Blog • Published on:July 2, 2025 | Updated on:July 2, 2025 • 9 Min
If you can retire in a place that’s warm, wired into history, has reliable healthcare, affordable living in many parts, and that much-desired slower pace, why not?
Italy doesn’t shout about it, but it offers all of the above. And for retirees who aren’t looking to disappear into isolation or spend a fortune maintaining a lifestyle, that’s worth paying attention to.
And yes, the country makes it legally possible to retire there, even for non-EU citizens. So, if the idea of switching off the autopilot and stepping into a more deliberate way of life sounds appealing, this guide walks you through exactly how to do it.
Retiring in Italy makes sense if you’re financially self-sufficient, not tied to a fast-paced environment, and looking for a country where daily life still has structure and routine. It works well for people who:
This isn't a move for the ultra-wealthy. It's for people who think long-term and want clarity, healthcare, and affordability without trading away comfort.
1. Public Healthcare Access
Italy’s national healthcare system (SSN) is available to legal residents and offers comprehensive services at low cost. Retirees can register once they’ve secured residency, and costs are based on income, not age.
2. Lower Cost of Living
Outside major cities like Milan or Rome, many areas are surprisingly affordable. In southern regions like Calabria or inland Puglia, day-to-day expenses—groceries, transport, local services, are often a fraction of what you'd spend in the US, Canada, or UK.
3. Property Prices That Make Sense
You can find homes under €100,000 in many towns, especially in lesser-known regions. Italy also has programs to encourage foreign homeownership in rural areas, and renovation rules are straightforward.
4. A Slower Pace That’s Built-In
Time isn’t monetized the same way in Italy. Stores close mid-day, weekends are actually for resting, and small towns still run on rhythm over rush. You don’t have to force a slower lifestyle, it’s already there.
5. Culture Without a Price Tag
You don’t need to live in a capital city to have access to music, exhibitions, or architecture. Many towns offer free public events, local festivals, and government-supported cultural spaces.
6. A Clear Visa Option
The Elective Residence Visa exists specifically for non-EU citizens with passive income who want to live in Italy long-term. It’s one of the most accessible retirement visas in Europe.
7. Safety and Community
Italy has low rates of violent crime and strong community-based living, especially outside urban centers. Neighbors tend to know each other, and most towns are walkable and secure.
8. Strong Connectivity
Even if you live in a smaller town, you’re rarely far from a train station. Italy is well connected, domestically and internationally, through rail, regional airports, and Schengen travel.
Yes, and the numbers are growing. Foreign residents over age 60 in Italy have increased by over 30% in the past decade, according to national data. Retirees are moving not just to the well-known places, but to quieter areas where life is simpler and property is still accessible.
Some local municipalities have even introduced incentives to attract retirees, from property tax breaks to subsidized health insurance registration, especially in areas affected by population decline.
Italy does not have a visa labeled specifically as a “retirement visa.” For non-EU citizens, the route used to retire in Italy is called the Elective Residence Visa (ERV). This visa is designed for financially self-sufficient individuals who want to live in Italy long-term without working.
Income must come from passive sources only, such as pensions, rental income, annuities, dividends, or savings interest.
Active income (employment, freelance work, consulting, etc.) is not accepted under this visa.
Minimum income requirement:
Assets and savings: Some consulates also require proof of significant savings, especially if passive income is close to the minimum threshold.
Requirements vary slightly by consulate. Always check the consulate with jurisdiction over your home address.
You must apply at the Italian consulate in your country of legal residence. Applications are not accepted inside Italy. Required documents include:
Smaller Tuscan cities like Lucca, Arezzo, and even parts of Siena offer a well-run environment for long-term residents.
Healthcare access is strong; hospitals are modern, public systems are efficient, and most municipalities are used to processing residency permits for foreign nationals.
Public transport links are excellent, and there’s enough year-round population to avoid the seasonal shutdowns you’ll find in more tourist-heavy areas.
