Relocation and Life in Italy

Pre-relocation service in Italy

An international relocation is an important step in life that requires, from those providing technical and legal support, solid preparation, organization, resources and knowledge of laws and administrative practices. The entire international relocation process is handled by the International Law Firm Boschetti, with all these requirements in place. Our goal is to accompany foreign citizens, Italians returning from abroad and families who choose our country as their new residence, and who wish to face the relocation with peace of mind and security.

The first chapter of an international relocation is the pre-relocation service in Italy, which serves to create the foundations of the entire project. This service includes essential activities such as assistance in finding temporary accommodation, identifying the documents necessary to enter Italy for a short period (for example, in order to apply for a business visa if the country of origin is not exempt from the visa requirement), and preparing the procedures that will need to be faced in Italy once the final relocation has taken place.

Our support is characterized by extreme attention to detail: everything is carefully planned to facilitate our clients’ arrival, avoiding bureaucratic obstacles that could slow down work or social integration.

Why pre-relocation in Italy is important in an international relocation process

Pre-relocation in Italy allows the person to directly experience a reality that until then was only imagined. During this phase it is possible to visit places in person, live immediate impressions and check whether expectations match the actual reality. This direct experience also makes it possible to discover aspects that had not been considered, such as dealings with local administrative offices or daily life in the chosen neighborhood. Physical presence also facilitates several practical stages of the assignment, particularly the search for housing.

In the case of a purchase, in fact, it is essential that the person is present at least for the signing of the preliminary contract. With rentals, direct presence is crucial to gain the trust of the landlord who must hand over the use of their property.

Our relocation service for individuals and families always begins with the completion of a questionnaire and an initial personalized consultation aimed at identifying the specific needs of each client: from the professional moving for work reasons, to the international student, to families seeking harmonious integration into Italian society, or the retiree who wants to spend the rest of their life in Italy.

Only after carrying out these steps will we be in a position to plan the entire relocation project, starting with pre-relocation in Italy.

Unlike standard companies dealing with international relocation, the International Law Firm Boschetti is able to combine in a single entity both the logistical side and the legal and administrative side, both of which are indispensable.

On this last front, we provide advice in immigration law, registry law for foreigners, tax, fiscal and social security law, real estate law, as well as in matters of health protection (registration with the National Health Service, health card, assignment of a general practitioner, etc.). Each phase of the relocation is coordinated with the others, according to a personalized and scheduled program, whose goal is to transform a complex process such as international relocation into a simple and stress-free experience.

Pre-relocation scouting trips

One of the most useful tools of the pre-relocation service in Italy is the possibility of organizing scouting trips. These visits make it possible to preview cities, neighborhoods and properties, so as to consciously choose the future residence. These are not simple tourist visits, but guided experiences with practical and informative purposes.

During these trips, our firm’s staff coordinates meetings with trusted real estate agencies, visits to municipal offices and orientation on essential local services such as schools, hospitals, public offices and transportation links. In this way, the client can gain a precise idea of daily life in Italy and make informed decisions on where to settle, being able to experience firsthand the reality of places previously only imagined.

A well-organized scouting trip reduces the risk of mistakes, such as choosing accommodation in areas that are too chaotic or noisy, or otherwise unsuitable for one’s family or professional needs. The client can experience this stage in person, without completely delegating such a crucial phase as the choice of the city, neighborhood and house to live in.

For families we also organize visits to schools and meetings with local operators, in order to evaluate the educational offer and support services available. For professionals, on the other hand, we arrange meetings with tax and labor consultants. This targeted approach makes it possible to anticipate bureaucratic obstacles and to prepare each step with greater peace of mind.

Although we follow a common protocol for each relocation case, it must be acknowledged that each case presents unique specifics. Our services are shaped around the needs of the individual client, in a constructive dialogue where specific requests are integrated with the solutions we propose. Our approach always favors the most effective and practical paths, guiding the client toward choices that, while respecting their preferences, avoid the critical issues that some options could entail.

