Many migrants choose to live in Italy for a number of reasons – the jurisdiction’s affiliation with key world unions (EU, EEA, NATO), developed economy, political stability, optimal ratio of income and expenses of residents. Immigration to this state allows one to expect to receive an Italian passport in the future and, accordingly, citizenship of a country-member of the European Union. This status, in turn, gives the right to live, work, study throughout the entire territory of the union without any restrictions.
According to the latest research, the country ranks 11th in the world in terms of GDP calculated at purchasing power parity, while real estate, food, and services are relatively affordable. Italy’s high life expectancy, rich culture, developed medicine, transportation system, and other infrastructure components are also strong arguments in favor of immigration.
Standard and quality of life in Italy
In the latest published report of the United Nations (for 2021), the compilation of which was based on specific statistical data, Italy ranks 30th in terms of quality of life. In the overall list, taking into account the number of countries considered (191), this indicator can be called above average. The organization’s ranking is called the “Human Development Index” and is based on three key criteria:
- Life expectancy at birth. The assessment shows how many years a newborn will live in the country if the mortality situation in the future remains unchanged. According to the rating, the average life expectancy in Italy is 82.9 years, which is quite a large figure and demonstrates the good health of the nation, the effectiveness of medicine.
- Access to knowledge. The parameter is measured by the number of years of education for adults aged 25 and over, and the same indicator for schoolchildren is also taken into account. The ranking indicates the expected (16.2 years) and average (10.7 years) duration of education, and according to general statistics in Italy, approximately 28% of residents aged 25 to 64 have a higher education.
- Decent standard of living. The main indicator for this criterion is the gross national income per capita (EUR 35,100 in 2022). Indirect factors are also taken into account, including the ratio of profit and expenses, the purchasing power of citizens.
Each parameter in the ranking is not given a score, the data is summed up into a composite index using the geometric mean. The overall assessment of the standard of living of the population in Italy is 0.895, while the country that ranks first has a score of 0.962.
Pros and Cons of Living in Italy
The assessment of the peculiarities of life in Italy is often quite subjective, because everyone has their own priority criteria and preferences. Therefore, to create a complete picture, it would be appropriate to consider the main aspects of living in the country with pros and cons, from which potential migrants can draw personal conclusions. Among the basic criteria for assessing the standard of living in Italy are the situation on the labor market, infrastructure development, climate conditions, quality of food, social protection, and the work of all government agencies.
Job search and unemployment rate
Italy has a fairly high unemployment rate compared to other European countries – 7.5% at the end of 2023. Most of the unemployed population is young people, which is often due to existing educational problems. At the same time, the labor market is actively recovering from the decline against the backdrop of the pandemic, there is an increase in the number of offers, and from the point of view of economic life, the country is showing positive results. An interesting nuance is that foreigners have a high percentage of employment, due to their openness to a variety of vacancies, they find work relatively quickly .
Business environment
Italy has favorable conditions for entrepreneurship due to its stable and sustainable economy. The country has favorable business support programs from the government, for example, ON – Oltre Nuove imprese a tasso zero for financing new companies, Resto al Sud for those who have moved to certain areas, SELFIEmployment for young entrepreneurs. Many options for government assistance are also available to foreigners. Migrants can conduct independent activities on equal terms with citizens, in connection with which it is necessary to consider the method of obtaining a residence permit in Italy through registration of an individual entrepreneur .
In order not to waste extra time studying all the nuances of immigration to Italy as an entrepreneur, it is worth seeking help from specialists who will provide professional support.
Transport and infrastructure
This aspect can be attributed to the advantages of life in Italy, where the optimal level of development of all types of transport – land, rail, air and especially water. There is a well-thought-out and convenient connection between settlements, so it is comfortable to travel around the country. In large cities, there is new transport, and for traveling around small ones, residents often choose bicycles. As for other aspects of the infrastructure, everything works smoothly and efficiently, even cities located far from the capital and megalopolises are comfortable for living in Italy, citizens and migrants have access to all the necessary goods and services.
Climate and ecology
The country has a subtropical climate that gradually turns into a moderate continental climate. Summers are hot, and winters are not too cold, but humid. For many, such conditions are suitable for well-being. As for the environment, as in many other countries, air pollution problems are relevant here, but the Italian government is taking important measures to improve the situation. For example, the state has abandoned the construction of nuclear power plants, cities are actively greening, and new approaches to waste recycling are being applied.
Services and entertainment
Italy has a well-developed tourism sector, so you can easily find interesting leisure options for any request – visiting architectural landmarks, going to conceptual establishments, active recreation on the water, etc. In large cities, cafes and restaurants are quite expensive, as well as inflated prices for any other service. In small towns where there is no constant flow of tourists, similar services can be obtained much cheaper.
