependent children.

The Italian healthcare system is well-known for its high quality and accessibility, making it an important consideration for retirees. According to the World Health Organization, Italy boasts some of the best healthcare in Europe.

Retirees in Italy will need to obtain private health insurance to ensure they are covered while living in Italy. However, All Italian citizens and legal residents are entitled to free or low-cost public services through the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). Once you become a resident of Italy, after five years, you are automatically covered by Italy’s National Health Service. While some co-payments may be required for specialty visits and procedures, residents have no deductibles.

Private healthcare in Italy is reasonably priced, with a comprehensive plan from Italian insurers costing around €100 to €300 per month for those over 65. However, retirees are usually exempt from any co-payments when they have private health insurance.

Italy is a safe country for retirees, offering a high quality of life and a relatively low crime rate. Violent crime rate in Italy is extremely rare, particularly in rural areas and smaller towns. The main concern in the big cities is pick-pocketing, so always keep an eye on your belongings. The emergency services in Italy are efficient, if you need medical, police, or fire assistance, simply dial 112.

Pros of retiring in Italy

Retiring in Italy presents a compelling option thanks to its rich cultural heritage, picturesque landscapes, and favorable living conditions. Let’s take a closer look at why you should consider retiring in Italy:

01/ Cost of living

Italy came in seventh place for the best retirement locations in the world and offers an affordable cost of living compared to many parts of the US, especially in smaller towns and rural areas.

02/ Italian lifestyle

The Italian lifestyle, with its emphasis on leisurely meals, social gatherings, and outdoor activities, aligns well with a relaxed retirement pace.

03/ Italian weather

Italy’s diverse climates cater to various preferences, from the Mediterranean warmth in the south to the cooler alpine regions in the north.

04/ Things to do in Italy

Retirees can immerse themselves in Italy’s abundant historical sites, world-class art, and culinary delights, making everyday life an enriching experience. The country’s well-developed infrastructure, including efficient public transport, also enhances the convenience of living in Italy.

05/ Retirement communities in Italy

The welcoming nature of Italian communities makes the transition smoother for retired expatriates.

Cons of retiring in Italy

01/ Bureaucracy

Italy is unfortunately known for having a slow and complex bureaucracy. This can make things like obtaining visas, residency permits, and tax queries time consuming for retirees. However, finding an immigration specialist, like Global Citizens Solutions, can streamline the process and make things easier to understand.

02/ Language barriers

For English speaking retirees, learning Italian can be a barrier to integrating into Italian culture. It’s important for all expats to learn some of the basics of Italian before immigrating. Luckily, there are new and improved ways of learning to speak Italian, including language apps.

03/ Italy tax system

Taxes in Italy are relatively high, and the tax system is quite complicated. However, there are tax breaks for retirees in Italy, including the Italy Flat Tax Regime.

If you have dreamed of retiring abroad, there is no better place than Italy. The beautiful country is a stunning mix of bustling big cities, amazing food, and rolling hills. It is divided into 20 regions, so there is definitely a corner along the Mediterranean coast that’ll qualify as one of the best places to retire in Italy.

Central Italy

Of all the Italian regions, Lazio is probably the most well-known. It is home to Italy’s capital city Rome, and you’ll find a large expat community there. However, because it’s tremendously popular and packed with luxury shops, it’s generally considered one of the most expensive regions.

Rome and Milan

For US retirees, the cost of living in Rome and Milan is significantly lower than in New York City. Consumer prices in Rome are 43.5% lower without rent and 57.3% lower with rent included.

In Milan, rent and dining out costs are considerably cheaper. For instance, the average monthly rent for a city center apartment is approximately $1,140.44 (€1,022.03) in Rome and around $1,529.76 (€1,370.24) in Milan, both much lower than New York’s average of $4,189.81 (€3,754.78).

Thankfully, other parts of the country are more suitable for a relaxed lifestyle. If sampling local wine and lazing in the sun sounds like a good enough reason to retire to Italy, you’ll love the Abruzzo region. Charming and friendly, it won’t attract many expats retiring here as it’s a bit off the traditional tourist route. However, it does boast some of the lowest living costs compared to other Italian regions.

Southern Italy

Southern Italy is an ideal retirement destination due to its warm Mediterranean climate, affordable cost of living, and stunning coastal landscapes. The region offers a slower, relaxed pace of life, perfect for retirees.

Rich in history and culture, southern Italy (often called the Mezzogiorno) boasts charming towns, delicious cuisine, and welcoming communities. It comprises several regions, including Campania, Apulia (Puglia), Basilicata, Calabria, Molise, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia.

Apulia

Also known as Puglia, this southern Italian region is an excellent retirement destination. Its stunning coastline along the Ionian and Adriatic Sea offers retirees access to some of the most beautiful beaches in Italy. The region is dotted with smaller towns, and the countryside is rich in history, offering a relaxed, laid-back lifestyle.

It’s certainly beneficial if you can speak Italian, but the region has attracted many people who can’t over the years. This makes it somewhat easier to integrate with the local community. However, getting around can be a challenge for retirees as public transportation isn’t as well developed in the region as elsewhere in Italy. That said, the local Apulian people are known for their hospitality and willingness to assist.

How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?

Global Citizen Solutions is an advisory migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments. 

We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.