Relocation consultancy in Italy

Every relocation, as mentioned, is unique: this is why the firm offers a personalized consultancy service for relocation in Italy. Even before starting official procedures, we carry out a thorough analysis of the client’s situation: marital status, nationality, professional goals, housing and family needs.

The consultancy covers both foreign citizens intending to settle in Italy and Italians returning from abroad. In both cases, preventive management is essential to avoid regulatory conflicts or bureaucratic gaps. For example, those returning from abroad must carefully assess the effects of registration with AIRE and the methods for reacquiring residence in Italy without losing tax or social security benefits.

For foreigners, we clarify the requirements for obtaining the correct visa, the possible residence permit and the timelines for registry registration. We also provide support in reviewing lease contracts, registering residence or domicile, and in the procedures for obtaining the identity card and tax code. In addition, we provide assistance in registering with the National Health Service and applying for the health card.

Relocation planning must also take into account the tax aspects connected to the client’s personal situation, since the change of residence inevitably entails changes in the applicable tax regime, with potential implications on income taxation, asset regime and reporting obligations. Proper management of these aspects, through a preliminary analysis of the tax situation and the planning of optimal tax strategies, makes it possible, on the one hand, to avoid double taxation, penalties for non-compliance and to maximize the tax benefits available in the different jurisdictions involved in the relocation, and, on the other hand, to assess the possibility of accessing tax incentives.

Our goal is to build a clear and realistic plan, guiding the client step by step. Consultancy is provided in simple and accessible language, not only in Italian but also in English, Spanish or Portuguese. With our support, relocating to Italy ceases to be a leap in the dark and becomes a well-defined and well-managed project.

Tax and legal consultancy

In the project of relocating to Italy it is essential to understand the tax and legal implications related to one’s new status. Boschetti Law Firm supports clients in assessing tax residence, analyzing income earned abroad and in wealth planning.

For those relocating from abroad, one of the most delicate aspects concerns double taxation. Thanks to the international treaties signed by Italy, it is possible to avoid paying taxes twice on the same income. We offer targeted consultancy that explains how to correctly apply these rules and which documents are necessary to prove one’s position.

Our consultancy also extends to identifying the most advantageous favorable tax regime for each client. The new residents regime provides for a flat tax of 200,000 euros per year on foreign income (valid for 15 years), while the impatriates regime offers reduced taxation of 50% for qualified workers who commit to residing in Italy for at least four years. For holders of foreign pensions relocating to municipalities in Southern Italy with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants, a 7% flat tax on foreign income is available for 9 consecutive years. In addition, tax consultancy also concerns real estate purchase practices and possible tax benefits, including the “first home” benefit.

Depending on the case, we work either directly or in synergy with trusted accountants, experts in international tax law, and are able to assist clients with complex assets or business activities, ensuring a thorough evaluation of the specific requirements for each favorable regime and optimizing the tax benefits provided by Italian regulations through an integrated and personalized approach.

Support in managing bureaucratic procedures

One of the main obstacles for those who choose to relocate to Italy is dealing with bureaucracy, which in Italy is a real challenge for anyone. For this reason, our practical and legal support service covers all the necessary administrative steps.

We handle, for example, applications for the tax code, registry registration with the Municipality, obtaining the identity card and registration with the National Health Service. For non-EU foreigners, we carefully follow the procedures related to the residence permit, renewals and any appeals in case of refusal. In real estate matters we also assist clients with opening a bank account and applying for a mortgage. For families, we also handle children’s school enrollment and lease contract registration. For professionals, we offer a package that includes opening a VAT number, registration with INPS and INAIL, as well as support in signing commercial contracts.

Our team also performs sworn translations, legalizations and apostilles, since documentation issued abroad must always be validly recognized in Italy. In addition to translations, we provide interpreting services, since in many cases, if requested as part of the assignment, we personally accompany clients to public offices, ensuring effective communication even in the presence of language barriers.

Another crucial aspect concerns timelines: thanks to our experience, we ensure that every step is completed within the deadlines, thus offering maximum peace of mind to the client.

