All in all, Italy is a beautiful country with wonderful food, fascinating history, and gorgeous scenery. Be aware that the Italian lifestyle will come at a high cost for you if you want to live in one of the main cities like Rome or Milan. You'll need to know some basic vocabulary before moving here.
According to the U.N. and Global Peace Index, Italy is ranked 30th to 35th safest country in the world, well ahead of the U.S. However, the most dangerous thing likely to happen is pickpocketing near tourist destinations and landmarks, so using common precaution measures should suffice.
Italy is a very safe country. There are petty crimes, like pickpocketing, as you would find in anywhere in Europe. Being aware of your surroundings is the most important step in avoiding crime - especially when you are on public transportation or in crowded, touristy spots.
Italy is one of the cheapest countries to live in.
In fact, Italy is the 4th cheapest country in Western Europe. So how much does it cost to live in Italy? To answer this question, let's take a quick look at the average basic living expenses in Italy per month.
What languages are spoken in Italy? Nearly 97% of the Italian population speaks Italian or one of the several dialects. Although English follows Italian as the second most spoken language, only 13% of Italians speak English. English is a mandatory school subject in Italy, however it's not taught very well.
Americans who intend to stay in Italy for less than 90 days don't need to worry about visas. However, if you plan to go for an extended period, you'll have to apply for a long-stay visa. This is a crucial step because you can't apply for an Italian residence permit without this long-stay visa.
Although Italian bureaucracy can be somewhat frustrating, and foreigners who don't speak Italian may find it harder to get things done, living in Italy as a foreigner is not hard. Generally speaking, Italy is a beautiful country with fascinating history, friendly locals, amazing gastronomy, and breathtaking scenery.
However, the rules change for any stay in Italy that exceeds 90 days. Most foreign nationals who wish to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, for any reason, must apply for an Italy Long-Stay Visa.
Italian authorities have identified several potential threats to the country, including terrorists from North Africa, returning foreign terrorist fighters, homegrown violent extremists, and fighters from the Western Balkans.
Here's what you should be aware of before taking the plunge on a €1 house in Italy. Why are they so cheap? To be frank, most of these buildings are decrepit, unsafe, and in need of significant repair. Owners typically wish to get rid of them in order to avoid paying taxes and fines, which they see as a drain.
Living in Italy is significantly less expensive than living in the U.S. The simplest reason is that housing and health insurance costs are much lower. But it doesn't stop there.
If you want to immigrate from Australia to Italy on a permanent basis, you should first verify the types of visas you can obtain and you must also make sure that you will have a residence permit, which gives you the right to live here. After living here for several years, you can apply for a residence permit in Italy.
Fascinating cities.
Many of Italy's cities are world heritage sites in their own right – the entire cities of Verona and Venice, and the historic centres of Florence, Naples and Rome, to name but a few. These cities are truly beautiful, with something for the eye to behold around every corner.
Earning more than €43,000, including benefits, is considered a good salary in Italy, with many opportunities offering even more than that.
Those who want to retire to Italy can obtain long-term residence visas which enable them to live there for more than 90 days, however, just like an ordinary residence permit, this visa has a validity of 5 years. If the visa holders decide to remain here, the permit can be renewed.
Absolutely yes, many Americans buy Italian property and you do not need citizenship. You can buy as a resident if you qualify and intend living there, or as a non resident. Many Americans think citizenship is needed but this is not the case.
Who can buy a house in Italy? There are no restrictions for foreigners who want to buy properties in Italy. However, the Italian authorities have the power of making some verifications of criminal records and other aspects.
After living in Italy with a temporary residence permit for five years, all non-EU nationals are eligible to apply for Italian permanent residence. Permanent residency offers a lot of the same benefits as all other Italian citizens, such as access to state benefits, like for maternity or disability.
In most cases, the ability to speak Italian to a high level is essential for securing a job. Proficiency in Italian will make living in the country a lot easier too, as many parts of the population don't speak English.
Breakfast in Italy: what to expect
Homemade breakfast in Italy is usually a straightforward affair. Traditional breakfast drinks in Italian households are coffee, tea and cocoa milk for the kids and the main breakfast foods are bread with butter and jam, biscuits and cereals.
The Italian language is not at all difficult for those who speak English. Quite the opposite: it's one of the easiest languages to learn. This is true because Italian and English share a rich vocabulary of common or very similar words; as soon as you start noticing them, you'll be surprised how many you already know!