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Long Term Monthly Rental

I need help! My husband and I have never been out of America and we can not wait to come to Italy. We would like to stay 6 months to a year. We know that we can stay for 90 days then we would need a visa. I will be working on research. We would also be looking around for a possible vacation home. We would love to find a monthly rental, but are having a difficult time finding a realtor (The websites we are looking at are nightly and weekly. We do not want to be in a big city, more of a rural or small town. Does anyone know of any realtor contacts for the Italian Lakes area or Tuscany?

Thank you so much!

Posted by
11052 posts

TUSCANY: Panzano,Chianti: Karin Dietz at Chianti and More www.chianti-and-more.com.
We have booked AirBnBs and VRBOs for long term stays. It is good you can get a visa as the rules are normally that a US citizen can only stay 90 days In European Schengen countries which includes Italy.
There are several large Italian Lakes with many small villages lining them. Which one interests you? Maggiore, Como, Garda

Posted by
5239 posts

Would it not be advisable to at least visit Italy for a week or two and experience it before committing yourselves to such a long stay? If you've never been outside of the US you have never experienced life in another country, there will be lots of differences. Do either of you speak Italian? If you're looking to stay in a more rural area this lessens the chances of encountering English speakers which would be quite problematic.

Whilst I commend your enthusiasm and spirit of adventure I fear that you may be jumping in somewhat naively based on the limited info in your post.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you for both replys! I will be checking out the website and would appreciate it if anyone else has any links?

On the second reply, thank you for your advice, but I have dreamed of going to Italy and Europe since I was young. My degrees are in History with a focus on WWII and minor in Early History - a.k.a. Rome. We have raised our children, they are all grown with degrees and great jobs, therefore we did our job raising them and never going anywhere for ourselves. We are going to do what most worldly travelers do when they are young. We may not like it, but to tell you the truth, I am tired of traveling America and seeing the same shopping malls with a WalMart everywhere. We want History, natural beauty and different culture. I know it's crazy, but sometimes you just have to jump in and live. -

Posted by
8889 posts

I would like to second what JC says. If you move to a new country, expect a big "culture shock", or a series of shocks. If you have never been out of your home country, even more so.
It will be lots of different things. Things you didn't even think could be different. But they are done one arbitrary way in your country, and a different arbitrary way in Italy. Not better, not worse, just different. And it will catch you out.
In no order:

  • Language. People working in hotels and restaurants in tourist areas speak English. The people you interact with if you live there will not (neighbours, shops, officialdom). You must learn Italian.
  • Officialdom. You need to find out the rules for registering change of address with the authorities.
  • Housing. The system will be different to what you know. You need to find out how it works.
  • Utility bills. How do they work?
  • Driving Licence. Will you want to drive, if so, can you convert your licence, or do you have to pass a Italian driving test?
  • Tax. If you get a visa and become legally a resident for more than 6 months, you need to pay Italian income tax.
  • Banking. You need a bank account. It will work differently to how you are used.
  • Health. How do you get into the Italian system, and how do you get covered until then?
  • Food. Everything in the shops will be labelled in Italian. And you will not find the same things as at home. It will be all Italian foodstuffs.
  • Metric. The USA is the only country in the world that does not use metric. You need to learn Kg, metres, litres, °C etc.

And, there will always be something new and surprising to catch you out.
But, it will be fun - ENJOY.

Posted by
3057 posts

You could start by booking a shorter stay ( less than 90 days)someplace you like through VRBO or Air BnB. Then if your visa application is granted, look for another place for 6-9 months.

Posted by
15041 posts

Below are the sites most used by Italians for finding rental apartments. Not sure if they have an English page. But I count you will have knowledge of some basic Italian before you go, especially if you intend to live in smaller towns.

https://www.affitto.it
https://www.idealista.it/case-in-affitto
https://www.immobiliare.it/affitto-case/roma/
http://www.gabetti.it/casa/affitto
https://www.mioaffitto.it/affitti/affitto-privati_0_0_0.html
http://www.soloaffitti.it
http://www.bakeca.it/annunci/offro-casa/
https://www.casa.it/affitti
https://www.kijiji.it/case/affitto/

Posted by
15041 posts

For what you intend to do I would probably change location every so often. I wouldn’t want to stay in the same town for a year.