Typical scenarios / Case studies

The typical scenarios have been developed by drawing on the most significant corporate immigration cases that the firm regularly handles, with the aim of creating structured, complex examples that help the reader navigate their own situation. The case studies, by contrast, illustrate individual real-life matters, anonymised to protect client confidentiality, presented with full factual and contextual detail.

Relocation

US professional chooses Italy: elective residence obtained and future planned

American professional obtains an elective residence visa while maintaining ties with the USA. Integrated assistance from legal strategy to property search..

Application completed in approximately 3 months without additional requests

Read the full case

Business

US opera singer obtains work authorization in 7 days

American opera singer with contracts already signed with an Italian theatre. Self employment work authorization obtained on an urgent basis to meet professional commitments.

Work authorization issued within 7 days from submission of the application

Read the full case

Real Estate

US client purchases property in Rome: secure transaction

American client assisted in the purchase of a property in Rome. Urban planning issues and contractual risks identified and resolved before signing, transaction completed through notarial power of attorney.

Purchase completed within one month, entirely managed remotely

Read the full case

Business

American investor: from New York to a villa in Tuscany

Cross-border property transaction with full relocation service. Purchase of a high-end property, with tax status, residency and NHS registration handled remotely.

Complete relocation service, from property due diligence to handing over the keys

Read the full case

Retirement

Canadian couple, retirement property in Puglia

From Toronto to the Itria Valley. Purchase of a farmhouse with cadastral issues, 7% flat tax on foreign pensions, elective residence visa and healthcare transition.

7% flat tax activated, cadastral issues resolved before the deed of sale

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Business

British entrepreneur, opening a business in Milan

Post-Brexit, a London-based tech entrepreneur establishes an operational headquarters in Milan. Immigration pathway as a non-EU national, company incorporation, and tax planning.

European operational hub established with self-employment visa successfully obtained

Read the full case

Tax Planning

Swiss retiree: 7% flat tax regime in Southern Italy

A banking executive relocates from Zurich to Calabria. Management of the Swiss occupational pension pillar, Italy-Switzerland Tax Convention, and deregistration from the cantonal tax register.

7% flat tax activated on all foreign-sourced income

Read the full case

Retirement

American couple: retirement project in Abruzzo with visa and flat tax

From Connecticut to Abruzzo. Elective residency visa, 7% flat tax coordinated with IRS and FATCA obligations, and transition from Medicare to the Italian NHS (SSN).

7% flat tax activated on Social Security and 401(k) pension income

Read the full case

Relocation

German couple, from Munich to Tropea

Retired engineers from the Bavarian automotive sector. Multi-tier pension management, Italy-Germany Tax Convention, and the 7% preferential tax regime.

Three German pension pillars optimised with Italian flat tax

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Business

Startup tech: apertura filiale italiana per il mercato EU

A Bay Area SaaS company establishes a Milan headquarters. Innovative startup SRL, EU Blue Card for the team, transfer pricing, impatriates tax regime, and GDPR compliance.

Operational within 5 months, payroll cost −35% with impatriates tax regime

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Business

Fashion brand, representative office in Milan

Brand premium newyorkese apre presidio a Milano. Strutturazione per evitare stabile organizzazione, trasferimento direttrice creativa e gestione showroom.

Rischio stabile organizzazione prevenuto, presidio EU operativo

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Corporate

Manufacturing company, ICT transfers to Italy

Multinazionale giapponese trasferisce 3 figure chiave in Piemonte. Permessi ICT per manager e specialista, coordinamento consolare e regime impatriati per tutti i dipendenti.

3 trasferimenti completati in 4 mesi e mezzo, linea produttiva avviata nei tempi previsti

Read the full case

How the International Law Firm Boschetti can help you with the pre-relocation service in Italy

Facing an international relocation without assistance can turn into a complicated and obstacle-filled path. With our pre-relocation service in Italy, the International Law Firm Boschetti guarantees complete and personalized support aimed at building the foundations of the international relocation project. We assist you, in this phase, to allow you to personally assess the exact place where to relocate: city, neighborhood, every variable must be considered in advance.

