Coronavirus

You should follow the advice of the Italian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Italy travel advice for our latest guidance.

For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Italy see our coronavirus travel advice

Stay up to date

You should:

• sign up to email alerts to this guidance
• follow the British Embassy in Italy on Facebook and Twitter

You can also read:

• our Ambassador’s newsletters to UK nationals
• the Italian government’s guidance on the Withdrawal Agreement and citizens’ rights (in English) or the same guidance on the Withdrawal Agreement and citizens’ rights (in Italian)
• the Italian government’s guidance on the new Withdrawal Agreement residency document (in Italian and English)
• our Citizens’ Rights Information Booklet and our Citizens’ Rights information handout
• our guide on non-EU family members’ rights

Attend a citizen outreach event

The British Embassy holds events across Italy for UK nationals. Join one of our online citizens’ outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Italy.

The Withdrawal Agreement

If you were legally resident in Italy before 1 January 2021, your rights willare be protected by the Withdrawal Agreement.

YouItaly shouldimplements checkthe Agreement through a declaratory system. This means that if you arewere correctlylawfully registeredliving andin Italy before 1 January 2021, you automatically have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You have these rights even if you do not have the new ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ (biometric residency card) issued under the Withdrawal Agreement. You should getask afor the new residence‘carta documentdi tosoggiorno elettronica’, as it provides the clearest evidence of your rights.

The Italian government’s ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ guidance for officials (in Italian) confirms that the ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ is not mandatory. You can show this guidance to service providers if you do not yet have a ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ and you are experiencing difficulties accessing services.

You should also read our guidance on living in Europe.

Visas and residency

Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’

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If you have been legally resident in Italy for:Italy:

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• less than 5 years, you willcan beask eligible for a document5-year renewable ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’
• with 5permanent residence status and you are under 18 years validityold, you can ask for a 5-year renewable ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’. When you are 18 years old you can ask for a 10-year renewable ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’

To requestask for the document‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ you need to book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) in person.

You Makeshould sureread:

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  You sould also read

  card
  • the Italian government’s guidance on residency, which includes information on how to get the new documentcarta di soggiorno elettronica’ and the supporting documentation you need to provide
  • our guide on non-EU family members’ rights.

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  Police identification checks

  ThisIn supportItaly isby onlylaw availableyou tomust peoplecarry whoidentification needwith additionalyou helpat all times.

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  • supportother ifproof youof experiencebeing languagelegally barriersresident orin difficultyItaly accessingbefore online1 informationJanuary and services2021

  If you,you orhave someonerights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you know,do arenot havingneed difficultya completingnon-EU residencenational paperwork‘permesso ordi soggiorno’ and a police officer cannot ask you to show one.

  When you have anyyour questions,Withdrawal contactAgreement the‘carta IOM:di soggiorno elettronica’, you should carry it with you.

  • hotline:

    Hosting 800guests 684at 884

  • email:your UKnationalsit@iom.intproperty

    If you host a UK national (or any non-EU national) as a guest, you must inform your local immigration office

  (questura) in writing within 48 hours after they arrive at your property. You could be fined if you fail to comply with this Italian immigration law.

  If you host an EU national, you must inform the questura if they plan to stay with you for 30 days or more.

  Moving to Italy

  Check the entry requirements for Italy.

  You andshould also read the Italian government guidance on visas and the Italian embassy guidance on visas.

  Healthcare

  After you have registered your residency, you need to register with the Italian National Health Service (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale – SSN) through your local health authority (Azienda Sanitaria Locale – ASL).

  You can register for free with the SSN if:

  • you have a work contract, are self-employed in Italy or are an immediate family member of someone who is
  • you are an immediate family member of an Italian citizen
  • you hold an Attestazione di Soggiorno Permanente
  • you become unemployed after having worked in Italy, and register on the employment lists (liste di collocamento). This also applies if you register for a professional training course while you are unemployed
  • you hold a UK social security form, such as an S1 form for pensioners

  If you do not qualify for free SSN registration, you may be able to pay an annual fee to registerregister. . Contact your ASL to see if you can do this in the region where you live.

  Read our guidance on healthcare in Italy and make sure you are correctly registered.registered for your circumstances.