For short term vacation rentals look into homeaway.com and many other vacation rental websites.

I’m not exactly sure what an artist visa is. I’ve never heard of the term. Maybe you meant an Elective Residency visa or an Independent Work visa.

Below are the types of visas available. This is from my Italian Consulate in San Francisco, but a similar info should be available in the webpage of the Italian Consulate with jurisdiction over your state. You will need to secure lodging before they issue a long term visa.

https://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/consolato_sanfrancisco/en/i_servizi/per_i_cittadini/visas.html

Posted by
133 posts

Well, go for it!

Living in a real neighborhood in a foreign country is a true learning experience. Shopping with the locals, dining in neighborhood places we have always found people to be friendly and helpful. English is pretty widely spoken in Italy and the rest of western Europe but less so in rural areas. You should start picking up Italian phrases as soon as possible. I should note that Rome is a city of neighborhoods. Each has the feel of a small town but with immediate access to the entire city. Within a couple of days we were recognized as temporary locals and greeted as such in markets and cafes. Same experience in Florence. It is, of course, more expensive in the cities but you do not need a car there. As suggested consider moving every month or two.

We have used VRBO for stays of a week or 10 days but often see listing that say minimum of 30 days. Homeaway listing are the same as VRBO. Also look at booking.com and tripadvisor. Most owners or property agents would would be delighted to negotiate a monthly rate. Sometimes with a careful reading of the listing or reviews it will be clear that an agent is managing the property. Those will have many other listings not shown. If you google property managers/agents etc or simple apartments/houses to let for the areas of interest should give some usable results. Weekly and monthly rentals are extremely popular and widely available in Europe.

Enjoy, Robbie

PS the listing from Roberto above look promising - hopefully some with have an English option.

Posted by
15677 posts

...and are getting a artists visa for my work.

This part is a little confusing. You are intending to work (for yourself?) while in Italy?

I'll add health insurance that will cover you in Italy to Chris' list, in case you haven't checked that out yet.

Posted by
11247 posts

You might have a look at www.SabbaticalHomes.com. We used it to find a long-term rental when we retired in Italy. You might want a lawyer to look at a lease as they (the leases) operate differently in Italy. PM me if you need a name of a lawyer you can consult who speaks fluent English and understands how things work in both countries.

Posted by
26829 posts

I'm a big proponent of moving around to different areas rather than spending all the time in one place, but I don't know how that fits with obtaining a long-stay visa. I was under the impression that one of the requirements was having a signed lease (or the equivalent) for the entire period of stay. However, I've never made a serious attempt to research the process.

Posted by
16024 posts

Acraven’s remark about the visa requirement (a signed lease for a year) reminded me of this book I read, about a couple who moved to Venice for a year.

https://www.amazon.com/Venice-Experiment-Trial-Living-Abroad/dp/0983614113/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

If I recall correctly, they ran into a major problem: they could not get a visa without a lease, but they could not find a landlord willing to sign a one-year lease because of the tax ramifications. Also if I recall correctly, in the end they gave up on getting a visa and just flew under the radar of officialdom (as did their landlord, apparently). Thinking of all the dire warnings against overstaying the Schengen limit that are posted here, I kept waiting for a consequence for them. I do not remember any, but it has been some 5 years since I read the book.

Posted by
1219 posts

We have friends who moved from the UK to Venice about six years ago. A bit different to the OP, in that their move has been permanent.

You might like the book he wrote, “The Venice Project” by Philip Gwynne Jones.

Phil has been teaching English in Venice, also writing a couple of novels. His first is “The Venetian Game”, and his next novel to be published in a month is “Vengeance in Venice”. The novels are contemporary, give a good idea of the flavour of life in Venice.

