This guide sets out essential information for British citizens about moving to or living in Italy. Read about how our Consulate General in Milan and Embassy in Rome can help.
This information is provided as a guide only. You should obtain definitive information from the Italian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.
Some parts of this guide only apply if you were living in Italy since before 1 January 2021. These are indicated with sub-headings.
Italy implements the Agreement through a declaratory system. This means that if you were lawfully living in 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 ask for the new ‘carta di soggiorno 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 Living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
You should follow the advice of the Italian Government and your local authority. You can also read our Italy travel advice.
For information on getting a COVID-19 vaccine as a UK national in Italy, see our coronavirus travel advice.
Visas and residency
Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’
If you have lived in Italy since before 1 January 2021, you and your family members have the right to request a new residence document, the ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’. This document shows that you have the rights defined in the Withdrawal Agreement.
This card is a separate document to the biometric identity card (‘carta d’identita’). We strongly recommend that you request the carta di soggiorno elettronica. It shows your right to enter Italy and exempts you from European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.
If you have been legally resident in Italy:
more than 5 years as a permanent resident, you can ask for a 10-year renewable ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’
less than 5 years, you can ask for a 5-year renewable ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’
with permanent residence status and you are under 18 years old, 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 ask for the ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’ you need to book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) in person.
the Italian government’s guidance on residency, which includes information on how to get the new carta di soggiorno elettronica’ and the supporting documentation you need to provide
In Italy by law you must carry identification with you at all times.
If you and your family members have been lawfully living in Italy since before 1 January 2021, you are not legally required to carry a residency document to prove your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.
If a police officer asks you for an identification document, you may need to prove your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. You can show one of these documents:
your ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’
a copy of your current residency document , which is valid until it expires
the Withdrawal Agreement ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’
other proof of being legally resident in Italy before 1 January 2021
If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need a non-EU national ‘permesso di soggiorno’ and a police officer cannot ask you to show one.
When you have your Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’, you should carry it with you.
Hosting guests at your property
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.
Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area.
If you have citizenship of an EU / European Free Trade Area (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Italy using your EU / EFTA passport.
If you stay in Italy with a residence permit or long stay visa, this does not count towards your 90-day visa-free limit for the Schengen area.
If you visit other Schengen area countries outside Italy, make sure you do not exceed the visa-free 90 days in any 180-day period. You are responsible for counting how long you stay under the Schengen visa waiver, and you must comply with its conditions.
Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.
If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021
When you travel, especially within the Schengen area, you should carry with you your residence document (‘carta di soggiorno elettronica’, the ‘attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica’ or your EU residency document) or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.
You must proactively show your residence document, or other evidence of residence status, if you are asked to show your passport at border control. Other evidence may be your tenancy agreement or a utility bill in your name, dating from 2020. If you have applied for, but not yet received, your residence document, carry your certificate of registration.
If you cannot prove that you are a resident in Italy, you may be asked additional questions at the border to enter the EU. Your passport may be stamped on entry and exit. This will not affect your rights in the country or countries where you live or work. If a passport is stamped, the stamp is considered null and void when you can show evidence of lawful residence.
If you have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement, you do not need any extra months on your passport to enter or exit EU countries.
Italian criminal records certificate (Certificato del casellario giudiziale) issued by the Italian Law Court (Ufficio Casellario Giudiziale c/o Procura della Repubblica, Tribunale)
If the relevant regulator in Italy officially recognised your professional qualification before 1 January 2021, or you started the recognition process by this date, make sure you understand the terms of your recognition decision. Seek advice from the regulator if needed.
Studying in Italy
If you plan to study in Italy, you must meet all visa requirements before you travel.
Contact the relevant higher education provider in Italy to check what fees you may have to pay.
If you were settled in Italy as a student before 1 January 2021 but did you did not register as a resident, you should apply for the new Withdrawal Agreement biometric residency card ‘carta di soggiorno’ from your local immigration office (‘questura’). You should then register your residency with your local town hall.
