Finding the Best Place to Live in Italy for UK Expats

Italy’s appeal for UK expats is well established: climate, food, culture, pace of life, and enormous regional variety across a country that stretches from Alpine north to Mediterranean south. The “best” place to live depends entirely on your priorities, budget, and stage of life, so this guide compares the top cities, regions, and towns through that lens.

Simpsons International Removals has relocated UK families and individuals across Italy for years, from Alpine towns to southern coasts. That experience shapes this guide: it focuses on where expats actually settle well, rather than where they visit on holiday.

Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or financial advice. Rules change. Confirm current visa and residency requirements with the Italian consulate and qualified professionals before acting on any of it.

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Key Takeaways

• The best place to live in Italy depends on your priorities: northern cities such as Milan, Turin and Bologna suit career-focused expats; Tuscany and Umbria suit lifestyle and retirement; Puglia, Abruzzo and Sicily offer the most affordable living.
• Most British expats cluster in Tuscany, Lombardy (Milan), Lazio (Rome), Liguria, and increasingly Puglia and Le Marche for affordability.
• Northern Italy offers higher salaries, better infrastructure, and proximity to the rest of Europe, but higher living costs. Southern Italy offers warmth, affordability, and a slower pace, with fewer job opportunities.
• For families, mid-sized cities such as Bologna, Verona, Padua, and Turin balance amenities, safety, schools, and cost.
• For retirees, Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, Abruzzo, and Puglia combine climate, healthcare access, community, and value.

What Are the Best Places to Live in Italy for UK Expats?

Italy isn’t one place. The country divides broadly into three: the industrial, prosperous north (Milan, Turin, Bologna); the classic Italian centre (Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche); and the warmer, more affordable south (Puglia, Abruzzo, Sicily, Calabria). Each suits different priorities.

Is Italy a good place for British expats to live? For most who commit to it, yes. The climate, food culture, and pace of life deliver on the promise, and the shared EU frameworks (until Brexit) built an established British community across the country. The genuine challenges are bureaucracy, the language outside expat hubs, and the economic disparity between north and south, which affects the job market.

Where Do Most British Expats Live in Italy?

British expats cluster in specific areas for specific reasons. Tuscany draws lifestyle-focused movers, particularly retirees, thanks to its established community and cultural appeal. Lombardy, especially Milan, draws working professionals in finance, fashion, and business. Lazio (Rome) draws those who want the capital’s culture and international scene. Liguria draws coastal-climate seekers. Increasingly, Puglia, Le Marche and Abruzzo attract Britons seeking affordability and authenticity.

Best Italian Cities to Live In

The seven cities below cover the main options for UK expats, each with a distinct character and different trade-offs on cost, job market, lifestyle and infrastructure.

City	Region	Best For	Lifestyle and Strengths	Considerations	Relative Cost
Milan	Lombardy	Careers, business, fashion, finance	Cosmopolitan, excellent transport, international job market	Most expensive city, fast pace, less “traditional Italy”	High
Rome	Lazio	Culture, history, work, international community	World-class culture, large expat scene, mild climate	Bureaucracy, traffic, variable infrastructure	Medium to High
Bologna	Emilia-Romagna	Families, food, students, balanced living	Vibrant, walkable, renowned cuisine, central location	Hot humid summers, rising rents	Medium
Turin	Piedmont	Affordability with city amenities, families	Elegant, cultural, good value for a northern city, Alps nearby	Quieter than Milan, industrial heritage	Medium
Florence	Tuscany	Lifestyle, art, established expat community	Beautiful, walkable, strong expat support, cultural richness	Tourist crowds, higher rents in centre	Medium to High
Verona	Veneto	Families, lifestyle, romance, accessibility	Attractive, safe, well-located, good quality of life	Tourist seasons, smaller job market	Medium
Bari	Puglia	Affordability, coast, southern lifestyle	Seaside city, affordable, improving infrastructure, warm climate	Fewer professional opportunities, slower pace	Low to Medium

Milan is the clearest choice for careers, particularly in finance, fashion, design and international business. Bologna consistently ranks among Italy’s most liveable mid-sized cities, with the country’s best food culture, a strong economy and a walkable centre. Turin offers northern-city amenities at a materially lower cost than Milan. Bari and other southern cities offer genuine affordability with a slower pace, at the cost of a weaker job market.

