Authored by the expert who managed and guided the team behind the Italy Property Pack
Everything you need to know before buying real estate is included in our Italy Property Pack
Yes, Italy is a wonderful place to live if you love great food, walkable cities, strong public healthcare, and easy access to the rest of Europe.
But you also need to be realistic about slower bureaucracy, lower salaries compared to housing costs in big cities like Milan, and a more relaxed pace of career growth.
We constantly update this blog post to give you the freshest information available for people planning a move to Italy.
And if you're planning to buy a property in this place, you may want to download our pack covering the real estate market in Italy.
Is Italy a good place to live in 2026?
Is quality of life getting better or worse in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, quality of life in Italy is slowly improving thanks to cooling inflation and more stable prices for everyday goods.
The biggest improvement over the past two to three years has been inflation control, with consumer prices rising only around 1 to 2 percent in late 2025, which makes daily expenses much more predictable for residents.
However, housing affordability remains a persistent challenge in Italy, especially in Milan where rent and property prices have climbed faster than local incomes, making it harder for newcomers to find good housing at reasonable prices.
So while your day-to-day costs in Italy are more stable now, finding affordable housing in the most popular cities still requires careful planning and a solid budget.
Are hospitals good in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, hospitals in Italy generally meet or exceed Western European and North American standards, especially in the northern regions and major university hospital networks.
Expats commonly recommend hospitals like IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele and Humanitas Research Hospital in Milan, Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli in Rome, and IRCCS Policlinico di Sant'Orsola in Bologna.
A standard doctor consultation in Italy typically costs between 20 and 50 euros (about 22 to 55 USD) in the public system when a copay applies, while private specialist visits usually range from 120 to 220 euros (about 130 to 240 USD).
Private health insurance is strongly recommended for expats in Italy because it helps you skip long waiting times and gives you easier access to English-speaking private clinics.
Are there any good international schools in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, Italy has several dozen well-established international schools, with the highest concentration and quality found in Milan, Rome, and Florence.
Among the most reputable international schools for expat families are the International School of Milan, the American Overseas School of Rome, and St George's British International School in Rome.
Annual tuition fees at international schools in Italy typically range from 12,000 to 25,000 euros (about 13,000 to 27,000 USD), with some premium programs reaching 30,000 euros or more for older grades.
Waitlists can be quite long for popular schools in Milan and Rome, especially for early years and key transition grades, so you should apply 6 to 12 months before the intended start date; public schools are an option if your child is young enough to learn Italian quickly.
Is Italy a dangerous place in 2026?
As of early 2026, Italy is a generally safe country for residents and expats, with low rates of violent crime compared to most Western countries.
The most common safety concerns for expats in Italy are petty crimes like pickpocketing and bag snatching, which happen most often around major train stations and tourist hotspots like Roma Termini and Milano Centrale.
The safest neighborhoods for expats in Italy include Prati and Aventino in Rome, Brera and CityLife in Milan, Santo Stefano in Bologna, and Oltrarno in Florence.
Women can generally live alone safely in Italy with standard big-city precautions, such as choosing well-lit neighborhoods, avoiding isolated areas near train stations late at night, and using taxis or ride-hailing apps when returning home after dark.
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How much does everyday life cost in Italy in 2026?
What monthly budget do I need to live well in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, a single person needs about 2,000 to 2,700 euros per month (roughly 2,200 to 2,950 USD) to live comfortably in a major Italian city like Milan, Rome, or Florence.
For a modest but decent lifestyle in a mid-sized Italian city like Bologna or Turin, you should budget around 1,600 to 2,300 euros per month (about 1,750 to 2,500 USD), covering rent, groceries, transport, and basic entertainment.
If you want a more comfortable or upscale lifestyle in Italy with a nicer apartment, regular dining out, and weekend travel, expect to spend 3,000 to 4,000 euros per month (roughly 3,300 to 4,350 USD) as a single person.
Housing is by far the biggest expense in Italy, typically eating up 40 to 50 percent of your monthly budget, especially in cities like Milan where a one-bedroom apartment in the center can cost 1,500 to 1,800 euros per month.
What is the average income tax rate in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, a typical middle-income earner in Italy (around 30,000 to 50,000 euros gross annual salary) pays an effective income tax rate of roughly 25 to 35 percent after accounting for IRPEF plus regional and municipal add-ons.
