Moving to Italy
Moving to Italy from the US
As a US citizen you need a national (type D) visa before you travel, then a permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arriving. Approdo builds your exact checklist and pre-fills the forms.
- ✓Which visa fits your move (digital nomad, elective residency, study, work)
- ✓The 8-working-day permesso deadline, counted for you
- ✓Codice fiscale, residenza and tessera sanitaria, in order
Frequently asked questions
Do US citizens need a visa to move to Italy?+
Yes. US citizens can visit Italy visa-free for up to 90 days, but to live there you need a national (type D) visa obtained at an Italian consulate before you travel. Which visa depends on your reason for moving: digital nomad, elective residency, study, or work.
How long after arriving in Italy do I have to apply for the permesso di soggiorno?+
You must apply for the permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of entering Italy. You start the application at a Poste Italiane Sportello Amico with the yellow kit. Missing this window can jeopardize your stay, so Approdo counts the deadline for you from your arrival date.
What is a codice fiscale and do I need one?+
The codice fiscale is the Italian tax identification code. You need it for almost everything: signing a lease, opening a bank account, getting a phone contract, and registering with the health service. You can request it from the Agenzia delle Entrate or, in some cases, at the consulate before you leave.
Can I move my US retirement income to Italy?+
The elective residency visa is designed for people with stable passive income (such as pensions or investments) who do not need to work in Italy. Income thresholds and proof requirements apply and are checked by the consulate. Approdo lists what each visa route requires.
Approdo provides information, not legal or tax advice. Where a step legally requires a professional, we say so and point you to one.