This guide sets out essential information for British citizens moving to or living in Italy. Read about how our our consulate general in Milan and  and embassy in Rome can can help.

This information is provided as a guide only. You should get definitive information from the Italian authorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for any inaccuracies in this information.

Read general guidance on on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts

• follow the British Embassy Rome on on Facebook and  and Twitter

• join one of our our online citizens’ outreach meetings to to keep up to date on working and living in Italy

• read our our Ambassador’s Passaparola newsletters to British Citizens

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this guide only apply if you have been living in Italy since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our our Livingliving in Europe page for for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

You can also read:

• the the Italian government’s guidance on the Withdrawal Agreement residency document (in (in Italian and English)

Visas and residency

You must tell thethe UK government UK government offices that deal with your benefits, pension and tax if you are are moving or retiring abroad.

Check the the entry requirements for Italy. Check which type of visa and/or work permit you may need with the the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or  or Italian Consulates in London, Manchester or Edinburgh before  before booking an appointment.

You should carry an identification document with you at all times.

Name change and proving your identity

Italian authorities view your originaloriginal UK birth UK birth certificate as your main identity document. It’s not common in Italy to change your name because of marriage or for any other reason. It may be difficult to access services if you’ve ever changed your name.

Read our guidance on proving your identity after a name change.

Hosting guests at your property

If you host aa UK national UK national (or any national of a non-EUnon-EU country) country) as a guest, you must inform your your local immigration office (questura) (questura) (in Italian). You must do this in writing within 48 hours after they arrive at your property.

You could be fined if you do not comply with this this Italian immigration law (in (in Italian).

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

Visas and residency if you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

If you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021, you and your family members automatically have rights under the the Withdrawal Agreement.

Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’

The Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ (biometric residence card) provides the clearest evidence of your rights. This card is a separate document to the biometric identity card (carta d’identità). We strongly recommend that you request the the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’. It also shows your right to enter Italy and exempts you from thethe EU Entry/Exit EU Entry/Exit System, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

To get this card you should book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) to have your biometric data taken. This costs 30.46 EUR, and you need to pay with a payment slip, which you can get from the post office. Vulnerable people who cannot travel to their local police headquarters to provide their biometric data, will be issued a paper residence card.

If you have been legally resident in Italy:

• more than 5 years you can ask for a 10-year carta di soggiorno as a permanent resident

• less than 5 years, you can ask for a 5-year carta di soggiorno as a temporary resident

• with permanent residence status and you are under 18 years old, you can ask for a 5-year renewable carta di soggiorno. When you are 18 years old you can ask for a 10-year renewable carta di soggiorno

If you are experiencing difficulties exchanging a 5-year carta di soggiorno for a 10-year carta di soggiorno at your local immigration office (questura), and especially if your 5-year card has not yet expired, you should draw attention to the internal circular of 6 June 2024 issued by the Italian Ministry of Interior to local immigration offices throughout Italy. This instructs local immigration offices to facilitate this exchange process for all beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement that have been legally resident in Italy for more than 5 years.

We have also been working with the Italian Government to overcome difficulties in obtaining an attestazione di soggiorno permanente and/or the Carta di Soggiorno permanente. These documents prove your permanent residency status and your eligibility for free Italian National Health System registration.

Following our work with the Italian Government, on 17 June 2024 the Ministry of Interior published an information note (circolare). This aims to facilitate the process of issuing the attestazione di soggiorno permanente for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are experiencing difficulties obtaining an attestazione di soggiorno permanente from your Comune, you should draw their attention to this note.

You enjoy rights even if you do not have the Withdrawal Agreement carta di soggiorno. The The Italian Ministry of Interior’s ‘vademecum’ confirms confirms that this card is not mandatory (in English and Italian). You can show the ‘vademecum’ to service providers if you do not yet have a carta di soggiorno and you are experiencing difficulties accessing services.

You should read:

• our

  our guidance on how to get the biometric residence card

• the

  the Italian government’s guidance on the biometric residence card (in (in English and Italian), which includes information on how to get the carta di soggiorno and the supporting documentation you need to provide

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Appeal process

If your application for the the carta di soggiorno (in (in English and Italian) is refused, your local immigration office (questura) will send you a refusal notice.

If you want to appeal, you must send your appeal by recorded delivery (raccomandata con avviso di ricevimento or raccomandata A.R.) or by certified email (PEC). The date you post your appeal is used as your appeal submission date.

You have 30 days from the date of the refusal notice to appeal. You must submit your appeal either:

• as your refusal notice instructs you, or

• to your your local ‘prefect’ or ‘prefettura’ (in (in Italian)

Your appeal can only proceed if your grounds for appeal are accepted. You can find more information on the appeals process from from your local prefect’s website (in (in Italian).

We strongly recommend you seek independent, specialised specialised legal advice to to support you if you appeal. The British Embassy cannot get involved in individual immigration applications. We cannot provide legal advice as we do not have the authority or expertise.

If your appeal is rejected, you can appeal through your regional administrative tribunal (‘Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale’ or TAR). You have 60 days, from the date you are notified that your first appeal has been refused, to submit your appeal to the TAR.

You also have the option to appeal to the President of the Republic. You must do this within 120 days of the first refusal notice.

If your appeal is successful, your local questura will contact you to continue with your application for the the carta di soggiorno (in (in English and Italian).

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will be notified of the reasons, usually by registered letter. This letter requires you to acknowledge receipt of the appeal decision. Should you be unsuccessful you should be aware that you may have overstayed your permitted allowance in Italy and and face a penalty for doing so as as well as expulsion.

Family members

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Italy at any time in the future. Read more information on who this applies to in the the Livingliving in Europe guidance.

