Housing
- One bedroom, city center
- 1000-1600 EUR
- One bedroom, suburbs
- 700-1200 EUR
- Three bedrooms, city center
- 1700-2800 EUR
Country research
Retire in Italy
Italy offers city-level retirement planning choices across historic cities, coastal areas, and inland regions. This profile combines comparable national indicators with local cost, healthcare, safety, climate, and residence information.
74.3Overall research score
98.9Safety index
At a glance
The first numbers to check before you compare destinations.
Cost of living48.8/100Relative PPP score; lower is cheaper
Safety98.9/100Safety index
Healthcare82/100Quality index
Average temperature12.9°CYearly average
Why Italy
A practical starting point for deciding whether the country fits your plans.
Italy may suit retirees who value cultural and regional variety, subject to local housing costs, healthcare arrangements, residence eligibility, and tax advice.
What stands out
- Public healthcare coverage; newcomer eligibility varies
- Social stability
- EU access.
Costs and planning
Monthly essentials, taxes, and residency details in one view.
Monthly essentials
- Groceries
- 350-550 EUR
- Restaurant meal
- Varies by city and provider
- Utilities
- 180-280 EUR
- Health insurance
- Public healthcare coverage
Residency and taxes
- Visa or permit
- Elective Residence Visa
- Minimum annual income
- EUR 31,000
- Processing time
- Up to 90 days; consulate-specific
- Income tax
- 43% Max. CGT: 26%. Inherit: Low/None for direct family.
Safety, climate, and healthcare
The conditions that shape everyday life after the move.
Safety
- Safety index
- 98.9/100
- Intentional homicide
- 0.006 per 1,000 (latest comparable national rate)
- Police response
- Not published as a comparable national statistic; varies by city
Climate and healthcare
- Sunshine
- Not listed
- Rainfall days ≥10 mm
- 28 days per year
- Doctor visit
- Covered by public healthcare
- English speakers
- Not available as a comparable national statistic
Cities to consider in Italy
Start with the places that make the country feel real, not just the national averages.
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about retiring in Italy
What is the cost of living in Italy?
The relative PPP price-level score for Italy is 48.8/100 (lower means lower relative prices). Monthly rent for a one bedroom apartment in the city center is listed as 1000-1600 EUR, while health insurance is Public healthcare coverage.
Is Italy safe for expats and retirees?
Italy has a safety index of 98.9/100. The latest comparable national intentional-homicide rate is 0.006 per 1,000 people; city-level crime can differ substantially.
How is the healthcare system in Italy?
The healthcare system in Italy has a quality index of 82/100. A doctor visit costs Covered by public healthcare, and health insurance typically costs Public healthcare coverage per month.
What are the visa requirements for retiring in Italy?
Italy lists the route “Elective Residence Visa”. The published minimum-income field is EUR 31,000 per year and processing is Up to 90 days; consulate-specific. Requirements can change, so confirm them with the relevant government office.
What is the tax situation for retirees in Italy?
Retirees in Italy face income tax rates of 43% Max. CGT: 26%. Inherit: Low/None for direct family.. Property tax is IMU generally applies to second homes; rates are municipality-specific and inheritance tax is Generally 4–8% depending on relationship and amount. Where applicable, tax treaties can affect double-taxation treatment.
How large is the expat community in Italy?
Italy has approximately 6,553,671 international migrants in the latest comparable estimate. A comparable national English-speaker percentage is not available. Major city profiles include Rome.
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