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Digital Nomad Guide to Italy | Digital Nomad Exchange
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Near the Uffizi in Florence

Digital Nomad Life in Italy

By Betsy Burlingame

Summary: Italy is a popular destination for digital nomads. The most popular cities for digital nomads in Italy are Rome, Milan, Florence, and Naples. Digital nomads like living in Italy because of its rich culture, beautiful scenery, and delicious food. A digital nomad can live on a monthly budget of around $1,500 in Italy. The culture of Italy is vibrant and diverse. It is known for its art, music, fashion, and architecture. Italy is also known for its delicious cuisine, which includes pizza, pasta, risotto, and gelato. Other popular dishes include lasagna, focaccia, and tiramisu.

Italian For A While
Italian For A While
Italian For A While
Italian For A While

How do I meet people in Italy?

When we asked people living in Italy about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:

"-For Books try FNAC on Via 20 September -For Curry try the Asian Super Markets along from Porto Antico toward Station Principe -For Ex-Pats try the English Bar off a side street Nr Piazza di Ferrari (on left as you head towards Via Garibaldi," said one expat who made the move to Genoa.

"There are dozens of them - I live close to Florence, so you have theirs, as well. I've made friends who are artists, musicians, businesspeople, retirees...you name it. So I recommend that each person, couple or family explore. Newspapers are abundant, social media even more so. And people drop by all the time. The only way you don't find out what's going on is if you lock yourself inside a building with no internet," explained one foreigner living in Fiesole, Italy.

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What is life like in Italy?

When we asked people living in Italy what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:

"In Procida the residents have a very old mentality and have a general prejudice towards non-resents, especially non-Italians. The opinions are that women do not need to work. The top priorities are taking care of there spouses, cleaning house, and having children. Procida is a very small island that is considered part of Naples. Most of the men work away from home and usually see their husbands 4 months out of the year," said one expat who made the move to Procida.

"Expats and digital nomads in Italy enjoy a vibrant culture and a beautiful countryside filled with some of the best food, wine, and culture in the world. From the rolling hills of Tuscany to the canals of Venice, Italy has something for everyone. In larger cities like Rome and Milan, there is an active nightlife as well as plenty of opportunity for professionals and entrepreneurs who are looking to experience something different. Italy is also host to many popular festivals and cultural events throughout the year which can further enhance the experience of living in the country. With excellent transportation, healthcare, and education services, Italy is an ideal place to live, work, and travel," explained one foreigner living in Italy.

"Good living, socializing, arts and festivals. Good wine town. The true "secret" of Italy is the connections people have with each other. It's also a good way to learn the language...fast," said one in Fiesole.

"Life as an expat in Milan is vibrant and dynamic, characterized by a blend of work and leisure. The city offers numerous cultural attractions, including museums, theaters, and historical landmarks, alongside a lively nightlife scene with bars, clubs, and restaurants," wrote Brian Viola from Italian For A While.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

View More Answers

Italian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Where should I live in Italy?

We asked digital nomads and expats how they chose their neighborhood and found a place to live. They answered:

"When looking for a place to live in Italy, it is important to research the cities and towns that are most suitable for your lifestyle. Consider factors such as climate, cost of living, access to necessary amenities, and commuting times. Websites such as Easy Stanza and Immobiliare provide listings of available apartments, houses and other forms of accommodation, while real estate agencies like Engel & Völkers can provide customized housing searches to match individual preferences and needs. Reading local news sources and exploring the region can also help in finding a place to live that is ideal for you," remarked one member in Italy.

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What do I need to know before moving to Italy?

When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Italy, they said:

"Unless you have connections or otherwise know people here, Arona is a tough place to move to. Prepare to be lonely for a while, and you probably need a car," explained one expat living in Arona, Italy.

"Just come and look around. I never, ever tell someone that "this is the place" for you. I've lived all over Italy and have dozens of "favorite" places to live, work or visit," said one person in Fiesole.

"I found the Milanese reserved, but after a while when they see you want to really integrate yourself in their society, they became really friendly. As far as shopkeepers and medical personnel, they are super. Although I spend most of my time in Suditalia, I really love Milano," said one expat who made the move to Italy.

"Before retiring in Italy, it's important to understand the residency and visa requirements. Also, research the cost of living, which can vary significantly between regions, with northern cities generally being more expensive than southern or rural areas, and consider healthcare services, as access and quality may differ across regions. Finally, it's beneficial to visit potential retirement locations to assess amenities, climate, and community fit," wrote Brian Viola from Italian For A While.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

"It is important to research the cost of living in the area you are looking to retire. Italy is generally a more expensive country to live and certain locations have higher property taxes than other areas. It is also important to research the healthcare system and see if you would need international or private healthcare. It is beneficial to learn some Italian before moving, as English may not be as widely spoken as in other parts of Europe. It is also worth researching the pension and tax system to ensure that the money you receive from home can be used to supplement your income. Consider banking and money transfers, as well as sources of legal advice that may be available for you access. Lastly, researching potential locations for retirement and the amenities and activities in the area can help you make the best decision for you," said one in Italy.

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Italian For A WhileItalian For A While
Connect

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What do people appreciate most about the culture in Italy?

"The warmth of the community I live in, just to be welcomed every day by those familiar faces and their smiles. My partner, who has just been wonderful, gentle and patient; my sister-in-law and in-laws. The antiquity, the church bells, the art, the culture of food and wine, and the living in tune with the seasons," said one expat who made the move to Southern Tuscany.

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Italian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Learn MoreConnect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What do people find most challenging about the culture in Italy?

