Things to Consider When Moving to Italy
The most visited country in Europe is Italy and for good reason. There is a rich history of art, food, and landmarks that most people are attracted to, not to mention the wonderful climate. From the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to the canals of Venice, to the Roman Colosseum, there is so much to see while you are in Italy. Therefore, it makes sense that Italy is also a popular destination for people looking to relocate outside of the United States. The climate is quite mild, with the exception of the Italian Alps, many people love Italian food, and it is the birthplace of the Renaissance in Europe. While it is true that living in a place is far different from vacationing there, that does not stop thousands of people that emigrate there every year.
If you are planning on moving to Italy, you should learn what customs will allow into the country. First of all, if you are moving there for less than ninety days, you will not need a visa if you are American or Canadian. If you plan on moving there for a longer period of time, you will need a passport, a residence visa if you are planning on buying or renting a home, a work permit if you are looking for employment, proof of identification, and many other documents that you can find by contacting your local Italian consulate. It is important to have all of these documents ready to go, and they will prefer them to be in Italian, before you arrive within their borders.
Restricted Items and the Italian Culture
While it is important to only take the items with you that you will absolutely need with any move, this is especially true with an international relocation, due to the cost of renting space. Every country also has a list of items that are prohibited from entering their land. For Italy, the list includes things like illegal narcotics, pornography, cordless electronics, and perfumes, animal skins including fur and ivory, and food products like sugar, coffee, and tea. There are also items that are not prohibited but should still be avoided because of the extra cost that it takes to get them approved by customs. These items include furniture, precious metal, art, alcohol, tobacco, weapons, cars, art, and pets. To find a full list of items that are prohibited or have a heavy duty placed upon them. Contact either the Italian embassy near your current home, the American embassy near the place you are moving to, or the customs agency in Italy. Following these regulations will save you a bundle in money and peace of mind.
While the culture in Italy is close to the United States there are some differences that you will need to know. The first most obvious one is that the national language of Italy is Italian, and is the language that the overwhelming majority of the citizens speak. You will need to learn as much Italian as you can before arriving in the country if you hope to communicate with anyone there. Furthermore, the country’s laws and traditions are steeply rooted in the Roman Catholic religion, so learning about that is a plus. Also, just like the United States, the country is different in one area than another, namely Northern Italy compared to Southern Italy. In the north, the population is more multicultural and much denser, in the south, people are more spread out and are culturally isolated. Family is very important in the Italian culture, and is even seen in business practices. Speaking of business, jobs are actually quite sparse there, so finding a job might be a problem. Doing as much research as you can before moving there will greatly benefit you. Italy is a beautiful country with a lot to offer, so do not be afraid to relocate to this wonderful land.
