Welcome Home!
in·pat /in′pāt/ noun
According to us, an inpat is someone who moved to their new homeland. They aren’t defined by what or where they left, but by the new homeland they found. They are “in patria.” They are home.
Planning, decisions, and understanding life, language, and culture
You’re thinking about moving to Italy, or you’ve decided that Italy is your next (or forever) home. Longing for la dolce vita but not sure where to start? Moving to Italy might seem like an Instagram dream, but day-to-day life here is rarely Instagrammed or blogged honestly.
You’re considering a move to a major city, rural Italy, a small Italian town, the Italian countryside, or a village far from the tourist centers. You’re hearing the siren calls of homes or apartments inside or near Milan, Rome, Florence, or Naples. Or perhaps you prefer the simpler life in the small villages outside of the major cities and in Sardinia, Sicily, and Val d’Aosta.
No matter where you move, the reality of Italian immigration, residency, and daily life is more complicated than most resources tell you. But also way more rewarding, especially as you become part of the community.
You probably have questions, including:
- Is Italy right for you? Lifestyle, pace, culture shock, and honest expectations.
- Italy vs other countries. Comparing cost of living, climate, healthcare, bureaucracy.
- Which region of Italy? North vs south, cities vs small towns vs villages, and island life.
- The reality of Italian bureaucracy. The intersection of slow and a level of precision that’s hard to describe. Reset your expectations for how quickly things might move!
- Understanding the process. Steps and timing for obtaining residency, and what you can and cannot do along the way.
- Finding housing. You don’t want that one euro house, trust us! But we can discuss it if you want.
- Banking, healthcare, and daily necessities.
- Learning Italian. How much do you really need? Can you speak English? Isn’t Spanish close enough? (Spoiler: nope) Can’t I just pick up some words on Duolingo or some YouTube videos?
- Building community. Integrating and becoming more Italian. Because they’re not going to become more American, Canadian, British, etc.
- Shipping personal belongings, vehicles, and other goods to your new country. Learn what to not bother taking, and what might be taxed when it gets here.
- Working remotely from Italy.
- Bringing pets.
- Small town and village life. The real pros and cons.
We are not attorneys, but we can discuss what we know about visa and citizenship options, including the digital nomad visa, elective residency, retirement visa, investment visa, and citizenship by ancestry or marriage. We can help you fill out common forms, especially once you have moved and have to apply for your residence permit, codice fiscale, healthcare, and more.
Please note that we cannot guarantee or speed up a visa, permesso di soggiorno (residence permit), carta di soggiorno (residence card), or citizenship. We do not submit applications or paperwork on your behalf, but we can help explain and prepare everything.
“I wish I knew you a year ago!”
Said our new American neighbor. She and her husband are intelligent, careful, and resourceful, but there are so many elements about life, government processes, property ownership, and more that nobody prepared them for.
Their lawyers helped them get their visas and permessi di soggiorno (residence permits) but fell short in managing their expectations about timing. Their lawyers then offered to charge them for filling out forms they were able to complete on their own with our help. Their real estate agent sold them a beautiful property but didn’t explain zoning regulations that limited their ability to expand.
We answer the questions you don’t know you should ask.
You can’t possibly know what you should ask when you’re in a new country and culture. We are proactive. We know what your journey looks like. And we know that you can’t know what you should ask when you’re in a new country and culture. Things don’t work the way you’re used to. Tasks you expected to be simple like having the garbage picked up, starting utility services, or getting a primary care doctor suddenly are confusing and frustrating.
We support you abroad and on the ground.
Planning to visit Italy to check out the vibe, view houses or apartments, and compare neighborhoods? We can help you plan that trip, and travel with you, if you would like. We are your translators and on-site concierges.
Are you in another country but need local help here? We can view that house, apartment, or neighborhood, and send you photos and videos.
Moving to a new country can feel overwhelming, but the process can also be exciting, enjoyable, and full of discovery.
Decisions and moving can be scary, but they can also be exciting, fun, and full of curiosity. We are your team, your advocates, and your support. Our coaching and services will take care of most of what you need, early and proactively.
How coaching works
Our style of Move Abroad Coaching is completely driven by you. We don’t have a program that you have to go through. There is no minimum amount of money you must spend with us. You can pay as you go, book as you need.
Each time we meet, we can discuss any topic you want. We might pick up on a previous discussion or start a new one.
Our online booking system will charge you when you book, unless you’re working off pre-paid hours. You are welcome to reschedule if you need to, even a few minutes before our call, without any penalties. Just use the “reschedule” link in the calendar invite or confirmation email.
All calls are confidential. They are recorded (if you consent) and shared with you so that you have a record of what we discussed. Transcriptions can also be provided. If you use an AI notetaker, it’s welcome to join the call.