Full library of articles about Italy
Residence permit (VНЖ): all types and how to get one
Working in Italy
Cost of living
Renting an apartment
Contents
- Step 0: Decision — Italy’s pros and cons honestly
- Step 1: Choose a visa and residence permit
- Step 2: Documents for the consulate
- Step 3: Financial preparation
- Step 4: Arrival and first days in Italy
- Step 5: Housing — rent, contract, registration
- Step 6: Settling in — bank, healthcare, communications
- Step 7: Work and taxes in Italy 2026
- Step 8: Family — children, reunification, benefits
- Step 9: Long-term plan — permanent residence and citizenship
- Conclusions
Moving to Italy: where to start — pros and cons honestly
Is it worth moving to Italy in 2026 and what should you be prepared for?
Moving to Italy is a life-changing decision. Not for six months or a year — if you choose Italy, you choose it seriously and for the long term. Immigration to Italy in 2026 has become easier compared to previous years: a Digital Nomad visa appeared, Decreto Flussi quotas were expanded, and tax incentives for expats are available. But the bureaucracy remains the same, and salaries in the country are still lower than in Northern Europe.
Before planning how to move to Italy, it’s worth honestly looking at both sides.
Pros of living in Italy
Climate — 300 sunny days in the south
Safety — one of the lowest crime rates in the EU
Food and product quality
Public healthcare SSN (free after registration)
Access to the entire EU — work, travel, study
Low taxes via Forfettario (5-15%)
Path to EU citizenship in 10 years
Sea and mountains within an hour
Cons of living in Italy
Bureaucracy — slow, unpredictable, contradictory
Salaries below the European average
Language barrier — very difficult without Italian
Renting without documents is almost impossible
Questura — months of waiting for the permesso (residence permit)
Banks unwilling to work with foreigners
Slowness in everything: mail, government agencies, repairs
Southern mentality — lack of punctuality, different rhythm
On choosing a country
"Choose a country out of love, seriously and for the long term. Life is too short to fight bureaucracy at every move."
Member of the immigration community, 4 years in Italy
Italy is not about quick money or perfect service. It’s about quality of life made of simple things: a morning coffee at the bar, a walk to the sea after work, fresh products at the market. Moving to Italy from Russia is a shift to a completely different rhythm. Many who are used to Moscow’s pace are irritated the first months. Then they get used to it and don’t want to go back.
On adaptation
"After 4 years you already feel that everything here is yours. The house across the street is already familiar, the magnolia by the window is my old friend."
Member of the immigration chat
Main advice before moving
Visit Italy for at least 2–3 weeks before making a decision. Not as a tourist, but in everyday mode: walk through supermarkets, sit in a coworking space, try renting. Tourist Italy and Italy for living are two different countries.
On determination
"Don’t postpone it if you know for sure you don’t want to spend your old age where you are now."
From the immigration community
Step 1: How to move to Italy — choosing the visa type 2026
Which type of visa should you choose to move to Italy in 2026 — and what does the choice depend on?
Immigrating to Italy in 2026 starts with choosing the correct visa type. This is the most important step — documents, deadlines, taxes and the whole relocation strategy depend on it. A mistake at this stage can cost months of lost time.
Which type of residence permit to choose
"Among work options consider study, business, digital nomad. You need to fit it to your situation."
Italy visa specialist
| Your situation | Visa/Residence permit type | Income threshold | Quotas | More |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Freelancer, own business | Lavoro Autonomo (self-employed residence permit) | ~8,500 EUR/year min. | Yes (Decreto Flussi) | LA article |
| Remote worker | Digital Nomad (Digital Nomad visa) | 32,400 EUR/year | No | DN article |
| Student | Study visa | ~6,000 EUR/year | No | Study article |
| Spouse/child of a resident | Family reunification | Depends on family composition | No | Reunification article |
| Investor (250k+ EUR) | Investor Visa (Investor Visa) | 250,000 EUR+ investments | No | - |
| Retiree / rentier | Residenza Elettiva (elective residence permit) | ~31,000 EUR/year passive income | No | - |
| Employed work | Lavoro Subordinato (employed work permit) | Contract with an Italian employer | Yes (Decreto Flussi) | Work |
Detailed guide on the topic
Residenza Elettiva: residence permit for self-sufficient persons
Decreto Flussi 2026: quotas for work visas
Lavoro Autonomo and Lavoro Subordinato are limited by annual quotas. The Decreto Flussi for 2026 usually opens the application window in December–January. Places run out within hours — you must apply in the first minutes via the ALI portal. Digital Nomad and study visas are not quota-limited.