Which Italian Cities and Regions Are Best for Families Relocating?

Families prioritise different things: safety, schools, healthcare, green space, and cost. Italian culture is famously family-oriented, which helps, but the practical choices come down to specific cities and regions.

• Schooling. State schools are free and offer Italian-language immersion, which younger children handle well. Bilingual schools exist in some cities. International schools (English curriculum) are concentrated in Milan, Rome, and Florence, and fees are significant.
• Safety. Italy is generally safe, and smaller and mid-sized cities feel safest for families.
• Healthcare. Italy’s public healthcare (SSN) is well-regarded; access and quality are generally stronger in the north and centre.
• Cost and space. Family-sized housing is more affordable outside major cities, particularly in the centre and south.
• Community and lifestyle. Italian daily life includes children in a way British life often doesn’t. Restaurants, family life, and community events all welcome kids.

Region / City	Family Strengths	Schooling Options	Cost for Families	Best Suited To
Bologna (Emilia-Romagna)	Safe, walkable, excellent food culture, central	State, some bilingual; international limited	Medium	Families wanting amenities and balance
Verona / Padua (Veneto)	Safe, attractive, good services, well-connected	State, some private	Medium	Families wanting quality of life and value
Turin (Piedmont)	Good value, cultural, Alps access	State, some international	Medium	Families wanting a northern city affordably
Trentino / South Tyrol	Outstanding quality of life, bilingual (German/Italian), safe	State (bilingual), strong public services	Medium to High	Outdoor-oriented families, bilingual interest
Le Marche / Abruzzo	Affordable, rural, safe, authentic	State (Italian immersion)	Low to Medium	Families wanting space and affordability

Teenagers moving to Italy face the biggest language and schooling challenge, since state schools teach in Italian and international school options are limited outside major cities.

Use our international removals cost calculator to estimate the cost of moving your family.

Where in Italy Is Most Affordable and Welcoming for New Residents?

Italy’s cheapest regions are all in the south and rural centre, where property prices and daily costs sit well below the national average.

Region	Why It Is Affordable	Lifestyle	Trade-offs	Property Note
Abruzzo	Rural, less touristed, low property prices	Mountains and coast, authentic, peaceful	Limited jobs, car essential	Excellent value houses and apartments
Puglia	Southern, affordable, popular, but still good value	Coastal, sunny, distinctive (trulli, masserie)	Slower economy, hotter summers	Strong value, rising popularity
Calabria	One of Italy’s least expensive regions	Coastline, warm, traditional	Weaker infrastructure, fewer services	Very low property prices; one-euro schemes
Sicily	Affordable, rich culture, large island	Climate, history, food, varied landscape	Bureaucracy, infrastructure gaps	Low prices; one-euro home schemes in some towns
Le Marche	Undiscovered, good value, central	Hills and coast, balanced, authentic	Quieter, car needed	Good value, growing expat interest
Molise	Italy’s least populated, very affordable	Unspoilt, traditional, quiet	Very limited services and jobs	Among the lowest prices in Italy

The one-euro home schemes deserve honest treatment. They exist in depopulating towns, require substantial renovation commitments (often EUR 20,000 to EUR 50,000+ in mandatory work), and are usually in remote locations far from services. They’re an opportunity for the right buyer, not a shortcut to cheap Italian living.

“Welcoming” matters as much as “affordable”. Smaller southern communities can be wonderfully warm but require effort to integrate, especially without Italian language skills. British expats who settle well in these regions almost always speak enough Italian to hold everyday conversations.

Which Areas of Italy Suit Retirees Moving from the UK?

Retiree priorities are different from working expats: climate, healthcare, cost, community, and walkability come first.