"The language, sex roles, classism and being an outsider. The language is difficult due to the sentence structures and loads of pronouns. Too much male and female and posturing. It SEEMS as if women are meant to be like a combination of dolls and domestic servants. Classism - if they think you have money, they are extremely nice. If they think you are average or poor then, you are invisible. To me, it seems as if they everyone is concerned with giving the appearance of having money or wealth. Wealthy people are treated as if they are gold and average are treated like pests. Being a perpetual outsider - I am the American woman - when properly identified - so I always feel evaluated. People will watch everything you do, and how you do it. They are very curious and for someone from New York, that can be annoying," explained one expat living in Tuscany, Italy.

"I'd kill for some fresh ginger and a good, hot Indian curry most days! Setting up businesses - the bureaucracy and taxes can be crippling and are changeable. I take my hat off to accountants here," said one person in Southern Tuscany.

"Expats in Italy often find the bureaucratic processes challenging, as they can be time-consuming and complex, requiring patience and persistence. The language barrier and integrating into local communities can also be significant hurdles, especially in smaller towns where fewer people speak English and the community is more tight-knit," wrote Brian Viola from Italian For A While.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

View More Answers

What residency documents or visas did I need if I will be in Italy for a while?

"Depending on the length of your stay in Italy, you may need a Schengen visa or a type D visa. This will be determined by the country of origin and how long you will be staying in Italy. You must also show evidence that you have sufficient financial resources to support yourself during your stay. If you are staying for a longer period of time, you may also need a permit of stay which you can apply for at the local police station once you arrive in Italy," said one person in Italy.

"Prior to moving, obtained a codice fiscal prior to buying a house. We obtained a 1 year visa prior to retiring and applied for residence permit/permesso di soggiorno as soon as we arrived. The process was not difficult, just laborious and confusing at times. You need to learn to cross your t's and dot your eyes. Due to the number of immigrants to Italy, there are many people providing assistance, and other foreign residents are glad to help with the processes," remarked one foreigner who made the move to Minturno.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While
Connect

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What cultural blunders should I try to avoid making in Italy?

We asked people in Italy if they could share any humorous cultural blunders they commited. They wrote:

"Drinking cappuccino after 1pm, not having coffee after dinner, wearing my gym clothes outside of the gym, trying to flag down a taxi (call or go to stands instead)," remarked one member in Florence.

"It is important to be respectful when visiting Italy. Some cultural faux pas you should try to avoid making include not speaking too loudly in public places, as it is considered rude; being punctual when invited to someone's home; avoiding being too familiar or friendly with strangers; not being loud or disrespectful in places of worship; not eating or drinking while walking the streets; and not increasingly gesticulating when speaking," explained one expat living in Italy.

"Numerous, but I don't care because I am the perpetual outsider - the American. I live my life around diversity, being multiracial. I am different and if I am living here, I not only want to absorb but also share. Had people not shared in the past, the Jewish community would have kept that awesome coffee to themselves," said one person in Tuscany.

"All the time, probably... I walk around barefoot in my house, without slippers on. I asked if I could "Sweep the Floor" for someone. Oh...that's right...I mixed my spinach contorno (side dish) into my spaghetti. I was audibly gasped at," said one expat who made the move to Southern Tuscany.

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Italian For A WhileItalian For A While
Connect

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What are healthcare services like in Italy?

When we asked expats and global nomads about the quality of medical care in Italy, they replied:

"If in serious health...seek English speaking private physician..."you get what you pay for"," wrote one digital nomad living in Italy.

"Healthcare services in Italy are provided by both public and private institutions. The public healthcare system is managed by the Ministry of Health and is funded by the government. It is generally of high quality and is available to all Italian citizens and foreign residents. Expats in Italy can use the public healthcare system by registering with the local health authority and obtaining a health card. This card allows them to access the same services as Italian citizens, including free or discounted medical care, hospitalization, and prescription drugs. Private healthcare is also available in Italy, and many expats opt to use private services for more specialized care," said one foreigner in Italy.

"Healthcare services in Italy are generally of high quality, with a public system providing comprehensive coverage to residents. Public healthcare includes general practitioner services, hospital care, and specialist treatments, often with minimal out-of-pocket costs. However, wait times for non-urgent procedures can be long and that's the reason why many expats and Italians opt for private health insurance to access private healthcare facilities, which offer faster service and more comfort," wrote Brian Viola from Italian For A While.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

I am a language immersion traveler—after a Gap Year in Australia, I began working to encourage this experience in my own country: Italy!

Click connect to have our partner, Brian, contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

View More Answers

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While
Connect

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

What are the pros and cons of living in Italy?

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the rich culture and history of Italy, as well as the delicious food and wine. They also enjoy the relaxed lifestyle and the friendly people. On the other hand, some expats and digital nomads find the bureaucracy and paperwork involved in living in Italy to be overwhelming and time-consuming. Additionally, the cost of living in Italy can be quite high, making it difficult for some to afford," explained one digital nomad living in Italy.

"I love the area, the location allows you to live outside a city but within 20 minutes of the city, the sea, and the skiing. The people are kind and the food is fantastic. The problem, with Italy in general, is it is hard to get mortgages or loans, even for natives. The banking system is very flawed," said one member in Rapino.

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Italian For A WhileItalian For A While
Connect

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

Italian For A WhileItalian For A While

Become ‘Italian for a While’ with IFA! Learn in Italy on a 1-week to 12-month program - open to students, young adults, graduates, digital nomads, professionals, groups, faculty-led programs, and more. Take courses at an accredited school while immersing yourself in the language, life, and culture among your international peers. Submit an inquiry with IFA to learn more.
Connect

Click connect to have our partner contact you via e-mail and/or phone.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame Betsy Burlingame is one of the founders of Digital Nomad Exchange and the Founder and President of Expat Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange and Digital Nomad Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.

Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.

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Near the Uffizi in Florence
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Learn More

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Learn More

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