  YouIf canyou alsoare read:

  • howregistered tofor accesspublic healthcare as a postedresident workerin ifItaly, and are travelling outside of Italy, carry your UKItalian employerEHIC has(Tessera sentEuropea youdi toAssicurazione ItalyMalattia temporarily
  – TEAM) with you.

  You can also read:

  • our healthcare guide on how to access healthcare in Italy
  • the Italian Ministry of Health’s informative note for local healthcare authorities on implementing healthcare rights under the Withdrawal Agreement (in Italian)

  State healthcare: S1

  IfYou youmay havebe aentitled registered S1 form and were living in Italy before 1 January 2021, your rights to accessstate healthcare willpaid stayfor by the sameUK if you arelive either:in Italy and you:

  • are receiving a UK State Pension
  • are receiving some other ‘exportable benefits’
  • are a frontier worker who lives in Italy and commutes to work in the UK
  • have been sent to Italy temporarily by your UK employer

  Read our guidance on using an S1 form in Italy to ensure you are correctly registered for healthcare.

  European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC)

  If you are resident in Italy, you must not use your UK-issued EHIC or GHIC for healthcare in Italy.Italy, unless you are a student or a detached (posted) worker. Current EHICs will remain valid until the expiry date on the card.

  If you wereare living in ItalyItaly, before 1 January 2021, you may be eligible for a new UK-issued EHIC or GHIC if you are:

  • a UK student in Italy
  • a UK State Pensioner with a registered S1
  • a frontier worker with a registered S1

  The card you receive will depend on when you moved to Italy.

  Apply now for a new UK EHIC or GHIC.

  An EHIC or GHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.

  For more information read our guidance on healthcare when travelling in Europe and advice on foreign travel insurance.

  If you are registered for public healthcare as a resident in Italy, and are travelling outside of Italy, carry your Italian EHIC (Tessera Europea di Assicurazione Malattia –TEAM) with you. An EHIC is not a replacement for comprehensive travel insurance.

  You should also read guidance on:

  • finding an English-speaking doctor in Italy
  • checking your prescriptions are legal in Italy

  Passports and travel

  YouIf you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you should carry your residence document (EU(‘carta documentdi soggiorno elettronica’, the ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’ or newyour attestazione),EU residency document), as well as your valid passport when you travel.

  If you have not yet applied for a residence document, you should carry evidence that you are resident in Italy. This could include a tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020.

  If you cannot showprove that you are resident in Italy, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the Schengen area, and your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in Italy.

  Passports

  Check your passport is valid for travel before you book your trip. You can apply for or renew your British passport from Italy.

  You must have at least 6 months left on an adult or child passport to travel to most countries in Europe (not including Ireland). This requirement does not apply if you are entering or transiting to Italy, and you are in scope of the Withdrawal Agreement.

  If you renewed your current passport before the previous one expired, extra months may have been added to its expiry date. Any extra months on your passport over 10 years may not count towards the 6 months needed.

  Renew your passport before booking your travel if you do not have enough time left on your passport.

  As a non-EEA national, different border checks will apply when travelling to other EU or Schengen area countries. You may have to use separate lanes from EU, EEA and Swiss citizens when queueing. You may also need to show a return or onward ticket.

  Entry requirements

  You can travel to other Schengen area countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa for purposes such as tourism.

  To stay longer than 90 days in any 180-day period, to work or study, or for business travel, you will must meet the entry requirements set out by the country you are travelling to. This could mean applying for a visa or work permit.

  Periods of time authorised by a visa or permit will not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit.

  Different rules will apply to EU countries that are not part of the Schengen area. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

  Travel to the UK and Ireland has not changed.

  Driving in Italy

  If you arelive a resident in Italy you should obtain an Italian licence. You will need to take a driving testtest. to do so.

  If you started the process of exchanging your UK licence before 1 January 2021, you willdo not haveneed to take a driving test.test (link in Italian).

  You can use your valid UK licence until 31 December 2021.

  If you moved to Italy after 1 January 2021, you can use your valid UK licence for 12 months from the date you became resident.

  For information on driving in Italy, read the guidance on:

  • what you need to drive abroad
  • driving licences in Italy(in Italian)
  • contacting an Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile (in Italian)

  If you are in Italy and your UK driving licence is lost, stolen or expires you willcannot not be able to renew it with the UK Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA). You will need to apply to the DVLA for a ‘certificate of entitlement’ in Italian to be able to apply for an Italian driving licence.