They must travel to Italy and then apply for the ‘carta di soggiorno’ from the local immigration office (‘questura’) as your family member within 90 days of arriving. Nationals of certain non-EU countriesnon-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Italian authorities overseas should issue family reunion visas free of charge and through an accelerated procedure.

Dual nationals

If you are a dual UK –dual UK – Italian national you must register your residency as an Italian national. You cannot apply for the carta di soggiorno, but you still have rights under the the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you are a dual national of the UK andthe UK and another EU countryanother EU country (but not Italy), you can choose which nationality to register under.

Police identification checks

In Italy you should carry an identification document with you at all times.

If you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement you are not legally required to carry a residence document to prove your rights. However when you obtain the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ you should carry this with you to prove your status. If you do not yet have the ‘carta di soggiorno’ you can prove your status by showing either

• 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

You do not need a non-EU nationalnon-EU national ‘permesso di soggiorno’, and a police officer cannot ask you to show one if you have rights as a UK nationala UK national under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Permitted absence

Temporary residents

If you have been legally resident in Italy for less than five years you may be absent from Italy for periods not exceeding a total of six months within each year. A year is calculated as the anniversary of the date when you became officially resident in Italy.

Longer absences are permitted for specific reasons including for military service (no time limit).  A single absence of 12 months is permitted for reasons including (non-exhaustive): pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training or posting abroad.

Permanent residents

You can leave Italy for up to five years and then return without losing your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. The five-year absence rule also protects those who were absent from Italy at the end of the transition period (prior to 1 January 2021) but return to Italy within 5 years.

If you are planning on being absent from Italy you should obtain the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ before your departure. It is likely to make things easier for you on your return.

On return to Italy you can use your ‘carta di soggiorno’ to evidence your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement or your previousprevious EU residence EU residence document. You should register your residence with your local town hall as soon as you can.

The Withdrawal Agreement enables Italy to restrict these rights if the individual is a serious or persistent criminal, or if they seek to abuse or defraud the system.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Italy.

Check the Italy travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area.

If you have citizenship of an EU oran EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Italy using your EU oryour EU or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Italy with an Italian residence permit or long stay visa, this time 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.

Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU andother EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Italy. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

The

The EU’s EU’s Entry/Exit Scheme

The EU isThe EU is intending to introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES) automated border system but the exact date forthat thisEES will be introduced has not been confirmed. This will register non-EU nationals,non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling intointo EU countries, EU countries, each time they enter a European country. It will replace the manual stamping of passports at the border. 

British people travelling will need to register, providing their name, passport details, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images). They will also need to provide the date and place of entry and exit when entering the EU.the EU. TheThe EU will EU will hold this information for 3 years, so British people visitingvisiting EU countries EU countries again within this 3-year period will only need to register once.

If you have residency rights in the EU,the EU, you will not need to register with the EES. Instead you will need to show your residency document, as agreed under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement or the Schengen Border Code. If you are resident in Italy, this is one of the documents listed in page 46 of Annex 22 of the Schengen Border Code (PDF, 1MB).

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

When you travel, you should carry your Italian residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport.
passport. 

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 additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

Read EU guidanceRead EU guidance for UK nationalsfor UK nationals on entering and leaving the Schengen area. 

When thethe EU’s EU’s Entry/Exit system (EES) is introduced, British nationals who have been lawfully resident in thethe EU since EU since before 1 January 2021 and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement will be exempt from registration, provided they hold the correct documentation. They will be required to show a uniform-format biometric card which is included as a residency document under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. For further details view the the FAQs about EES on onthe EU Commission the EU Commission website.

For residents of Italy, this card is the Carta di soggiorno (residence card or permanent residence card). Although having a Carta di soggiorno is not mandatory in Italy, we strongly recommend all those who do not have a card obtain one.

We expect that beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement may face significant delays and difficulties at borders if they do not have a Carta di soggiorno. To get this card you should book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (Questura) to have your biometric data taken. You should read:

• our guidance our guidance on how to get the biometric residence card

• the Italian Government’s Government’s guidance on the biometric residence card  (in English and Italian), which includes information on the supporting documentation you need to provide

You must proactively show your Carta di soggiorno if you are asked to show your passport at border control.

If you have applied for your Carta di soggiorno, but have not yet received it, carry your receipt of application. You will have been given this when you asked for your Carta di soggiorno at the Questura.

Healthcare

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

Travel insurance is is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

You should also read guidance on:

• travelling with medicines (NHS)

• the Italian Ministry of Health’s note on healthcare rights (in Italian)

If you need a private doctor check finding an an English-speaking doctor in Italy.

Working in Italy

If you are planning to move to Italy and work, you may need a 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:

• working or providing services in Italy

• working in an EU country

• EU guidance on working in an EU country

If you work in Italy, even if you work for a UK-based company, this may affect where you pay National Insurance-type contributions. Read the National insurance and social security contributions section for more information.

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

On 15You February 2024have the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

If you do not yet have a carta di soggiorno, you can show your employer the Ministry of HealthEmployment’s publishedinformation for employers on registering work contracts for UK nationals (in Italian).

If you live in Italy and were regularly commuting to work in another EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Italy.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications

• how to get your qualification recognised in Italy

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

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 decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

UK education documents

If you need a certified copy of your education document, you should contact a UK solicitor working in the UK or Italy.

If you need to authenticate a translation of your education document, you should contact an Italian translator and ask them if they can provide a sworn translation (traduzione giurata).

If you need your qualification evaluated in Italy, contact ENIC-NARIC.

If you need a Dichiarazione di valore (DV), contact the Italian consulate in London. Once you have a DV, you may need an Equipollenza – you should check whether this is required with your employer or the Italian authorities.

