Quality of Life & Cost of Living in Italy<\/span><\/h2>\nBelieve it or not, it\u2019s simple to live without a car in Italy. <\/span>Public transportation<\/b> in this country is affordable and there are <\/span>inexpensive accommodations<\/b> offered in all major cities, including <\/span>Rome<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nIn Italy, you can have the best espresso, croissants, pasta, cheese, cured meats, olive oil, and wine at <\/span>very affordable<\/b> prices. <\/span>Budget vacations <\/b>can be taken to the mountains or the sea. Beautiful public art and architecture may be found in any community, no matter how big or small.<\/span><\/p>\nAlong with these advantages, it should be noted that Italian <\/span>taxes <\/b>are <\/span>highly expensive<\/b>. As a result, Italy is commonly considered as being among one of the most pricey nations in the EU.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nHere are some common products’ <\/span>average prices<\/b> for you to consider.<\/span><\/p>\n\n- A basic lunch: <\/span>15 Euros<\/b><\/li>\n
- Three-course dinner for two at a mid-range restaurant: <\/span>50 Euros<\/b><\/li>\n
- Coffee: <\/span>1-2 Euros<\/b><\/li>\n
- Mid-range wine bottle: <\/span>5 Euros<\/b><\/li>\n
- Per kg of apples: <\/span>2 Euros<\/b><\/li>\n
- Per kg of local cheese: <\/span>13 euros<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Depending on where you reside, the cost of living varies significantly. The cost of living will be higher if you decide to reside in the <\/span>North<\/b>, however, considering all the aspects, it is clear that Italy has a quite satisfactory quality of life.<\/span><\/p>\nVisa Options<\/span><\/h2>\nWithout the need for visas or permits, citizens of the <\/span>European Union<\/b> are able to live, work, and study in Italy and exercise their right to free movement.<\/span><\/p>\nThere are various visa alternatives available for <\/span>non-EU citizens<\/b> to live in Italy. For instance, the Italian<\/span> Elective Residence Visa<\/b> is appropriate for retirees and workers who already have a sustainable income and wish to live permanently in Italy without being dependent on employment there.<\/span><\/p>\nAn <\/span>investor visa<\/b> is a type of residency program whose principal goal is to promote substantial economic investments within a country in return for enhancing the investor’s ability to relocate there legally. For <\/span>non-EU citizens<\/b>, an <\/span>investor visa program<\/b> may also provide a <\/span>2-year<\/b> renewable <\/span>special resident visa<\/b> that allows freedom of movement throughout the EU.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nGenerally, if you are outside of Italian boundaries, you can only apply for a <\/span>work visa<\/b>. If you are in Italy on a <\/span>visitor’s visa<\/b>, you should leave the country and submit your application at the <\/span>Italian consulate<\/b> in your home country. The time limit for submitting your visa application is <\/span>3 months<\/b> before the day you intend to move to Italy. Furthermore, you may be required to make an appointment with your <\/span>local embassy.<\/b><\/p>\nHow to Manage Finances in Italy?<\/span><\/h2>\nIn Italy, opening a bank account is simple. <\/span>Credit banks, cooperative banks, <\/b>and <\/span>cooperative credit banks<\/b> are the <\/span>3 types<\/b> of institutions to choose from. You should personally visit the bank to open an account.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nDon\u2019t forget to keep your <\/span>residency card or employment contract <\/b>with you, along with your <\/span>passport <\/b>and <\/span>proof of address<\/b>. Besides, your <\/span>tax identification number<\/b> is also required.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nJust like in every financial system, in Italy there are a number of accounts available.<\/span><\/p>\n\n- Conto corrente<\/b> account is used for day-to-day transactions.<\/span><\/li>\n
- Similar to a condo corrente, a <\/span>conto corrente cointestato<\/b> is a joint account you can share with another person.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A joint savings account is called a <\/span>conto di risparmio.<\/b><\/li>\n
- The <\/span>Conto di Deposito<\/b> is a savings account with stricter conditions that offers a higher interest rate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