  Bringing a UK-registered vehicle to Italy

  Read our guidance on taking a vehicle out of the UK.

  If you move to Italy with your UK-registered car, you must register your car with Italian licence plates within 60 days of being officially resident in Italy. If not, your car may be impounded.

  Be aware that as soon as you start the process of registering your car in Italy you will not be able to use your car, until you get your new documentation and licence plates. For more information, contact an Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile (in Italian).

  Working in Italy

  If you were legally resident in Italy before 1 January 2021, you have the right to work, as long as you remain legally resident.

  Read the Ministry of Employment’s information for employers on registering work contracts for UK nationals covered by the Withdrawal Agreement (in Italian).

  If you are planning to comemove to Italy to work,work you may need a visa.visa.

  To apply for a job, you may need to provide a:

  • UK criminal records certificate
  • Italian criminal records certificate (Certificato del casellario giudiziale) issued by the Italian Law Court (Ufficio Casellario Giudiziale c/o Procura della Repubblica, Tribunale)

  Read the Department for International Trade’s guidance on:

  • working or providing services in Italy
  • how to get your qualification recognised in Italy

  and sign up for their updates.

  Frontier workers

  If you live in Italy and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country, before 1 January 2021 you may need a permit to show you are a frontier worker. You must also check that you are correctly registered for residency. Read the Italian government’s guidance on the new Withdrawal Agreement residency document.

  If you live in the UK or another EU or EFTA country and regularly commuted to work in Italy before 1 January 2021, you do not need a frontier worker permit. However, you can apply for one if you wish. You can obtain a new frontier worker permit from your local immigration office (questura).

  Studying in Italy

  YouIf willyou bewere legally resident in Italy before 1 January 2021, you are eligible for broadly the same supporttuition fees as Italian nationals,nationals.

  If as long as you were legallysettled resident in Italy as a student before 1 January 2021.

  Make2021 surebut did you aredid correctlynot registeredregister foras residencya andresident, healthcare.

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  Moving to Italy whileto study

  If you are studyingplanning here.to study in Italy, make sure you meet all visa requirements before you travel.

  Once registeredin (temporarilyItaly or fully) you should obtaincontact theyour newlocal immigration office (‘questura’) for details on how to apply for a non-EU national residency biometricpermit card‘permesso fromdi yoursoggiorno’. localYou questurawill need this to evidenceregister your rightsresidency inwith Italy. Readthe town hall.

  Contact the Italianrelevant government’shigher education provider to check what fees you may have to pay.

  Read our guidance on thestudying newin Withdrawalthe AgreementEuropean residency documentUnion.

  Money and tax

  The UK has a double taxation agreement with Italy to make sure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

  Existing double taxation arrangements for UK nationals living in Italy continue to apply.

  Read guidance about:

  • the tax on your UK income if you live abroad
  • paying income tax in Italy

  You should get professional advice on paying tax in Italy. You can find a tax adviser or business consultant (commercialista) at the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy or Centro Assistenza Fiscale – Tax Assistance Centre (CAF), or find an English-speaking lawyer.

  Declaration of overseas assets

  Check if you need to file an annual declaration of overseas assets using the Quadro RW form (part of the annual Unico tax form). There are severe penalties if you do not file, or give incorrect or incomplete information.

  You can get more information from a tax adviser or business consultant (commercialista) at the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy or Centro Assistenza Fiscale – Tax Assistance Centre (CAF).

  National Insurance

  Find out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Italy.

  Banking

  Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA is a matter of local law and regulation. Your bank or finance provider should contact you if they need to make any changes to your product or the way they provide it. If you have any concerns about whether you might be affected, contact your provider or seek independent financial advice.

  Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on banking, insurance and financial services changes for more information on cross-border banking.

  Italian bank requests for a ‘permesso di soggiorno’ or ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’

  If you were resident in Italy before 1 January 2021, you do not need to show your Italian bank a non-EU residency document (‘permesso di soggiorno’) or a biometric residency card (‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’) issued under the Withdrawal Agreement.

  If your bank requests either of these documents, you should show them the Associazione Bancaria Italiana (ABI - Italian Banking Association) guidance (in Italian).

  The ABI advises that the non-EU ‘permesso di soggiorno’ is not issued to UK nationals with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, and the ‘carta di soggiorno’ is not mandatory.

