Dreaming and Preparing: 5 Things I Learned When I Decided to Move to Italy

I am by no means an "expert" at moving to Italy. The process was confusing and, at times, incredibly stressful. My husband and I spent countless hours reading articles and blogs, asking questions, and praying to figure it all out. Here are what I believe to be the most basic and helpful lessons I learned:

1. You can't just move to Italy.

Don't be fooled by the "Buy a Villa in Italy for Just €1" articles. As with most processes in Italy, buying these properties is not that simple. Many villages offering these deals require further investments, such as major renovations of the property or even the understanding that you will start a business to contribute to local economic development. More importantly, Italy is part of the Schengen Agreement, which means that foreign nationals whose home country is not part of the Schengen Agreement (including the US) need a visa to stay in Italy longer than 90 days.

2. Identify the visa you will apply for.

In reference to the previously mentioned €1 villa articles, it's important to know that Italy does not have a Digital Nomad type visa. You will probably find articles alluding to, or even outright claiming this to be true, but it's not. While legislation for such a visa was recently approved, it has not been implemented yet. There are currently visas for work, study, families, investors, and retirees. I am taking intensive Italian Language classes, so I applied for a student visa. Each visa type has specific (while maybe not entirely straightforward) requirements that have to be met, and you must apply for your visa in person at one of the Italian Consulates in the US.

TIP: It can take months before you're able to get an appointment with a Consulate, and you may have to travel to another state to appear in person. We were lucky to stumble upon an Honorary Italian Consular in our state that saved us a trip to Los Angeles and was able to see us much sooner than the Los Angeles Consulate would have been able to.

3. Navigating the Italian visa process isn't easy -- begin planning immediately.

Yes, it feels like a puzzle. I needed a booked flight, a place to live, health insurance coverage in Italy, adequate savings, and official documentation for my purpose in Italy (in my case is a letter of enrollment from an Italian education institution), just to apply for the visa (which yes, can be denied). It takes time to figure this all out, and timing is everything. Plan ahead and look into cancellation policies for any contract you may have to enter, just in case your timing is off.

If you are moving as a family or couple, be sure to check the requirements for each person -- it can get tricky! The process we have gone through for my husband to live here legally with me has been very tricky. Luckily, our landlord happens to be an immigration lawyer and has taken our case. I would recommend seeking legal advice for families prior to applying for your visa(s).

TIP: I found this guide super helpful in preparing my student visa application and gathering the required documentation.

4. Don't worry (too much).

If you're like me, either your anxiety drives you to perfection, or your need for perfection drives your anxiety. It is important to pay close attention to the details of moving abroad (obviously), but sometimes there is only so much you can do, and you have to be okay with that. The truth is, no one cares about your visa application or move as much as you do. At the end of the day, worrying about things that are out of your control won't help you get there. Italy is known for its slow, complex bureaucracy. "La dolce vita" comes at a slower, more laid-back pace. Be patient.

5. It's all worth it.

Experiencing a different culture through daily life as an expat is priceless. You will read story after story online about people from all over the world who are willing to deal with bureaucratic hurdles over and over to get to and stay in Italy (including getting a permesso di soggiorno, which is notoriously traumatizing). The lifestyle, landscapes, culture, and history is incredible. There is something for everyone, and the adventure is worth the headache of making it happen.