🇮🇹 Gobble-Gobble Up This Week’s Per Te 🦃 It Will Leave You Stuffed!
This week we explore what Thanksgiving & Black Friday are like in Italy, give you some “freebees,” return to Rome ➕ more
Happy Thanksgiving! Let’s Talk Turkey 🦃 on ‘Ringraziamento’
Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Per Te readers who celebrate!
Last month, Per Te was delivered to your inbox on Halloween morning, and we discussed what that holiday looked like in Italy. It’s only natural to begin today by digging in (get it?) to what may or may not be happening today in the Bel Paese.
While American Thanksgiving, known as il giorno/la festa del ringraziamento, is not officially celebrated in Italy, plenty of Italians will use the excuse to host a nice big meal of their own (shocking, we know). Additionally, many establishments around Italy, especially ones that do a good bit of business with American tourists, will offer hungry ex-pats and tourists a traditional Thanksgiving meal with all the trimmings. Most notably, the worldwide chain of Hard Rock Cafe is probably the best-known place to get your fill of stuffing and pumpkin pie. (We recognize any Italians reading this probably just rolled their eyes and crinkled up their face at the mere mention of an “Italian” Hard Rock Cafe!)
If you’re looking to cook your own “Thanksgiving in Italy” with a traditional turkey, larger grocery chains like Esselunga will have them, but maybe not quite enough to go around if you don’t act early. Your best luck lies in larger markets like Mercato Centrale in Florence or American-based Eataly in Rome. In small towns, no doubt your local macelleria (butcher) will be able to procure a big bird for you.
While Americans are sure to sit around the table tonight in Italy, Italians are, of course, busy going about their non-holiday lives. Still, they may use the weekend to do a bit of their own ringraziamento celebrating. The fact that many will gather around the table with family this weekend and serve a traditional Thanksgiving meal proves that giving thanks for what you have is a universally welcomed concept – not just a North American one.
On that note, pass the mashed potatoes, please!
That Leads to the Question… So is Tomorrow ‘Venerdi Nero?’
Black Friday. Just the words conjure images of crazed Americans storming the nearest big-box store in search of THE best deals to kick off their holiday shopping. Love it or hate it, Black Friday has become ingrained in North American culture as just another part of Thanksgiving weekend.
But don’t expect much of that same fervor in Italy. While sales are marketed around Black Friday, it does NOT have anywhere near the same cache in Italy. Most shopping is done online, and anything in person will not attract the hordes expected at many Walmarts and Targets around North America.
Of course, this is true even in the U.S. – what used to be solely an in-person event has adapted over time to cater to shoppers uninterested in waking up at an ungodly hour to fight for the last Nintendo Switch on the shelf. Online sellers have also broadened the idea’s time frame – expanding Black Friday deals to the weeks leading up to the day and, of course, coining “Cyber Monday” for the week after.
If you’re looking for a roundup of some Black Friday deals, Italian news site ANSA has you covered, and individual large sellers like Unieuro, Euronics, and Leroy Merlin already have deals running.
The worst news for Italians about this year’s Venerdi Nero? There’s a planned general strike – we told you they were scheduled in advance!
Missed Out on All the Good Deals? No, You Didn’t – Get Some SMI “Freebees”
We like to consider Smart Move Italy a one-stop destination for Italophiles – especially those who are considering moving to Italy “at some point.” SMI also recognizes that not everyone wants to or needs to be a part of the whole community (though, obviously, we think you’ll be amazed at all that membership offers. For those folks, we want to highlight what we call our “Freebees!”
Freebees are resources anyone can download for, well, you guessed it — FREE. Now that’s the best deal in town. Let’s start by exploring our handy-dandy guide to Italian visas.
If you're a non-EU citizen and want to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, you need to apply for the appropriate visa. This must be done before you enter Italy, and the application process must occur in your home country. Planning your dream life in Italy is an exciting journey, and securing the proper visa is the first major step. But with so many visa options available, figuring out which suits your specific situation can feel overwhelming. That’s where we come in. And while we discuss visas in Per Te time and again, having a full 14-page guide with ALL the details you need at your fingertips can get you started on your journey.
SMI will always be there for further questions and specific needs, but we suggest you start here and see where it leads.
Get started today – download your free visa (or other) guide here.
Podcast Corner 🎙️ All Rise: We’ll See You in Court
This week’s podcast dives into one of the most complex and, let’s face it, daunting aspects of the citizenship journey: claiming Italian citizenship through the court system. If you’ve traced your family roots back to Italy and are eager to secure your citizenship, you might have already run into obstacles like the infamous 1948 rule or endless wait times at your local consulate. The truth is, for many, the best path forward lies in navigating the Italian legal system — a process that can seem overwhelming but is often the most efficient way to achieve your dream.