If you did register as a resident with the town hall before 1 January 2021 including if you registered under the ‘registro della popolazione temporanea’ (temporary register) using a UK-issued EHIC for your healthcare you should now request the new biometric residency card ‘carta di soggiorno’ from your local questura.
Money, tax and banking
The UK has a double taxation agreement with Italy to ensure you do not pay tax on the same income in both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.
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.
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.
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.
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 cannot renew or replace your UK driving licence if you live in Italy. IfYou youlivethereyoumust exchange your licence for an Italian one.one and you will need to take a driving test. You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of exchanging your licence.
The British and Italian governments arecontinue negotiatingto onnegotiate long-term arrangements for exchanging driving licencelicences without needing ato practicaltake test.a test.
If you need to exchangedrive yourin validItaly, UKyou licence,should younot currentlywait needfor negotiations to takeconclude abefore drivingexchanging test.your valid UK licence.
Read the guidance on what actions you must do to drive legally in Italy:
If youryou UKbecame drivingresident licencein wasItaly issuedon or after 1 January 20212022
You can use your valid UK licence for 121 monthsyear from the date you became a resident. Beforetheendofthe12months,youmustexchangeyourlicenceforanItalianone.You will need to take a driving test (in Italian).
If you have a UK Blue Badge and live in Italy, you must return it to the original UK issuing authority. You can apply for a new Italian disabled parking card(in Italian). You must go to the Legal Medical office of your local health department (ASL) to get a medical certificate proving your right to the disabled parking card. Then you must ask the Mayor of your Municipality for the disabled parking card.
You cannot drive a non-Italian registered car in Italy after you have been resident in Italy for 60 days or more.
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 you do not do this, your car may be impounded.
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).
Driving outside Italy with an Italian licence
You can use your Italian licence to visit the UK. Keep up-to-date with the UK Highway Code.
If you go to live in the UK, you can exchange your Italian licence for a UK one without taking a test.
To drive in another country, in addition to your Italian licence you may need to apply for an IDP.
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.
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, bringing family members, tax and access to services.
If you return to the UK permanently and meet the ordinarily resident test, you’ll be able to access NHS care without charge.
Published 22 March 2013
Last updated 2914 DecemberJanuary 20212022
+ show all updates
Driving section: updated guidance about how long valid UK licences will be recognised for in Italy.
Extension to 31 December 2022 for exchanging your valid UK driving licence for an Italian one.
11 August 2021
Guidance reviewed for Money, tax and banking, Benefits, Births, deaths, marriages and civil partnerships, and Useful information sections.
6 August 2021
Guidance reviewed for Passports and travel, Healthcare, Working in Italy, Studying in Italy, Emergencies, and Returning to the UK sections.
28 July 2021
Professional qualifications section updated for British citizens who are moving or moved to Italy after 1 January 2021 and those living there since before 1 January 2021.
2 July 2021
Working in Italy section updated: new guidance for frontier workers
20 May 2021
Updates to Withdrawal Agreement and Visa and Residency sections with updated information from the Italian government; update in Passports section on documentation for spot checks; Driving section updated with latest deadlines on licence validity.
28 April 2021
Visas and residency section updated: new information on your legal requirement to register guests staying with you.
19 April 2021
Additional support section updated with link to guidance on UK Nationals Support Fund, healthcare section updated including guidance on the S1 form and applying for EHIC and GHIC cards; education section updated with information on moving to study in Italy; and working in Italy section updated with link to Department for International Trade (DIT) guidance on working or providing services and link to DIT guidance on recognition of professional qualifications.
14 April 2021
Updated guidance on buying property and working in Italy
7 April 2021
Update to links regarding Driving in Italy - 7 April 2021
22 February 2021
New link to detailed guidance on how to get the new biometric residence card
15 February 2021
Coronavirus section updated with a link to guidance on vaccines.