Posted by
15041 posts

The UK is (for now at least) in the EU, therefore moving from the UK to Italy long term is not the same as moving from the US to Italy. One thing is wanting to move to a foreign country, other story is actually obtaining the proper visas to do so. There are many bureaucratic steps to go through and one is providing proof of a signed lease or property deed.
If it were me, I’d visit long term 90 days at the time, in and out of Schengen (with summers in the cooler British isles, winter in warm weather, like Florida, and Italy in mid season). No visa requirements for US citizens.
Something like:
15 March-15Jun= Italy (Schengen)
15 Jun-15 Sep=UK or Ireland (out of Schengen)
15 Sep-15 Nov=Italy (Schengen)
15 Nov-15 Mar=Florida or Hawaii (out of Schengen)
Rinse & repeat.

Posted by
26829 posts

I know Roberto didn't mean to lay out a definitive schedule, but to avoid any risk that someone might later come across this thread and want to use the pattern in his post: Don't. March 15 - Jun 15 is 93 days, three days beyond the allowable limit. It would open the traveler up to a possible large fine and being banned from the Schengen Zone for years.

If you want to cycle back and forth between the Schengen Zone and the UK (aside from the issue that either one might not be happy about so much churn), the time spent in the UK needs to be a bit longer.

Posted by
15677 posts

If it were me, I’d visit long term 90 days at the time, in and out of
Schengen (with summers in the cooler British isles, winter in warm
weather, like Florida, and Italy in mid season). No visa requirements
for US citizens....

...unless they intend to work/make money while they're there, as in, say, creating and selling artwork. Kind of a lot hinges on that detail, methinks? I'm not 100% sure but I think work visas also have to be country specific?

Posted by
8889 posts

Yes, residence Visas (including work visas) are for a country. You must abide by the immigration rules of that country. The visa often specifies what work you can do, it may even be restricted to one job from one employer.
You are still restricted to 90 days in any 180 in the rest of the Schengen Area (though it is more difficult to enforce), and tourist only, no work in the rest of the Schengen Area.

Posted by
15677 posts

Thank you for clarifying, Chris. Figured that was the case.

Posted by
1929 posts

I’m still curious. What is an artist visa?

Me too, I'd like to know. Is a writer considered an artist? In my world it is, but in Italy? Hummena hummena...

I think being in Italy for an extended period of time, permanently or just seasonal, is a dream for many of us on this forum. For our Chicago-based friends that we met in Salerno 3 years ago, it's a reality. He is from Rome but left in the late 1960's, married an Italian girl while working for the Bank of Italy in Chicago, and now they are retired, living in Chicago & spending winters at a rented apartment in Rome, usually 10-11 weeks worth. He has dual citizenship.

We experienced a week of it with them a year ago March, staying at our own apartment, and while yes, it was our vacation per se, we tried to assimilate where we could, doing the daily shopping, laundry, some sightseeing, riding the public trans, as much as possible to really get a vibe of Rome. It was fun, intoxicating and altogether wonderful, as I'm sure being in a small town would be as well.

Now, if I had to earn a living, or at least enough for expenses, that's a completely different kettle of fish and maybe not quite as fun. I don't think I'm there yet. I guess you could say that on my bucket list for sometime in the next 5 years would be to spend just under 90 days with my wife in a spot like Rome, off-season, rent a cheap efficiency apartment, travel inexpensively around the country when I feel like it, and get a real lay of the land. A week is one thing--3 months is quite another, but I'm certainly willing to have that experience to find out whether I'd be homesick or totally enraptured by it.

Posted by
1542 posts

Excellent ideas OP. Out of interest, how many degrees do you have and where did you obtain them?

Posted by
11247 posts

There is no such thing as an artist’s visa. You might get an elective resident visa if you have enough income and meet all other criteria.

Posted by
1542 posts

"My degrees are in History with a focus on WWII and minor in Early History - a.k.a. Rome".

Roberto, I found the line unusual, that's all. Not the only one, mind.

Posted by
1219 posts

We have visited Venice half a dozen times, typically staying for about eight weeks per visit. That is long enough for us, and generally by the end of our time there we are happy to come home. Next trip for us will be for only ten days, lthough in September I will visit for two and a half weeks for the Architecture Biennale.

Staying for a year is quite an expedition, besides the problem of gaining a residency visa. You really need to have some Italian language, particularly if you are staying in a smaller town. You also need to think about what you would do for friendship, how you might connect with the Anglophone community where you are going to live.

