Information about moving to, living or retiring in Italy – including visas, working, healthcare and driving.

Updates to this page

28 October 2026 Updated information about Italian disability parking permits and that valid Blue Badges issued in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are now recognised in Italy.

Updated information about Italian disability parking permits and that valid Blue Badges issued in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are now recognised in Italy.

5 October 2026 Added information about sea service validation for seafarers entering Italy. Also added information about registering a birth in Italy for unmarried fathers.

Added information about sea service validation for seafarers entering Italy. Also added information about registering a birth in Italy for unmarried fathers.

11 December 2025 Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).

Added new information about dual citizens travelling to the UK ('Passports and travel' section).

3 November 2025 Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

Rewrote guide to make it easier to read and understand.

12 September 2025 Updated information about introduction of EES on 12 October 2025.

Updated information about introduction of EES on 12 October 2025.

24 March 2025 This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.

This guidance has been reviewed and updated where necessary.

17 October 2024 Added section about Name change and proving your identity. Added section about Sailing in Italy with attachments to administrative letters. Update regarding EU EES (Entry Exit System).

Added section about Name change and proving your identity. Added section about Sailing in Italy with attachments to administrative letters. Update regarding EU EES (Entry Exit System).

17 July 2024 Update to visas and residency with information for people who were living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

Update to visas and residency with information for people who were living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

3 July 2024 The healthcare section for British nationals living in Italy before 1 January 2021 has been updated,

The healthcare section for British nationals living in Italy before 1 January 2021 has been updated,

10 June 2024 Passport section completely revised to reflect the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), scheduled for Autumn 2024.

Passport section completely revised to reflect the introduction of the EU Entry/Exit Scheme (EES), scheduled for Autumn 2024.

17 May 2024 Healthcare section updated 17 May 2024

Healthcare section updated 17 May 2024

14 March 2024 Update to the paragraph on Healthcare - 14 March 2024

Update to the paragraph on Healthcare - 14 March 2024

8 March 2024 There is an update on the healthcare for those living in Italy before 1 January 2021. The Italian Government has recently decided that: British nationals who entered and have been living in Italy prior to 1 January 2021 and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement can register for free (iscrizione obbligatoria) with the Italian National Health System (Sistema Sanitario Nazionale) and are therefore not required to make voluntary contributions. We continue to engage to fully understand guidelines and requirements. Any update will be posted here.

There is an update on the healthcare for those living in Italy before 1 January 2021. The Italian Government has recently decided that: British nationals who entered and have been living in Italy prior to 1 January 2021 and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement can register for free (iscrizione obbligatoria) with the Italian National Health System (Sistema Sanitario Nazionale) and are therefore not required to make voluntary contributions. We continue to engage to fully understand guidelines and requirements. Any update will be posted here.

24 January 2024 Driving in Italy section updated 24 January 2024

Driving in Italy section updated 24 January 2024

28 September 2023 Updated section on passport stamping for residents in Italy 28-09-23

Updated section on passport stamping for residents in Italy 28-09-23

3 August 2023 Coronavirus paragraph removed due to end of pandemic.

Coronavirus paragraph removed due to end of pandemic.

19 April 2023 Updated instructions on how to exchange your UK licence

Updated instructions on how to exchange your UK licence

27 March 2023 Update on bilateral (driving licence) exchange agreement and entry into force date

Update on bilateral (driving licence) exchange agreement and entry into force date

30 December 2022 Driving in Italy update

23 December 2022 New UK-Italy Bilateral Agreement on driving licence exchange signed

New UK-Italy Bilateral Agreement on driving licence exchange signed

23 December 2022 Driving License update

20 October 2022 Changes to wording in healthcare section - updated 20-10-22

Changes to wording in healthcare section - updated 20-10-22

11 March 2022 Important information in the ‘Working in Italy’ and ‘National insurance and social security contributions’ sections if you work in Italy, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

Important information in the ‘Working in Italy’ and ‘National insurance and social security contributions’ sections if you work in Italy, even it if it is for an employer based in the UK.

24 January 2022 Guidance reviewed and updated with new information, including in the visas and residency, and working in Italy sections.

Guidance reviewed and updated with new information, including in the visas and residency, and working in Italy sections.

14 January 2022 Driving section: updated guidance about how long valid UK licences will be recognised for in Italy.

Driving section: updated guidance about how long valid UK licences will be recognised for in Italy.

29 December 2021 Extension to 31 December 2022 for exchanging your valid UK driving licence for an Italian one.

Extension to 31 December 2022 for exchanging your valid UK driving licence for an Italian one.

8 September 2021 Visas and residency section updated: The additional support provided by the UK Nationals Support Fund to UK nationals making their residency application, will end on 30 September 2021. Contact the relevant implementing partner before this date if you need this additional support. 8 September 2021

Visas and residency section updated: The additional support provided by the UK Nationals Support Fund to UK nationals making their residency application, will end on 30 September 2021. Contact the relevant implementing partner before this date if you need this additional support. 8 September 2021

11 August 2021 Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.

Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.

6 August 2021 Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in Italy, Studying in Italy, Emergencies, and Returning to the UK sections.

Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in Italy, Studying in Italy, Emergencies, and Returning to the UK sections.

28 July 2021 Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Italy after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.

Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Italy after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.

2 July 2021 Working in Italy section updated: new guidance for frontier workers

Working in Italy section updated: new guidance for frontier workers

20 May 2021 Updates to Withdrawal Agreement and Visa and Residency sections with updated information from the Italian government; update in Passports section on documentation for spot checks; Driving section updated with latest deadlines on licence validity.

Updates to Withdrawal Agreement and Visa and Residency sections with updated information from the Italian government; update in Passports section on documentation for spot checks; Driving section updated with latest deadlines on licence validity.

28 April 2021 Visas and residency section updated: new information on your legal requirement to register guests staying with you.

Visas and residency section updated: new information on your legal requirement to register guests staying with you.

19 April 2021 Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; education section updated with information on moving to study in Italy; and working in Italy section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; education section updated with information on moving to study in Italy; and working in Italy section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.

14 April 2021 Updated guidance on buying property and working in Italy

Updated guidance on buying property and working in Italy

7 April 2021 Update to links regarding Driving in Italy - 7 April 2021

Update to links regarding Driving in Italy - 7 April 2021

22 February 2021 New link to detailed guidance on how to get the new biometric residence card

New link to detailed guidance on how to get the new biometric residence card

15 February 2021 Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.

31 December 2020 Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, driving, pet travel and moving to Italy

Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, driving, pet travel and moving to Italy

18 December 2020 Uploaded a Healthcare Information Booklet

Uploaded a Healthcare Information Booklet

18 December 2020 Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.

10 November 2020 Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.

27 October 2020 Visa and residency section updated with new links to detailed guidance on how to register for residency

Visa and residency section updated with new links to detailed guidance on how to register for residency

13 October 2020 updated to include ANCI guidance on registering as a resident in Italy

updated to include ANCI guidance on registering as a resident in Italy

9 September 2020 We have updated the Citizens' Rights Information Booklet

We have updated the Citizens' Rights Information Booklet

7 September 2020 Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021

24 July 2020 Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK Nationals Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.

Visas and residency…