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.

Read guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EU

• studying in the European Union

• healthcare for students in Italy

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

The studying in the European Union guidance includes information noteif you were already living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

If you were settled in Italy as a student before 1 January 2021 but 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.

Read the Italian government’s guidance on the new Withdrawal Agreement residency document that (in stated (translatedItalian).

If you registered as a resident with the town hall before 1 January 2021, you should now request the biometric residency card (carta di soggiorno) from originalyour local questura. You should also request this if you registered under the ‘registro della popolazione temporanea’ (temporary register) using a UK-issued EHIC for your healthcare.

Tax

The UK has a double taxation agreement with Italy so that you do not pay tax on the same income in Italian):both countries. Ask the relevant tax authority your questions about double taxation relief.

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) (in Italian).

Find an English-speaking lawyer in Italy.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK to live abroad

• tax on your UK income if you live abroad

• tax if you get a pension and live abroad

• paying income tax in italy

• EU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websites

Declaring your 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 nationalsChamber whoof enteredCommerce beforefor 31/12/2020Italy or Centro Assistenza Fiscale – Tax Assistance Centre (CAF) in Italian.

National insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) are stillcalled present‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Italy:Italy. theyFind out if you need to pay National Insurance in the UK or social security contributions in Italy.

If you plan to move to Italy and work, even if you continue working for a UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Italy. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Italy.

Read guidance on National Insurance for workers from the UK working in the EEA or Switzerland.

You can compulsorilycheck enrolyour UK National (iscrizioneInsurance obbligatoria)record.

Benefits

UK benefits

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

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 if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

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) (in Italian)

Pensions

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

Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK State Pension.

If you retire in Italy, you can claim:

• your UK State Pension or new UK State Pension. Contact the International Pension Centre for further information

• pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countries

Read the Money and Pension Service’s MoneyHelper guidance on pension and retirement 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 must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

UK banking

Whether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

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

Banking in Italy if you were living there before 1 January 2021

If you were resident in Italy before 1 January 2021, you do not need to show your Italian Nationalbank Healtha Systemnon-EU national (SSN - Sistemaresidency Sanitariodocument Nazionale) as(permesso beneficiariesdi soggiorno) or a biometric residency card (Withdrawal Agreement carta di soggiorno elettronica).

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

The ABI advises that the provisionsnon-EU national ofpermesso di soggiorno is not issued to UK nationals with rights under the AgreementWithdrawal Agreement, and the carta di soggiorno is not mandatory.

Accommodation and buying property

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

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

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 need to prove that you are legally living in Italy.. You can do this by providing your carta di soggiorno elettronica (biometric residency card issued under the Withdrawal Agreement) or attestazione di iscrizione anagrafica (residency document issued under the Withdrawal Agreement)

Alternatively you can provide 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)

If you are having problems accessing property services, show your public notary this guidance from the Consiglio Nazionale Del Notariato (National Council of Italian Public Notaries) (in Italian).

Driving in Italy

Read the Unitedguidance Kingdomon what actions you must take to drive legally in Italy:

• what you need to drive in the EU

• driving licence rules in Italy if you live there

• road travel in Italy

• driving licences in Italy (in Italian)

You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of obtaining an Italian licence.

If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2023

You can use your valid UK  licence for up to 1 year from the Europeandate Union,you which,became moreover,resident.

If you became resident in ArticleItaly 23,before provides1 January 2023

You cannot drive in Italy using your UK licence. You need to exchange it for equalan treatmentItalian one.

If your UK licence has expired

You cannot use it to drive in Italy. However, you can exchange your UK licence if it expired less than 5 years before you present it for exchange.

Exchanging your UK licence

You can exchange your UK licence for an Italian one without needing to take a test. This follows the Agreement that the UK and Italian governments signed on 23 December 2022 about exchanging driving licences.

How to exchange your UK licence

To exchange your licence, you must book an appointment with domesticyour nationals.local ‘Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile’ (Motorisation Office, webpage in Italian). When you attend the appointment, make sure you bring the required foreign licence exchange documentation (in Italian), view the section ‘Richiesta conversione patente non comunitaria’. Contact your local Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile for further enquiries about your exchange.

Who can exchange their UK licence

SinceIf you became resident in Italy on or before 31 December 2020 you can exchange your UK licence at any time.

If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2021 you can only present your UK licence for exchange within 6 years of becoming resident.

Which UK licences can be exchanged

Your UK licence must be a full, non-provisional and valid licence. You can also exchange an expired full, non-provisional licence, as long as it has not expired for more than 5 years before you present it for exchange.

According to the UK-IT bilateral Agreement on exchanging driving licences (Art 13.1), your local Motorizzazione office may request an official translation of your driving licence in a specific case (ie you hold a paper licence that has additional text which is not already included in the model driving licence images exchanged between Parties via diplomatic channels).

According to Art. 13.2 of the Agreement, should your local Motorizzazione have doubts as to the validity or authenticity of the licence and the data entered on it, they may request information directly from DVLA.

The British Embassy in Rome and the British Consulate in Milan do not issue translations or certificates of authenticity for the purposes of this noteAgreement. However, if needed as in Art. 13.1, you can find translators listed on gov.uk that can organise a legalised translation.

Age restrictions

There is no age restriction on exchanging your UK licence. However you must meet Italian age requirements for the driving category you’re exchanging to.

UK licences issued by exchange of a licence originally issued elsewhere

If your UK licence was published,first weissued havein heardanother aboutcountry, inconsistenciesyou amongstcan exchange it if that country has a licence exchange agreement or understanding with Italy. If it does not, you will need to take a test to obtain an Italian licence.

