The ultimate guide for emigrants: Italy as a new home
Content
As an EU citizen, you can emigrate to Italy and Tuscany without a visa. Only a few formalities are required: obtaining an Italian tax identification number (codice fiscale), registering your residence with the local municipality, and enrolling in the public healthcare system. This guide outlines the steps in the correct order – and dispels common misconceptions.
Emigrating to Italy: Short answer
- No visa, no residence permit: EU citizens only need an identity card or passport.
- For stays of three months or longer: Register your residence at the registration office (Ufficio Anagrafe) of the municipality.
- Fiscal Code: Free of charge at the tax office (Agenzia delle Entrate) or in advance via an Italian consulate.
- Health: After registration, entry is made with the National Health Service (SSN) via the local ASL.
- Steer: The 7% flat tax for foreign pensions only applies in small municipalities in southern Italy – not in Tuscany.
Step by step: the formalities
- Apply for Codice fiscale
- Rent or buy an apartment
- Register your residence with the municipality
- Register with the Health Service (ASL) and choose a family doctor
- Deregister in Germany and adjust your insurance, pension, and bank details.
Codice fiscale: the Italian tax identification number
The codice fiscale is the basis for almost everything: rental agreement, bank account, mobile phone contract, purchase of real estate, or registration with a doctor. You can obtain it free of charge at any office of the Agenzia delle Entrate in Italy (usually immediately upon presentation of your ID) or even before moving through an Italian consulate in Germany.
Register your residence (iscrizione anagrafica)
EU citizens can stay in Italy for up to three months without any formalities. Those staying longer must register with the Ufficio Anagrafe (registration office) of their municipality of residence. EU citizens do not need a residence permit (permesso di soggiorno). The municipality usually verifies residency at the address through a visit from the local police.
| Situation | What you need to prove |
|---|---|
| Stay up to 3 months | ID card or passport |
| Employees or self-employed persons | ID card, home address, employment contract or proof of self-employment (e.g. VAT number) |
| Non-working people (e.g. pensioners) | ID card, residential address, sufficient means of subsistence and comprehensive health insurance coverage |
| After 5 years of continuous residence | Right to permanent residence (certificate available from the municipality) |
Deregistration in Germany
Anyone moving to Italy must deregister with the German citizens' registration office. Check with your health insurance provider, pension provider, bank, and car insurance company beforehand to clarify what changes will result from your move. For translations of official documents, it's advisable to use a certified translator.
Health insurance and healthcare system
Italy has a tax-funded national healthcare system, the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale (SSN). After registering your residence, you register with the local health authority (ASL), choose a primary care physician (medico di base), and receive your health card (tessera sanitaria). Many services require a co-payment (ticket). Until you register, you need private or international health insurance – more information can be found in our article " When is international health insurance worthwhile for Italy?"
- Employees and self-employed persons Residents of Italy are insured under the SSN.
- Pensioners with a German statutory pension Health insurance companies usually receive the EU form S1 from their health insurance provider, which they use to register with the ASL.
- Non-working individuals without entitlement They need private health insurance or voluntary enrollment with the SSN.
| State Health Service (SSN) | Private health insurance |
|---|---|
| tax-funded, co-payments ("ticket") for many services | Premiums vary depending on the tariff, age and health condition |
| nationwide network of public hospitals and general practitioners | Access to private clinics and specialists |
| Sometimes long waiting times for specialist appointments | Shorter waiting times, reimbursement depending on the tariff |
An overview of international tariffs is provided, for example, by this comparison of health insurance for emigrants to Italy.
Taxes: what emigrants should know
Anyone who relocates their primary residence to Italy generally becomes subject to unlimited tax liability there. A double taxation agreement between Germany and Italy regulates which country taxes which income. Italy offers some special provisions that are often misunderstood:
- 7% flat tax for foreign pensions: This only applies to new residents moving to municipalities with a maximum of 30.000 inhabitants (2026 until April 20.000) in eight regions of southern Italy (Sicily, Calabria, Sardinia, Campania, Basilicata, Abruzzo, Molise, Apulia) and in certain earthquake-affected municipalities in central Italy. Tuscany is not included.
- Regime for immigrants (impatriates): Tax relief for employees and self-employed individuals who relocate their residence to Italy is subject to strict conditions.
- Flat tax for wealthy individuals: Individuals with high foreign income who have not been tax residents in Italy for at least nine of the last ten years can opt for a fixed annual flat tax on their foreign income. For those moving to Italy from 2026 onwards, this flat tax is €300.000 per year, plus €50.000 for each included family member (as of 2026).
Important: This page does not replace tax advice. Have your situation reviewed by a tax advisor experienced in German-Italian tax law before moving.
Life in Tuscany
Housing: rent or buy
In Florence , Chianti, and along the Versilia coast, rents and property prices are significantly higher than in the hinterland, for example in parts of the Maremma, Lunigiana, or Casentino. Many expats therefore rent initially and only buy once they are familiar with the region. Our map of Tuscany provides an overview of the provinces.
So-called "one-euro houses" are offered by some Italian municipalities, mostly in remote locations. Buyers commit to renovations within a set timeframe and often pay a security deposit; the actual total costs are therefore far higher than the symbolic purchase price. Each municipality sets its own terms and conditions and offers.
Language and everyday life
Without Italian, everyday life with authorities, tradespeople, and neighbors becomes difficult. Language schools, online courses, language exchange partners, and apps can help you get started – you can find tips under " Learning Italian Made Easy ." For mobile phones and the internet, read our advice on making phone calls in Italy.
Cost of living
The cost of living varies greatly depending on where you live: large cities and popular holiday destinations are more expensive than small towns inland. Food at weekly markets offers fresh, regional products directly from the producer.
Frequently asked questions about emigrating to Italy
Do I, as a German citizen, need a residence permit for Italy?
No. EU citizens do not need a visa or a residence permit. However, anyone staying longer than three months must register their residence with the local municipality (Ufficio Anagrafe).
Where can I get the codice fiscale?
Free of charge at the Agenzia delle Entrate in Italy, usually immediately upon presentation of identification, or before moving via an Italian consulate in Germany.
Am I automatically covered by health insurance in Italy?
After registering your residence, you can enroll in the National Health Service (SSN) at your local ASL office. Employees and the self-employed are insured there; German pensioners usually use form S1 from their health insurance provider.
Does the 7% tax for pensioners also apply in Tuscany?
No. The flat tax of 7% only applies in small municipalities in eight regions of southern Italy and in certain earthquake-stricken municipalities in central Italy. Seek individual tax advice.
What documents do I need for registration?
Identity card, tax code, residential address (e.g. rental agreement) and, depending on the situation, proof of employment or proof of sufficient funds and health insurance.
