Living in Italy

Rent, health cover and ways to get residency for a foreign retiree in Italy, checked 2026-09-26.

Rent for a one-bedroom flat

The south is far cheaper than Rome or Milan, so Sicily comes first. Small southern towns, where the 7% regime applies, cost less still.

Non-EU residents without an Italian job register with the public SSN by paying a yearly fee based on income, at least €2,000.

EU registration (EU/EEA citizens): Register with the town hall after three months with proof of work or enough resources and health cover.
Elective residence visa (Non-EU, living off passive income): Roughly €31,000–32,000 a year in passive income; consulates differ. No work allowed.
Digital nomad visa (Non-EU remote workers): €28,000 a year from highly skilled remote work.

Regional and municipal surcharges on salary (roughly 1.5–4% together) and the extra 1% INPS above about €56,000 are not modeled.
The 2026 budget cut the middle IRPEF rate from 35% to 33%.