Lost or stolen UK licences

If your UK licence is lost or stolen, you must provide a copy of the loss or theft report filed with the Italian police authorities in interpretingaddition andto implementingthe other documents. If you cannot provide this guidance.report, Britishyou will need to take a test to obtain an Italian licence.

Special ID cards

If you hold a Ministry of Foreign Affairs special ID card, you do not need to exchange. You can continue to drive with your UK licence.

Licences issued in Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

The guidance on exchanging your licence also applies to:

• full, non-provisional and valid licences issued in Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

• any licence issued from Gibraltar, Jersey and Guernsey that expired less than 5 years before you present it for exchange

You cannot exchange expired driving licences from the Isle of Man.

Disabled drivers

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). Go to your local health department (ASL) legal medical office 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.

Read the EU guidance on the EU parking card for people with rightsdisabilities.

Bringing undera UK-registered vehicle to Italy

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

You cannot drive a non-Italian registered car in Italy after you have been resident in Italy for 90 days or more.

If you move to Italy with your UK-registered car, you must register your car with Italian licence plates within 90 days of being officially resident in Italy. If you do not do this, your car may be impounded.

As soon as you start the Withdrawalprocess Agreementof 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, read Art. 93-bis of the Italian Highway Code (in Italian) and 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.

Read the EU guidance on:

• EU driving licences and insurance

• driving licence exchange and recognition in the EU

Sailing in Italy

If local authorities ask for proof of UK laws about sailing you can download the following letters (sometimes called information notes):

• UK law on pleasure vessels (PDF, 724 KB, 2 pages)

• UK law on validation of sea time (PDF, 1010 KB, 2 pages)

Voting

You cannot vote or stand as electivea residentscandidate (notin Italian national and local government elections, or in employment)European whoParliament haveelections.

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

• check if you are able to vote

• register as an overseas voter

Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

If your child is born in Italy, you can register the birth with the UK authorities in addition to registering locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not yetneed qualifiedto register the birth with the UK authorities to apply for permanenta residencyBritish passport.

If someone dies in Italy read our guidance on:

• what to do after someone dies abroad

• bereavement in Italy

• finding English-speaking funeral directors in Italy

Find out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

You may also need notarial and documentary services for UK nationals in Italy.

Pets

If you’re moving to Italy with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:

• taking your pet abroad

• moving to EU countries with your pet

To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.

Read guidance on:

• bringing your pet to Great Britain. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issued pet passports

• travelling to Ireland with your pet

• travelling with your pet in the EU

Emergencies

Dial the European emergency number 112 in Italy for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

• 113 for police

• 115 for fire brigade

• 118 for first aid

Dial the EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in any EU country.

If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted read the guidance on international parental child abduction; the Italian Ministry of Justice guidance on child abduction (in Italian); the EU guidance on child abduction and EU guidance on child abduction to another EU country.

Read the guidance if you have hadbeen significantthe problemsvictim accessingof a rape or sexual assault in Italy.

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

Returning to the UK

Tell the Italian and UK 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) (in Italian)

• your local health services.department This(ASL)

To move your Italian pension to the UK, contact the International Pension Centre and the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS) (in Italian). You must also affectscontact renewingthe Agenzia theirdelle Entrate before you return to the UK.

If you get healthcare cards.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.

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

Useful information

Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.

Contact us through our web form if you have beena pressingspecific question on living in Italy.

Contact the British Consulate General Milan

Contact the British Embassy RomeThis guide sets out essential information for British citizens 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 get definitive information from the Italian Governmentauthorities. The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) is not liable for clarity,any butinaccuracies somein inconsistenciesthis betweeninformation.

Read general guidance on moving or retiring abroad.

To stay up to date:

• sign up for email alerts

• follow the relevantBritish MinistriesEmbassy remain.Rome on Facebook and Twitter

• join one of our online citizens’ outreach meetings to keep up to date on working and living in Italy

• read our Ambassador’s Passaparola newsletters to British Citizens

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

Some parts of this affectsguide only apply if you have been living in Italy since before 1 January 2021. You should read these in addition to the rest of the guidance in each section.

You should also read our living in Europe page for detailed guidance about citizens’ rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

You can also read:

• the Italian government’s guidance on the Withdrawal Agreement residency document (in Italian and English)

Visas and residency

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

Check the entry requirements for Italy. Check which type of visa and/or work permit you may need with the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs or Italian Consulates in London, Manchester or Edinburgh before booking an appointment.

You should carry an identification document with you at all times.

Name change and proving your identity

Italian authorities view your original UK birth certificate as your main identity document. It’s not common in Italy to change your name because of marriage or for any other reason. It may be difficult to access services if you’ve ever changed your name.

Read our guidance on proving your identity after a name change.

Hosting guests at your property

If you host a UK national (or any national of a non-EU country) as a guest, you must inform your local immigration office (questura) (in Italian). You must do this in writing within 48 hours after they arrive at your property.

You could be fined if you do not comply with this Italian immigration law (in Italian).

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

Visas and residency if you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

If you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021, you and your family members automatically have norights healthcareunder cover,the Withdrawal weAgreement.

Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’

The Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ (biometric residence card) provides the clearest evidence of your rights. This card is a separate document to the biometric identity card (carta d’identità). We strongly recommend that you request the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’. It also shows your right to enter Italy and exempts you from the EU Entry/Exit System, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) and visa requirements.

To get this card you should book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (questura) to have your biometric data taken. This costs 30.46 EUR, and you need to pay with a payment slip, which you can get from the voluntarypost contributionoffice. Vulnerable people who cannot travel to registertheir local police headquarters to provide their biometric data, will be issued a paper residence card.

