Would love to get insight from anyone who has retired in Italy. We are just starting this process. It’s daunting. 😳 So many steps. Any information would be so appreciated. Thank you!!
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8202 posts
Maybe only a person or two here to help. I suggest looking for expat message boards or communities, they tend to have the best information. On here you will have a bunch of discussion on Schengen limits and Visas.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8972 posts
Perhaps this site would be helpful.
Posted by
Bendigo, Australia
1297 posts
One assumes that you are able to speak some Italian.
Posted by
San Francisco Bay Area (USA)
16205 posts
It would help to know if you are a citizen of the European Union or not.
American citizens can stay as long as 90 days over a 180 day period in the Schengen area without a visa.
Anything beyond that requires you to apply for a long term visa.
Italy offers a long term visa for various reasons, but the most likely reason that would apply to you is the visa for ELECTIVE RESIDENCE.
It is for one year but it is renewable every year. To qualify you must meet certain requirements, mainly you must have sufficient assets and income to survive in the country without work (you are not authorized to work with this visa), health insurance, a signed lease for the entire year (or property deed if you buy a house there), plus various documents (for example proving you are not a criminal etc.).
For now you can start with the info on such visa (and all other visas) in the website below. It’s the website of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, also called Farnesina (Farnesina Palace is the name of the palace in Rome where the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is housed).
http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/home/en
The application form for such visa (which is in Italian) is also linked below (from the same website):
http://vistoperitalia.esteri.it/Moduli/it/Formulario%20Visto%20Nazionale.pdf
Posted by
Tresana, Highlands Ranch, CO, USA
23653 posts
When we looked into a long term visa in Italy a few years ago, they required a background report/check by the "Federal Police." For the US, that is the FBI. When I checked with our local sheriff, his comment was good luck with getting a non-emergency report from the FBI in less than a year. He wasn't even sure they would do it. We never proceeded any further.
Posted by
Lynnwood, Washington
8972 posts
Frank, I think you were given some poor advice. People all across our country routinely have fingerprinting, criminal background checks done for employment and it does not take a year.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11838 posts
Frank, the FBI has a defined process on the website. When we went through this (we were already overseas and working at the US Embassy) it took about 4 months and I think (without going to look right now) the website reflects how long it takes. You fill out forms and send them with fingerprints. The latter can be done by your local sheriff or PD. That was one of the easier bits in getting our visas.
Posted by
Eastern Iowa, USA
8202 posts
Perhaps the Sheriff was confusing a simple background check with the type of background check needed to obtain a Security Clearance; now that can take most of a year.
Posted by
Minnesota 🎒
16700 posts
Posted by
Indianapolis
291 posts
I haven't retired in Italy however, there are a husband and wife team who live in Le Marche who are giving workshops for this very thing. Check out their Facebook page: La Tavola Marche. I have no connection to them personally, found them through their podcast.
Sharon
Posted by
Rural Georgia
2213 posts
I just read an article about the Italian economy here. I don't want to be an alarmist, but it is something to consider when making plans.