• Climate. Central and southern Italy offer warmer winters; the south is warmest.
• Healthcare. Proximity to good hospitals matters. Quality is generally strong in the centre and north.
• Cost. Pension purchasing power stretches furthest in the south, Abruzzo, Le Marche, and Umbria.
• Community. Established expat networks ease the transition (Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, parts of Puglia).
• Tax incentive. A 7% flat tax on foreign income for pensioners who move to qualifying small towns in southern regions (Puglia, Calabria, Sicily, Abruzzo, Molise, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata), subject to conditions. Verify current rules.

Area	Climate	Healthcare Access	Cost for Retirees	Expat Community	Notable
Tuscany (Lucca, Chianti)	Mild, four seasons	Good	Medium to High	Large, established	Classic expat retirement choice
Umbria	Mild, four seasons	Good	Medium	Established	“Green heart of Italy”, peaceful
Le Marche	Mild coastal and hill	Good	Low to Medium	Growing	Undiscovered, good value
Abruzzo	Warm, mountains and coast	Adequate to good	Low	Growing	Affordable, scenic, 7% tax towns
Puglia	Warm, long summers	Adequate to good	Low to Medium	Growing	Coastal, affordable, 7% tax towns
Liguria (Italian Riviera)	Mild, coastal	Good	Medium to High	Established	Sea, climate, walkable towns

Planning your retirement move? Explore our international removals service.

What Are the Best Regions in Italy for Lifestyle and Quality of Life?

Lifestyle in Italy is the intangibles: food culture, landscape, community, pace of life, and beauty. The regions below each offer something distinct.

• Food and wine. Emilia-Romagna is Italy’s culinary heart (Parma ham, Parmigiano, Modena balsamic, tortellini). Piedmont produces the country’s best wine and truffles. Tuscany combines both with world-class beauty.
• Landscape and outdoors. Trentino and South Tyrol give access to the Dolomites. Liguria and the northern lakes (Como, Garda, Maggiore) offer sea-and-mountain landscapes. The southern coasts of Puglia, Calabria, and Sicily deliver Mediterranean beach life.
• Slower pace and authenticity. Umbria, Le Marche, and rural southern Italy offer daily life closer to how it looked fifty years ago.
• Beauty and culture. Tuscany, the lakes, Rome, Florence, and Venice deliver the classic Italian aesthetic.
• Community and welcome. Smaller towns across the centre and south integrate newcomers who make the effort to learn the language and turn up to local life.

Is It Better to Live in Northern or Southern Italy?

The north offers opportunity, infrastructure, and efficiency at a higher cost. The south offers warmth, affordability, and a slower lifestyle with fewer economic opportunities.

Factor	Northern Italy	Southern Italy
Cost of living	Higher	Lower (often significantly)
Job market	Stronger, more international	Weaker, fewer opportunities
Infrastructure	Excellent (transport, services)	Variable, improving
Climate	Cooler, four distinct seasons	Warmer, long hot summers, mild winters
Pace of life	Faster, more efficient	Slower, more relaxed
Healthcare	Generally stronger	Adequate, regional variation
Property prices	Higher	Lower (one-euro schemes in some areas)
Proximity to rest of Europe	Closer (Alps, borders)	More remote
Best for	Careers, families needing infrastructure	Affordability, climate, lifestyle, retirement

The choice comes down to whether you need to earn locally or are bringing income with you (remote work, pension, savings). Local earners tend to head north; income-importers can settle anywhere.

What Are the Safest Places to Live in Italy?

Italy is generally safe by international standards. Petty crime, particularly pickpocketing, is more of an issue in tourist-heavy cities (Rome, Naples, Milan around the station), but violent crime is low.

Smaller and mid-sized cities in the north and centre consistently rank highest for safety and quality of life. Il Sole 24 Ore, the leading Italian business daily, publishes an annual quality of life index that consistently places Trento, Bolzano, Bologna, Verona, and Parma near the top. Southern cities score lower on this index, largely because of economic and infrastructure factors rather than personal safety per se.

Can UK Citizens Still Move to Italy After Brexit?

Yes, but UK citizens are now non-EU nationals and need a visa for long-term residence. The main routes are the elective residence visa (for those with passive income, popular with retirees), work visas (requiring a job offer), and self-employment or digital nomad options.