How to choose between LA and DN
If you work remotely and earn from 2,700 EUR per month — the Digital Nomad visa is faster and easier. But DN does not grant access to public healthcare, taxes can be higher and currency conversion is complex. If you plan to live in Italy for more than 2–3 years — Lavoro Autonomo is more advantageous in the long run: Forfettario 5%, public SSN (healthcare), direct path to permanent residence.
Detailed comparison of LA and DN
A detailed table comparing all differences is in the article Lavoro Autonomo 2026. It also covers converting DN to LA (separate article).
Step 2: Documents for the consulate — what to prepare in advance
Which documents are needed to apply for a D visa to Italy and how long does their preparation take?
Document preparation is the longest stage of moving to Italy. Start at least 3–4 months before the planned consulate submission. Some documents (apostille, translation) take weeks.
-
✓Passport
Valid for at least 1.5 years after planned entry. At least 2 blank pages.
-
✓D visa application form
Filled in Italian or English. Download from the consulate website.
-
✓Photos 3.5x4.5
2 pieces, white background, recent (not older than 6 months).
-
✓Proof of accommodation in Italy
Hotel booking, rental contract or a letter from the host (lettera di ospitalità).
-
✓Financial guarantees
Bank statement, proof of income. Amounts depend on visa type.
-
✓Health insurance
Coverage minimum 30,000 EUR. For DN — for the whole stay. For LA — can be for 90 days (then SSN).
-
✓Certificate of no criminal record
With apostille and translation into Italian. Valid for 6 months.
Apostille and translation — don’t mix up the order
First obtain the original document, then get the apostille, then make a sworn translation into Italian (traduzione giurata). The translation must be certified at the Italian consulate or by a sworn translator. You do not need an apostille after translation — the apostille is needed on the original.
Additional documents by visa type
Each visa type requires its own package in addition to the basic one:
- Lavoro Autonomo - nulla osta from the Sportello Unico, business plan, proof of qualifications, membership in a professional association. Details: LA article
- Digital Nomad - contract with a foreign employer or proof of freelance activity, proof of income for the last 6 months. Details: DN article
- Study - invitation from the educational institution, proof of payment, ISEE. Details: study article
- Family reunification - nulla osta from the Sportello Unico, documents proving relationship, idoneità abitativa (housing suitability certificate). Details: reunification article
On preparing documents
"Start collecting documents at least 4 months in advance. An apostille can take 2–3 weeks, translation another week, and then the consulate may request something additional. Better to have extra time."
Immigration consultant
Step 3: Financial preparation for moving to Italy
How much money is needed to move to Italy and how to transfer funds from Russia?
Financial preparation is not only “how much rent costs”. It’s a safety cushion, ways to transfer money, understanding real expenses for the first months. Moving to Italy from Russia in 2026 has financial complications — direct bank transfers don’t work, so you need workarounds.
On unexpected expenses
"Set aside a safety cushion. Even in a well-equipped apartment something is always missing and unexpected expenses arise."
Member of the immigration community
How much you need for the beginning
| Expense item | North (Milan, Bologna) | Center (Rome, Florence) | South (Naples, Bari) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent (1-room) | 800–1,200 EUR/mo | 600–1,000 EUR/mo | 400–700 EUR/mo |
| Rental deposit | 2,400–3,600 EUR | 1,800–3,000 EUR | 1,200–2,100 EUR |
| Groceries | 300–400 EUR/mo | 250–350 EUR/mo | 200–300 EUR/mo |
| Transport | 50–100 EUR/mo | 35–50 EUR/mo | 30–50 EUR/mo |
| Insurance (first months) | 100–200 EUR/mo | 100–200 EUR/mo | 100–200 EUR/mo |
| Unexpected | 300–500 EUR/mo | 200–400 EUR/mo | 200–300 EUR/mo |
How to transfer money from Russia in 2026
Direct SWIFT transfers from Russian banks to Italian banks have not worked since 2022. Main workable methods:
- Revolut / Wise — via a third country (Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey). Open an account in a neutral jurisdiction, transfer rubles there, convert to EUR.
