How to Move to Italy from the USA in 2026

Thousands of Americans are trading high property taxes and healthcare costs for the Italian dolce vita. But moving to Italy from the US isn't as simple as packing a bag and hopping on a flight to Rome. As a non-EU citizen, you need to navigate the Italian immigration system.

Step 1: Understand Your Visa Options

Americans can stay in Italy (and the Schengen Zone) for 90 days out of every 180 days without a visa. If you want to live in Italy full-time, you need a long-stay visa (Visa Nazionale D). The most common visas for Americans are:

Elective Residency Visa (ERV)

Perfect for retirees. You must prove a passive income (pension, dividends, rental income) of at least €32,000/year (for individuals) without needing to work in Italy.

Digital Nomad Visa

Newly launched in 2024! If you are a highly skilled worker earning at least ~€28,000/year remotely for a non-Italian company, you can now apply.

Step 2: Can an American Buy Property in Italy?

Yes. You do not need a visa to buy a house in Italy. Thanks to a reciprocity agreement between the US and Italy, Americans have the same property rights as Italians.

To buy a house, you will need:

A Codice Fiscale (Italian tax code). You can get this at your local Italian Consulate in the US before you even leave.
An Italian bank account (highly recommended, though some workarounds exist via currency transfer services).
A valid passport.

The €1 House Strategy for Americans

Many Americans use the €1 House programs to secure a cheap property in Italy, which they then use as their primary address when applying for the Elective Residency Visa.

Step 3: Healthcare for Americans in Italy

As an American, you are not immediately entitled to free Italian healthcare. During your first year on a visa, you must purchase private health insurance (which usually costs around $400-$800 per year, far cheaper than the US). Once you become a permanent resident, you can enroll in the SSN...

Step 4: Taxes (The FATCA Rule)

The US taxes based on citizenship, meaning you must still file US taxes even if you live in Italy. Italy has a double taxation treaty with the US to prevent you from paying tax twice on the same income. Furthermore, Italy offers a 7% flat tax regime for American retirees who move to the south...

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How to Move to Italy from the USA