Big Changes for Families Moving to Italy.
Ah, summer! Surely your plans include Italy, so we're giving you some insider tips on traveling the rails (maybe with your pets?), the Italian driving test, and navigating a new regulation. Iniziamo!
📰 Breaking News - Big Changes for Families of EU/Italians
**[note] Check with your consulate to confirm their procedure to confirm if this applies to you before changing your plans*
For a country steeped in history and tradition, it’s a tad ironic that things are constantly changing, but such is life in Italy. This time, the change impacts the process for non-EU spouses and dependents of Italian/EU spouses. It used to be that spouses and children of EU and/or Italian citizens could enter Italy on a tourist visa and apply for a permit to stay directly in Italy. This was a much simpler process than applying for a National D Visa through their home consulate.
Well, times are changing. As of 1 June, the policy has been updated…substantially.
The new requirements for family members of Italian and/or EU citizens include securing a visa, before entering Italy. If this applies to you, the biggest impact will be related to timing, as it can take months just to make an appointment at your local consulate — and, keep in mind, you can’t book an appointment more than 3-6 months in advance so you’ll need to time it with your anticipated arrival in Italy.
Logistically speaking, this new requirement will add some time, planning, and bureaucracy to the process.
You will need to make an appointment at the consulate in your jurisdiction through the Prentoa system and bring with you:
Passport
Proof of address in the consulate's jurisdiction
Letter from the Italian/EU spouse inviting you to join them
An application form
Photographs
The consulate can ask you for additional documents, so be prepared.
The good news is that it is highly unlikely that you’ll be denied, and this is simply a change in process. As with all things in Italy, patience and planning are your friends when it comes to this change.
However, always check first with your local consulate to confirm their procedure.
Podcast Corner - The Essential Guide to the Italian Drivers Test 🚗
It’s hard to talk about the Italian driving test without getting emotional. Anyone who has gone through the process will attest to experiencing a wide range, including excitement, fear, confusion, and (eventually) relief. It’s widely known that the test is tricky — even for Italians — so tackling the challenge as a foreigner may seem near impossible, but we’re here to tell you that it is not.
In a recent podcast episode, Samantha sits down with her friend Barbara (also an SMI community member) to chat about her experience as an ex-pat from Florida. It took her three tries but she finally passed her test…and learned a bunch of lessons along the way. She shares the reasons behind her initial setbacks, her best tips for success, and the reasons why she thinks the uphill battle is worth it.
The bottom line? Sure, it’s tough but anything worth doing usually is. Even if you don’t plan to depend on a car for daily activities, having your license will open up a whole new world in Italy, not to mention, make your life easier. It’s really essential, especially as a foreigner, to have support through the process. A certified driving school will provide you with all of the training, supplies, and documentation you’ll need to be successful. Plus, your success is a bit of a feather in their cap so they really do want you to walk away with that coveted license in hand.
Embarking on this journey takes dedication, (a lot) of time, and grit. While not for the faint of heart, the end result is well worth it. Need some encouragement? This👇episode is just for you.
🚂 The Overnight Train Between Rome and Cortina
Traveling by train is one of the beautiful perks of living in Italy. You can hop from one town to the next on a regional line, or settle in on the high-speed line and get from one big city to another in (almost) lightning speed. Train travel is often part of a classic Italian experience and can even be the highlight of a trip, especially when your mode of transportation doubles as your hotel.
That’s exactly what you’ll get on the Ferrovie dello Stato Rome-Cortina sleeper train. The state-owned railway company operates this popular route in the winter, which is ideal for those looking to enjoy the incredible skiing in Cortina. The summer edition of this route starts 25 June and runs through 31 August. Trains will depart Rome every Tuesday and Thursday night, arriving in Cortina around 8 am. The reverse route will be available every Wednesday and Saturday.
Some other routes worth checking out, though not of the overnight variety, include the Espresso Versilia (Milan to the Cinque Terre and then on to the beaches of Versilia), the Espresso Riviera (Milan to Ventimiglia and on to the Côte d'Azur) or an old-school steam train between Turin and Canelli. If you’re looking for an iconic summer journey that includes some of Italy’s most cherished destinations, now may be the right time to book a ticket. Buon viaggio!
Community Success and An Insider Discount
For Daryl and Claudia, the move to Italy was a long time coming. Originally from Vancouver, Canada, the two were engaged in the Cinque Terre and, a year later, married in Cortona, so to say that Italy is close to their hearts is an understatement. “It has always been our dream to relocate here,” says Daryl.
When the time came to make that dream come true, the couple turned to Smart Move Italy for support. In fact, they’re using almost every arm of our expertise. First, our Vita Italia Experience, which can be accessed through our private community, provided the foundational knowledge and inspiration to establish and move forward with a plan. From there, they utilized our property services to find a rental in Fano, which they currently use as a home base. Once they arrived, SMI helped expedite the residency process and, now, we’re walking with them through the Property Purchase Assistance program. We’re all-in on the journey and love seeing all of their success.
One of the best parts about being in the SMI community is the opportunity to learn from those who have gone before you. As far as wisdom is concerned, Daryl and Claudia say, “Prepare as much as you can, learn some Italian before you move, and listen to the advice you receive. Be ready for challenges that you did not expect - regardless of how well-prepared you think you are. It is not an 'easy' transition.” As you know “easy” and “worth it” can rarely co-exist so if you’re up for following in their footsteps, we’re always here to help.
Speak Italian with Confidence!
When starting a new life in Italy, one of the biggest barriers to success is learning the language. There are very few places where you can get away with not learning Italian (in some of the big cities where tourism is huge), but even so, it’s not advisable to go that route. The language is an integral part of life here. Its melodic rhythm contributes to the beauty of this country. Knowing it can open up a huge amount of opportunity and generally make life much easier.
