What Would it Be Like to Retire in Italy?

If you’ve been researching different places abroad, you have probably discovered that to retire in Italy would be delightful. Between the slow paced lifestyle, the welcoming attitude of the natural citizens, the fantastic cuisine, and the incredible sights to see, you never run out of ways to enjoy your retirement. Depending on your taste, you can find hip, urban areas where you can secure an apartment or flat, or you can find a quiet country escape.

What you won’t find when you retire in Italy is specific retirement communities like those that have become so popular in the United States.

Instead, you can choose your own location and your own style of home.
Every town and city has its own ambiance, with places like Rome, Florence, and Venice each offering its own unique personality.
Are you someone who likes the beach? Imagine being able to swim, snorkel, and scuba dive off the shores of Sardinia or Sicily all day, followed by an evening of sunbathing and reading on the pristine sandy beaches. Fire up the grill and eat some fresh fish you purchased from the wharf earlier that morning.

Perhaps your reason to retire here is that you are a wine connoisseur, and you are interested in the incredible wine country. You may even want to try your hand at starting your own small vineyard. If this is the case, you may want to check into purchasing some land in the Tuscan region, where you can incorporate your love of wine with the traditional Renaissance style of the area.

Are you a skier? Locate yourself up north, close to the Italian Alps, and make the trip up whenever your heart desires. There are a number of quaint little towns at the base of the mountain range, including homes right on the lake. In the southern part of Italy, you’ll find the Mediterranean style architecture like the dome-shaped trulli houses along the Adriatic Sea, fringed with olive trees and other green beauty.
The elective residency visa is what most people who plan to retire in Italy apply for, and you’ll need to meet a few qualifications to obtain the visa. You’ll need some official forms, as well as proof of financial means that are not coming from current employment but rather from retirement funds, Social Security, or other such source. You also have to provide proof of property in Italy (rental or purchased) and valid medical insurance. Once you provide this to the Italian consulate that covers your jurisdiction, you can prepare for an ideal life when you retire in Italy.
There are also many countries near Italy that are only a short train, bus or flight away. One example of the nearby european countries that you can check out is France. Check out the beautiful cities in France for more information.

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