Housing
The capital and other large cities are mostly built up with multi-storey buildings with compact apartments that are rented out, including daily for tourists. In the coastal regions, such types of buildings as private houses, villas, cottages appear. The variety of real estate in Italy is large, there are also enough offers for rent, and the prices depend on the location.
Nutrition
The quality and variety of food in Italy is its significant advantage. It is the birthplace of olives, deli meats, seafood, cheeses, olive oil, wine, fruits and vegetables, which are offered to locals at relatively affordable prices. At the same time, the country took 8th place in the Good Enough to Eat Index rating from Oxfam, which is due to the Italians’ love of unhealthy food, such as pizza and pasta.
Social protection
Political life in Italy is stable, and the social security system works effectively. Every year, 30% of the budget is allocated to support the population. The law provides for three main categories of payments – for old age, illness, unemployment and other social exclusion. Child care benefits, assistance to large families, single mothers and other support options are also established. The minimum pension in Italy is 564 EUR, but most pensioners with work experience can apply for higher payments, which allow them to live and travel with dignity.
Work of banks and government agencies
Migrants admit that in Italy, as in many European countries, the problem of bureaucracy is acute. In general, government agencies work efficiently, and laws and regulations are oriented towards the interests of residents, but most processes are slow due to the need to prepare various certificates. Therefore, if you want to use such services, you should contact government agencies in advance.
Medicine
Italy has a National Health System – depending on the insurance conditions, the types of services are determined that are provided free of charge or require additional expenses. In the state, funding for the sector is lower than in Europe as a whole, but, nevertheless, the industry is assessed as highly developed and effective, which is confirmed by the average life expectancy of the population. The quality of service in state clinics is at a high level, part of the medical infrastructure is private institutions.
Education
Italy has an ambiguous situation in the field of education. The authorities admit that the system is outdated, due to which young people are not motivated, there are relatively small indicators of the number of residents receiving higher education, and corresponding problems in the labor market. At the same time, the country has relatively affordable prices for university education – 1,000-3,000 EUR per year, there is an opportunity to reduce the cost or receive a scholarship. Italian universities provide high-quality education in the field of design and architecture, and more and more English-language programs are becoming available at institutions.
Wages
The level of salary directly depends on the qualifications of the applicant, the availability of higher education, experience and profitability of the niche. As for gender and age factors, equality should be ensured by law, but in practice, there are often cases of women being paid less than men for similar employment. For foreigners, the key to receiving a high salary is knowledge of the language, because otherwise it is possible to perform only low-skilled physical work.
The average salary of residents after paying taxes is at the level of 1,700 EUR. The government does not set a specific minimum wage, although recently there have been discussions on this topic with a proposal for a rate of 9 EUR per hour. In practice, the minimum income fluctuates in the range of 700-800 EUR. The highest paid jobs in the country are notaries, doctors, pilots, engineers. The average income is for managers, sellers, teachers, and the lowest is for employees of the service sector and production at the level of general workers. Using the example of a visual table, you can estimate how much representatives of different professions earn in Italy in 2024:
| Specialization | Average monthly income in € |
|---|---|
| Doctor | 3 700 |
| Lawyer | 2,500 |
| Manager | 3 200 |
| Teacher | 3 400 |
| Driver | 1,900 |
| Cook | 2,000 |
| Nurse | 2,000 |
| Waiter | 1 800 |
| Cleaner | 1,600 |
How much does it cost to live in Italy
At the government level in Italy, there is no minimum subsistence level, nor is there a starting salary. This indicator is appropriate to evaluate in terms of different cities and regions, because the figures can vary significantly. For example, in Lombardy, a month of life costs an average of 1,500 EUR per person, and in Sicily – 1,000. For these amounts, you can afford to pay for quality food, periodically update your wardrobe, use transport, visit public catering establishments, and take care of yourself (visits to hairdressers and gyms, for example). Rent and payment of utilities are not included in the above-mentioned amounts. By average European standards, the cost of living in Italy is low. More details on each expense item:
- Housing.
The average rent for a one-room apartment in the country is 680 EUR. The cost of housing for purchase starts from 1,400 EUR per m2 , the median price for the city center is 4,300, on the outskirts – 2,600. - Food.
A basic food basket for a week costs about 70–80 EUR. About 50 EUR is needed for lunch in a mid-range restaurant for two. For example, a cup of coffee in Italy costs 1.5 EUR. - Utilities.
The average bill for electricity, heating, water, air conditioning, garbage removal for an apartment of 85 m2 is 200 EUR. Home Internet and mobile communications are paid additionally – 27 and 13 EUR respectively. - Transport.
