Is a DIY Relocation to Italy Possible?

As I have mentioned several times in various podcast interviews and articles that I have written, the do-it-yourself route to relocation into Italy can very often be fraught with problems, especially when it comes to compliance. I have had grown adults sob in front of me because of issues they had with taxation and immigration in Italy — simply because they tried to cut corners by doing everything on their own, or worse, taking the advice of a total stranger in an online expat group or forum.

When you relocate to Italy, you need to make peace with the fact that, especially where taxes are concerned, you need to work with a savvy professional. The same is true of immigration — mostly non-EU immigration.

Trying to piece together information found on the internet can often have disastrous consequences, and here is why:

• There is a big difference between the results that a professional can get for you and random information found on the net.
• Very often, the information shared on the internet is not case-specific; therefore, it is usually not in sequence and cannot be applied correctly.
• When you work with a professional, you pay for the convenience of getting the correct information, and most of all, information that is up-to-date.
• Again, a lot of the information shared on online expat platforms is missing pieces. This can really lead to major issues, if someone tries to apply this information to their own specific case.
• Accountability: people don’t appreciate so-called free information. Therefore, people tend to listen and apply the information that they pay for, resulting in better results.
• There is nothing like sitting down one-on-one with a competent professional and being able to ask all the questions you need to feel confident moving forward.

In Italy, especially in real estate, there are a lot of “middlemen” proposing properties. Very often, they are not licensed realtors and should be avoided. It is highly advisable to only work with licensed realtors in Italy; don’t be afraid to do your due diligence to make sure that you are working with a serious and qualified professional.

Some realtors may not speak English well or do not provide a synopsis of the lease contract in English (this applies to renting) — this can lead to a lot of misunderstandings, as essentially one is signing something they don’t completely understand. Make sure you know what is going on.

Don’t Let Low-Cost become High-Cost — A DIY approach to your relocation to Italy could end up costing you dearly. In a country like Italy, where legal battles can continue for decades, make sure that you protect yourself completely, especially when it comes to compliance and renting or buying a property. While it’s tempting to try to save money, dilapidations, for example, can end up being very expensive and could lead you down a rabbit hole that takes forever to get out of.

If you require any case-specific assistance, please feel free to contact me www.damienofarrell.com

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