Brexit has slammed the door on the easy UK-to-Italy move. Freedom of movement is history, and Brits now face a maze of legal hoops to live in Italy long term. Here’s your no-nonsense guide to what you need to know and do.
UK Citizens Now Treated as Non-EU Nationals
Forget your old travel perks. UK passport holders are officially non-EU, which shakes up how long you can stay, work, or study in Italy. You can still visit for up to 90 days without a visa – but only for tourism, family visits, business meetings, or short unpaid gigs. Working, permanent relocation, or turning a tourist trip into a residency? Not on.
Your first golden rule: sort your visa before leaving the UK. Fixing your status on Italian soil means headaches, delays, and often, rejections.
Passports & Travel Rules You Can’t Ignore
- Your passport must be issued within the last 10 years.
- It needs at least 3 months’ validity beyond your planned exit from the Schengen zone.
- Starting late 2026, Brits will need ETIAS – an electronic travel authorisation mandatory for boarding flights. It’s not a visa and won’t grant residence, but without it? No-go.
Visa Options: Find Your Category
British movers generally fall into four camps: workers, students, family members, and financially independent residents. Each has its own visa hoops.
Workers: Usually need a job offer in Italy first. Your employer must secure a nulla osta work permit, often capped by quotas. Early planning is key – expect long waits. Digital Nomad visa fans have an edge, letting remote workers stay while employed abroad.
Students: Apply for a national study visa before you go. Once landed, get your residence permit within 8 working days. Students can work part-time (up to 20 hours/week) and may join Italy’s public health system.
Family: Joining a legally resident spouse or close kin? Family visas aren’t quota-limited but demand proof of income, housing, and valid ties.
The Crucial First Eight Days & Residence Permits
Got your long-stay visa? The clock’s ticking. You must apply for a permesso di soggiorno (residence permit) within eight working days after arrival. This means posting paperwork and attending appointments with local immigration offices. Until it’s done, many day-to-day tasks will be tough or impossible.
Prep is everything. Make plenty of photocopies and keep digital backups. Missing documents cause endless delays.
Codice Fiscale: Your Italian Life ID
This tax code is your golden ticket in Italy. Without a codice fiscale, you can’t sign rental contracts, open bank accounts, access healthcare, or even get a phone contract. Think of it like your UK National Insurance number—but way more crucial day-to-day.
You can get your codice fiscale via:
- Italian consulate in the UK
- Tax office in Italy
- Remote services (highly recommended for beating queues and language barriers)
A top remote provider is fiscalcodeitaly.it, letting you secure your code before you land.
Healthcare: Don’t Gamble on Your Health
UK tourists can use GHIC/EHIC cards for emergencies, but residents must enrol properly. Workers join Italy’s public health system automatically via payroll.
Students and other residents can opt-in for a yearly fee. Registration needs your residence permit and codice fiscale. Then you get the tessera sanitaria – your key to doctors, hospitals, and meds at little or no cost.
Unlike the UK, no immigration health surcharge applies—but private health insurance is often mandatory until you’re registered. Arrange this before arriving.
Top Tips For Brits Moving to Italy
- Start all visa and permit applications early – Italian red tape is slow.
- Don’t assume you can turn a tourist visa into residency.
- Lock down accommodation early—an address is vital for paperwork.
- Get your codice fiscale ASAP, ideally before landing.
- Keep both paper and digital copies of all docs and receipts.
- Budget for translation and certifications of British documents.
Moving from the UK to Italy in 2026 is doable—but forget old habits. The process is rigid, not flexible. Get your paperwork right, pick the right visa, and prepare for an Italian life well lived.
For full details, check out this in-depth article or download the full PDF guide.
Italy is still a top spot for Brits chasing new lifestyles, jobs, or family reunions. With sharp prep and solid advice, your Italian dream can become reality.