Long-term expats encourage newcomers to obtain a tax identification number as soon as possible. Everything from filing a <\/span>rental application<\/b> to obtaining a <\/span>local phone number<\/b> should be done as well. Before arriving in Italy, you can apply for this number at an Italian embassy abroad or by going to the<\/span> Italian Revenue Service <\/b>there.<\/span><\/p>\n<\/h2>\nRelocating Household Goods & Pets<\/span><\/h2>\nAs long as you import your household goods within <\/span>6 months<\/b> after moving to Italy and registering as a resident, <\/span>Italian customs<\/b> will allow you <\/span>duty-free entry.<\/b> Many customs documents should be filled out if you are shipping some boxes and carrying a few suitcases. However, if you are an <\/span>EU citizen<\/b>, you will not be required to pay any taxes.<\/span><\/p>\nIf you choose to import a car into Italy, you should be aware that the vehicle would first need to pass inspection and be adjusted to meet European requirements before being registered in Italy.<\/span><\/p>\nItaly is the friendliest country in the world to import <\/span>pets<\/b>. However, there are a range of requirements that need to be met:<\/span><\/p>\n\n- An authentic <\/span>veterinary certificate.<\/b><\/li>\n
- Reliable <\/span>rabies vaccine. <\/b>(You should wait 21 days before entering the country if the rabies vaccination was the first one.)<\/span><\/li>\n
- A <\/span>tattoo <\/b>or a <\/span>microchip <\/b>that complies with <\/span>ISO-11784<\/b> criteria.<\/span><\/li>\n
- A pet also needs to be older than <\/span>3 months<\/b> in order to enter Italian territory.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
How Does the Italian Healthcare System Work?<\/span><\/h2>\nCurrently, the Italian healthcare system is revolutionizing and has skilled, certified staff. While most medical costs are reimbursed, for a little to no fee, you can rely on <\/span>public healthcare services<\/b> to take care of any urgent or minor medical needs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nFurthermore, in Italy, the healthcare system covers prescriptions, diagnostic testing, and medical examinations like mammograms and pap exams. Italians have a life expectancy of <\/span>82 years,<\/b> which is above average and mainly a result of this excellent healthcare system.<\/span><\/p>\nIn order to undertake all registration processes to access the public healthcare system, you need to register with <\/span>local health agencies<\/b>. Moreover, in addition to public insurance, it is popular for citizens to purchase <\/span>private health insurance<\/b> as well.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nThese generally serve as alternatives to public services, which can have long queues and delayed diagnosis times. However, depending on the extent of your coverage, private health insurance in Italy might cost between <\/span>1,000 <\/b>and <\/span>3,000 EUR<\/b> each year.<\/span><\/p>\nWhere to Live in Italy<\/span><\/h2>\nIf you’re still in doubt and haven’t decided which city in Italy suits your preferences perfectly, here is a list of cities you may find interesting.<\/span><\/p>\nVenice<\/span><\/h4>\nThe <\/span>canals <\/b>in Venice are the most distinctive way for many people to discover this magnificent city. Whenever you travel by <\/span>gondola <\/b>or wander farther into the city’s churches, piazzas, and palaces, you can also get a closer look at the remarkable uniqueness of Venetian architecture.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\nGenerally, mist hangs over the city in the <\/span>winter<\/b>, and the absence of tourist crowds can make this a much more personalized experience. This fairytale city never fails to thrill and delight.<\/span><\/p>\nRome<\/span><\/h4>\nRome may be the most fascinating city in Europe to live in, with more than <\/span>2,500 years<\/b> of fascinating history. The capital city is a <\/span>historians’ paradise<\/b> because it is home to numerous <\/span>ancient cathedrals, museums<\/b>, and <\/span>archaeological sites<\/b>. This city’s historical aspects coexist with a <\/span>contemporary vibe<\/b> as well as vibrant art and culture.<\/span><\/p>\nFlorence<\/span><\/h4>\nFlorence is home to many of the most well-known Italian authors and artists. There is so much to see and admire about the city, from the beautiful sights of the <\/span>Palazzo Vecchio<\/b> and the <\/span>Duomo<\/b> to the art museums and winding cobblestone roads.<\/span><\/p>\nNumerous masterpieces of <\/span>Michaelangelo<\/b>, <\/span>Leonardo da Vinci, <\/b>and <\/span>Caravaggio<\/b> can be found in Florence. It is one of the world’s most historically significant and artistically rich cities.<\/span><\/p>\nPublic Transport in Italy<\/span><\/h2>\nItaly has a <\/span>well-developed public transportation system<\/b>, including <\/span>trains<\/b>, <\/span>buses<\/b>