- Cryptocurrency — buy USDT for rubles, transfer to an Italian exchange, withdraw in EUR. Consider taxation of crypto in Italy.
- Cash — bringing up to 10,000 EUR without declaration. Over that — mandatory customs declaration.
- Parcels and informal transfers — see more in the article Parcels RF–Italy
Do not keep all money in one account
Diversify: some cash, some on Revolut, some in crypto. Rules change fast — an account may be blocked, an exchange may restrict withdrawals. Your safety cushion must be accessible from different sources.
More on expenses
Detailed breakdown of cost of living by city — in the article Cost of living in Italy 2026.
Step 4: Arrival in Italy and the first days
What needs to be done in the first days after arriving in Italy — and in what order?
You received your D visa, bought a ticket, arrived. Now the most important part begins — the first 8 days. By law you have exactly that much time to submit documents for your residence permit.
Day 1–2: Codice Fiscale (tax code)
Go to the Agenzia delle Entrate with your passport. You get the tax code in 15 minutes. Without it you can’t do anything — rent, buy a SIM card, or open a bank account.
Day 2–3: KIT for the permesso at the post office
Buy the KIT (envelope) at a post office (Poste Italiane) for about 30 EUR. Fill out the form, attach copies of documents, 4 photos, pay for a stamp (16 EUR) and the electronic permesso (40–100 EUR). Send the KIT and you will receive a ricevuta (receipt) — it substitutes the permesso while you wait.
Day 3–5: Insurance
If your residence type does not give immediate SSN rights (DN, study) — you need private insurance. If LA — after getting Partita IVA and registering with INPS you’ll gain access to public healthcare.
Day 5–8: Temporary housing
First 1–2 weeks — Airbnb or hotel. Don’t try to rent a permanent apartment immediately: without codice fiscale, without the permesso, without acquaintances it’s practically impossible. Use the first days to scout neighborhoods.
SIM card on the first day
Buy an Italian SIM immediately at the airport or on the first day. You’ll need your passport and the codice fiscale (you can show a printed application). Main operators: TIM, Vodafone, WindTre, Iliad. Iliad is the cheapest (7–10 EUR/mo) but coverage is worse outside cities.
On the first days
"The procedures don’t take much time. A few hours a month is a small price to integrate your family into a new country."
Community member, moved with family
Step 5: Housing in Italy — rent, contract, registration
How to find an apartment in Italy without acquaintances and documents — and why the rental contract is critically important for the residence permit?
Housing is the foundation of everything else. Without a rental contract you cannot register residenza. Without residenza you cannot get the tessera sanitaria (health card), open a normal bank account, or apply for permesso renewal. Renting an apartment in Italy is a whole quest, especially for foreigners without an Italian credit history.
On searching for housing
"Find acquaintances in the city you want to move to. We moved without knowing anyone and it was very stressful."
Member of the immigration chat
Algorithm for finding housing
Find acquaintances in the city
Through immigration chats, social networks, acquaintances of acquaintances. Locals know agents, neighborhoods, pitfalls. Without local contacts the process is much harder.
Find a real estate agent
An agenzia immobiliare charges a commission (usually 1 month’s rent + VAT). But without an agent landlords often refuse foreigners. The agent acts as guarantor and helps with documents.
Sign the contract
For the permesso you need a registered contract (contratto registrato). Common type: 4+4 (4 years with renewal for 4). Deposit: 2–3 months’ rent. Make sure the contract is registered with the Agenzia delle Entrate.
Register residenza at the comune
With the rental contract go to the Anagrafe (registry office) of your comune. Submit an application for residenza. In 1–2 weeks a vigile (local officer) will come to check that you actually live at the address. After confirmation — you are officially registered.
More about renting
Full guide to finding housing, contract types, city prices and pitfalls — in the article Renting an apartment in Italy 2026.
Step 6: Settling in — bank, healthcare, everyday life
Which documents and services should be arranged after getting housing — and in what order?
Once you have residenza and the ricevuta (or permesso), you can arrange everything else. Here’s the order that will save time.
Bank account
With the permesso (or ricevuta), codice fiscale and residenza you can open an account at an Italian bank. Main options for immigrants: Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, Banca Sella. Online banks (N26, Revolut) work, but for many Italian procedures you need an Italian IBAN.