If you have been legally resident in Italy:

• more than 5 years you can ask for a 10-year carta di soggiorno as a permanent resident

• less than 5 years, you can ask for a 5-year carta di soggiorno as a temporary resident

• with permanent residence status and you are under 18 years old, you can ask for a 5-year renewable carta di soggiorno. When you are 18 years old you can ask for a 10-year renewable carta di soggiorno

If you are experiencing difficulties exchanging a 5-year carta di soggiorno for a 10-year carta di soggiorno at your local immigration office (questura), and especially if your 5-year card has not yet expired, you should draw attention to the internal circular of 6 June 2024 issued by the Italian NationalMinistry Healthof System,Interior orto getlocal privateimmigration healthoffices insurance.throughout Italy. This instructs local immigration offices to facilitate this exchange process for all beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement that have been legally resident in Italy for more than 5 years.

We have also been working with the Italian Government to overcome difficulties in obtaining an attestazione di soggiorno permanente and/or the Carta di Soggiorno permanente. These documents prove your permanent residency status and your eligibility for free Italian National Health System registration.

Following our work with the Italian Government, Government, on 17 June 2024 the Ministry of Interior published an information note (circolare). This aims to facilitate the process of issuing the attestazione di soggiorno permanente for people with rights under the Withdrawal Agreement. If you are experiencing difficulties obtaining an attestazione di soggiorno permanente from your Comune, you should draw their attention to this note.

You enjoy rights even if you do not have the Withdrawal Agreement carta di soggiorno. The Italian Ministry of Interior’s ‘vademecum’ confirms that this card is not mandatory (in English and Italian). You can show the ‘vademecum’ to service providers if you do not yet have a carta di soggiorno and you are experiencing difficulties accessing services.

You should read:

• our guidance on how to get the biometric residence card

• the Italian government’s guidance on the biometric residence card (in English and Italian), which includes information on how to get the carta di soggiorno and the supporting documentation you need to provide

We are aware that many British nationals are having difficulties making an appointment with their questura and we are engaging with the local authorities to seek a solution.

Appeal process

If your application for the carta di soggiorno (in English and Italian) is refused, your local immigration office (questura) will send you a refusal notice.

If you want to appeal, you must send your appeal by recorded delivery (raccomandata con avviso di ricevimento or raccomandata A.R.) or by certified email (PEC). The date you post your appeal is used as your appeal submission date.

You have 30 days from the date of the refusal notice to appeal. You must submit your appeal either:

• as your refusal notice instructs you, or

• to your local ‘prefect’ or ‘prefettura’ (in Italian)

Your appeal can only proceed if your grounds for appeal are accepted. You can find more information on the appeals process from your local prefect’s website (in Italian).

We strongly recommend you seek independent, specialised legal advice to support you if you appeal. The British Embassy cannot get involved in individual immigration applications. We cannot provide legal advice as we do not have the authority or expertise.

If your appeal is rejected, you can appeal through your regional administrative tribunal (‘Tribunale Amministrativo Regionale’ or TAR). You have 60 days, from the date you are notified that your first appeal has been refused, to submit your appeal to the TAR.

You also have the option to appeal to the President of the Republic. You must do this within 120 days of the first refusal notice.

If your appeal is successful, your local questura will contact you to continue with your application for the carta di soggiorno (in English and Italian).

If your appeal is unsuccessful, you will be notified of the reasons, usually by registered letter. This letter requires you to acknowledge receipt of the appeal decision. Should you be unsuccessful you should be aware that you may have overstayed your permitted allowance in Italy and face a penalty for doing so as well as expulsion.

Family members

Your close family members continue to be able to join you and settle in Italy at any time in the future. Read more information on who this applies to in the living in Europe guidance.

They must travel to Italy and then apply for the ‘carta di soggiorno’ from the local immigration office (‘questura’) as your family member within 90 days of arriving. Nationals of certain non-EU countries may need a visa before travel. The Italian authorities overseas should issue family reunion visas free of charge and through an accelerated procedure.

Dual nationals

If you are a dual UK – Italian national you must register your residency as an Italian national. You cannot apply for the carta di soggiorno, but you still have rights under the Withdrawal Agreement.

If you are a dual national of the UK and another EU country (but not Italy), you can choose which nationality to register under.

Police identification checks

In Italy you should carry an identification document with you at all times.

If you are covered by the Withdrawal Agreement you are not legally required to carry a residence document to prove your rights. However when you obtain the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ you should carry this with you to prove your status. If you do not yet have the ‘carta di soggiorno’ you can prove your status by showing either

• 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

You do not need a non-EU national ‘permesso di soggiorno’, and a police officer cannot ask you to show one if you have rights as a UK national under the Withdrawal Agreement.

Permitted absence

Temporary residents

If you have been legally resident in Italy for less than five years you may be absent from Italy for periods not exceeding a total of six months within each year. A year is calculated as the anniversary of the date when you became officially resident in Italy.

Longer absences are permitted for specific reasons including for military service (no time limit).  A single absence of 12 months is permitted for reasons including (non-exhaustive): pregnancy and childbirth, serious illness, study or vocational training or posting abroad.

Permanent residents

You can leave Italy for up to five years and then return without losing your status under the Withdrawal Agreement. The five-year absence rule also protects those who were absent from Italy at the end of the transition period (prior to 1 January 2021) but return to Italy within 5 years.

If you are planning on being absent from Italy you should obtain the Withdrawal Agreement ‘carta di soggiorno’ before your departure. It is likely to make things easier for you on your return.

On return to Italy you can use your ‘carta di soggiorno’ to evidence your rights under the Withdrawal Agreement or your previous EU residence document. You should register your residence with your local town hall as soon as you can.

