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Culture, Travel

How to Get Paid to Move to Italy

Sarah Talarico | PUBLISHED: June 30, 2023

Sarah Talarico
September 19, 2023

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Ever contemplated moving to Italy but ultimately found it to be an unachievable pipe dream? Great news…you were wrong! As a follow-up to our recent article, Three Places in Italy That Will Pay You to Move There, we’re giving you all the deets on how to make la dolce vita your reality with a step-by-step guide to living and working as an official Italian resident. Let’s get started…

How to Enter Italy 

One of the most important steps in attaining Italian residency is getting your visa, and the rules and regulations are dictated by where you currently hold citizenship. American citizens are allowed 90 days in Italy, permitted under the Schengen visa, after which time you’ll be required to apply for a “long stay” visa – and there are different kinds depending on your particular need. To begin the process, contact the Italian Consulate within your jurisdiction via their website, where you can also schedule a visa appointment.

Please note!! It is important to complete the proper forms and review the documentation needed for your specific visa well before your appointment. This can be a very lengthy process, and you should be completely prepared for your consulate visit, with all necessary documents in hand.

American citizens must also acquire a permesso di soggiorno (permit of stay) upon arrival in Italy. These can be requested at any of the Poste Italiane (Italian National Post Offices). In addition, those who have a job offer or wish to work in the country, whether temporarily or permanently, must obtain a work permit from their employer. More information about this and the entire visa process can be found here.

Now for the fun part…choosing where you’ll live! Here are some gorgeous locations that offer incredible incentives for moving, along with the criteria for application:

Presicce-Aquarica

Lining the coast of Puglia, these sunshine-soaked towns are home to beautiful baroque architecture, and – due to lush olive groves that produce premium extra virgin olive oil –Presicce is commonly referred to as the “city of green gold”. So, it’s little surprise that the sister towns are perhaps the most commonly searched destinations among those interested in Italian re-location opportunities.

 Here’s what you need to know:

  • Offering €30,000 ($33,000) to move there
  • Must buy a house in town and register it as your official address and the program will foot 50% of the cost of purchase including any renovations up to €30,000
  • A total of €1,000 ($1,100) is paid for every baby born in town

Santo Stefano di Sessanio

Located in the region of Abruzzo, Santo Stefano di Sessanio lies amidst mountains and pastures. Its close proximity to Rome (only two hours away) makes it the perfect location for those seeking easy access to a bustling city, while still enjoying the comfort of a small town.

The skinny:

  • Up to $52,000 to move and work there
  • Grant of €8,000 ($9,500) a year for three years, paid monthly
  • One-time grant of €20,000 ($24,000) for someone who opens a business
  • Must be 18 years old, but no older than 40
  • Must be a resident of Italy or EU or have the ability to become one
  • Must be moving from a place that has more than 2,000 residents  
  • Must stay for a duration of five years and open a business that falls into one of the following categories: tourism, sports, culture, cleaning, maintenance, drugstore management or marketing and selling local food

Calabria

Positioned in the agrarian south, Calabria is known for its fertile terrain, ancient villages, and clear waters. Add to that mild winters and warmhearted locals and you’ve got a great contender. Its antiquated charm and mouthwatering food provide a sense of “home away from home” and a slower pace allow you to truly savor la dolce vita.

Facts to note:

  • A payment of €28,000 or about $31,000 to relocate to a village with 2,000 residents or fewer
  • Must be 40 years old or younger
  • Must move to the area within 90 days of your application’s acceptance
  • Must start a new business or find employment

Sardinia

The second largest island in the Med, picturesque Sardinia is perfect for those who are looking to enjoy a “permanent vacation” state of mind. Its glistening turquoise waters and stunning beaches attract folks all year round and can double as your work-from-home view.

So, here’s what you need to know to get in on the fun:  

  • Offering €15,000 ($16,500) for you to relocate
  • Must move to a municipality with less than 3,000 people
  • Must use the money you receive to buy or renovate a home there
  • Must live in the municipality full-time and register for permanent residency in Sardinia within 18 months of relocating

Santa Fiora

Santa Fiora is a medieval village situated in southern Tuscany and very welcoming to the idea of foreigners becoming local inhabitants. They’ve upgraded to high-speed internet and are in the process of creating working areas throughout the historic parts of town, attracting many digital nomads. According to TravellingInTuscany.com, its most popular attraction is the Peschiera, a spring-fed lake and 18th-century garden surrounded by woodland and gurgling brooks.

Here are the deets on taking up residency:

  • Remote workers moving here will be given up to €200 ($240) or 50% of their total rent if they commit to living there for two to six months
  • Must prove that you have a remote job – doesn’t matter what it is – but must have an “active” job
  • Retirees or those receiving a pension can also apply, as long as they are still working as independent contractors or online consultants
  • Offering up to €30,000 ($36,604) to those who open a bed and breakfast or turn an old building into a hotel
  • Offering €1,500 ($1,830) for each baby born after you become a resident

Now What?

After settling on your dream destination, further information, along with application forms, can be obtained from the local municipalities (communes) themselves (i.e., the town halls). It is suggested that you use a PEC address (certified email) when corresponding with public officials, which can be obtained for a nominal fee.

Though some areas advertise online applications, we confess that their websites don’t always run efficiently. Santa Fiora, for example, promotes vivinpaese.it, but the address seems to work intermittently. This said, here are some places (with links) that have an online presence to make your application process easier:

How to Earn a Living

So, how do you make a living after moving? Here are the kinds of jobs these towns are looking for:

  • Tourism business
  • Create a new hotel or start a bed and breakfast
  • Work from home (whether for an American company or Italian)
  • Cleaning or maintenance
  • Marketing and selling local food

But our favorite (and the easiest) is to work as a digital nomad, offering online services such as writing, web design, social media management or something similar.

And there you have it…everything you need to start your Italian adventure. Buona fortuna!

Sarah Talarico

Sarah Talarico is a writer at heart, with a deep passion for all things Italian. Much of her writing inspiration comes from her Italian American roots that trace back to her father’s beloved hometown in Calabria. Southern Italy holds a special place in her heart, right next to homemade sauce and cappuccini. Sarah has a Bachelor’s in Creative Writing and English and a desire to use her writing skills to share the timeless charm of Italy and that ‘dolce far niente’ feeling. In her downtime, she finds joy in filling the plates and seats at her dining room table.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Sarah Talarico

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