How to Retire in Italy from the UK: Visas, Costs, Healthcare and Pensions

UK nationals can still retire in Italy after Brexit, but the process is more involved than it used to be. You now apply as a non-EU citizen, which means showing that you can support yourself without working, arranging the right healthcare cover, and completing the visa and residence steps in the correct order.

Once you arrive in Italy, you must apply for your permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days, so it pays to have the post-arrival paperwork planned before you leave the UK.

This guide covers the main things to sort out before retiring in Italy, including the Elective Residence Visa, income requirements, living costs, healthcare, pensions and tax. When you’re ready to deal with the practical side, our guide to moving to Italy from the UK covers removals, customs and getting your household there.

Can UK Citizens Retire in Italy After Brexit?

Yes. UK citizens can still retire in Italy after Brexit, but they now follow the rules for non-EU nationals. For retirees who do not plan to work, the main route is the Elective Residence Visa, which is based on stable private income and suitable accommodation rather than employment.

After arriving in Italy, you must apply for your residence permit within 8 working days. If you are staying for more than three months, you will also need to register your residence with the local authority. GOV.UK’s living in Italy guidance explains the post-arrival steps.

Different rules apply if you also hold an EU passport or are moving to join an eligible family member.

What Are the Requirements to Retire in Italy?

To retire in Italy on an Elective Residence Visa, you need to show that you can support yourself without working, that you have somewhere suitable to live, and that you have adequate health cover.

The Consulate General of Italy in London currently asks applicants for evidence such as:

• income or financial resources from pensions, annuities, property, investments or other stable independent sources
• the last two years of tax returns
• a registered rental agreement or property deed in Italy
• adequate private health insurance
• a letter explaining the move and evidence of one-way or open travel arrangements

Employment and self-employment income do not qualify for this visa.

An Italian bank account is not listed as a current requirement by the London Consulate. You may still find one useful after you move, but it is not something you need to open simply to meet the visa checklist.

How Much Income Do You Need for Italy’s Elective Residence Visa?

The London Consulate does not publish a fixed minimum income for the Elective Residence Visa. Instead, it asks applicants to show substantial and stable private income that is enough to support their life in Italy without working.

You may see specific income figures quoted online, and some Italian consulates outside the UK publish their own thresholds. Those figures do not automatically apply to applications made in London.

If your income is close to one of the figures you have seen elsewhere, check the current requirement directly with the London Consulate before you make firm plans around your move.

How Do You Apply for an Elective Residence Visa?

You apply for the Elective Residence Visa in the UK before you move, then complete the residence process after you arrive in Italy. The visa and residence permit are separate steps, so the timing matters.

1. Check the current requirements with the Italian Consulate in London or VFS Global.
2. Gather proof of stable private income, including the required tax returns.
3. Secure suitable accommodation in Italy, such as a registered rental agreement or property deed.
4. Arrange private health insurance that meets the visa requirements.
5. Submit your application for the Type D Elective Residence Visa.
6. Travel to Italy once the visa has been approved.
7. Apply for your permesso di soggiorno within 8 working days of arrival.
8. Complete the remaining local steps, including your codice fiscale where needed, Comune residence registration and healthcare registration.

Processing times vary, so avoid booking a fixed moving date too early. It helps to coordinate the visa, accommodation and removals together using a moving to Italy checklist.

Visa and Residence Pathway at a Glance

Stage	What It Covers	Key Requirement	Timing
Elective Residence Visa	Entry permission from the UK	Proof of stable private income, accommodation, health cover	Applied for before travel, at the London Consulate
Permesso di soggiorno	Legal residence status in Italy	Visa, accommodation evidence, application form	Within 8 working days of arrival
Iscrizione anagrafica	Registration with the local Comune	Permesso application under way, proof of address	Required if staying more than 3 months
Long-term residence	More secure residence status	Usually at least 5 years of legal residence, plus other eligibility requirements	Apply once eligible

How Much Does It Cost to Retire in Italy?

There is no single monthly figure that works for every retiree in Italy. Costs vary sharply by region, especially once housing is included.

According to ISTAT, average household spending in Italy was €2,755 a month in 2024. Regional averages ranged from about €2,000 in Puglia to more than €3,100 in Lombardy.

Those are general household figures, not retiree budgets, so they are best used as a reference point rather than a target.

Housing creates one of the biggest differences between regions. Asking rents are much lower in places such as Molise and Umbria than in Lombardy or Tuscany, where comparable space can cost two or three times as much. Before setting a retirement budget, check current rents in the town you actually plan to live in.