Think about how you would manage were you to move to a different town in say Canada, how you would create social networks and so on.

It is fun to dream, but the harsh reality is something else.

Posted by
3057 posts

They have not been back to explain about the "artists Visa" so maybe they realized the plan is unrealistic.

Posted by
15677 posts

I'd cheerfully settle for visa-free 90 days in Italy, and don't think it's a great idea to go through the complicated hoops involved + significant amount of research for 6 months/a year if one hasn't already spent a reasonable amount of time in the country? Looks good on paper and in pictures but the reality of long-term living abroad comes with a host of challenges that tourists are shielded from. Wading through some of those without a support system can be its own interesting exercise? I'll defer to RS expats, current or former, with experience there but that's a common theme on blogs regarding the subject.

Going for the allowed tourist-only 90 days and trying out a couple of locations sounds like a better idea as long as there's financial means to do it (exchange rate comes into play here) without additional earned income. Working abroad is another kettle of fish altogether?

Posted by
7010 posts

getting a artists visa for my work.

The above statement sounds like some kind of artistic work is involved, be it working as an artist in some field, just indulging in their art, or possibly teaching art. So it sounds like a work visa might be required - and if it's a work visa for her does that include him? However, it's interesting that the OP hasn't returned with more information and detail about what their plans are. What they gave us in the post is not enough to elicit good information.

Posted by
1929 posts

Yeah, Nancy, but it was enough to get us thinking about and ruminating about...OK, what would it be like? Roberto & Laurel have lived there, darioalb lives there now. They give excellent perspective on a regular basis. And this should really be a sticky post as in, hey, you had better think about this and this & this & this and especially that, before you take the plunge.

I'm on a FB group 'Americans Living In Italy', had to talk my way in by saying I wanted to live there--which I do, eventually--and most if not all of the topics discussed here are analyzed in depth, mostly by people going through it now. Ooh boy--trying to get stuff done on an official basis, whether it's in a big city like Rome or some little burgh up in Le Marche, requires utmost patience and more often than not more money than they had counted on spending.

Fascinating to daydream about this, with a healthy dose of reality, man...

Posted by
32505 posts

I'm curious. If jmaltaylor is able to arrange a visa which covers artists (..."are getting..." so that must mean it is in process) for herself, what will the husband use to remain?

Posted by
3057 posts

According to the consulate link Roberto provided, there is no special category for "artists" visas. It would fall under the visas for Independent Work".

http://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/consolato_sanfrancisco/resource/doc/2016/05/independent_work_visas_-_sf_consulate.pdf

Within that group, it would be the category of entrepreneurs and artisans. They are required to show proof of income ( income tax return) and also need a letter from the Chamber of Commerce where they plan to conduct their activity outlining the resources necessary. And the signed lease or certificate of hospitality. It all seems rather daunting and I will bet they had not actually looked at these requirements before.

If they choose instead a simple Elective Residence Visa ( " I simply want to go and live in Italy for a year"), then they are strictly forbidden to work. Also such visas are issued for 365 days, no more no less. And they need a signed lease ( registered with the tax people) for that full year. Again, rather daunting.

It is disappointing that they have not returned to explain things when so many people have offered sincere and helpful advice.

Posted by
11247 posts

Fascinating to daydream about this, with a healthy dose of reality, man...

Yes, Jay, after a few years the reality sets in. Some things in Italy are irreplaceably fantastic while some are maddingly frustrating. And then there is the issue of taxes...

Also such visas are issued for 365 days, no more no less. And they need a signed lease ( registered with the tax people) for that full year. Again, rather daunting.

Sasha, the other steps not often discussed are getting the Permesso di soggiorno or Residency Permit, once you are in-country and then registering with the Anagrafe in the city of residence.

Posted by
1025 posts

I am thinking that they may not be real, or that this was a one off post by someone who "really can not wait" to visit Italy and likely has no real plans to make such a trip. I hope I'm wrong.

Posted by
5239 posts

It reminds me of a previous poster who was so indignant that other countries make it difficult for Americans like him to just up and move to another country whenever they feel like it. I suspect in this case there is an similar dose of naivety.

