🇮🇹 Returning to the Homeland: Bella Italia!
Exploring the reverse migration fueling Italy's popularity. Plus, Italy on horseback, the elusive jure sanguinis consulate appointment, and a twist to the € 1 home scheme. Cominciamo!
Back to the Boot - The Reverse Migration
For decades, Italy watched her children leave. Millions emigrated, seeking opportunity in places like the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, there trend is a trend reversing the flow. Grandchildren and great-grandchildren of those emigrants are choosing to return to the boot — their ancestral homeland.
There’s more to this migration than a love of pizza, dreams of sunny piazzas, and the pursuit of la dolce vita, starting with practicality. Because the cost of living around the world is exploding, people are looking for other options, especially during retirement. Italy’s lifestyle, affordability, and excellent healthcare, combined with a familiarity with the culture (perceived or otherwise) make it an attractive option.
Then there’s the emotional side of reverse migration. Younger generations, sometimes with fading ties to their Italian heritage, are yearning to reconnect with their family's history. The rich culture, the melodic language, and the chance to build a life where their ancestors once walked can be powerful motivators.
The rise of remote work adds another layer to this phenomenon. Expats with Italian blood can now maintain careers abroad while living in Italy, especially if they qualify for citizenship through jure sanguinis). This path unlocks the door to living, working, and voting throughout Italy.
Of course, this homecoming isn't a fairytale. Just because Italy is in your lineage doesn’t give you an advantage. It’s still a foreign land and, essentially, a foreign culture. Thinking otherwise can lead to disappointment. You still have to do the work. Italy may feel familiar to you on a certain level but you are a stranger to Italy. If you approach the process with humility, do your homework, and seek support, you’ll set yourself up for success.
Podcast Corner - Getting Creative with Italian Cuisine
Foodies everywhere love experimenting with creative culinary pairings, but what happens when you focus on Italian ingredients? Find out in this episode of “Stop Italian Sounding: Uncovering Authentic Italian Food,” just one of the many podcast productions of Sentire Media.
In this episode, we explore unconventional flavors with traditional Italian ingredients, highlighting some surprising combinations like Parmigiano Reggiano with seaweed and dark chocolate, as well as balsamic vinegar with gelato. Emphasizing the role of food science in creating balanced flavors, host Robert Campana reflects on how these pairings enhance culinary experiences through their complementary and contrasting tastes.
Curious? Don’t miss this episode! 👇
Saddle Up! Exploring Italy on Horseback 🐎
A visit to Italy can involve all sorts of modes of transportation including planes, trains, trams, buses, gondolas, ferries, and funiculars. There is one, perhaps overlooked, method of getting from point A to point B that provides a unique perspective that the aforementioned cannot. Have you considered exploring Italy on horseback?
Stunning and varied Italian landscapes are the perfect backdrop to a mounted expedition. Whether trotting through vineyards, meandering along the coast, loping through citrus groves, or tackling mountain trails, doing so on horseback takes the experience to a whole new level.
If you’re ready to saddle up, here are some suggestions:
🐴 Near the borders of Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio, Santa Cristina Castle offers lodging and a wide range of activities, including horseback riding lessons and tours.
🐴 Based in the village of Monterosso, D Ranch organizes small tours (no more than 4 riders) on horseback through the uber-popular Cinque Terre. You’ve never seen the UNESCO site like this!
🐴 Falling into the category of “slow tourism,” Sicily on Horseback combines riding adventures with an agritourism experience. Enjoy multi-day trips to Mt. Etna, the hills of Lascari, and the ancient mountain town of Gratteri.
🐴 Based in the province of Perugia, Equestrian Nursia provides mounted expeditions of the gorgeous Valle di Santa Scolastica, the Piangrande, and many other areas of Norcia and the Sibillini. Rides vary from a few hours to multiple days, so there’s an option for everyone.
Are you ready to saddle up and discover a new side of Italy? Buon viaggio!
Can’t Get an Appointment with Your Consulate? Join the Club…and then Call Us 📞 🇮🇹
Pursuing Italian citizenship is a journey not for the faint of heart. On the surface, the process seems pretty straightforward: gather your documents, make sure they’re official, submit your documents, and BOOM! you’re recognized. This simplified version is comical for those of us who have actually walked this path.
Every one of these steps has a unique set of challenges but the biggest challenge could be getting an appointment at your consulate — and even if you do get an appointment, it probably won’t be for years down the road.
If you’re in this predicament, there are options available to you. One of them is filing a no-appointment case in Italy. If you can prove that you’ve been unable to get an appointment (easy peasy) and have solid documentation proving your lineage, a court case could be your ticket to an Italian passport. Sound intimidating? If you’re interested in learning more, set up a consultation with one of our citizenship experts and we’ll let you know if this option is right for you.
By the way, you do not have to be present to submit this case to the court. Luke and Sarah of Half Italian spent a good chunk of time trying to get appointments at the Houston and Chicago consulates with no luck. Rather than give up, they gave us a call and are now moving forward with their citizenship dream. Learn more about their story here 👇 .
The Dreaded ZTL 🚗 🚙 🚘
To drive or not to drive (in Italy). It’s always a tough question. The horror stories are unavoidable. Getting an Italian license is an uphill battle. The roads can be…a challenge. Many people come here and say they only want to stick to the rails. Traveling by train is quick, easy, and mostly hassle-free. But you aren’t able to explore smaller towns that aren’t on the train lines. Driving really does open up a world of opportunity when in Italy, but for the uninitiated, a hidden challenge lurks – the Zona a Traffico Limitato, or ZTL.
Here's what you need to know about these Limited Traffic Zones and how to avoid unwanted fines.
