Residency & Visas

EU Citizens Moving to Italy: It's Easy, But Not Automatic

Freedom of movement means you can live in Italy. It doesn't mean Italy knows you exist. EU citizens still need to register, prove health coverage or employment, and navigate a bureaucracy that assumes you already know how everything works. This guide covers what you actually need to do, in what order, and how long it really takes.

Freedom of Movement

As an EU citizen, you have the right to live and work in any EU member state. This includes:

All 27 EU member states
EEA countries (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein)
Switzerland (separate agreement)

You don't need a visa. You don't need permission to enter. You can stay as long as you like, provided you meet certain conditions after the first 3 months.

The catch: Freedom of movement isn't the same as freedom from bureaucracy. Italy still requires registration, documentation, and compliance with local rules. You have the right to be here,but Italy needs to know you're here.

What You Must Do

For stays over 90 days, EU citizens must:

Requirements

1.
Register with the Comune
Within 90 days of arrival, at your local town hall (Anagrafe office).
2.
Demonstrate Sufficient Resources
Employment, self-employment, pension, or adequate savings to support yourself.
3.
Have Health Coverage
Through employment, S1 form from home country, or private insurance.
4.
Have an Address
Proof of where you're living (ownership, rental contract, or host declaration).

Registration Process

The registration (iscrizione anagrafica) happens at your local comune:

Step 1: Gather Documents

Valid passport or national ID card
Codice fiscale (get this first if you don't have one)
Proof of address (contratto di affitto, deed, or dichiarazione di ospitalità)
Proof of resources (employment contract, pension statement, bank statements)
Proof of health coverage (EHIC, S1, private insurance, or Italian SSN enrollment)

Step 2: Visit the Anagrafe

Book an appointment (appuntamento) at the Ufficio Anagrafe in your comune. Some towns allow walk-ins; others have multi-week waits for appointments. Call ahead or check their website.

Step 3: The Visit

Present your documents. The clerk will review everything, possibly ask for clarifications, and,if all is in order,register your residency. You'll receive an attestato di iscrizione (registration certificate) that proves your legal residence.

Step 4: Vigile Visit

A local police officer (vigile) will visit your registered address to verify you actually live there. This can happen days or weeks after registration. You (or someone) needs to be present to confirm residence.

Health Coverage

You must have health coverage to register. Options depend on your situation:

Employed in Italy

Your employer registers you with INPS, which gives you access to the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale).

Pensioner from Another EU Country

Apply for an S1 form from your home country's health authority. This entitles you to Italian healthcare at your home country's expense.

Self-Employed or Sufficient Resources

Either enroll voluntarily in the SSN (iscrizione volontaria,annual fee around €400-€2,000) or maintain comprehensive private health insurance.

Short-Term/Transitional

Your EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) covers emergency care but isn't sufficient for residency registration. You need comprehensive coverage.

See: Healthcare Guide for Foreigners →

Realistic Timeline

How long does the whole process take? It varies, but realistically:

Get codice fiscale1 day – 2 weeks
Secure accommodationVariable
Get anagrafe appointment1 day – 4 weeks
Registration appointment1-2 hours
Wait for vigile visit1 day – 4 weeks
Total (optimistic to realistic)2 weeks – 3 months

Small towns are often faster than cities. Having all documents ready is the biggest accelerator. Missing one thing can add weeks.

UK Citizens (Post-Brexit)

If you're a UK citizen, freedom of movement no longer applies. Since Brexit, UK citizens are treated as non-EU nationals for immigration purposes.

This means UK citizens now need:

A visa to stay longer than 90 days (typically elective residency or work visa)
To apply from the UK before traveling
To meet the specific requirements of their visa category

The 90-day tourist limit applies to the entire Schengen Area, not just Italy. You cannot "reset" by visiting another Schengen country.

See: Visa Options for Non-EU Citizens →

The Bottom Line

EU citizenship makes moving to Italy straightforward,but not effortless. Budget time for bureaucracy, get your codice fiscale early, sort out health coverage before registration, and have all your documents ready before that first comune appointment. The right to live here is yours; the paperwork is just how Italy acknowledges it.

Navigating Italian bureaucracy is easier with someone who's done it

The retreat includes sessions on residency, healthcare, and tax setup with professionals who handle these processes daily. Four days to get your questions answered in person.

Learn about the retreat

Or book a free call to discuss your situation.