Italy uses a progressive tax system called IRPEF, with rates starting at 23 percent for income up to 28,000 euros and rising to 43 percent for income above 50,000 euros; the 2026 Budget Law reduced the middle bracket from 35 to 33 percent for income between roughly 28,000 and 50,000 euros.
We did some research and made this infographic to help you quickly compare rental yields of the major cities in Italy versus those in neighboring countries. It provides a clear view of how this country positions itself as a real estate investment destination, which might interest you if you’re planning to invest there.
What kind of foreigners actually live in Italy in 2026?
Where do most expats come from in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the largest foreign communities in Italy come from Romania, Albania, Morocco, China, and Ukraine, though the mix varies by region and city.
Italy has approximately 5 million foreign residents, making up about 8 to 9 percent of the total population, with the highest concentrations in Lombardy, Lazio, and Emilia-Romagna.
Many expats from Romania and Albania come to Italy for work opportunities in construction, manufacturing, and caregiving, while expats from Western Europe and North America are often drawn by lifestyle, culture, and remote work possibilities.
The expat population in Italy is a mix of working professionals, retirees, digital nomads, and students, with working professionals being the largest group in major cities like Milan and Rome.
Where do most expats live in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, expats in Italy concentrate in neighborhoods like Brera, Porta Romana, Isola, and Navigli in Milan; Prati, Trastevere, Monti, and Parioli in Rome; Oltrarno and Campo di Marte in Florence; and Santo Stefano and Saragozza in Bologna.
These neighborhoods attract expats because they combine walkability, good public transport, a mix of local shops and international amenities, and a sense of community that makes it easier to settle in.
Emerging neighborhoods in Italy that are starting to attract more expats include NoLo and Città Studi in Milan, Testaccio and Ostiense in Rome, and the Bolognina area in Bologna, where rents are lower but gentrification is underway.
Are expats moving in or leaving Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, Italy continues to see a net inflow of foreign residents, with migration being a key factor in stabilizing the country's population as birth rates remain low.
The main factors drawing expats to Italy right now are the digital nomad visa, the attractive lifestyle, relatively affordable cost of living outside Milan, and the country's position as a gateway to the rest of Europe.
However, some expats are leaving Italy, particularly from Milan, because housing costs have risen faster than salaries and the bureaucracy around permits and registrations can be exhausting.
Compared to similar destinations like Portugal and Spain, Italy has a steadier expat inflow but faces more competition from countries with simpler visa processes and lower housing costs in major cities.
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What paperwork do I need to move to Italy in 2026?
What visa options are popular in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the three most popular visa types for expats moving to Italy are the digital nomad visa, the work visa through employer sponsorship (Decreto Flussi), and the elective residence visa for people who can support themselves without working in Italy.
The digital nomad visa requires you to prove remote employment with a company outside Italy, earn at least 28,000 euros per year, have health insurance covering at least 30,000 euros, and secure accommodation in Italy.
Italy does offer a digital nomad visa, launched in 2022, which allows non-EU remote workers to live in Italy for up to one year, with the option to renew for an additional two years if you continue to meet the requirements.
The digital nomad visa is initially valid for one year and can be renewed at the local Questura (police headquarters) in Italy, provided you maintain your employment, accommodation, and health insurance.
How long does it take to get residency in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the typical processing time for a visa in Italy is a few weeks to a few months at the consulate abroad, and then 2 to 6 months or more to receive your physical residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) after arriving in Italy.
Common factors that can delay your residency application in Italy include incomplete documentation, backlogs at your local Questura, and the need for official translations of foreign documents; having all paperwork ready and using a local immigration lawyer can speed things up.
To become eligible for permanent residency in Italy, you must live in the country continuously for at least 5 years, and Italian citizenship typically requires 10 years of legal residence (or less for EU citizens and spouses of Italians).
We created this infographic to give you a simple idea of how much it costs to buy property in different parts of Italy. As you can see, it breaks down price ranges and property types for popular cities in the country. We hope this makes it easier to explore your options and understand the market.
How hard is it to find a job in Italy in 2026?