Posted by
8889 posts

JC, I seem to remember that poster (or a similar one) did not take nicely to the suggestion that if he wanted to go to any country without restriction, the US needed to let that country's citizens into the US equally without restriction. It can be done, the EU has done it.

I would not call the OP naive. if they say they have got a visa arranged, I naively believe them. Though if they have never travelled outside the USA, they are probably very "green". But I wish them success.

Posted by
5 posts

First let me reply to wbfey1, yes we are real people with a real plan and will be doing this. It is sad that there is so much skepticism that someone just can not be excited about an adventure, post on a travel blog for ideas to see if there is something that we missed and to be viewed as a hidden person. Is it not OK to work your whole life 46 years now and have a year of fun?

Second, to any other posters who would like to make us sound not bright and realistic, yes we know that there will be many challenges, new things to learn, new laws, driving rules, and new customs, but this is what makes it so exciting. Are we just to sit back and go to the grocery store and do the same thing other retirees do? Heck no!

Rest assured skeptics, if we fail, we can always come back to America and do what everyone else does.

I want to say thank you to all of the supportive posters who have provided helpful information to give us more choices. I joined this travel board for ideas to help us make the adventure a little more knowledgeable for us - so to you who have been supportive - Thank you so much!

Posted by
15041 posts

Those of you who complain about the bureaucratic process to retire in Italy long term, maybe should read the article below and learn that the same isn’t even possible for a foreigner who wants to retire and live in the US for an extended period of time.

Aside from jumping across Trump’s wall and live in the US illegally, the closest thing one can do is apply for the EB5 visa (investment visa). To get it, the foreign national needs to invest at least $1,000,000 to open a business that creates at least 10 jobs for American nationals or permanent residents.

https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/031115/how-retire-us-visas-process.asp

Posted by
1025 posts

I for one am pleased to see that you are real folks. Can you enlighten us as to what the "artists visa" is? None of us have heard of that, and I think that triggered a certain amount of skepticism about whether this was a real post. I apologize for doubting your sincerity.

Posted by
5 posts

I did reply as soon as I posted it, as I stated my husband calls it that, but it is the Schengren Visa. So I'm guilty, stand me up against a wall and throw darts. Thanks for saying we are real, I have always tried to be real and not a fake or stuffy person.

Posted by
15677 posts

It is sad that there is so much skepticism that someone just can not
be excited about an adventure, post on a travel blog for ideas to see
if there is something that we missed and to be viewed as a hidden
person. Is it not OK to work your whole life 46 years now and have a
year of fun?

I don't know as most of us questioned your credibility as a "real" person at all. More like your original post raised a fair amount of red flags (what is an artist visa?) and didn't give us a lot to go on as far as what you do know and what you don't. Heavy forum users across multiple sites have seen similar, "I want to move to ____" umpty times. As those conversations have progressed, it's not uncommon to find that a poster hasn't done much footwork at all about the complex stuff. When they realize that they aren't going to be able to just rock into a foreign country, easily find a job, a cheap/nice place to live and be done with it, etc. they often disappear. As it has taken a couple of days for you to re-engage in the thread, well, I'm sure some wondered if that was the case here?

To be fair, I've seen much the same from foreigners who think they're going to come to the States indefinitely without realizing what it's going to involve. LOL, if I had a nickel for every post I've seen from someone whose plan is to get to the U.S., buy the cheapest van they can, sleep free anywhere they feel like parking the thing - including national and state parks - travel around and earn odd-job money along the way, then sell the heap at the end of the trip... Stuff like work visas, having to prove adequate funds, car insurance, emergency fund for if (more like, when) the van breaks down, health insurance, camping fees and all the no-fun details often prove to be too much for a lot of them.

No one is saying that you're not entitled to some fun! Not at all. It just wasn't clear how much research you'd already done and what challenges you were already aware of. So don't run away; there are some terrific people on this forum who have been or are expats currently who can offer oodles of advice, given more detailed information.