🛑 ZTLs are restricted traffic zones commonly found in historic city centers across Italy. They are designed to:
Reduce traffic congestion: Narrow streets and historic piazzas can't handle heavy traffic flow. ZTLs limit vehicle access, creating a more pedestrian-friendly environment.
Protect historic buildings: Exhaust fumes and vibrations can damage delicate architecture. ZTLs help preserve the cultural heritage of Italian cities.
Improve air quality: Limiting traffic emissions contributes to cleaner air, especially in urban areas.
🛑 ZTLs are typically marked by electronic signs and road markings. Cameras at entry points capture license plates of vehicles entering the zone during restricted hours. If you’re not supposed to enter, you'll likely receive a hefty fine in the mail (upwards of EU 300).
🛑 Generally, only residents, local businesses with permits, and specific vehicle categories like taxis or motorbikes can freely enter ZTLs during restricted hours. Tourists and visitors are usually restricted, but you can often get a pass from your hotel if it’s located in a ZTL.
🛑 To avoid ZTL headaches:
Plan your route: Research ZTL locations in the cities you'll be visiting. Many tourist maps and navigation apps highlight ZTL zones.
Park outside the ZTL: Look for designated parking areas outside the restricted zone and explore the city on foot or by public transport.
Check for hotel parking: Some hotels offer parking with ZTL access, but this might come at an extra cost.
Daily/Hourly Permits: A few cities offer short-term ZTL permits for specific reasons like deliveries or tourist stays. Check with local authorities beforehand.
Unfortunately, ignorance of the regulations isn't an excuse that will get you out of fines so be prepared and plan your route to avoid getting caught in a ZTL trap.
Location Spotlight - Noto, Sicily
This week, we shine the spotlight on a southeastern Sicilian town that is also known as the "Capital of Baroque." One look at Noto, in the province of Syracuse, and you’ll see why. The architecture here is very unique and truly breathtaking. The historic center, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was destroyed by an earthquake in the 17th century. During reconstruction, the town embraced the Baroque style, evident in its honey-colored palazzos, ornate churches, and sweeping boulevards. Everywhere you look you’ll see facades adorned with intricate carvings and wrought-iron balconies. In short, the town itself is a masterpiece.
Of course, Noto’s charm goes well beyond the surface. Between the incredible range of Sicilian cuisine, shops that beckon with colorful ceramics, hand-painted tiles and traditional marionettes, and easy access to the beach, Noto is full of warm Sicilian soul.
If you time your visit well, you could catch the Infiorata di Noto, a spring festival that transforms the town into a carpet of fragrant flowers, or the Noto Food Festival in September, but there’s really no bad time to enjoy this charming town.
Sometimes while searching for a property, you stumble upon a special combination of amazing location and incredibly-styled home and that’s exactly what we found in Noto this week. This👆impeccably decorated house features 2 bathrooms, 2 balconies, and an unbeatable view of the Basilica of the Crocefisso. You probably won’t find anything that compares at this price point, which is € 315,000. 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!
The Evolution of the € 1 Home Scheme 🔨 🏠
As far as attention grabbers are concerned, Italy’s EU1 housing scheme has been an off-the-charts success. Initially introduced in 2008, the program has been adopted by small towns across the Boot, with varying levels of success.
One town that has seen tremendous growth due to the popularity of the €1 homes is Sambuca, Sicily, a quaint comune on the eastern side of the Island. Since 2019, 250 homes have been auctioned to buyers from around the world. The influx of interest has injected much-needed energy into the town’s economy (by the tune of €20 million!) and has motivated the town to continue the program.
The latest round of homes offered by Sambuca are now €3, rather than €1, but this number is only symbolic. This is really a public auction. The initial round of homes offered sold for €1000-23,000, and that doesn’t include renovation costs. In order to bid you need to submit a €5000 deposit which is returned if you do not win.
While plenty of buyers have been successful, turning a €1 (or €3) structure into a liveable house is not an easy, or inexpensive task. This is Italy, so, of course, there are stipulations such as needing to submit renovation plans within 90 days and needing to complete the work within 36 months. Always remember, this isn’t a program to get you a cheap house. It’s designed to stimulate a small town’s economy by hiring local contractors and artisans.
Still interested? Sambuca currently has 10 houses up for auction. Applications will close in August so if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll have to move fast.
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Send your questions to: tiernan@smartmoveitaly.com.
Dear Samantha: I am married to an Italian but he doesn’t want to stay longer than 90 days. Can I move there and stay longer than 90 days on my own? I am American.
Dear Jennifer: Being the spouse of an Italian has benefits in Italy but unfortunately they are directly tied to your husband. You have the same rights as he does to freedom of movement in the EU, live, work, study in Italy, access free healthcare etc. but only if your husband becomes a legal resident of Italy. This means he moves and lives here permanently.
The only way that you can stay longer than 90 days, is to have a permesso di soggiorno (permit of stay). The only way you can get one is if you apply for a Visa on your own, or your Italian husband becomes an Italian resident and then you apply for your permit to stay based on the fact you are married to an Italian resident.
If he doesn’t want to establish residency, then you can only stay for 90 days out of 180 days.
Italy Is More Affordable Than You Think 🤔
Think you need a huge budget to make your new life in Italy a reality? This is a hot topic, and one we’ll cover in depth during our upcoming How to Move to Italy and Live Your Best Life Bootcamp. This live 3-day event is packed with information to help you build a roadmap, budget, and execute your plan. Mark your calendar for 10-12 of September. This is our biggest event of the year and we couldn’t be more excited to share it with you. Are you in? 👇
As always, thanks for being a part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!