Italy has long been one of the most romantic international relocation destinations for UK nationals — and its appeal shows no sign of fading. From the business dynamism of Milan to the cultural richness of Rome and Florence, the coastal beauty of the Amalfi Coast and Puglia, and the agricultural paradise of Tuscany, Italy offers a diversity of lifestyle options that few countries can match. Post-Brexit, some new paperwork is involved — but the process is manageable, and the reward is well worth it.
Why Londoners Move to Italy
- Lifestyle — la dolce vita is not a cliché: Italy’s combination of food, family culture, design, art and a slower daily rhythm is a genuine and profound alternative to London life
- Property value — outside Milan and central Rome, Italian property offers extraordinary value. Entire villages in Calabria, Molise and Abruzzo have offered homes for €1; Tuscany and Umbria offer stunning properties at a fraction of equivalent UK costs
- Flat tax regime — Italy’s Flat Tax for New Residents allows qualifying high-net-worth individuals to pay a flat €100,000 annual tax on all foreign-source income, regardless of amount — an extremely attractive regime for wealthy UK residents
- Retirees’ dream — Italy’s climate, food, pace and culture make it one of the most popular retirement destinations for UK nationals
- Art and culture — Italy contains more UNESCO World Heritage Sites than any other country. Living here means daily proximity to some of the world’s greatest art, architecture and history
Italy’s Regions: Choosing Where to Live
Milan (Lombardy) — Italy’s business and finance capital. Fashion, design, banking and manufacturing. More like a northern European city in pace and culture. The strongest job market in Italy.
Rome (Lazio) — Italy’s capital and a global cultural monument. Government, diplomacy, tourism, media and culture. Historic but complex to navigate bureaucratically.
Florence (Tuscany) — Art, design, academia and tourism. A beautiful city but relatively small and focused. Popular with academics, artists and cultural professionals. Tuscany’s countryside draws retirees and remote workers.
Bologna (Emilia-Romagna) — Italy’s food capital, one of its oldest universities, left-leaning, cosmopolitan. More affordable than Milan or Rome. Growing startup scene.
Naples (Campania) — Chaotic, vibrant, deeply Italian. Gateway to the Amalfi Coast, Pompeii and the islands. Much cheaper than the north. A rich cultural and culinary experience.
Puglia / Calabria / Sicily — The south. Dramatically cheaper property and living costs, warm climate, outstanding food, slower pace. Popular for retirement and remote working. Infrastructure less developed than the north.
Post-Brexit: Visa and Residency for UK Nationals in Italy
UK nationals moving to Italy for more than 90 days need a long-stay Italian visa (visto nazionale, Type D). Options include:
Elective residency visa — for those with sufficient passive income (pension, investments, rental income) to support themselves without working in Italy. Minimum income approximately €31,000/year for a single person.
Work visa — requires an Italian employer to sponsor your application; subject to annual quotas.
Self-employment visa — for freelancers and entrepreneurs establishing an Italian business.
Flat tax regime — not a visa category, but a tax regime available to new Italian residents who have not been resident in Italy for 9 of the previous 10 years. Requires transferring tax residency to Italy. Speak to an Italian tax adviser (commercialista).
Apply through the Italian consulate in London. Processing times vary significantly by visa type and consulate workload.
After arrival:
- Register at your local Comune (Anagrafe office) within 20 days
- Apply for your Italian residence permit (permesso di soggiorno) at the local Questura
- Obtain your Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code) — needed for virtually all official and financial transactions
Planning Your Move: Timeline
14 weeks before — Begin visa application; allow 8–12 weeks for processing of some categories. 10 weeks before — Book your removal, begin decluttering. 6 weeks before — Gather customs documents, obtain Codice Fiscale from Italian consulate. 4 weeks before — Begin packing, notify HMRC (form P85), notify bank and utility providers.
Cost of Moving from London to Italy
| Service type | Estimated cost | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Part-load (shared) | £600 – £1,200 | Studios, 1-bed flats, personal effects |
| Full-load (dedicated van) | £1,500 – £3,200 | 2-bed+ homes, full households |
| Professional packing add-on | £250 – £700 | Full household packing by our team |
Milan, Rome, Florence, Bologna, Naples and all Italian cities and regions covered. Get a free fixed-price quote for your removals to Italy.
London to Italy: Transit Times
| Destination | Estimated transit time |
|---|---|
| Milan | 3–4 working days |
| Florence | 4–5 working days |
| Rome | 4–5 working days |
| Naples | 5–6 working days |
| Sicily / Sardinia | 6–8 working days |
Tips for a Smooth London to Italy Removal
Get your Codice Fiscale before you arrive. You can apply for it at the Italian consulate in London. You need it for opening a bank account, signing a lease, buying a SIM card and countless other transactions. Arriving without one causes delays.
Italian bureaucracy requires patience. Italy’s administrative processes are famously slow and complex. Build time buffers into every stage — permit applications, utility registrations, school enrolments. Factor this into your timeline planning.
Learn Italian before you move. Unlike northern European countries, English is not widely spoken outside tourist areas and the Milan business community. Even basic Italian makes an enormous difference in daily life and local integration.
Ready to Move? Get a Free Quote Today
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Frequently Asked Questions: Moving from London to Italy
Do I need a visa to move from London to Italy after Brexit?
Yes, for stays over 90 days. The most common options are the Elective Residency Visa (for those with passive income), the Work Visa and the Self-Employment Visa. Apply through the Italian consulate in London — allow 8–12 weeks for processing.
What is the Codice Fiscale and do I need it?
The Codice Fiscale is Italy’s tax identification code. You need it for opening a bank account, signing a tenancy agreement, paying taxes, buying a SIM card and most official interactions. Apply for it at the Italian consulate in London before you move.
How much does it cost to live in Italy compared to London?
Significantly less in most regions. Milan is Italy’s most expensive city but remains cheaper than London for equivalent housing. Southern Italy and rural Tuscany are dramatically cheaper. Food, dining and everyday services are substantially lower than in London across all regions.
What is Italy’s Flat Tax for New Residents?
Italy’s Flat Tax regime allows qualifying new residents to pay a fixed €100,000 per year on all foreign-source income, regardless of the actual amount. It is available for 15 years and is particularly attractive to high-net-worth individuals with significant investment or passive income. Speak to an Italian commercialista (tax adviser) before applying.
How long does a removal from London to Italy take?
Transit times range from 3–4 working days to Milan and 5–6 days to Rome and Naples. Sicily and Sardinia require additional ferry transit and typically take 6–8 working days.
Ready to move? Our team handles the full process: packing, customs and delivery.