So how can you bridge the gap between knowing the language intellectually, and using the language practically? Per imparare la lingua, devi usare la lingua. To learn the language, you must use the language. Makes sense, but we all know that’s easier said than done.
Speaking requires a confidence that seems to elude those in the beginner and intermediate stages of learning. The thing is, you’ll never improve if you don’t jump in and try. Here are some tips to help you build the confidence to strike up a conversation (or at least respond without fear):
🇮🇹 Size up the situation. Sometimes you can’t prepare for a conversation but often you know you have to go to, for example, the market or the post office. You can anticipate some possible interactions ahead of time and review some related vocabulary.
🇮🇹 Have some tried and true phrases handy. It’s probably not the best plan to memorize full conversations because you can never count on someone responding exactly the way you hoped they would. You can, however, have some go-to phrases on the tip of your tongue to avoid the “deer in the headlights” moments when you can’t think of anything to say.
🇮🇹 Lean on a friend. No matter where you go in Italy, there’s sure to be someone in your community willing to practice with you. Find this person…and practice. This really is an invaluable relationship to cultivate.
🇮🇹 Roll with the mistakes. You will make them. Over and over again. You’re supposed to. Mistakes do help us grow, especially when it comes to language learning, so don’t fear them or feel ashamed. Sure, there may be some people who are less than kind, but that’s not your problem. That’s life. File that mistake away and move on.
🇮🇹 Don’t look for safe spaces. At some point, you may have a choice to make: go to that bar where you know someone speaks English (or whatever your native language is) or grab lunch at that trattoria where you know nobody does. Opt for the challenge and embrace the opportunity.
How do you find the confidence to speak Italian while learning? Share your tips in our Facebook group.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to sophia@smartmoveitaly.com
Dear Sam: I’m from Canada and will be in Italy on a student visa for a year-long program. Will I be able to stay in Italy when that visa expires for my 90-day Schengen tourist visa? So, do my 90 days start at the end of the study visa? If not, how long do I need to leave Italy (or the Schengen) before re-entering?
Dear Leslie: Ciao Leslie, yes you get the 90 days outside of the visa but you'll need to be ready for a little math.
Keep in mind that the Schengen visa 90-day rule is for all countries in the Schengen zone, not just Italy. During your student visa, you can stay longer in Italy but will be restricted to 90 /180 in all other Schengen countries.
So, if you arrive a few days before your visa starts, or travel to any other Schengen country during your visa period, those days count within the 90/180 rule.
For example, if your Italian Student visa is for 6 months. And during this time, you travel to Greece for 30 days. Once your visa is finished, you will have only 60 days left in any Schengen country (including Italy).
Location Spotlight - L’Aquila, Abruzzo
If your bird-related Italian is on point, you already know that l’aquila means the eagle. It’s also the name of Abruzzo’s capital city. A haven for those who love dramatic landscapes, L’Aquila is surrounded by towering mountain peaks and magnificent views.
This part of central Italy has a little bit of a wild feeling to it, but not in an intimidating or chaotic way. It’s more of a freshness and a raw beauty. L’Aquila is steeped in history, but at the same time, feels full of potential. The area was devastated by a large earthquake in 2009, a phenomenon common in many parts of Italy, but especially through the center of the country. In true Italian form, the people here have been dedicated to rebuilding and breathing life back into their hometown.
Maybe it’s because of their difficult past, or because of their pride in a town of true resilience - either way, the people here are welcoming, warm, and eager to share their love for L’Aquila and the surrounding villages. Speaking of, many comuni in the province of L’Aquila are gaining popularity with ex-pats from all over the world, perhaps due to the affordability, stunning beauty, and authenticity of Abruzzo and the Abruzzese people. Some of these include Sulmona, Raiano, Pratola, Popoli, and Pizzoli.
We found THE most adorable, well-appointed, and bright rental in L’Aquila!👇It’s completely renovated and features 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and dedicated parking for € 1200 per month.
Want to see all the details? Don’t forget to subscribe to Vendita for 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel. It’s completely free!
Your Pet Needs a Vacation Too 🐕 🐱
Life in Italy revolves around family and pets are often part of it. With summer travel plans in full swing, it’s always important to account for our furry friends and Trenitalia is making it a bit easier to do so.
Typically, you have to pay a fee between €1-5 to take your pets on the train but from 1 June to 15 September, you can bring your furry friend for FREE on the Frecce and Intercity lines. The website says that “dogs, cats, and other small pets” are included in this deal so there’s no reason to leave them behind. Of course, there are some guidelines, including:
🐱 Cats need to be in a carrier with a max size of 70x30x50 cm.
🐶 There is a limit of one pet per passenger.
🐩 There is no size limit on dogs, but they need to be leashed and muzzled.
To add your pet to your ticket, select your train on the app and look for the “Travel with your dog” service before checking out. You can also add your pet to your ticket at the station and through the self-service kiosks.
‼️ Don’t forget to carry your registration papers and health records, which are always required.
📣 Speak Your Mind
Here at SMI, the pulse of Italy is at the center of everything we do. Whether it be navigating the visa system, assisting with citizenship, finding property, or helping you adapt to a foreign culture, we love sharing our expertise with our community. Wherever you are in the process, you’re closer than you think to realizing your Italian dreams…just by being here. There is plenty of juicy content coming your way but give us your thoughts by answering this question👇and we’ll continue to tailor our weekly newsletter just for you.
As always, thanks for being part of the SMI famiglia. A presto!