I'm personally curious about something? As this is going to be an potentially expensive and complex endeavor, why wouldn't you take a shorter trip to the Italian Lakes area and Tuscany to check things out before committing to a long-term plan? Wouldn't it be better to see, firsthand, if those are places you think you could live for months at a time? See about the transport system, how big a challenge language might be (are you both currently taking Italian classes?), what's available locally for desired or necessary services and so on?

Posted by
9403 posts

OP, I’d Google for Expat groups in Italy, also on FB, if you do FB. I wouldn’t come to a travel forum. There’s also InternationalLiving.com whose whole focus is expats. They publish country-specific books that explain everything you need to do, step-by-step, to live in another country.

Posted by
7010 posts

as I stated my husband calls it that, but it is the Schengren Visa.

I don't remember seeing this stated anywhere but I probably just missed it. Regardless, if you have a US passport, you do not have to 'get' a Schengen visa - it's simply a stamp in your passport when you enter any of the countries participating in the Schengen agreement (which is most, but not all, European countries, including Italy). It allows you to stay in that country, or any combination of Schengen countries for a total of 90 days in any 180 day period. If you truly are planning on 6 months in Italy you would need to apply for a 'long term visa' for Italy. This site is a good example of what it takes to get that long term visa, written by someone who went through the process.

I agree with you that it would be an adventure and wish I could afford to do it myself. Good luck with your planning.

Posted by
5 posts

Thank you for the information and comments. I am not on social media too frequently just because I am so busy with work and life. We have been preparing with Italian language lessons, asking questions of Italians we know, family and friends who travel there, securing auto insurance (infact I was on the phone with the auto insurance co. in England for 1 1/2 hrs this morning, with half of the conversation asking questions from the very helpful Brit), health insurance, banking, budgeting, prescriptions, having an appointment with the Italian Consulate in Houston here in 3 weeks, passports, visa applications, and much more. I have traveled out of America (to Mexico and Central America) which I really don't consider another country since I am here in south Texas. We are planning on staying 6 months to a year so do my research, look at places to buy and just see if frankly we like it. The only road block is finding monthly rentals. I see many places online, but I just want to make sure these websites are legit and honest in their information. This is why I decided to get on the forum board here, for information. I have been watching Rick Steves and Rudy Maxa for 20+ years. Yes, we do not want to mess up big, but know that we will be making little errors, hopefully not many. This has been in my brain as a plan since I was a young girl.

Thank you for your help!

Posted by
3057 posts

I am not being critical here, just trying to help, as it sounds like you do not understand the visa process, and that could hurt your chances of success.

If you are US citizens ( you say you "have never been out of America" so that must be the case) then you do NOT need a ""Schengren" ( Schengen) visa. You can stay in Italy for up to 90 days without applying for a visa at all. If you do want to stay longer, then you must apply for a long-stay visa, but that is not the same as a Schengen Visa. It requires a different process and different forms than the Schengen visa application. If you use the wrong one it will be denied.

For the long-stay visa, you must decide which category you fit, and it is probably Elective Residence. You should follow Roberto's link to see what is required for that visa.

I wish you the best of luck in your adventure. Please come back and let us know how it goes.

Posted by
3057 posts

More. So if you are not US citizens but legal residents you can apparently get a Schengen visa:

https://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/consolato_sanfrancisco/resource/doc/2018/01/schengen_tourist_visas_-_sf_consulate.docx

But you should explain more about your status if you want help here.

As for the rental properties, yes it is important to figure out the legitimate rental sites. Places like VEBO and AIRBnB are owner rentals, so while the website is legit the individual rental might be sketchy. I only rent from AirBnB places that have LOTS of good reviews or a Superhost designation.

These Air BnB places will be no help if you need a signed lease to get a long-stay visa.

Posted by
15041 posts

Retiring in Italy is possible, since I’ve known so many Americans doing exactly that in Tuscany, however I’m not sure the OP has a full grasp of the bureaucratic steps to obtain a visa. The fact that s/he mentioned an “artist” visa (which doesn’t exist) or a Schengen Visa (which cannot be over 90 days) makes me believe that maybe s/he has not gone through the process or maybe the spouse is taking care of that process. In any case, the only visas applicable to this circumstances is either the Elective Visa or the Independent Work Visa. My link provided the info necessary to apply for either.

