How long does it take to move to Italy?

There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 5 stages (Before you leave, First weeks after you arrive, First three months, Steps for the children, If you are buying property) covering 32 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.

What catches people out when moving to Italy?

You can't properly open a bank account, sign a lease or get a SIM card without your tax code - sort it out first.

How much of the Italy guide can I see for free?

The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Settle Steps / Moving to Italy

Moving to Italy, step by step

32 steps for your move to Italy - which office, what to bring, what it costs and how long it takes - checked against official sources where an official answer exists, and marked clearly where it depends on your situation instead.

See the free preview for Italy

How the move breaks down

1
Before you leave
One number and one permit application drive everything in Italy. Both can be started early.
8 steps
2
First weeks after you arrive
Short, hard deadlines here - shorter than in any of the other countries.
2 steps
3
First three months
Residence, health card, bank and tax.
12 steps
4
Steps for the children
School enrolment is national and online; benefits need an income assessment first.
5 steps
5
If you are buying property
Optional - skip if you are renting. Italy's rules reward becoming resident, and punish buying without a survey.
5 steps

17 of the 32 steps are checked against an official source, with the date it was checked. The rest depend on your own circumstances, or are practical guidance no authority publishes - each step says which.

If you get stuck in Italy

112 Emergency services
803 164 Social security contact centre (INPS)

Things people don't expect about moving to Italy

Codice fiscale comes before almost everything else
You can't properly open a bank account, sign a lease or get a SIM card without your tax code - sort it out first.
Comune opening hours are short and vary by town
Many municipal offices are only open a few mornings a week. Check before turning up.
The permesso di soggiorno kit is just the start
Submitting the post office kit begins the process, but the actual permit can take months to issue - the receipt you get that day is what you'll rely on in the meantime.

Questions people ask about moving to Italy

How long does it take to move to Italy?
There's no fixed number of days - it depends on appointment availability and how much paperwork you're bringing. The guide breaks the move into 5 stages (Before you leave, First weeks after you arrive, First three months, Steps for the children, If you are buying property) covering 32 individual steps, so you know what's next instead of guessing.
What catches people out when moving to Italy?
You can't properly open a bank account, sign a lease or get a SIM card without your tax code - sort it out first.
How much of the Italy guide can I see for free?
The first three steps of your route are free to preview, no account needed. The full route - every step, what to bring, the cost and the official source - unlocks with one payment once you've picked where you're moving from.

Moving to Italy from an EU country, or from outside the EU

The steps differ depending on where you're moving from. EU, EEA and Swiss citizens generally register locally with no visa required; moving from outside the EU usually means a visa or residence permit arranged before you travel. Pick your own country on the guide and you'll only see the steps that actually apply to you - not a generic list for everyone.

Get the full guide

Pick where you're leaving from on the main guide, and the first three steps are free. The full route for Italy - every step, what to bring, the cost, the timing and the source - unlocks with one payment, on the page itself.

Choose your route to Italy

Moving to Italy, step by step

How the move breaks down

Before you leave

First weeks after you arrive

First three months

Steps for the children

If you are buying property

If you get stuck in Italy

Things people don't expect about moving to Italy

Codice fiscale comes before almost everything else

Comune opening hours are short and vary by town

The permesso di soggiorno kit is just the start