Tessera Sanitaria (health card)
Go to the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale) of your municipality. Bring: codice fiscale, residenza, permesso/ricevuta, proof of INPS payment (for LA) or insurance (for DN). You receive the tessera sanitaria and choose a family doctor (medico di base).
Internet and communications
Home internet: Fastweb, TIM, Vodafone. Installation takes 1–3 weeks. Average price: 25–35 EUR/mo for fiber. Alternative for the first time — mobile internet with a large data package (Iliad 9.99 EUR/mo for 150 GB).
Shops and household
Main chains: Esselunga, Conad, Lidl, Eurospin (budget). Furniture and household: IKEA, Mondo Convenienza. Second-hand market: Subito.it, Facebook Marketplace. Don’t buy everything at once — first understand what you really need.
SPID and PEC — digital identification
SPID (digital identity) is needed to access public services online: INPS, Agenzia delle Entrate, health portal. PEC (certified email) is mandatory for Partita IVA holders. You can get SPID via Poste Italiane or online providers (Aruba, InfoCert).
Detailed guide on the topic
On everyday details
"Learn the language in advance. We told ourselves: we’ll start after we move. The first period after the move consumes a lot of time solving everyday issues."
Member of the immigration community
Step 7: Work and taxes in Italy 2026
How to work legally in Italy, what taxes to pay and what benefits are available to expats in 2026?
How you can work in Italy depends on your residence permit type. For the self-employed (Lavoro Autonomo) Partita IVA is mandatory. For employees — a contract with an Italian employer. For DN — formally you can only work for foreign clients.
Self-employed: Partita IVA and Forfettario
- Partita IVA — analogue of a sole proprietorship. Opened for free at the Agenzia delle Entrate in one day. You need codice fiscale and PEC. Detailed instructions: Partita IVA 2026
- Forfettario — preferential tax regime: 5% for the first 5 years, then 15%. Turnover limit 85,000 EUR/year. Minimal accounting. Details: Forfettario 2026
- INPS — mandatory pension contributions. Gestione Separata: 26.07% of income. Grants rights to public healthcare and pension. Details: INPS and pension
Impatriati — tax relief for expats
If you move to Italy and were not a tax resident in the last 2 years — you may qualify for the Impatriati regime: 50–70% of income is tax-exempt for 5 years (up to 10 under certain conditions). Details: Impatriati 2026
Employed work
For those looking for an employer in Italy: the labour market is tough, but IT specialists, engineers and medical professionals are in demand. Salaries are lower than in Germany or the Netherlands, but the cost of living is also lower. Detailed overview: Working in Italy 2026.
On taxes for the self-employed
"At minimum income 8,500 EUR/year taxes will be about 1,800 EUR. This includes INPS. For comparison, on DN with 30,000 EUR income taxes will be 6,000–8,000 EUR. LA is significantly more advantageous in the long term."
Tax consultant
Double taxation
If you still have income in Russia or other countries — study conventions to avoid double taxation. Details: Double taxation 2026.
Step 8: Family in Italy — children, reunification, benefits
How to move your family to Italy, enroll children in school and what benefits are available to immigrants?
Moving to Italy with a family is a separate story. Children adapt faster than adults, but the first months will be hard for everyone.
Children in school
Italian school is free for all children, including foreigners, regardless of residence status. You can enroll a child at any time during the school year. For children who don’t speak Italian there are integration programs. More about the Italian education system: Study in Italy 2026.
Family reunification
If you already have a residence permit in Italy, you can bring your spouse and minor children through family reunification. Required: nulla osta from the Sportello Unico, proof of income, idoneità abitativa (housing suitability certificate). The process takes 3 to 9 months.
More about reunification
Full instructions on procedure, documents and timelines — in the article Family reunification 2026. On pregnancy and childbirth: Pregnancy and childbirth in Italy 2026.
ISEE and benefits
ISEE (Indicatore della Situazione Economica Equivalente) is an indicator of a family’s economic situation. It is needed to receive benefits, tuition discounts, daycare discounts. The lower the ISEE — the more benefits. Applied for free through CAF (Centro di Assistenza Fiscale) or INPS.
- Assegno Unico — monthly allowance for each child up to 21 years. From 57 to 199 EUR per child depending on ISEE
- Bonus Asilo Nido — compensation up to 3,000 EUR/year for nursery
- Carta Acquisti — 80 EUR every 2 months for low-income families
ISEE — apply immediately
Detailed instructions on ISEE and all available benefits: ISEE and benefits 2026. For immigrants the first-year ISEE is usually very low (no Italian income), which gives access to maximum benefits.