First, we break down the two main reasons people take their citizenship cases to court: the 1948 rule and what’s known as the “no appointment” case. The 1948 rule applies if you have a female ancestor who couldn’t pass on her citizenship before January 1, 1948, due to outdated laws. If that’s your situation, applying through the consulate will almost always lead to rejection, leaving the court as your only option.
The “no appointment” case, on the other hand, is for those stuck in limbo with wait times so long at their consulate that they’re forced to ask the courts to step in and take jurisdiction. To help make sense of it all, we break down the ins and outs of the court process, including the documents you’ll need and what to expect in terms of timelines—usually 18 months to two years.
While it might sound intimidating, the court route is often faster and less frustrating than dealing with the consulate, especially if you’re applying with multiple family members and can share the costs. We also talk about the importance of hiring a specialized lawyer, budgeting realistically for the costs involved, and preparing for the bureaucracy that comes after you’ve won your case.
If you’re feeling stuck in your citizenship journey or just exploring your options, this episode is packed with insights to help you move forward with confidence. Let’s demystify the court process together and get you one step closer to claiming your Italian citizenship.
As always, think carefully about your options, and know that SmartMoveItaly.com has resources to help with every step of the way.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA): Why Does Getting Italian Citizenship Take SOOOOOO Long?!
Ciao, Samantha! I’m digging into family history in hopes of working toward Italian citizenship. That’s great! The downside is everything I read online about it mentions how long and drawn out the process is.
I doubt there are any shortcuts, but can you explain what exactly it is about the process that makes it take years to acquire? Grazie! – Angela
Ciao, Angela!
Oh, I totally get how overwhelming this can feel — I’ve been there! Getting Italian citizenship is such an incredible opportunity, opening the door not just to Italy but the entire European Union. But let’s be real: The process can feel like it takes forever. Sometimes, it’s as long as a decade!
Why? It mostly comes down to the sheer number of people applying. The records offices, courts, and government workers just can’t keep up. For example, in the U.S., something like a CoNE (Certificate of Non-Existence) can take up to 60 weeks — yes, more than a year — for just one document! And that kind of delay happens across the board, from Italian records to consulate appointments and everything in between.
Now, while you can’t speed up the wait times for those documents, there are definitely ways to shave off some time and avoid unnecessary hiccups. Here are a few things to keep in mind:
Double-check everything. Seriously, accuracy is your best friend here. Imagine waiting 60 weeks for a document only to realize you made a mistake on your request. Heartbreaking, right? Save yourself that headache by getting it right the first time.
Work on everything at once. Don’t wait for one document to come through before starting the next step. Think of it like a puzzle—you want all the pieces ready to go so you can put it together as soon as possible.
Talk to an expert. Unless your case is super simple (like you’re applying directly through a parent), getting expert advice upfront is a total game-changer. They’ll help you create a solid plan from the start, which means fewer mistakes, less stress, and more progress.
Most importantly, remember: this is a journey. It’s not a sprint, but the reward at the end is so worth it. Set your expectations, take it one step at a time, and even enjoy the process of uncovering your family’s history. Have fun!
*Please send your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
Location Spotlight📍Rome, Lazio
Recently, a viral question out there was “How often do you think about the Roman Empire?”
We’ve got a better one: “How often do you think about a great property deal in Rome?”
Here at SMI, the answer is literally every day. And we love to bring them to you in Vendita and Per Te.
Let’s face it, any first-time tourist’s number one destination in Italy is more than likely the ancient “Eternal City” that dates back to a legendary empire. So it’s only natural to seek out deals that could be good spots for tourists to call home on their visit.
Today, we’re highlighting an apartment outside the historic center, in a well-connected area, that is currently being rented – showing its passive income potential!
Keep it for yourself or put it up for long- or short-term rental, you’re still getting a great deal at €200,000 for a one-bedroom, one-bath house with a modern kitchen, built-in wardrobe in the bedroom, laundry nook and private terrace.
Want to see more? Subscribe to Vendita and get 30 property picks sent to you every Sunday. To subscribe via email, click here or join our Telegram channel.
And if you’re thinking about buying a property in Italy, you don’t have to do it alone! Book a free 10-minute property purchase discovery call here.
PerTe è finito for this week. But don’t forget — we always have lots more to share with you! Follow us on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto! 👋