Our method is based on:

Preliminary analysis of the client’s situation, through a very detailed questionnaire and one or more orientation video calls
Personalized planning of the relocation path, after acceptance of the estimate, with suggestions about the fundamental assets of the relocation (region, city, neighborhood, type of property, etc.)
Assistance in finding housing suitable for family and professional needs, for temporary or long-term stays, and possibly identifying the dream property to purchase
Support in bureaucratic procedures related to visas, permits, registry registration, tax code and National Health Service; every relationship with the Public Administration is made easy thanks to our support
Tax and legal consultancy to avoid double taxation and assess the possibility of accessing tax benefits, as well as to plan all aspects concerning the payment of taxes in Italy

Thanks to our experience with clients from all over the world, we know the practical and bureaucratic difficulties that may arise and we know how to anticipate them. We work with transparency, clarity and speed, transforming relocation into an orderly and safe path.

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Via dei Gracchi, 151
00192 Roma – Italy

info@italyvisainvestments.com
Tel: + 39 – 06 889 21971

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Foreign pensioners in Italy: how the 7% flat tax regime works and who can access it

The 7% flat tax regime allows individuals receiving pensions from foreign entities to transfer their tax residence to a municipality in Southern Italy (with fewer than 20,000 inhabitants) and apply a 7% substitute tax on all foreign-source income for nine tax years.

Eligible municipalities are located in Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, and Puglia, as well as certain municipalities affected by the 2009 earthquake. The regime applies to all categories of foreign-source income. The option is exercised in the tax return, indicating the chosen municipality of residence.

Registered residence in Italy but tax residence abroad: is it possible and what does it imply?

This is a potentially risky situation. Registration in the Italian population registry creates a presumption of tax residence in Italy, with the obligation to declare worldwide income. This presumption can be rebutted by demonstrating that tax residence is abroad, including through registration with the AIRE or under applicable double taxation treaties, but the burden of proof remains on the taxpayer.

The Italian Revenue Agency may assess these situations based on objective factors. The presence of personal or economic ties in Italy may affect the determination of tax residence. It is therefore advisable to define one’s tax position in advance and prepare adequate supporting documentation, also considering tools such as advance rulings.

Health card for foreign nationals with elective residence: how to obtain it and what it covers?

Foreign nationals holding a residence permit for elective residence may enroll in the Italian National Health Service (SSN) on a voluntary basis, subject to payment of an annual contribution. Enrollment grants access to healthcare services under the same conditions as SSN beneficiaries, including general practitioners, specialist care, and hospital treatment.

The annual contribution is calculated based on total income and cannot be lower than €387.34. Alternatively, private health insurance may be used, provided it meets the requirements for residence in Italy.

New residents regime vs inbound workers regime: which is more advantageous and what are the requirements?

The new residents regime (Art. 24-bis TUIR) provides for a flat tax of €200,000 per year on all foreign-source income, regardless of the amount. The inbound workers regime (Art. 16 of Legislative Decree 147/2015) allows a reduced taxation on employment income produced in Italy. They are designed for different profiles.

The new residents regime is suitable for individuals with very high foreign income who do not work in Italy. The inbound workers regime is intended for those who move to Italy for work and have not been tax resident there in the previous two years. They are only partially compatible. The choice should be made before relocating.

Relocation: why are due diligence and real estate advisory crucial before purchasing?

Because the Italian real estate market presents specific risks that foreign buyers may not be aware of: unauthorized building works not regularized, outstanding mortgages, cadastral discrepancies, landscape restrictions, and undisclosed easements. Technical and legal due diligence carried out before signing the preliminary agreement allows these issues to be identified while it is still possible to renegotiate or withdraw.

Specialized real estate advisory for foreign clients also includes urban planning checks, verification of systems compliance, independent property valuation, and assistance in negotiations. Purchasing without these checks exposes the buyer to unexpected costs and post-acquisition disputes.