  Pensions

  Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Italy.

  You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

  If you retire in Italy, you can claim:

  • your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pensions Centre to claim
  • your Italian and UK State Pension from the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS), if you have worked in Italy
  • pensions from working abroad, if you have worked in other EU countries

  Read the Money and Pension Service guidance on pension and retirement changes for more information on cross-border pensions.

  Life certificates for UK State Pensions

  If you get a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pension Service, you need to respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you don’t.

  Benefits

  Read our guidance on entitlement to UK benefits and pensions while you are living in Italy.

  You will need to tell the UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are moving or retiring abroad.

  Check which UK benefits you can claim while abroad and how to claim them.

  Many income-related benefits such as pension credit and housing benefit cannot be paid to you if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

  You can request proof of the time you’ve worked in the UK from HMRC if you are asked for this.

  Italian benefits

  You may be eligible to claim some Italian social security benefits.

  • read the EU’s guidance on claiming benefits in Italy
  • visit your nearest Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS)

  Voting

  You cannot vote or stand in local municipal elections in Italy or European Parliament elections.

  You may be able to vote in some UK elections. You can:

  • check if you are able to vote
  • register as an overseas voter to vote

  Births, deaths and getting married

  If your child is born in Italy, you will need to register the birth abroad.

  If someone dies in Italy you can:

  • read our guidance on what to do after someone dies abroad
  • read guidance for UK nationals on bereavements in Italy
  • find a list of English-speaking funeral directors in Italy

  Find out how you can get married abroad.

  Find out about notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Italy.

  Getting married in Italy

  UK nationals (resident in Italy and elsewhere) continue to have the right to get married in Italy.

  Read our guidance on getting married abroad for the latest information.

  Accommodation and buying property

  See ‘visas and residency’ for actions you must take if you have guests staying at your property.

  UK nationals can buy property or land in Italy whether or not you live there. Read our guidance on buying property abroad.

  If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

  To purchase property, you do not need a non-EU national residency permit (permesso di soggiorno). You may be asked to prove you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. You can do this by providing an EU residency document such as:

  • attestato di soggiorno (EU residency document)

  • attestazione di soggiorno permanente UE (EU permanent residency document)

  • certificato di residenza (EU residency certificate)

  You can alternatively provide documents issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, such as:

  • attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica (Residency document issued under the Withdrawal Agreement)

  • carta di soggiorno elettronica (biometric residency card issued under the Withdrawal Agreement)

  You may wish to show your public notary this guidance (in Italian) from the Consiglio Nazionale Del Notariato (National Council of Italian Public Notaries).

  Pets

  If you have a pet passport issued by Italy or another EU member state, you can use it to travel with your pet to Great Britain and elsewhere in the EU.

  A GB-issued EU pet passport is not valid for travel to the EU or Northern Ireland. You should speak to your vet before you travel to get the necessary pet travel documents and ensure you’re compliant with the EU Pet Travel Regulations.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to GB
  • travelling with your pet in the EU
  • travelling to Northern Ireland with your pet

  Check the rules of the country you’re travelling to for any additional restrictions or requirements before you travel.

  Emergencies

  You can dial the European emergency number on 112 or:

  • 113 for police
  • 115 for fire brigade
  • 118 for first aid

  If you’re the victim of crime, have been arrested, or are affected by a crisis abroad, contact the British Embassy in Rome or the British Consulate General Milan.

  Returning to the UK

  Tell the UK and Italian authorities if you are returning to the UK permanently. To help prove you are now living in the UK, de-register with your:

  • local town hall (comune)
  • the Italian State Police (residenza)
  • your local health centre (ASL)

  If you get UK State Pension or benefits payments, you must tell the International Pension Centre and the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS). You must also contact the Agenzia delle Entrate before you return to the UK.

  If you get healthcare in Italy through the S1 form, you must contact the Overseas Healthcare Team on +44 (0)191 218 1999 to make sure your S1 is cancelled at the right time.

  Read the guidance on returning to the UK permanently which includes information on, amongst other things, tax, access to services and bringing family members.

  If you have further questions

  Contact us through our web form if you have a specific question on living in Italy.

  Disclaimer

  Please note that this information is provided as a guide only. Definitive information should be obtained from the Italian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office will not be liable for any inaccuracies in this information.