🇮🇹 Italy's Gone to the Dogs 🐶 (& Cats!)
We explore bringing pets with you on your Italian move or vacation... answer a question every tourist asks on their first visit... talk about volunteering ➕ more!
Who’s a Good Boy/Girl? 🐶 You! For Taking Your Pet to Italy!
Moving to Italy with a pet may seem daunting – and those who have done it know it certainly isn’t a dog walk in the park. But believe it or not, the majority of folks who make the move DO have a furry family member along for the ride! And when they get there – expect them to be warmly received: Dogs especially are beloved in Italy!
In many cases, you can even bring your kitty or pupper on vacation with you to Italy. The primary thing you need to do is find a USDA-approved veterinarian who can walk you through which vaccinations, tests and treatments are required for your destination nation. Once all of your critter’s needs are tended to, the vet will issue them a health certificate, which MUST be ink-signed and embossed by the USDA before using. More information on the process can be found on their website.
Keep in mind that the Italian Government requires that all cats and doggos traveling from Italy to the U.S. must have a Pet Export Certificate that can be obtained from an authorized veterinarian of the local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale).
If you’re moving to Italy permanently, and think you’ll travel around Europe with Fido, you’ll also want to obtain an EU Pet Passport.
One helpful hint from a member of our community is to crate train your floofer for a few weeks prior to the trip if they will be required to fly in cargo rather than under-seat. It will make a sure-to-be somewhat bumpy experience just a little easier for them.
Call it… creature comfort! 🐶 😻
We’re Bringing Receipts 🧾 (Too Many! Why So Many?!)
It strikes every tourist the first time they visit Italy… Why do we get a receipt for EVERYTHING? Even an espresso! Why do we wind up back in our hotel with 17 little pieces of paper falling out of our pockets?
The simple reason is a history of tax fraud in Italy, especially from its earliest decades through Fascism. So the government requires a ricevuta fiscale (tax receipt) to log every purchase of any amount – to ensure it’s reported and they can take the proper tax on it.
Receipts will show you how much you paid in Value Added Tax (VAT, but you will probably see it as IVA, as it is in Italian). If there were no receipt proving a transaction, the business would not have to report it to the government. Voila – 22% back in their pocket!
Of note, it used to be a law that not only did businesses have to issue receipts, the customer must take them and hold onto them in case a Guardia di Finanza (essentially a tax inspector) asked them for proof of purchase outside the shop. That is NOT the case anymore! But those curly little wisps of white do add up to Italy ensuring its fiscal health.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA): Doing good in Italy?
Hi Samantha: Now that our move to Italy is all settled, I’ve got some time on my hands! I was thinking of looking into volunteer work – preferably somewhere that English is useful. Do you have any advice for opportunities here for expats who haven’t quite mastered Italian yet?!
Ciao, Michael! This is such a great idea and, actually, we have a lot of people who feel the same way. Volunteering is a great way to give back, but also to meet other people and stay productive, even in retirement years. Unfortunately, without Italian proficiency your choices will be limited – but it’s still possible to find a good match.
There are all kinds of websites that list different opportunities for volunteering in Italy ranging all kinds of interests from art, culture, and agriculture, to social programs and language education. Just be prepared for strict guidelines and requirements for some of them. Remember: Everything in Italy is highly regulated.
Finally, spread the word around your community! Tell your friends and locals that you have an interest in volunteering and you may quickly find that doors will fly open. Italy is a country built on relationships, so this is always the best first step.
*Please send your questions to richard@smartmoveitaly.com.
YouTube Series ▶️ From Traffic Snarls to Caffè Bars!
Our latest YouTube adventure follows Tom as he moves from Burbank, California, to the intoxicating streets of Florence. After ditching car-choked SoCal for one of the best walking cities on Earth, Tom shares his personal story of embracing the warmth and culture of Italy.
From his love for local bakeries to adjusting to a new Italian lifestyle, Tom offers insights into living abroad, making new friends, and embracing change. It’s worth the watch!
If you’ve ever wondered how to move to Italy, or if life in Italy could be right for you, we’ve got tips, insights, and personal stories that might inspire you to take the plunge!
Watch here: From Burbank to Florence: Embracing a New Life Abroad
Location Spotlight📍Caucana, Sicilia
Sicily is hot right now… ok, to be fair it is often hot down there! But the market is trending up as well. The popularity of water-cooler shows like The White Lotus on Max has a little something to do with people wanting to explore this captivating island. Once they get there, they see it lives up to the hype. This Sicilian renaissance is the reason Delta Airlines recently announced non-stop service from New York to Catania starting in Summer 2025.
That will certainly make it easier to visit – but what if you want to live it?!
Just 150 meters from one of the most beautiful beaches in Sicily in Caucana, there's a 2-story villa that could make a great investment opportunity for the right buyer.
Its 120 square meters over two levels consists of a large living room with kitchen, four bedrooms, and two bathrooms, as well as enjoyable verandas on the ground floor. On the seminterrato level, the kitchen features a wood-burning oven, there is a garage, and a huge garden of more than 1,300 square meters offers you a private outdoor retreat.
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.
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, Instagram, and YouTube.
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!