I'm constantly greeted with surprise, or asked how I managed to move at such a young age to a different country but it was only determination, luck and a desire for a different kind of life that led me on this journey. This post is going to be a full overview of moving to Italy as a UK Citizen, pre-Brexit, if you're an EU citizen the process will be similar however if you're from outside of the EU this can vary to any degree and I have no clue.
Step One | Buy a one-way ticket
This is by far the scariest step, you buy your ticket and think 'how the hell will I move my life to a different country? All my stuff? Books? Clothes? What do I need? What don't I need?' I minimised my life into two suitcases and then anything I realised I needed has been a gradual process of packages from my parents or them amazingly driving from The UK to Milan with a car full of stuff! So, buy your ticket, set the date, prepare your stuff and minimise, say your goodbyes and start applying for jobs if you don't have one.
Legally you can stay in Italy for 3 months as a UK citizen before you are required to return or acquire your residency.
Step Two | Find somewhere to stay
The first thing to do once you arrive in Italy is find somewhere to stay that can serve as a permanent address, so not a hotel or a holiday rental, instead you have to search for a family willing to host you and guarantee you live with them or a house share or spare room. Be patient this takes time but once it's done, it's done.
Step Three | Your Codice Fiscale (Fiscal Code)
To do literally anything bureaucratic in Italy you need a Codice Fiscale, which is your code to pay tax, access healthcare, open a bank account, rent an apartment etc. Go to The Town Hall and find the right office you need to go to. Take your passport and proof of address, take a ticket and wait. If you don't speak Italian it's best to go with someone who does and depending on your living situation you might need the house owner to guarantee you live with them, provide their proof of address and passport/ID Card. You should then be given a piece of paper which has your Fiscal Code which I recommend photocopying 10 times and keep one in your purse/wallet and only take the original for bureaucratic processes.
From this point you have two options for receiving residency...
Step Four (Option A) | Find a job
Apply for jobs and get a bank account. Some banks require you to have residency or ID Card and some do not. You're best option is to search around, ask for the advice of some Italians you know about which bank they think is best and if they know of any open positions for jobs. Most banks require an appointment to set up an account, you can't just walk in.
Step Four (Option B) | Healthcare
After receiving your Fiscal Code you can go to the healthcare office and pay for one year 'private' health insurance which is actually just paying to use the public service and this will make you eligible for residency without a job contract. Once you have paid, you can put in your application for residency at The Town Hall and receive your residency providing you have a Fiscal Code, a stable address, your passport/ID, bank account etc and in some cases a guarantor. This kills two birds with one stone, but I find it strange that you should pay for healthcare to receive your residency which entitles you to free healthcare (confusing, right?).
Step Five (Option A) | Apply for residency
After finding a job and setting up a bank account you can apply for residency at The Town Hall; this is the route without having health insurance prior to your application.
You'll need:
Your original passport and pre-prepared photocopies of the main page and cover.
Your original Codice Fiscale and a photocopy.
The necessary forms/documents generally including your work contract in Italian, a UNILAV (ask your employer or HR department)
And a serious amount of patience, don't be surprised or take it to heart when they turn you down or tell you to come back with another document every time you visit. It took me over 5 visits/attempts to apply and a fierce Italian Woman to fight my case to actually push the process through.
Once you have residency you will be given forms and within 40 days someone from The Municipality will send an officer to check you live where your fiscal code is registered and they will then give you a full residency permit once you have presented your ID. This requires you be at home when they come, which if you work you won't be, don't stress they'll keep trying and if it takes too long go back to The Town Hall... Again!
Step Six (Option A) | Healthcare
Go to the local office for healthcare and register. Most offices are only open between 10:00 and 14:00 so make sure you check the opening times and public holiday dates. Take a ticket and wait. You need every document you have received before, proof of address, fiscal code, residency, passport/ID, and photocopies of all of these. You will have to fill out some forms and should receive a document with your healthcare number needed for going to the hospital and doctors appointments and you will be assigned a doctor/GP, try and request the closest doctor to you for ease of access.
Step Seven | ID card
Following receiving your official residency (i.e. the officer has visited your address) you then need to go to The Town Hall/Commune to get your ID card. This is worth waiting on if you intend to change your address or rent a different apartment once receiving a job and saving some money as again the process for changing the address is incredibly bureaucratic.
Step Eight | Almost there...
Finally after around 40 days of getting your healthcare you should also receive your healthcare card in the mail which serves as both your health care card and an official proof of Fiscal Code.
This whole process requires patience, research and someone who speaks decent Italian. The bureaucracy is very confusing and frustrating but once it's done it's a relief and you have a 5 year residency.
Note: As of right now this is valid for UK Citizens (2017/18) but in March 2019 it could change.