I wish good luck to the OP in her endeavor. I trust s/he has the financial means, therefore all s/he needs is patience and perseverance.

However, I still think that nowadays, if you want to go and live in Italy, and do so at the expense of the Italian taxpayers without having to get too much paperwork, what you should do is arrive by row boat or fish boat to the island of Lampedusa and immediately declare you are an asylum seeker. Looking African, Middle Eastern, or from the Indian subcontinent is a plus. If you are white, just declare you are a war refugee from the Ukraine (if they questioned why you arrived by boat to Lampedusa, just say you rowed all the way from the Black Sea.

You will immediately be assigned to an NGO (non governmental organization) that will take care of your immediate needs, and also provide language training, all at the expense of Italian taxpayers. The entire process, before they figure out you are an impostor, should take a few months. Even after that, the Italian authorities will simply give you a Foglio di Via (Away Paper), which is an injunction for you to self deport yourself. Not too many migrants who are denied asylum, comply with that, so you could join the crowd and stay a few more years. As long as you don’t commit violent crimes (pickpocketing American tourists on the 64 bus in Rome is ok), nobody will actually deport you.

Posted by
4138 posts

It sounds like you are working hard to try to make your dream a reality. But this is a puzzle to me, "securing auto insurance (infact I was on the phone with the auto insurance co. in England for 1 1/2 hrs this morning."

Are you planning to ship a car over to England or Italy? Buy one there? Do a long-term lease?

Things may have changed for Italy, but in 2009 I was told by an American resident of Rome whose wife was a teacher in the American school that non-citizens could not own vehicles in Italy. Perhaps things have changed.

People do it all the time, but I have a hard time imagining driving a British car on the European roads or driving a European car on the UK roads. When I lived in Germany, I never took my car to the UK. Wimp, I know.

Posted by
26829 posts

I was told the same thing about not being to buy a car, by Australians who had obtained a long-stay visa for Italy in 2015.

Posted by
5239 posts

yes we are real people with a real plan and will be doing this. It is sad that there is so much skepticism that someone just can not be excited about an adventure, post on a travel blog for ideas to see if there is something that we missed and to be viewed as a hidden person.

Unfortunately part of the scepticism arises from the fact that many of us regulars on this forum are impatient and read the posts every day! There was an absence of a response from you of (gasp!) two days and in that time a number of posts were made and without giving you sufficient time to respond (most likely due to work and other factors) the lack of response to the questions raised resulted in a suspicion that you were not real or hadn't done your homework.

A lot of contributors here spend a significant amount of time providing help and guidance to others and frequently there is no response or acknowledgement from the original posters. This can be frustrating as well as coming across as ignorant and ungrateful and it's easy to pigeonhole people into this category if they do not reply quickly.

You have clarified that you intend on staying in Italy under the Schengen agreement but what is your intention after the 90 day limit?

I'm also confused why you were arranging motor insurance in the UK. Are you intending to rent/lease/buy a vehicle in the UK and drive it to Italy?

Posted by
3057 posts

"The only road block is finding monthly rentals".

Well, that is a big one. The Houston consulate website does not appear to be as specific on the housing requirement as the San Francisco consulate. At least I could navigate to it as easily. The San Francisco consulate is very clear that you need a purchase contract or a signed lease for a full year, not just a monthly rental. They even give a sample lease contract and say yours should be substantially in this form.

http://conssanfrancisco.esteri.it/consolato_sanfrancisco/resource/doc/2017/02/esemplare_contratto_affitto.pdf

Are you thinking of going to your appointment at the consulate three weeks from now without the signed lease contract?

Posted by
15041 posts

Who said it is not possible for a foreigner to buy a car in Italy. When my dad passed I sold his car to an Indian national living in Italy.
If you are a foreigner (extra EU) residing in Italy you can buy a car and register it like any Italian could. All you need is the Permesso di Soggiorno (permit to stay).
Actually you can buy a car even if you are a foreigner and do not reside in Italy. In that case however, the car would be registered with a EE license plate (Escursionisti Esteri=Foreign Excursionists). That can be done for up to a year and only if you intend to export your car later.