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Relocating: the sequence

Before: documents, housing, school. First week: codice fiscale, SIM, bank account. First month: residence permit if non-EU, residence, SSN registration, then the driving licence within a year. Household goods duty-free for arrivals from outside the EU, car to be re-registered.

Sections: Preparation · Moving · First accommodation · Arrival · Activations

National information shown as general framework, taken from the Italy page. Read more

Before leaving

Before leaving it is worth obtaining the codice fiscale at the Italian consulate (free, it saves a queue on arrival), having the documents you will need legalised or apostilled and translated (birth and marriage certificates, qualifications, driving licence, criminal records if required by the visa), checking which visa is needed if non-EU and, for those with children, contacting the schools in the chosen area: regular enrolment is in January-February but state schools admit pupils during the year. Searching for housing from abroad is difficult: many landlords want to meet the tenant and see an employment contract. A temporary solution for the first month (short let, company guesthouse) allows a calm search and provides an address for paperwork.

First week and first month

In the first week: codice fiscale at the Agenzia delle Entrate if not already obtained; Italian SIM with ID; opening a bank account (some banks accept passport and codice fiscale, others ask for residence or a permit); for non-EU citizens the residence permit application within eight working days of entry, by postal kit or Questura appointment depending on the permit type (Entry section). In the first month, with the registered lease, the residence declaration at the municipality, registration with the National Health Service at the ASL (compulsory and free for employees, the self-employed, family members and asylum seekers; voluntary and paid in other cases, Health section), choice of family doctor, activation of SPID or CIE. Within the first year of residence holders of a non-EU licence must convert it or retake the test; EU licence holders have no deadline.

Household goods and customs

Those arriving from an EU country move their belongings freely. Those arriving from a third country can import household goods and personal effects free of duty and VAT under EU regulation 1186/2009, provided they have been resident outside the EU for a minimum continuous period and have owned and used the goods for a certain time before the move; a detailed inventory, proof of the transfer of residence (registration in Italy or employer documents) and the customs declaration are needed, normally handled by the international removals company. Alcohol, tobacco, commercial vehicles and new goods are excluded from the relief. International movers can be found through trade associations; ask for written quotes with insurance and check reviews.

Car, pets, children

A foreign-plated car may circulate in Italy only for a limited period after the owner takes up residence; it must then be re-registered with Italian plates at the Motorizzazione, with an inspection if it comes from outside the EU, payment of the regional bollo and Italian insurance. Vehicles imported as household goods from third countries are subject to the same relief conditions as personal effects. Pets follow the Ministry of Health's veterinary rules (Pets section). Those arriving with school-age children should bring school certificates from previous years, which the Italian school uses to decide the class placement.

  • Before: codice fiscale at the consulate, legalised and translated documents, visa if needed, contact with schools, temporary accommodation.
  • First week: codice fiscale (if missing), SIM, bank account, residence permit application (non-EU).
  • First month: registered lease, residence at the municipality, SSN registration and family doctor, SPID/CIE, utilities.
  • First year: conversion of a non-EU licence, re-registration of the car, tax return if tax resident, permit renewal if expiring.

Sources

Ministero degli Affari Esteri – Codice fiscale (rilascio tramite consolati, anche a cittadini stranieri)· Ministero degli Affari Esteri e della Cooperazione Internazionale

Updated: 2026-10-14

Agenzia delle Entrate – Guida alla Tessera Sanitaria (iscrizione al SSN e codice fiscale per cittadini stranieri)· Agenzia delle Entrate

Updated: 2026-10-14

Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti – Conversione patente estera· Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti

Updated: 2026-10-14

Regolamento (CE) n. 1186/2009 relativo alla fissazione del regime comunitario delle franchigie doganali (beni personali in caso di trasferimento della residenza)· Unione europea – EUR-Lex

Updated: 2026-10-14

Ministero della Salute – Animali d'affezione: in viaggio verso l'Italia· Ministero della Salute

Updated: 2026-10-14

EURES – Living and working conditions: Italy· European Commission – EURES

Updated: 2026-10-14

Reviewed: 10/20/2026 · by piero.avolio · rev. 1 · Period: → 2027-04-30

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