Which industries are hiring the most in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the industries hiring the most in Italy are manufacturing and skilled trades, logistics and transport, construction, hospitality and tourism, and technical and digital roles where there are persistent worker shortages.
It is realistic for expats to get hired in Italy without speaking Italian if you target multinational companies in Milan, tech and finance roles, or international organizations in Rome, but for most jobs outside these niches, Italian language skills are essential.
The most accessible roles for foreign job seekers in Italy include software development, data analysis, engineering positions in automotive and machinery sectors, finance and accounting at multinational firms, and English-teaching positions.
What salary ranges are common for expats in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, typical expat salaries in Italy range from 28,000 to 65,000 euros gross per year (about 30,500 to 71,000 USD) for most professional roles, with senior and specialized positions reaching 80,000 to 110,000 euros or more.
Entry-level and mid-level expat positions in Italy typically pay between 28,000 and 50,000 euros gross per year (roughly 30,500 to 54,500 USD), depending on the industry and city.
Senior managers, specialists, and executives in Italy can earn between 65,000 and 110,000 euros gross per year (about 71,000 to 120,000 USD), with the highest salaries found in Milan's finance, tech, and fashion sectors.
Employers in Italy do sponsor work visas, but it is constrained by the annual quota system (Decreto Flussi), which limits how many non-EU workers can enter each year; the government allocated about 165,000 spots per year for 2026 to 2028.
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What's daily life really like for expats in Italy right now?
What do expats love most about living in Italy right now?
Expats in Italy consistently praise the food culture, the walkable historic cities, and the easy access to mountains, lakes, and beaches within short train rides or drives.
The lifestyle benefit most frequently praised by expats is the social rhythm of Italian life: long dinners, coffee rituals, evening passeggiatas, and a genuine emphasis on enjoying everyday moments.
On the practical side, expats appreciate Italy's strong public healthcare system, the relatively affordable cost of living outside Milan, and the excellent train connections to the rest of Europe.
Socially, expats love how welcoming Italians are to children, how community-oriented neighborhoods feel, and how even ordinary streets are filled with beauty, good food, and a sense of history.
What do expats dislike most about life in Italy right now?
The top complaints from expats living in Italy are the slow and complex bureaucracy, the mismatch between local salaries and housing costs in major cities like Milan, and the inconsistency of public services between northern and southern regions.
The daily inconvenience that frustrates expats the most is dealing with administrative offices that often require multiple visits, unclear instructions, and paperwork that seems to change depending on who you ask.
The biggest bureaucratic headache for expats in Italy is the permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) process, which can take months at the Questura and requires patience, persistence, and sometimes the help of an immigration lawyer.
Most expats find these frustrations manageable rather than deal-breakers, especially once they build local connections and learn how to navigate the system; many say the lifestyle benefits outweigh the administrative hassles.
What are the biggest culture shocks in Italy right now?
The biggest culture shocks for expats moving to Italy include how much happens through personal relationships and in-person follow-up, the different expectations around timelines (where "tomorrow" doesn't always mean tomorrow), and the importance of registering with local authorities to unlock basic services.
The social norm that surprises newcomers the most is how business and bureaucracy often depend on knowing the right person or building rapport before anything gets done efficiently.
The aspect of daily routines that takes the longest for expats to adjust to is the Italian schedule, where shops close for long lunch breaks, dinner rarely starts before 8 or 9 pm, and Sunday is genuinely a day when most things are closed.
We made this infographic to show you how property prices in Italy compare to other big cities across the region. It breaks down the average price per square meter in city centers, so you can see how cities stack up. It’s an easy way to spot where you might get the best value for your money. We hope you like it.
Can I buy a home as a foreigner in Italy in 2026?
Can foreigners legally own property in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, foreigners are generally allowed to buy property in Italy, though non-EU citizens may be subject to a reciprocity principle that depends on their country of origin having a similar agreement with Italy.
For EU and EEA citizens, there are no restrictions on buying any type of property in Italy; for non-EU citizens, most nationalities (including Americans, Canadians, and British citizens) can buy freely, but it's worth checking the reciprocity status for your specific country.
Foreigners in Italy can own apartments, houses, villas, and land, with no specific property types restricted for non-residents, though some rural or agricultural properties may have special rules.
By the way, we've written a blog article detailing the whole property buying process for foreigners in Italy.
