How to Avoid the Biggest Mistakes People Make When Moving to Italy

Lessons from Expats Who Learned the Hard Way

I’ve been planning my move to Italy for years. I’ve researched, visited, spoken to locals and expats, and watched plenty of people make mistakes—some of them expensive, some frustrating, and some that made them pack up and move back home.

Moving to Italy is not like moving to another state. Bureaucracy is slow. Cultural expectations are different. The way people approach work, time, and life isn’t the same as in the U.S. If you go in expecting Italy to adapt to you, you will fail.

Luckily, you don’t have to make the same mistakes that others have made. Here’s what to watch out for.

Mistake #1: Assuming You Can Work Without a Visa

The biggest mistake I’ve seen people make is thinking they can move to Italy first and “figure it out” later. It doesn’t work that way.

🔴 The Reality: If you’re not an EU citizen, you need a visa before you arrive. Italy does not have an easy path for Americans to move and work—it’s not like going from New York to Florida.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Secure a visa before moving (Elective Residency, Digital Nomad, Work, or Investor Visa).

✅ Know that remote work doesn’t always count. If you work remotely for a U.S. company, you may still need to register for tax purposes.

📌 Bottom Line: Do not show up in Italy thinking you can legally work without a plan.

Mistake #2: Picking the Wrong Location Without Visiting First

It’s easy to fall in love with an Italian town on Instagram. The rolling hills of Tuscany. The colorful Amalfi Coast. A medieval village where you imagine sipping wine every evening.

Then reality hits: the town is completely dead in winter, there are no services, and you need to drive an hour just to find a hospital or a decent grocery store.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Visit before committing. Stay for at least a few weeks in different seasons.

✅ Test out day-to-day life. Where will you shop? Can you handle the climate? Is public transport reliable?

✅ Think beyond the fantasy. Are you okay with limited English speakers, spotty WiFi, or slow bureaucracy?

📌 Bottom Line: What looks perfect on vacation might not be ideal for everyday life.

Mistake #3: Underestimating Italian Bureaucracy

If you think the DMV in the U.S. is bad, welcome to Italian bureaucracy.

Getting residency, setting up utilities, opening a bank account—it all takes time and patience. Some things require in-person visits, multiple appointments, and documents that you didn’t even know existed.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Expect delays. Always assume a process will take twice as long as you think it will.

✅ Hire a local consultant. A commercialista (accountant) or an immigration lawyer can save you months of frustration.

✅ Bring multiple copies of everything. Your passport, visa, proof of income, birth certificate—you’ll need them.

📌 Bottom Line: Italy operates on a different pace—frustrating at times, but part of the experience.

Mistake #4: Assuming the Cost of Living is “Cheap” Everywhere

Yes, Italy can be more affordable than the U.S. But not everywhere.

If you choose to live in Milan, Rome, Florence, or along the Amalfi Coast, expect prices that rival New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Do your research. Some of the most affordable cities include Perugia, Bari, Catania, and smaller towns in Umbria, Le Marche, and Piedmont.

✅ Consider rent vs. buying. Renting is usually the better short-term option, especially if you’re new to the area.

✅ Know that big cities = big prices. If you want a budget-friendly lifestyle, skip the most touristy cities.

📌 Bottom Line: Italy can be affordable—but only if you choose the right place.

Mistake #5: Not Learning Basic Italian Before Moving

In Rome, Milan, and Florence, you can survive in English. But if you move to a smaller town—or need to deal with bureaucracy, doctors, or landlords—you will need Italian.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Start learning before you move. Apps like Pimsleur, Babbel, and Duolingo help with basics.

✅ Take an immersion course. A few weeks at an Italian language school can make a huge difference.

✅ Join local meetups. Language exchange groups help you practice before and after you move.

Our whole family signed up for the Italian language classes at our local Community College. Best value for your dollar. You will be disciplined, there will be homework, and almost a year in, we're speaking Italian at home as much as we do English or Polish.

📌 Bottom Line: Even basic Italian will make your life much easier.

Mistake #6: Expecting Italy to Work Like the U.S.

Some things in Italy will never make sense if you expect them to work like they do in the U.S.

🇮🇹 Stores close in the afternoon (siesta time).

🇮🇹 Not all landlords accept credit cards for rent.

🇮🇹 Some businesses don’t take credit cards at all.

🇮🇹 The pace of life is slower, and things take time.

How to Avoid It:

✅ Embrace the differences. Italy isn’t “wrong,” it’s just different.

✅ Be patient with delays and inefficiencies. They are part of life here.

✅ Adjust your expectations. Moving to Italy isn’t just changing locations—it’s changing how you approach life.

📌 Bottom Line: If you expect American efficiency, you’ll be miserable. If you embrace the Italian way, you’ll be fine.

Final Thoughts: Move Smart, Not Fast

Moving to Italy can be an incredible experience—but only if you go in with realistic expectations.

If you avoid these mistakes, you’ll have a smoother transition, fewer surprises, and a better chance of building a successful life in Italy.

📌 Quick Recap: Biggest Mistakes to Avoid

✔ Not securing the right visa before moving.

✔ Choosing a location without visiting first.

✔ Underestimating Italian bureaucracy.

✔ Assuming all of Italy is “cheap.”

✔ Not learning any Italian.

✔ Expecting Italy to work like the U.S.

Thinking About Moving to Italy? Get Expert Help.

If you want personalized guidance, I offer relocation consulting to help you pick the right city, understand visas, and avoid costly mistakes.

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