Disclaimer: Immigration rules change. Confirm current visa requirements with the Italian consulate and a qualified immigration adviser before planning your move.

Questions about your move? Contact our team.

Best Places to Live in Italy with Simpsons International Removals

The “best place to live in Italy” is a personal answer. Define your priorities first (career, family, retirement, budget, or pure lifestyle), then match the region.

For careers and infrastructure, head north: Milan, Turin, Bologna. For affordability and warmth, head south: Puglia, Abruzzo, Sicily. For the classic Italian lifestyle, aim for the centre: Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche.

Families do best in safe, well-serviced mid-sized cities such as Bologna, Verona, and Turin. Retirees thrive in Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, and the affordable, sometimes tax-advantaged south.

Don’t rely on holiday impressions. Visit your shortlisted area out of season, ideally renting first, before committing to a purchase.

Language matters more the further you move from major expat hubs. In rural and southern areas, learning Italian is the key to genuine integration.

Simpsons has moved UK families and individuals across Italy over 35 years, from Alpine towns to southern coasts, and we can advise on the practical realities of moving to each region.

Ready to make Italy home? Get a free, no-obligation removals quote.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is the best place to live in Italy for expats?

The best place depends on your priorities. For careers, Milan, Turin and Bologna in the north offer the strongest job markets. For lifestyle and retirement, Tuscany, Umbria and Le Marche in the centre are ideal. For affordability and warm weather, Puglia, Abruzzo and Sicily in the south offer the best value. Most British expats settle in Tuscany, Lombardy, Lazio and increasingly Puglia.

What is the cheapest place to live in Italy?

The cheapest places are in the south and rural centre: Calabria, Molise, Abruzzo, Puglia, Sicily and Le Marche offer the lowest property and living costs. Some depopulating towns run one-euro home schemes, though these require significant renovation and are usually remote. Southern Italy generally offers far greater pension and salary purchasing power than the north.

Where do most British expats live in Italy?

Most British expats live in Tuscany (lifestyle and an established community), Lombardy around Milan (work), Lazio around Rome (work and culture) and Liguria (coast and climate). Increasingly, affordable regions such as Puglia, Le Marche and Abruzzo attract Britons seeking value and authenticity. The choice typically reflects whether people prioritise career, lifestyle or affordability.

Is it better to live in northern or southern Italy?

Northern Italy offers stronger job markets, better infrastructure, excellent healthcare and proximity to the rest of Europe, but at a higher cost of living. Southern Italy offers warmer weather, much lower costs, a slower pace and a more traditional lifestyle, but with fewer job opportunities and more variable infrastructure. The right choice depends on whether you need local income or bring your own.

What is the best region in Italy for families?

The best regions for families are Emilia-Romagna (Bologna), Veneto (Verona, Padua), Piedmont (Turin) and Trentino-South Tyrol, which combine safety, good services, quality schools and a strong family culture. These mid-sized northern and central cities balance amenities and cost. International schools are concentrated in Milan, Rome and Florence for families needing English-language education.

Where is the best place to retire in Italy?

The best places to retire in Italy are Tuscany, Umbria, Le Marche, Abruzzo, Puglia and Liguria, combining mild climate, healthcare access, community and value. Abruzzo, Puglia and other southern regions offer a 7% flat tax on foreign income for pensioners relocating to qualifying small towns, subject to conditions. Central regions offer established expat communities and four-season climates.

How much money do you need to live in Italy?

A single person can live comfortably in much of Italy on approximately EUR 1,500 to EUR 2,200 per month including rent, with the south and rural areas at the lower end and Milan or central Florence at the higher end. A couple should budget EUR 2,200 to EUR 3,500, and a family more depending on schooling. The south offers significantly greater value than the north.

Can UK citizens still move to Italy after Brexit?

Yes, but UK citizens are now non-EU nationals and need a visa for long-term residence. Popular routes include the elective residence visa for those with sufficient passive income (favoured by retirees), work visas and self-employment options. Immigration rules change, so confirm current requirements with the Italian consulate and a qualified immigration adviser before planning your move.