Regional Cost Snapshot

Region	Avg. Household Spending / Month	Asking Rent / m²	Best Fit For
Puglia	~€2,000	€9.10	Lower costs, coast, good airport access
Calabria	~€2,075	€7.10	Very low housing costs, quieter retirement
Abruzzo	~€2,621	€8.10	Affordable central Italy, coast and mountains
Molise	~€2,615	€6.50	Lowest rents, rural lifestyle
Umbria	~€2,640	€8.30	Central location, inland towns
Marche	~€2,463	€9.60	Lower spending, Adriatic coast
Lombardy	~€3,162	€18.90	Major cities, transport and specialist healthcare
Tuscany	~€3,160	€21.10	Popular towns, strong infrastructure, higher costs

Household-spending figures are 2024 ISTAT averages for all households, not retiree-specific budgets. Rent figures are July 2026 Idealista asking prices, not final agreed rents. Actual costs vary considerably by town.

Which Parts of Italy Are More Affordable for Retirees?

The cheaper parts of Italy are generally in the south and in smaller inland areas. Puglia, Calabria, Abruzzo, Molise and parts of Sicily and Sardinia can all offer lower housing costs than Tuscany, Lombardy or the major cities.

Price should not be the only factor, though. Before choosing a town, look at:

• Housing costs. Rents and property prices vary sharply by region.
• Healthcare. Specialist care and English-speaking services are usually easier to find in larger towns and cities.
• Transport. In many cheaper rural areas, regular driving in Italy is more practical than relying on public transport.
• Airport access. This matters if you expect to travel back to the UK often.
• Climate. Southern regions usually have milder winters, but summers can be much hotter.
• Rental availability. Smaller towns often have fewer long-term rentals to choose from.
• Tax eligibility. Some smaller southern municipalities may qualify for Italy’s 7% pensioner tax regime, subject to the other rules.

A small town can mean lower rent and a quieter pace of life, but it can also mean fewer services, more driving and less English. Larger towns cost more, but day-to-day life is often easier.

Basic Italian helps wherever you settle and becomes much more important outside the main tourist and expat areas. Simpsons’ guide to adapting to Italian culture covers that side of the move in more detail.

How Does Healthcare Work for UK Retirees in Italy?

If you’re retiring in Italy on an Elective Residence Visa, you’ll need healthcare cover for the visa application. What happens after you move depends mainly on whether you qualify for an S1 form.

UK State Pension recipients who qualify for an S1 can register it with their local ASL and access Italy’s public healthcare system, the SSN, on broadly the same basis as an Italian resident. GOV.UK’s healthcare in Italy guidance explains how this works.

If you do not qualify for an S1, you may be able to join the SSN voluntarily and pay an annual contribution based on your circumstances.

Healthcare Routes for UK Retirees

Route	Who It’s For	How It Works	What to Know
S1 form	Eligible UK State Pension recipients	Register the S1 with your local ASL for SSN access	Healthcare is UK-funded, although normal Italian patient charges can still apply
Voluntary SSN registration	Legal residents who do not qualify for an S1 or compulsory SSN access	Pay an annual contribution and register with the local ASL	The contribution is income-based, with a €2,000 annual minimum under current rules for most non-EU voluntary registrants
Private health insurance	Retirees using private cover instead of the SSN, or needing cover while other arrangements are completed	Buy a policy valid for healthcare in Italy	Cost varies considerably with age, health and level of cover

Plan your healthcare before you move. GOV.UK says you must show proof of healthcare cover before registering as a resident, and the NHS advises having appropriate cover while an S1 is being registered.

What Happens to Your UK Pension When You Move to Italy?

You can keep receiving your UK State Pension after you move to Italy, and it will continue to receive the annual increase. You can have it paid into a UK bank account or an overseas account. If it is paid into an Italian account, it will usually be converted into euros. GOV.UK confirms that Italy is one of the countries where the State Pension continues to be uprated.

Private and workplace pensions are handled differently. Under the UK–Italy Double Taxation Convention, most private pension income is generally taxed in Italy once you become an Italian tax resident. Some government-service pensions can remain taxable in the UK, so it is important to check which rules apply to your scheme.

Exchange rates matter too. If your retirement income starts in pounds but your day-to-day costs are in euros, changes in the GBP/EUR rate can affect your monthly budget. If you are considering transferring or restructuring a pension, especially through QROPS, get regulated advice before making any changes.

What Taxes Do UK Retirees Pay in Italy?

If you become tax resident in Italy, you will generally pay Italian tax on your worldwide income. The usual 183-day rule is only part of the test. Your registered residence and where your main personal and financial interests are based can also matter.

Italy uses progressive income tax rates, currently ranging from 23% to 43%, with regional and municipal charges added on top. The UK–Italy tax treaty helps prevent the same income being taxed twice.