The average price of a bus or tram ticket is 1.7 EUR. Locals buy monthly passes to save money, which cost around 35 EUR. Petrol costs 1.85 EUR per litre. - Education of children.
A child of foreigners has the right to attend state institutions free of charge. In case of lack of places or if you want to give preference to private educational institutions, you can count on the following expenses – 500 EUR per month for a kindergarten and 9,000 for a year of attending an international school.
Taxes
Taxes in Italy are average by European standards, the law provides for benefits and special conditions for business development. For individuals, the main tax is income tax, which is calculated as follows:
| Annual income amount in € | Tax percentage |
|---|---|
| up to 15,000 | 23% |
| 15,001–28,000 | 25% |
| 28,001–50,000 | 35% |
| 50,001 and above | 43% |
Legal entities pay income tax at a flat rate of 24% and VAT at 22%, with reduced rates for certain types of goods.
Social security in Italy
Feedback from citizens and migrants themselves confirms that the middle class in Italy is considered to be residents who earn from 1,800 EUR. Mostly, representatives of this social category live in small apartments in old buildings, often rented. The percentage of people who are below the poverty line is decreasing in the context of an effective fight against the consequences of the pandemic. A person who cannot allocate 800-1,000 EUR for their basic needs is considered poor in Italy.
Providing for pensioners
In Italy, the retirement age starts at 67. The figure seems high, but given the life expectancy of men and women, it is optimal for the country. The requirement for pension contributions is 20 years. The amount of payments is calculated based on the types and number of contributions. The average pension that Italians can count on is 1,400–1,900 EUR per month.
Payments to parents
A single universal benefit is paid for dependent children. Payments begin from the 7th month of pregnancy and continue until the child reaches 21 years of age. The amounts depend on the financial situation of the family and are calculated at progressive rates. Allowances are provided for children under one year of age, disabled persons, large families and those who have lost a breadwinner. Currently, the payment amounts vary in the range from 57 to 200 EUR per child per month. Citizens and certain categories of foreigners, such as stateless persons or holders of certain types of residence permits, can apply for a single universal benefit.
Unemployment benefits
In Italy, there are several types of payments depending on the field of activity and the specifics of the employee’s previous employment relationship. For the first 6 months after losing a job, a person receives 60% of the average gross salary, the next 2 months – 50%, and then – at the level of 40%. The maximum payment period is 2 years.
Benefits for business
Business owners in Italy can, instead of paying income tax and several accompanying fees, use a single universal rate of 15%. This percentage is calculated not from net profit, but by a special coefficient of diversified profitability. Foreigners who have opened an individual entrepreneurship in the country have the right to pay taxes at a rate of 5% for the first 5 years of activity, which is an extremely advantageous option when developing a new business.
The Best Cities in Italy to Live in
The best places to live in Italy, according to reviews from locals and expats, are:
- Bologna .
A medium-sized and populated, but developed city, which is considered the center of the automotive and mechanical engineering industries, has a capacious labor market and an actively developing business environment. The majority of foreign residents are students, since the famous University of Bologna is located here, but more and more migrants appreciate its advantages for employment. Bologna has good transport links, developed infrastructure, a large number of schools, and development centers. Prices are lower than in Rome or Milan, you can rent a one-room apartment for 740–970 EUR. - Bolzano .
A small picturesque town located near the Italian Alps, with a pleasant climate and beautiful nature. Life in this Italian town is quite measured and calm, with most jobs in the service sector. Bolzano is bilingual, with a large number of Germans and Austrians living in the region, so German is widely used. The city does not have a wide choice of prestigious international schools, but local institutions can accommodate children. Despite its small size, Bolzano is not considered a cheap provincial town. Due to its tourist potential, prices are above average, with rent for a one-room apartment costing 760–940 EUR. - Florence .
Florence is regularly recognized as the best city in Italy to live in, the local economy is built on tourism, heavy industry and manufacturing, so there are plenty of options for employment. Good transport links with a large airport increase the comfort and mobility of residents. Florence is an important cultural and educational center with several international schools and prestigious universities. There are about 14% foreigners in the city, and English is widely spoken. The average rent for a one-room apartment in Florence is 700–1,000 EUR.
Options for legalizing your stay in Italy
To move, you will need to apply for an Italian residence permit on one of the grounds – through registration of an individual entrepreneur, in connection with employment, education, for family reunification or for another reason. Initially, a residence permit is issued for a limited period (usually a year or two), but is subject to extension. Upon fulfillment of certain conditions, including the period of residence (at least 5 years), the applicant will be able to apply for Italian permanent residence and receive more rights. After 10 years of legal residence in the country, it is allowed to request Italian citizenship .