Retiring in Italy

Your Gateway to La Dolce Vita

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Why are people retiring in Italy?

Dolce Vita Lifestyle
Italy’s lifestyle is about community, slow living, and daily joys. Enjoy your mornings with an espresso at a sunlit piazza, unwind with an aperitivo at sunset, or stroll through bustling local markets. Embrace a life of relaxation, beauty and meaningful connections.
Breathtaking Landscapes
Whether you dream of seaside escapes along the Amalfi Coast, vineyard-covered hills in Tuscany, charming lake towns in Lombardy, or snow-capped Alps, Italy offers a diverse and stunning natural backdrop for your retirement in Europe.
Rich History & Culture
Italy isn’t just about Rome and Florence—smaller cities like Lecce, Siena, and Modena offer an authentic, slower-paced retirement lifestyle filled with history, stunning architecture, and fewer crowds. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by centuries of culture.
A Culinary Paradise
Whether you’re indulging in fresh seafood on the Sicilian coast, truffle dishes in Piedmont, or classic Neapolitan pizza, Italy’s food culture is diverse, fresh, and deeply rooted in tradition. To complement this, Italy has the highest number of wine grape varieties in the world.
Attractive Tax Incentives
Italy offers financial benefits for foreign retirees, including a 7% flat tax for pensioners moving to certain southern regions. Plus, with competitive costs of living compared to other Western European countries, retiring in Italy can be both affordable and rewarding.
Diverse Living Options
Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat, a countryside farmhouse, or a city apartment, Italy offers a wide range of living options. Smaller towns and the South often provide lower-cost housing, while cities like Milan and Rome cater to those seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Dolce Vita Lifestyle
Italy’s lifestyle is about community, slow living, and daily joys. Enjoy your mornings with an espresso at a sunlit piazza, unwind with an aperitivo at sunset, or stroll through bustling local markets. Embrace a life of relaxation, beauty and meaningful connections.
Breathtaking Landscapes
Whether you dream of seaside escapes along the Amalfi Coast, vineyard-covered hills in Tuscany, charming lake towns in Lombardy, or snow-capped Alps, Italy offers a diverse and stunning natural backdrop for your retirement in Europe.
Rich History & Culture
Italy isn’t just about Rome and Florence—smaller cities like Lecce, Siena, and Modena offer an authentic, slower-paced retirement lifestyle filled with history, stunning architecture, and fewer crowds. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by centuries of culture.
A Culinary Paradise
Whether you’re indulging in fresh seafood on the Sicilian coast, truffle dishes in Piedmont, or classic Neapolitan pizza, Italy’s food culture is diverse, fresh, and deeply rooted in tradition. To complement this, Italy has the highest number of wine grape varieties in the world.
Attractive Tax Incentives
Italy offers financial benefits for foreign retirees, including a 7% flat tax for pensioners moving to certain southern regions. Plus, with competitive costs of living compared to other Western European countries, retiring in Italy can be both affordable and rewarding.
Diverse Living Options
Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat, a countryside farmhouse, or a city apartment, Italy offers a wide range of living options. Smaller towns and the South often provide lower-cost housing, while cities like Milan and Rome cater to those seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Dolce Vita Lifestyle
Italy’s lifestyle is about community, slow living, and daily joys. Enjoy your mornings with an espresso at a sunlit piazza, unwind with an aperitivo at sunset, or stroll through bustling local markets. Embrace a life of relaxation, beauty and meaningful connections.
Breathtaking Landscapes
Whether you dream of seaside escapes along the Amalfi Coast, vineyard-covered hills in Tuscany, charming lake towns in Lombardy, or snow-capped Alps, Italy offers a diverse and stunning natural backdrop for your retirement in Europe.
Rich History & Culture
Italy isn’t just about Rome and Florence—smaller cities like Lecce, Siena, and Modena offer an authentic, slower-paced retirement lifestyle filled with history, stunning architecture, and fewer crowds. Everywhere you go, you are surrounded by centuries of culture.
A Culinary Paradise
Whether you’re indulging in fresh seafood on the Sicilian coast, truffle dishes in Piedmont, or classic Neapolitan pizza, Italy’s food culture is diverse, fresh, and deeply rooted in tradition. To complement this, Italy has the highest number of wine grape varieties in the world.
Attractive Tax Incentives
Italy offers financial benefits for foreign retirees, including a 7% flat tax for pensioners moving to certain southern regions. Plus, with competitive costs of living compared to other Western European countries, retiring in Italy can be both affordable and rewarding.
Diverse Living Options
Whether you’re looking for a coastal retreat, a countryside farmhouse, or a city apartment, Italy offers a wide range of living options. Smaller towns and the South often provide lower-cost housing, while cities like Milan and Rome cater to those seeking a more cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Key information at a glance