You may also need to report assets held outside Italy. Foreign property and financial assets can bring additional reporting requirements and may be subject to IVIE or IVAFE. Agenzia delle Entrate provides the official guidance for declaring foreign income and assets.

Some retirees may qualify for Italy’s 7% substitute-tax regime. It is available to eligible people receiving foreign pension income who move to qualifying municipalities in regions including Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise and Puglia.

Current tax-return guidance uses a population limit of 20,000 for the relevant southern municipalities, and the regime can run for up to ten tax years. Other conditions apply, including having been non-resident in Italy for the previous five years.

The rules are detailed, and the 7% regime can also cover some other foreign-source income. If you are considering it, speak to an Italian commercialista before choosing where to live rather than assuming a particular town or income will qualify.

Should You Rent Before Buying in Italy?

For many UK retirees, renting first makes more sense than buying straight away. It gives you time to see whether the area suits you and avoids committing to a property before you understand the local market.

Italy’s standard residential lease is commonly known as a “4+4” contract. It runs for four years and can renew for another four. Shorter transitory contracts are also available, usually for up to 18 months, but they are meant for genuine temporary housing needs rather than as a simple short-term alternative.

Landlords will usually ask for a codice fiscale, proof of income and a deposit. Just as importantly, the rental contract needs to be properly registered. The London Consulate accepts a registered lease or a property deed as evidence of accommodation for an Elective Residence Visa, so an informal rental arrangement may not be enough.

How Do You Move Your Household From the UK to Italy?

The move itself needs to be planned alongside your visa and accommodation, not left until everything else is finished.

Simpsons has been moving households from the UK to Italy for decades, and most moves are handled by road. A dedicated vehicle suits larger household moves where tighter collection and delivery dates matter. Smaller shipments can usually go as a shared or part-load service, which spreads the transport cost. Container shipping to Italy is also available when the route, volume or destination makes it the better option.

Post-Brexit customs paperwork also needs to be factored into the timing. If your Italian property is not ready when your visa comes through, short-term storage can bridge the gap.

The simplest approach is to organise your removals to Italy while the visa and housing arrangements are still moving forward. Once you know roughly how much you are taking and when you want to move, you can get a removals quote for Italy based on your actual shipment and timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the Italian Elective Residence Visa take to process?

The Italian Elective Residence Visa can take up to 90 days to process under Italy’s standard rules for national visas. Extra checks can extend that timeframe, so don’t plan removals or sign time-sensitive commitments around an assumed approval date. Check the London Consulate’s current guidance when you apply.

Do I need to speak Italian to retire in Italy?

You do not need to speak Italian to retire in Italy, but basic Italian makes everyday life much easier. English is more common in major cities and tourist areas, while smaller towns may offer much less. It also helps with local appointments, healthcare, banking and dealing with the Comune or other public offices.

Can I work part-time on an Italian retirement visa?

You cannot work part-time on an Italian Elective Residence Visa. The visa is intended for people who can support themselves through independent income and does not permit employment or self-employment. If you plan to work after moving to Italy, you will need to look at a different visa route.

Do I need private health insurance if I have an S1 form?

Having an S1 form does not automatically mean you can ignore the visa-stage healthcare requirement. You must show acceptable healthcare cover when applying for the visa. Once your S1 is registered with the local ASL, it gives you SSN access on the same basis as an Italian citizen, although normal co-payments can apply.

Is an Italian bank account required to retire in Italy?

An Italian bank account is not listed as a requirement for the Elective Residence Visa on the London Consulate’s current checklist. You may still find one useful after moving for rent, utilities and other local payments. Check the latest consular checklist before applying, since documentary requirements can change.

How much does it cost to move a household from the UK to Italy?

Moving a household from the UK to Italy typically costs about £1,200 to £5,500 with Simpsons, depending on shipment size, destination and service type. Current published transit times are around 5 to 21 days. A home or video survey is the best way to price your own move accurately.

What documents do Italian landlords typically ask for?

Italian landlords typically ask for a codice fiscale, proof of identity and income, and a security deposit. The exact documents vary by landlord and agency. If you’re renting as part of an Elective Residence Visa application, the London Consulate requires evidence of suitable accommodation, so make sure the tenancy documentation meets the current visa requirements.

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This guide is intended as general information for UK nationals planning a retirement move to Italy. Visa thresholds, tax rates and healthcare arrangements are set and periodically reviewed by the Italian and UK authorities. Always confirm current requirements with the London Consulate, GOV.UK or a regulated adviser before relying on any figure here. Last updated 21 August 2026.