The Withdrawal Agreement enables Italy to restrict these rights if the individual is a serious or persistent criminal, or if they seek to abuse or defraud the system.

Passports and travel

You can apply for or renew your British passport from Italy.

Check the Italy travel advice for passport validity requirements.

Always carry your passport when travelling within the Schengen area.

If you have citizenship of an EU or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) country, in addition to your British citizenship, you should enter and leave Italy using your EU or EFTA passport.

If you stay in Italy with an Italian residence permit or long stay visa, this time 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.

Different rules apply if you are travelling to other EU and Schengen countries as a resident of Italy. Check each country’s travel advice page for information on entry requirements.

The EU’s Entry/Exit Scheme

The EU is intending to introduce the Entry/Exit System (EES) automated border system but the exact date that EES will be introduced has not been confirmed. This will register non-EU nationals, including British nationals, travelling into EU countries, each time they enter a European country. It will replace the manual stamping of passports at the border. 

British people travelling will need to register, providing their name, passport details, biometric data (fingerprints and captured facial images). They will also need to provide the date and place of entry and exit when entering the EU. The EU will hold this information for 3 years, so British people visiting EU countries again within this 3-year period will only need to register once.

If you have residency rights in the EU, you will not need to register with the EES. Instead you will need to show your residency document, as agreed under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement or the Schengen Border Code. If you are resident in Italy, this is one of the documents listed in page 46 of Annex 22 of the Schengen Border Code (PDF, 1MB).

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

When you travel, you should carry your Italian residence document or frontier worker permit issued under the Withdrawal Agreement, in addition to your valid passport. 

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 additional validity on the passport beyond the dates on which you are travelling.

Read EU guidance for UK nationals on entering and leaving the Schengen area. 

When the EU’s Entry/Exit system (EES) is introduced, British nationals who have been lawfully resident in the EU since before 1 January 2021 and are beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement will be exempt from registration, provided they hold the correct documentation. They will be required to show a uniform-format biometric card which is included as a residency document under the terms of the Withdrawal Agreement. For further details view the FAQs about EES on the EU Commission website.

For residents of Italy, this card is the Carta di soggiorno (residence card or permanent residence card). Although having a Carta di soggiorno is not mandatory in Italy, we strongly recommend all those who do not have a card obtain one.

We expect that beneficiaries of the Withdrawal Agreement may face significant delays and difficulties at borders if they do not have a Carta di soggiorno. To get this card you should book an appointment at your local immigration office at the police headquarters (Questura) to have your biometric data taken. You should read:

• our guidance on how to get the biometric residence card

• the Italian Government’s guidance on the biometric residence card  (in English and Italian), which includes information on the supporting documentation you need to provide

You must proactively show your Carta di soggiorno if you are asked to show your passport at border control.

If you have applied for your Carta di soggiorno, but have not yet received it, carry your receipt of application. You will have been given this when you asked for your Carta di soggiorno at the Questura.

Healthcare

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

Travel insurance is not intended to cover healthcare costs if you live overseas.

You should also read guidance on:

• travelling with medicines (NHS)

• the Italian Ministry of Health’s note on healthcare rights (in Italian)

If you need a private doctor check finding an English-speaking doctor in Italy.

Working in Italy

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

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

• UK criminal

  UK criminal records certificate

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

Read:

• working or providing services in Italy

• working in an EU countryan EU country

• EU guidanceEU guidance on working in an EU countryan EU country

If you work in Italy, even if you work for a UK-baseda UK-based company, this may affect where you pay National Insurance-type contributions. Read the the National insurance and social security contributions section for for more information.

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

You have the the right to work under the Withdrawal Agreement if if you were lawfully living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

If you do not yet have a carta di soggiorno, you can show your employer the the Ministry of Employment’s information for employers on registering work contracts for UK nationalsfor UK nationals (in (in Italian).

If you live in Italy and were regularly commuting to work in another EU oranother EU or EFTA country before 1 January 2021, read our our guidance for frontier workers.

Professional qualifications

You may need to get your professional qualification recognised if you want to work in a profession that is regulated in Italy.

Read guidance on:

• recognition of professional qualifications

• how to get your qualification recognised in Italy

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

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 decision. You should get advice from the relevant regulator.

UK education documents

If you need a certified copy of your education document, you should contact a UK solicitor working in the UK or Italy.

If you need to authenticate a translation of your education document, you should contact an Italian translator and ask them if they can provide a sworn translation (traduzione giurata).

If you need your qualification evaluated in Italy, contact ENIC-NARIC.

If you need a Dichiarazione di valore (DV), contact the Italian consulate in London. Once you have a DV, you may need an Equipollenza – you should check whether this is required with your employer or the Italian authorities.

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.

Read guidance on:

• continuing your studies in the EUthe EU

• studying in the European Union

• healthcare for students in Italy

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

The The studying in the European Union guidance includes includes information if you were already living in Italy before 1 January 2021.

If you were settled in Italy as a student before 1 January 2021 but 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.

Read the Italian government’s government’s guidance on the new Withdrawal Agreement residency document (in (in Italian).

If you registered as a resident with the town hall before 1 January 2021, you should now request the biometric residency card (carta di soggiorno) from your local questura. You should also request this if you registered under the ‘registro della popolazione temporanea’ (temporary register) using a UK-issueda UK-issued EHIC for your healthcare.

Tax

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

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

Find an an English-speaking lawyer in Italy.

Read guidance on:

• tax if you leave the UK tothe UK to live abroad

• tax on your UK incomeyour UK income if you live abroad

• tax if you get a pension and live abroad

• paying income tax in italy

• EU factsheetEU factsheet on buying goods online from UK websitesfrom UK websites

Declaring your 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 the British Chamber of Commerce for Italy or  or Centro Assistenza Fiscale – Tax Assistance Centre (CAF)(CAF) in in Italian.

