Moving to Italy

Italy’s appeal is universal, and the inspiration to move to Italy is never just about a job.

The reasons for wanting to expatriate to Italy may be different - the fine arts, the passionate language, the romantic poetry, the epic history or the excellent architecture, but one thing is for sure: Italy leaves everyone mesmerized.

There's something for everyone in Italy: you can marvel at the masterpieces left by the Italian maestros Michelangelo, Raphael and Botticelli, find comfort in gelato and pizza as it is meant to be made, ride in a gondola, or admire Prada handbags.

As of 2009, Italy is home to the greatest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, with forty-four venues.

So, what's the drawback of moving to Italy?

Two things: visa and work permit. With the influx of migrant workers seen by some as a threat to Italy's economic growth, Italy has implemented stricter rules. Italy's immigration statistics show that there are 4.288 million expats.

If you have citizenship from an EU country you have the right to live and work in Italy. For non-EU residents the Italian process is bureaucratic to obtain a visa. Acquiring a visa is a major hurdle in trying to stay or work in Italy.

For those with dual citizenship like Italian American citizenship, there is no need to obtain a Permesso di Soggiorno (PdiS), the most important document for foreigners. All other nationalities need this document to legally reside in Italy.

The Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Ministerio degli Affari Esteri) provides all pertinent information for all non-Italian citizens who wish to stay in Italy either long or short term. Visit: http://www.esteri.it/visti/home_eng.asp

EU-citizens do not require a visa to enter Italy. Non-EU citizens, however, require a visa for any stay of longer than three months (90 days). It is advisable to check with the Italian Embassy in your home country for guidance.

Italian law states that, "every foreigner in Italy is considered to be either a tourist or a resident." Tourists are foreigners staying for less than three months: business travelers, students enrolled in short courses, researchers and holidaymakers for example.

In light of global terrorism threats, Italy has enforced that all non-residents from non-Schengen countries (including Canada and the United States) are required to complete a Declaration of Presence (Dichiarazione di Presenza). The Schengen Agreement abolished border controls between EU member countries and Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein.

For those flying into Italy, the Declaration of Presence can be obtained and must be completed at the airport on the day of arrival. For others the form can be requested from a local police station (commissariato di zona or questura) and must be submitted to the police within eight business days of arrival. Keep a copy of the receipt issued by the Italian authorities. Be forewarned that failure to submit a Declaration of Presence within eight days will result in expulsion from Italy.

Students can apply to an accredited school while attending a university program in their home country. You need to present proof that you are attending a university program at home and that the course you will be taking in Italy is something that is unavailable in your local school.

Once all the legal paperwork is settled, you can fully enjoy the Italian way of life. Italy's climate, though extreme at times, is still one of the best in Europe. In winter, the Italian Alps are likely to be cold; Milan is damp and often fog-bound as well as the Po Valley; the Italian Riviera, the Amalfi coast, and the islands of Sicily and Sardinia are best for weather conditions. While traveling to these cities, make a mental note that Italy occasionally experiences mild earthquakes.

Public education is generally good in Italy and children are commonly the top priority for families. The city of Rome is the capital, but expatriate communities can be found all across the country in cities such as Turin, Palermo, Naples, Bologna, Florence, Bari, Catania and Venice or even in the countryside.