31 December 2020
Updated as the transition period ends with new information on residency, driving, pet travel and moving to Italy
18 December 2020
Uploaded a Healthcare Information Booklet
18 December 2020
Passports and travel section updated on carrying proof of residence when travelling.
10 November 2020
Healthcare section updated on how to apply for a new UK EHIC as a student or S1 holder. Working section updated with information on frontier workers.
27 October 2020
Visa and residency section updated with new links to detailed guidance on how to register for residency
13 October 2020
updated to include ANCI guidance on registering as a resident in Italy
9 September 2020
We have updated the Citizens' Rights Information Booklet
7 September 2020
Passports and travel section updated to include information on passport validity and entry requirements when travelling to other European countries from January 2021
24 July 2020
Visas and residency section updated to include information about how to access the UK Nationals Support Fund for those who may find it harder to complete their residency applications.
4 May 2020
Information added to the 'Visas and residency' section on the impact of Covid-19 measures on local residency processes in Italy
10 March 2020
Link to travel advice added for latest coronavirus guidance
3 March 2020
A new link to Italian government guidance on residency registration in the ‘Stay up to date’ section.
7 February 2020
New information on the Withdrawal Agreement and a new link to Italian government guidance on healthcare in the ‘Stay up to date’ section. 7 February 2020
23 January 2020
Brexit update: includes further details on passport validity, healthcare rights and State Pension uprating if the UK leaves the EU with a deal.
23 October 2019
Brexit update: information updated in 'driving in Italy after Brexit' section
23 September 2019
Brexit update: healthcare section updated to reflect transitional arrangements announcement
3 September 2019
Brexit update: Pensions section updated to include further details on State Pension uprating.
29 July 2019
update on getting married in Italy - 26 July 2019
25 July 2019
Updated 25 July 2019
31 May 2019
EU Exit update: information on no-deal conditions for passports and visas
7 May 2019
New link to Ambassador's newsletters - updated 7 May 2019
15 April 2019
EU Exit update: updated text for passports, pensions, and returning to the UK.
9 April 2019
EU Exit update: updated information on EU Exit in healthcare, visas and residency, driving and working sections
28 March 2019
EU Exit update: Italian government issues emergency decree on the UK leaving the EU without a deal explaining the impact it has on UK nationals living in Italy
15 March 2019
webpage address for ACRO criminal records office made more precise. March 2019
13 March 2019
We have updated the contact details you need to apply for an S1 form.
6 March 2019
EU Exit Update: On residency appointments and information on getting married in Italy.
22 February 2019
Updated information on passports: you must use the checker tool to see if your passport is still valid for your trip
14 February 2019
Update to section on re-registering a car in Italy 14 February 2019
7 February 2019
EU Exit update: Further information about residency applications added to the Italian government residency announcement
29 January 2019
EU Exit update - Updated information on access to healthcare
18 January 2019
EU Exit update: updated information on pensions and driving.
8 January 2019
EU Exit update: added in further information about 'applying for Italian citizenship'.
2 January 2019
Update on voting rights 2 January 2019
27 December 2018
Italian govt announcement on EU exit.
22 November 2018
EU Exit update: New information in residency and visa section on draft withdrawal agreement in principle between the UK and EU. Plus information on travelling with pets in Europe in pet section.
8 November 2018
Link to page listing ambassador's messages to British nationals regarding EU exit. Added 8 November 2018
13 July 2018
Amended July 2018
9 May 2018
We have added more information on applying for Italian citizenship.
23 March 2018
More detail on how to register for healthcare added.
26 February 2018
Complete revision of guidance to ensure it's up to date and accurate.
20 June 2017
Major changes in all fields
11 April 2017
Updated guidance on UK state pensions in Italy
5 May 2014
Information added on changes to EHIC rules and health cover for early retirees.
2 July 2013
Updated the witness instructions for UK state pension life certificates.