National insurance and social security contributions

National Insurance-type contributions (NIC) (NIC) are called ‘social security contributions’ (SSC) in Italy. Find out if you need to to pay National Insurance in the UK orthe UK or social security contributions in in Italy.

If you plan to move to Italy and work, even if you continue working for a UK-baseda UK-based company, you and your employer may need to pay social security contributions in Italy. These social security contributions would entitle you to certain benefits, such as healthcare, in Italy.

Read guidance on on National Insurance for workers from the UK workingthe UK working in the EEA or Switzerland.

You can check your your UK NationalUK National Insurance record.

Benefits

UK benefits

UK benefits

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

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

Many income-related benefits such as Pension Credit and Housing Benefit cannot be paid if you’re abroad for more than 4 weeks.

Italian benefits

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

• read the EU’sthe EU’s guidance on claiming benefits in Italy

• visit your nearest nearest Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS)(INPS) (in (in Italian)

Pensions

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

Read Read State Pension guidance if you have lived in Australia, Canada or New Zealand and and you are claiming or waiting to claim your UK Stateyour UK State Pension.

If you retire in Italy, you can claim:

• your

  your UK StateUK State Pension or  or new UK Statenew UK State Pension. . Contact the International Pension Centre for for further information

• pensions if you’ve worked in other EU countriesother EU countries

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

Life certificates forfor UK State UK State Pensions

If you get a a ‘life certificate’ from the UK Pensionthe UK Pension Service, you must respond as soon as possible. Your payments may be suspended if you do not.

Money and banking

UK banking

UK banking

Whether UK banksWhether UK banks can provide services to customers living in the EEA depends on local laws and regulation.

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

Banking in Italy if you were living there before 1 January 2021

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

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

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

Accommodation and buying property

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

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

If you were living in Italy before 1 January 2021

• To purchase property, you do not need a non-EU nationalnon-EU national residency permit (permesso di soggiorno). You may beneed asked to prove that you haveare rightslegally underliving thein WithdrawalItaly.. Agreement. You can do this by providing an EU residencyyour documentcarta such as:
  • attestato di soggiorno (EU residencyelettronica document)
  • attestazione(biometric diresidency soggiornocard permanenteissued UEunder (EU permanentthe residencyWithdrawal document)
  • certificatoAgreement) or attestazione di residenzaiscrizione (EU residencyanagrafica certificate)(residency document issued under the Withdrawal Agreement)

  Alternatively you can provide documentsan EU residency issueddocument under the Withdrawal Agreement, such as:

  • attestazione

    attestato di iscrizionesoggiorno anagrafica(EU residency (residency document issued under the Withdrawal Agreement)document)

  • carta

    attestazione di soggiorno elettronicapermanente (biometricUE (EU permanent residency carddocument)

  • certificato issueddi underresidenza the(EU residency Withdrawal Agreement)certificate)

  If you are having problems accessing property services, show your public notary this this guidance from the Consiglio Nazionale Del Notariato (National Council of Italian Public Notaries) (in (in Italian).

  Driving in Italy

  Read the guidance on what actions you must take to drive legally in Italy:

  • what you need to drive in the EUthe EU

  • driving licence rules in Italy if you live there

  • road travel in Italy

  • driving licences in Italy (in (in Italian)

  You cannot use an International Driving Permit (IDP) instead of obtaining an Italian licence.

  If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2023

  You can use your valid UKvalid UK  licence  licence for up to 1 year from the date you became resident.

  If you became resident in Italy before 1 January 2023

  You cannot drive in Italy using youryour UK licence. UK licence. You need to exchange it for an Italian one.

  If your UK licenceyour UK licence has expired

  You cannot use it to drive in Italy. However, you can exchange youryour UK licence UK licence if it expired less than 5 years before you present it for exchange.

  Exchanging your UK licence

  your UK licence

  You can exchange your UK licenceyour UK licence for an Italian one without needing to take a test. This follows the Agreement that thethe UK and UK and Italian governments signed on 23 December 2022 about exchanging driving licences.

  How to exchange your UK licence

  your UK licence

  To exchange your licence, you must book an appointment with your local local ‘Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile’ (Motorisation Office, webpage in Italian). When you attend the appointment, make sure you bring the required required foreign licence exchange documentation (in Italian), view the section ‘Richiesta conversione patente non comunitaria’. Contact your local Ufficio della Motorizzazione Civile for further enquiries about your exchange.

  Who can exchange their UK licence

  their UK licence

  If you became resident in Italy on or before 31 December 2020 you can exchange youryour UK licence UK licence at any time.

  If you became resident in Italy on or after 1 January 2021 you can only present youryour UK licence UK licence for exchange within 6 years of becoming resident.

  Which

  Which UK licences UK licences can be exchanged

  YourYour UK licence UK licence must be a full, non-provisional and valid licence. You can also exchange an expired full, non-provisional licence, as long as it has not expired for more than 5 years before you present it for exchange.

  According to the UK-IT bilateral Agreement on exchanging driving licences (Art 13.1), your local Motorizzazione office may request an official translation of your driving licence in a specific case (ie you hold a paper licence that has additional text which is not already included in the model driving licence images exchanged between Parties via diplomatic channels).

  According to Art. 13.2 of the Agreement, should your local Motorizzazione have doubts as to the validity or authenticity of the licence and the data entered on it, they may request information directly from DVLA.

  The British Embassy in Rome and the British Consulate in Milan do not issue translations or certificates of authenticity for the purposes of this Agreement. However, if needed as in Art. 13.1, you can find translators listed on gov.uk that can organise a legalised translation.