On family relocation
"Children adapt in 3–4 months. After half a year they already speak Italian better than the parents. The key is not to be afraid to put them in a regular Italian school instead of looking for Russian-speaking ones."
Community member, moved with two children
Step 9: Long-term plan — from residence permit to Italian citizenship
What is the path from the first residence permit to Italian citizenship and how long does it take?
Moving to Italy is a marathon, not a sprint. Here’s how a typical path for an immigrant looks in 2026.
Year 0–1: First residence permit
D visa, arrival, KIT, ricevuta, first permesso. Arrange all documents: codice fiscale, residenza, bank, SSN, Partita IVA (if LA). Adaptation, learning the language, settling in.
Year 1–2: First renewal
60 days before permesso expiry you apply for renewal. Required: proof of income, rental contract, insurance or SSN. Renewal is usually for 2 years.
Year 5: Permanent residence (permesso di soggiorno di lungo periodo)
After 5 years of continuous residence you can apply for a permanent residence permit. Requirements: stable income, housing, knowledge of Italian (A2 level), no criminal record. Permanent residence does not need renewal and it gives the right to work in any EU country.
Year 10: Citizenship
After 10 years of legal residence (4 years for EU citizens) you can apply for Italian citizenship. You must pass a language exam (B1), have stable income and a clean record. Processing takes 2–4 years.
Italian language
Language is the key to everything. Without Italian you will remain a permanent tourist, even with a permesso in your pocket. For permanent residence A2 is required, for citizenship B1. But for a normal life you need at least B1–B2.
On language
"Learn the language in advance. We told ourselves: we’ll start after we move. The first period after the move consumes a lot of time solving everyday issues — there’s no energy or time left for language."
Member of the immigration community
Start the language before moving
Start learning Italian at least 3–6 months before the move. Duolingo, a tutor on iTalki, YouTube channels. By arrival you should have at least A1 — greetings, numbers, explain what you need in a shop. This considerably reduces first-week stress.
Driver’s license
Russian and other non-EU licenses are valid in Italy for 1 year from obtaining residenza. After that you need to convert or get an Italian license from scratch. Conversion is possible only for countries with bilateral agreements (Russia — no, Ukraine — no). That means driving school, theory in Italian, and a practical exam.
More about licenses
Process of obtaining a license, costs, driving schools: Driver’s licenses in Italy 2026. Driving rules, fines: Driving in Italy 2026.
Conclusions: step-by-step plan for moving to Italy 2026
So — what is the minimal action plan to move to Italy?
Italy is about quality of life, not career and earnings. Visit to scout, live 2–3 weeks in everyday mode. If after that you want to stay — it’s your country.
Freelancer — LA, remote worker — DN, student — study visa. A wrong choice costs months. If you plan long-term — LA is preferable to DN for taxes and rights.
Unexpected expenses will occur. Transfers from Russia are difficult. Diversify sources: cash, Revolut, crypto.
Codice fiscale, KIT at the post office, ricevuta. Don’t miss deadlines for applying for the permesso. Everything else can be done gradually.
Without a rental contract there is no residenza. Without residenza there is no SSN, bank, ISEE. Find acquaintances in the city — they will help with an agent and neighborhood.
At least 3–6 months in advance. After moving there will be no time or energy. For permanent residence you need A2, for citizenship B1, for daily life — B2.
VISA — renewal — permanent residence (5 years) — citizenship (10 years). Each stage requires documents and patience. But after a few years Italy becomes home.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How much money is needed to move to Italy?
Minimum 10,000–15,000 EUR for the first 3 months: rent, deposit, insurance, food. Better to have a 6-month cushion.
Is it necessary to know Italian to move?
Not mandatory for the visa. For life — highly recommended. The first year without the language will be hard.
Can I move with a pet?
Yes, you need a veterinary passport, a chip, and a rabies vaccination at least 21 days before departure.
Information in this article is based on community experience and open sources. This is not legal advice. For your specific situation consult a licensed specialist.
Related articles: Italy, residence permits and taxes
Category description “Visas to Italy” - Codice Fiscale in Italy 2026 - ISEE and benefits in Italy 2026 - Healthcare in Italy 2026 - Driver’s licenses in Italy 2026 - Family reunification in Italy 2026