What is the average price per m² in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, the average asking price per square meter in Italy varies significantly by city: Milan averages about 5,500 euros (roughly 6,000 USD), Rome about 3,700 euros (roughly 4,000 USD), Florence about 4,700 euros (roughly 5,100 USD), and Bologna about 3,700 euros (roughly 4,000 USD).
Property prices in Italy have trended upward over the past two to three years, especially in Milan and other major northern cities, while prices in southern regions and smaller towns have remained more stable or grown more slowly.
Want to know more? We give you all the details you need about the housing prices in Italy here.
Also, you'll find our latest property market analysis about Italy here.
Do banks give mortgages to foreigners in Italy in 2026?
As of early 2026, mortgages are available to foreigners in Italy, but banks have stricter requirements for non-residents, typically lending only 50 to 60 percent of the property value and requiring a down payment of 40 to 50 percent.
Banks in Italy that commonly offer mortgages to foreigners include Intesa Sanpaolo, UniCredit, and BNL, though availability and terms vary based on your residency status and income currency.
Typical mortgage conditions for foreigners in Italy include a down payment of 40 to 50 percent, interest rates that vary between fixed and variable options (currently ranging from about 2.5 to 4 percent depending on the product), and loan terms of 15 to 25 years.
To qualify for a mortgage in Italy as a foreigner, you typically need a codice fiscale (Italian tax ID), an Italian bank account, proof of stable income (with mortgage payments not exceeding 35 percent of your monthly income), and documentation of your employment or business activity.
You can also read our latest update about mortgage and interest rates in Italy.
Buying real estate in Italy can be risky
An increasing number of foreign investors are showing interest. However, 90% of them will make mistakes. Avoid the pitfalls with our comprehensive guide.
What sources have we used to write this blog article?
Whether it's in our blog articles or the market analyses included in our property pack about Italy, we always rely on the strongest methodology we can … and we don't throw out numbers at random.
We also aim to be fully transparent, so below we've listed the authoritative sources we used, and explained how we used them and the methods behind our estimates.
| Source | Why it's authoritative | How we used it |
|---|---|---|
| ISTAT (Italian National Statistics Institute) | Italy's official statistics agency for inflation and price data. | We used it to anchor 2026 living costs to the latest inflation figures. We then adjusted budget estimates to reflect current price dynamics. |
| OECD Health at a Glance | The OECD standardizes health metrics across countries. | We used it to benchmark Italy's healthcare quality against other nations. We also used it to inform public versus private healthcare expectations. |
| Italian Ministry of the Interior | The government's official source for crime and safety data. | We used it to ground safety information in official reported-crime statistics. We focused on crime types most relevant to expat daily life. |
| Immobiliare.it | Italy's largest property marketplace with transparent price data. | We used it to provide city-level price-per-square-meter signals. We cross-referenced it with official data for accuracy. |
| Agenzia delle Entrate (OMI) | The Italian tax authority's official real estate database. | We used it to anchor property prices to official public records. We combined it with market listings for a complete picture. |
| Unioncamere Excelsior | Official business-chamber system for labor demand indicators. | We used it to identify which industries and profiles are hiring most. We translated the data into expat-relevant job opportunities. |
| Agenzia delle Entrate (Tax) | The tax authority explaining Italian personal income taxation. | We used it to explain how IRPEF works for expats. We combined it with the 2026 Budget Law for current rates. |
| Italian Ministry of the Interior (Immigration) | The government's core explainer for visas and residence permits. | We used it to describe the visa and permit process accurately. We outlined realistic timelines based on official requirements. |
| Eurostat | The EU's official statistics body for cross-country comparisons. | We used it to calibrate Italy's cost level versus other EU countries. We helped expats understand how Italy compares regionally. |
| AGENAS PNE | Italy's national hospital outcomes program backed by public institutions. | We used it to point expats toward evidence-based hospital quality data. We complemented word-of-mouth with measurable performance indicators. |
We have made this infographic to give you a quick and clear snapshot of the property market in Italy. It highlights key facts like rental prices, yields, and property costs both in city centers and outside, so you can easily compare opportunities. We’ve done some research and also included useful insights about the country’s economy, like GDP, population, and interest rates, to help you understand the bigger picture.
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