You may constantly ask yourself why move to Italy, so Italy is one of the five most developed economies in the EU. Italy is a country with a high quality of life and rich culture. The friendly population, a developed transport system and a high level of healthcare attract more and more expats here. Someone chooses for themselves a low-key lifestyle of small towns, others - the cultural opportunities and mobility of big cities. 

Comparing to Italy, Germany is one of the prosperous countries with an advanced economy and a high level of social protection in 2022-2023. It is not only one of the richest countries in Europe, but also one of the top five among the most prosperous countries with a high standard of living. So, in this aspect both European countries are almost on the same level.

When moving to Italy, you need to be prepared to immerse yourself in the world of people with a completely different mentality. Italians are noisy, emotional, open, but at the same time conservative: they can sincerely sympathize with your grief, but they are unlikely to help. And it is almost impossible for a foreigner to enter the circle of their friends. In regions far from the influx of tourists, in rural areas or small towns, an immigrant may face open hostility or complete disregard, while in tourist places such nationalism is not observed.

Family is the main value for Italians, and the situation when several generations live under one roof is not uncommon here. This is partly due to the high level of infantilism of local youth. Youth here lasts up to 30-40 years - it is at this age that Italians start families and begin to arrange an independent life.

Whatever your taste, the cost of living in Italy is not as high as many expect. Tourists usually get the impression that Italy is an expensive country. Of course, a cup of coffee in the tourist center will cost a pretty penny, however, outside of the tourist areas, you don't need to spend a fortune to enjoy a comfortable stay.

The average monthly budget for a married couple in Italy is 1500€. The cost of living in Milan, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Verona and other large and tourist cities is higher. If you are planning to move to Florence, it will be recommended to add about 400€ to your budget. The cheapest places to live in Italy are small towns in the south of the country.

In 2017, the city of Candela in the Apulia region of southern Italy began offering up to 2,000 euros to encourage people to move to a village of less than 2,000 people. Several other Italian cities have since followed suit, albeit for a limited time.

To be eligible to move, applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 40 and resident in Italy or the EU. In addition, they must move from a place where more than 2,000 people live. So here are the main places you will get paid to move to Italy’s towns:

• Candela – a grant of 800 euros per person and up to 2,000 euros for couples with children is offered in exchange for moving to the city. Newcomers must move there, rent a house and find a job with a salary of at least 7,500 euros per year in order to be approved for an offer.
• Molise – people will get 700 euros per month for up to three calendar years to people who move to villages of 2,000 inhabitants or less and open their business there to contribute to the development of the community.

If you are a member of the European Union, moving to Italy is easy. You can freely live and work there without a visa. However, a work visa is required for everyone else who comes to Italy for non-tourist purposes.

Expats need to arrange for more than just their work visas. The length of your stay determines the next step. For non-EU citizens staying up to three months, it is necessary to register at the nearest police station. In addition, for stays between three months and five years, you must apply for a certificate known as attestato d'iscrizione anagrafica.

Pros of moving to Italy:

• Italy is a cultural center with beautiful architecture, museums, galleries, exhibitions, theatrical performances and so on. It has the largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world.
• Italian cuisine is known far beyond the Old World, and each region has specialties with a special style of cooking. Local cafes and restaurants are the pride of Italy.
• A good public transport system, quality medicine and an efficient education system.
• Friendly locals
• Affordable cost of living and real estate prices, the acquisition.

Cons of moving to Italy:

• Huge competition for decent jobs in Italian companies.
• For faster adaptation, you need to know the Italian language. With the exception of megacities, the level of English among the local population is very weak.
• High taxes and difficulties in doing business in Italy. 

Medicine in Italy is very well developed. This is confirmed by annual ratings and classifications. According to the World Health Organization, Italy is in third place in the world (and first in Europe) in terms of the effectiveness of medical care, life expectancy (83 years) and treatment and preventive financing per capita ($3,000). 

The high unemployment rate in Italy is not a figment of the imagination of propaganda, but a harsh reality: just over 30% of the population are employed, and unemployment is especially acute among young people. 

The situation with work for foreigners is even more difficult. Italian laws are written with such an eye in mind, first of all, to employ their citizens, and only then everyone else. So, it is quite difficult for immigrants to find a qualified, well-paid job. As a rule, freelancers, representatives of creative professions or entrepreneurs who open their own business get a good job here.

Italy belongs to the states with a fairly high level of taxes. Taxes in Italy constitute a system that can be divided into several groups:

• state (or national) taxes (income taxes, corporate income tax, VAT)
• local (regional and municipal) taxes (real estate tax)

Taxes in Italy on personal income start from 23% and may reach 43% depending on the salary amount. 

Here are the most common reasons to move to Italy:

• An incredibly beautiful country with a pleasant climate and a measured way of life that appeals to many;
• Stable economy and social guarantees (free medicine);
• Loyalty to immigrants - benefits for the purchase of real estate, the opportunity to establish your own business or get a job;
• Easy to learn Italian;
• A lot of interesting places in terms of tourism in each region.

Italy occupies a position in Europe in terms of life expectancy and is considered one of the most beautiful countries in the world. It is only thanks to these available resources that immigrants from all over the planet dream of moving to some Italian city in order to stay here and live forever. In a rather powerful Italian economy, wonderful nature and all the conditions for a happy life appear.

Italy is often chosen as one of the best countries where expats choose to retire because of the Mediterranean weather, food and wine culture. In addition to this, Italy is known for its relaxed lifestyle, quality of life, and being cheaper than most other European countries.

Yes, in Italy everyone can retire. EU citizens can freely move to Italy, as starting from 2022, the retirement age in Italy is set at 67 for both genders.

Italy has certain income requirements that you must meet:

• If you are not married, your minimum annual income must be 31,000 euros.
• If you are married, you must show a minimum annual income of 38,000 euros.

Registering a foreign car may seem convenient, especially from a financial point of view, instead of buying a new car, expats may do a car re-registration in Italy. To re-register a vehicle, you must complete form TT 2119 following the instructions and present it at the STA (Sportello Telematico dell'Automobilista) desk.

Preparing for emigration takes months, and sometimes even years, which can be spent not only on solving bureaucratic issues, but also on household trifles that will facilitate moving and integration.

• Start with research
• Look for a job ahead of time
• Improve your spoken language
• Listen to those who have moved

If you think you are ready to move, here is a kind reminder to find a good moving company that will take care of your stuff while moving from Germany to Italy. Moovick is one of the experienced companies to help you securely and safely pack and ship your belongings to your new home. The company provides high quality relocation services to both individuals and families in Europe.