Housing costs are higher here compared to the south, but the trade-off is predictability and easier integration.
Budget-wise, plan for around €2,000/month for a modest lifestyle if renting.
Sicily is one of the few places where you can still buy a habitable home for under €80,000 in a decent area.
Coastal towns like Sciacca or inland centers like Modica and Ragusa offer walkable living, access to regional hospitals, and local administrations that are beginning to streamline the residency process.
English isn’t widely spoken in smaller towns, but that hasn’t stopped retirees from settling in.
Monthly living expenses, including rent, often fall under €1,500 if you avoid high-tourism areas.
Southern, flat, and built around agriculture and small commerce, Puglia has grown quietly popular among long-term expats.
Towns like Lecce, Ostuni, and Martina Franca offer good healthcare access, a stable year-round population, and properties often priced well below national averages.
You get regional trains, proximity to two international airports, and town centers that are compact and easy to navigate.
It’s also one of the better regions for registering residency thanks to streamlined municipal processes.
Abruzzo balances inland mountain villages with Adriatic coastal towns, making it one of the few regions where you can retire near the sea or surrounded by forests, without paying premium prices.
Towns like Sulmona or Vasto remain under the radar but offer decent hospitals, clean urban planning, and a solid public transport network.
Importantly, Abruzzo is part of Italy’s 7% flat-tax incentive for foreign pensioners who move to smaller municipalities.
Retirees with higher budgets often look to Lake Como for its access to private medical care, excellent infrastructure, and proximity to Milan and Switzerland.
It’s polished, international, and expensive, but for those prioritizing healthcare, mobility, and personal security, it ticks every box.
Towns like Menaggio or smaller villages across the lake maintain year-round services, and private insurance is commonly accepted.
Expect to spend upwards of €3,000/month to live comfortably here.
Start at least 6–8 months in advance.
Here’s the typical sequence:
Note: Have your rental contract signed and officially registered (via the Italian Revenue Agency) before your visa appointment.
After arriving in Italy:
If buying a home or renting long-term:
Retiring in Italy takes planning, but it’s a move that rewards structure with simplicity. If you approach it with the right timeline, paperwork in order, and realistic expectations, Italy offers more than just a change of scenery, it offers a system you can actually live in, day to day, without burning out your budget or energy.
And once you're settled, it quietly delivers exactly what a lot of people are looking for: space, rhythm, and the freedom to live on your own terms.
Yes. Non-EU citizens can retire in Italy using the Elective Residence Visa, which requires proof of passive income and private health insurance.
Typically, around €31,000/year for singles and €38,000–€40,000+ for couples, from non-employment sources like pensions or investments.
Yes, after getting your residency permit, you can register with the public system (SSN), often by paying an annual fee based on your income.
Yes. There are no restrictions for most nationalities, and you don’t need to be a resident to purchase property.
Once in Italy, you must apply for a Permesso di Soggiorno within 8 days, and it usually takes 1–3 months to receive it.
Institute Nazionale di Statistica (ISTAT). (2024). 2024 Annual Report – The State of the Nation. Retrieved from https://www.istat.it/en/publication/2024-annual-report-the-state-of-a-nation/
Numbeo. (2025). Cost of Living in Italy. Retrieved from https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/country_result.jsp?country=Italy
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). (2023). Italy: Country Health Profile 2023. Retrieved from https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/italy-country-health-profile-2023_633496ec-en.html
European Commission. (2024). Health at a Glance: Europe 2024. Retrieved from https://health.ec.europa.eu/state-health-eu/health-glance-europe/health-glance-europe-2024_en
Written By
Alice Emmanuel
Alice Emmanuel is an expert in residency and citizenship by investment, specializing in government compliance and program optimization. With over 8 years of experience, she has guided high-net-worth individuals through acquiring global mobility and new citizenships, particularly in Europe, the Caribbean, and the Middle East. Alice's in-depth knowledge of Middle Eastern residency programs makes her a trusted advisor for investors seeking security and diversification in the region.