10 Internet Mistruths About Italy
The arrival of the internet has been amazing and has allowed us to have access to more information than we know what to do with. That said, there is also a lot of information on the internet, especially related to relocating to Italy, which is simply wrong, and if someone follows this information, they could end up dealing with a lot of unpleasant issues.
Here are ten examples of myths about Italy that you can find on the internet that I would like to dispel.
1. Just because a non-EU citizen buys a property in Italy or participates in one of the €1 home schemes, this does not give them the right to a long term stay visa for Italy. If they wish to stay beyond the 90 days allowed through the relevant visa or the visa-free travel program, they will need to apply for a long-term visa to live and/or work permanently in Italy.
2. Another piece of wrong information floating around on the internet is that you can apply for a visa in Italy; visas are issued in the applicant’s home country or country of residence.
3. Italy is very cheap — certain things in Italy, like fresh produce, wine, and public transport, are very cheap in comparison to other countries. However, if you live in a first-tier city like Milan or Rome, you will find that rents, especially in comparison to local salaries, are very high — notably for very sought-after properties.
4. If you overstay the permitted 90 days in Italy, nothing will happen. With the soon-to-be-introduced ETIAS travel system and given that Italy’s immigration is tied to that of its fellow Schengen members, overstaying is now being caught much more easily than it was in the past. It is no longer 1995 — overstaying your legal permitted time in Italy is highly inadvisable.
5. If your landlord does not fix something, all you have to do is withhold the rent. This is not a good idea, and you could end up with more problems to deal with. If someone you do not know advises you to do this on the internet, do not listen to them. Seek professional counsel if you have any tenancy issues.
6. Buying a €1 house will be a bucolic dream. These properties are normally located in remote areas, have little or no employment opportunities, and are most of the time located far from medical facilities. Before buying one of these properties, it is highly advisable to come on a look-see trip and to engage the services of local experts such as a lawyer, accountant, and surveyor to avoid any unpleasant surprises down the line.
7. Getting an Italian driving license is a breeze. Unless you come from a country that has a reciprocal agreement with Italy, thus allowing you to exchange your license, you will need to take the Italian driving test, which is only available in Italian; French and German are also available upon request. You can drive on your non-exchangeable license for up to one year from when you become an Italian resident.
8. You can run a business without an accountant. Given the complexities of the Italian tax system and the fact that you may not speak Italian well, having a savvy accountant follow your taxes is highly advisable.
9. As an EU citizen, you are entitled to free health care. Your EU health card will cover you for emergencies for stays of up to 90 days, after which, if you are living in Italy permanently, you will need to show the Italian health authorities that you are paying into the system, either through subordinate work, self-employment, or a voluntary yearly contribution.
10. You can do what you want, and no one will care. While it’s true that there is a certain flexibility in Italy in comparison to other countries, it is no longer 1995, so we are all under the microscope a lot more when it comes to financial transactions, immigration controls, and random spot checks by the police on the road.
NB: I would like to point out that the information shared on platforms such as expat groups and blogs should never be interpreted or relied upon as solid, accurate professional information or legal counsel. The information shared is normally of a general nature, and, as such, should not be applied to a specific situation without proper due diligence being carried out.
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