  Age restrictions

  There is no age restriction on exchanging youryour UK licence. UK licence. However you must meet Italian age requirements for the driving category you’re exchanging to.

  UK

  UK licences licences issued by exchange of a licence originally issued elsewhere

  If youryour UK licence UK licence was first issued in another country, you can exchange it if that country has a licence exchange agreement or understanding with Italy. If it does not, you will need to take a test to obtain an Italian licence.

  Lost or stolen UK licences

  stolen UK licences

  If youryour UK licence UK licence is lost or stolen, you must provide a copy of the loss or theft report filed with the Italian police authorities in addition to the other documents. If you cannot provide this report, you will need to take a test to obtain an Italian licence.

  Special ID cards

  If you hold a Ministry of Foreign Affairs special ID card, you do not need to exchange. You can continue to drive with your UK licence.your UK licence.

  Licences issued in Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

  The guidance on exchanging your licence also applies to:

  • full, non-provisional and valid licences issued in Gibraltar, Isle of Man, Jersey and Guernsey

  • any licence issued from Gibraltar, Jersey and Guernsey that expired less than 5 years before you present it for exchange

  You cannot exchange expired driving licences from the Isle of Man.

  Disabled drivers

  If you have a a UK BlueUK Blue Badge and and live in Italy, you must return it to the original UK issuingoriginal UK issuing authority. You can can apply for a new Italian disabled parking card (in (in Italian). Go to your local health department (ASL)(ASL) legal medical office 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.

  Read the the EU guidanceEU guidance on the EU parkingthe EU parking card for people with disabilities.

  Bringing a UK-registereda UK-registered vehicle to Italy

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

  You cannot drive a non-Italian registered car in Italy after you have been resident in Italy for 90 days or more.

  If you move to Italy with your UK-registeredyour UK-registered car, you must register your car with Italian licence plates within 90 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, read read Art. 93-bis of the Italian Highway Code (in Italian) and and contact an an Ufficio Motorizzazione Civile (in (in Italian).

  Driving outside Italy with an Italian licence

  You can use your Italian licence to visit the UK.the UK. Keep up-to-date with the the UK HighwayUK Highway Code.

  If you go to live in the UK,the UK, you can exchange your Italian licence for a UK onea UK one without taking a test.

  To drive in another country, in addition to your Italian licence you may need to to apply for an IDP.

  Read the EU guidancethe EU guidance on:

  • EU drivingEU driving licences and insurance

  • driving licence exchange and recognition in the EUthe EU

  Sailing in Italy

  If local authorities ask for proof ofof UK laws UK laws about sailing you can download the following letters.letters You(sometimes cancalled alsoinformation pay to get a signed and stamped version of a letter.notes):

  • UK law on pleasure vessels (PDF, (PDF, 724 724KB, 2 KB, 2 pages)pages)

  • UK law on validation of sea time (PDF, (PDF, 1010 1010KB, 2 KB, 2 pages)pages)

  Voting

  You cannot vote or stand as a candidate in Italian national and local government elections, or in European Parliament elections.

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

  • check if you are able to vote

  • register as an overseas voter

  Births, deaths, marriage and civil partnerships

  If your child is born in Italy, you can can register the birth with the UK authoritiesthe UK authorities in in addition to registering locally. locally. If your child has British nationality, you do not need to register the birth with the UK authoritiesthe UK authorities to to apply for a British passport.

  If someone dies in Italy read our guidance on:

  • what to do after someone dies abroad

  • bereavement in Italy

  • finding English-speaking funeral directors in Italy

  Find out out how you can get married or get a civil partnership abroad.

  You may also need need notarial and documentary services for UK nationals for UK nationals in Italy.

  Pets

  If you’re moving to Italy with your pet, read the guidance and ensure you comply with the regulations:

  • taking your pet abroad

  • moving to EU countriesto EU countries with your pet

  To visit other countries with your pet, check the rules for the country you’re travelling to. Contact your vet to get the travel documents your pet needs.

  Read guidance on:

  • bringing your pet to Great Britain. Check that your pet’s rabies vaccinations are up to date. Vets in Great Britain cannot enter rabies vaccination details in non-UK issuednon-UK issued pet passports

  • travelling to Ireland with your pet

  • travelling with your pet in the EUthe EU

  Emergencies

  Dial the the European emergency number 112 in Italy for for the police, ambulance or fire brigade, or dial:

  • 113 for police

  • 115 for fire brigade

  • 118 for first aid

  Dial the the EU 116EU 116 000 hotline to report a missing child in in any EU country.any EU country.

  If your child is at risk of being, or has been, abducted read the the guidance on international parental child abduction; the Italian Ministry of Justice Justice guidance on child abduction (in (in Italian); the the EU guidanceEU guidance on child abduction and  and EU guidanceEU guidance on child abduction to another EU countryanother EU country.

  Read the the guidance if you have been the victim of a rape or sexual assault in Italy.

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

  Returning to the UK the UK

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

  • your

    your local town hall (comune) (in (in Italian)

  • your local health department (ASL)(ASL)

  To move your Italian pension to the UK,the UK, contact the the International Pension Centre and and the the Istituto Nazionale della Previdenza Sociale (INPS)(INPS) (in (in Italian). You must also contact the the Agenzia delle Entrate before before you return to the UK.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 on returning to the UK permanentlythe UK permanently which which includes information on, amongst other things, bringing family members, tax and access to services.

  Useful information

  Support for British nationals abroad: a guide sets sets out how to stay safe abroad, and explains how the FCDO can support you if you get into difficulty.

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

  Contact the British Consulate General Milan

  Contact the British Embassy Rome