Retiring in Italy offers more than just stunning landscapes and world-famous history—it’s a chance to embrace a lifestyle rich in culture, community, and everyday pleasures. From coastal escapes to charming countryside villages, Italy provides the perfect balance of relaxation, adventure, and opportunity for those looking to retire in Europe.

To make your planning easier, we’ve outlined key information about retiring in Italy. Explore the table below for an overview of essential topics. For more detailed information, check out our article Step By Step Guide to Retiring in Italy.

While Italy may be small, its regions are incredibly diverse, and the information provided reflects only general averages. We recommend seeking expert advice to find the perfect location that aligns with your lifestyle, needs, and budget.

Topic

Key details

Cost of living

Varying largely from North to South.

Average monthly cost (excluding housing) for a single individual: ∼€870

Tax benefits

7% flat tax on foreign income for eligible retirees, lasting for 10 years.

Only available in Southern Regions and in towns with less than 20,000 inhabitants, plus in some Central Regions affected by past earthquakes.

Immigration

EU citizens: no visa required

Non-EU citizens:

Elective Residency Visa (ERV): Requires a minimum income to support yourself independently, without relying on the Italian social system.
Golden Visa: Available but not via real estate investment.

Path to permanent residency

5 years (with additional criteria)

Path to citizenship

10 years (with additional criteria)

Healthcare

High quality, albeit with regional differences.

Possibility to take advantage of the public healthcare system for a fee, and/ or to get access to private healthcare via insurance.

Lifestyle

Stunning diversity, balanced pace of life, community, rich history and culture, world-class cuisine and wine.

Real estate

Average monthly cost for one-bedroom in the centre: ∼€750

Average property price in city centre: ∼€8,750 (Milan), ∼6,700 (Rome), and considerably less in smaller cities

Popular locations

Tuscany, Veneto, Puglia, Milan, Rome

Learn more in our article Retiring in Italy: A Region-by-Region Guide for Expats

How can we help you?

We simplify your move to Italy, from legal formalities to lifestyle planning.
Let us handle the details while you focus on embracing your new life.

Click on the cards below to find a sample of how we can assist you in making Italy your new home. For full details, visit our Services page.

Visa & Residence Permits

Tax Residence Change

Real Estate

Move Logistics

Pet Relocation

Healthcare & Insurance

Driving & Transport

Banking & Currencies

Legal & Estate Planning

Appointment with consulting professionals

Complimentary first consultation

Let us help turn your dream retirement abroad into reality. Schedule your session now to start your journey.

Book a free consultation

Complimentary first consultation

Let us help turn your dream retirement abroad into reality. Schedule your session now to start your journey.

Book a consultation

Blog

Free consultation

Complimentary first consultation

Let us help turn your dream retirement abroad into reality. Schedule your session now to start your journey.

Book a consultation

Complimentary first consultation

Let us help turn your dream retirement abroad into reality. Schedule your session now to start your journey.

Book a consultation

Why are people retiring in Italy?

Why are people retiring in Italy?

Dolce Vita Lifestyle

Breathtaking Landscapes

Rich History & Culture

A Culinary Paradise

Attractive Tax Incentives

Diverse Living Options

Dolce Vita Lifestyle

Breathtaking Landscapes

Rich History & Culture

A Culinary Paradise

Attractive Tax Incentives

Diverse Living Options

Dolce Vita Lifestyle

Breathtaking Landscapes

Rich History & Culture

A Culinary Paradise

Attractive Tax Incentives

Diverse Living Options

Key information at a glance

Cost of living

Tax benefits

Immigration

Path to permanent residency

Path to citizenship

Healthcare

Lifestyle

Real estate

Popular locations

How can we help you?