The secret to a successful ERV application
We're talking ERVs, sunny seasides, and the importance of a sense of humor.
Ciao, amici, and welcome to another edition of Italy Per Te. What action item did you tackle this week to get you one step closer to your new life in Italy? If you need some motivation, look no further. Between our new podcast episodes, Vendita property newsletter, busy Facebook pages, and our upcoming ERV Workshop, Smart Move Italy is here to keep you inspired.
With that, let’s jump into this week’s issue. Thanks for being here..and for sharing this resource with all of your Italy-loving friends!
Podcast Corner - The Secret to the ERV
It’s no secret that the elective residency visa (ERV) is, for many, a ticket to a new life in Italy. While there are several ways to stay in Italy legally, this is one of the most popular paths, but it does take careful planning, extensive paperwork, and a dash of patience.
In this episode of A New Life in Italy Podcast, Samantha Wilson dives deep into the ERV process, focusing specifically on the two major qualifications: securing a residential address in Italy and meeting the financial requirements. She also lets listeners in on a little secret: the power of a well-crafted cover letter.
Before you sit down to write a letter about how much you love Italy — including a favorite memory of the best gelato you’ve ever had the last time you were in Rome — stop. 🛑 This shouldn’t be that kind of letter. It should convey your preparedness for the move, your understanding of immigration obligations, and your financial stability. While some consulates require a cover letter as part of the application process, others do not. Regardless of the requirements (or lack thereof), always include this piece with your documents. It is the secret weapon that could push your application across the finish line.
Don’t miss this episode…AND don’t miss Sam’s ERV Workshop that is coming up on 14 April (keep reading for more information).
Location Spotlight - Termoli, Molise
As far as ideal destinations go, Termoli checks many boxes, especially if you’re looking for a place with year-round vacation vibes. Charming historical center? ✅ Seaside location with long stretches of sandy beach? ✅ An abundance of outdoor activities? ✅ Well-connected with a local train station? ✅ Mild climate? ✅
Cuddled up against the Adriatic coast in the province of Campobasso, Termoli is an often-overlooked southern town that deserves some attention. Offering many of the same amenities as some of the more popular areas in Italy, it also has the added perk of a low cost of living.
While Termoli does get busier during the summer months, it is tucked away from the main tourist arteries, making it easy to explore the shoreline, enjoy hiking and biking in the mountains, or hop on a ferry to marvel at some of the wildly beautiful, uninhabited islands scattered off the coast. Between the long list of outdoor activities, cultural events, and traditional festivities, you’ll definitely keep busy while visiting (or living in) this unique slice of Italy.
Interested in checking out this location for yourself? Buona idea! Maybe start with this gem we shared in Vendita on Sunday. 👇 In the heart of the center of Termoli, you’ll find this sunny and roomy 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartment with a balcony listed for €199.000. The price was recently decreased by 5% (€10k) and it’s just a few minutes walk from the sea.
Want to see 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! Have you visited Termoli yet? Let us know in the comments.
ERV Workshop - DON’T MISS IT! 🕰️
Fun fact: Smart Move Italy has a 100% success rate when it comes to helping private clients secure their elective residency visas (ERV). You can’t beat that so who better than our Chief Dream Maker, Samantha Wilson, to help you on your journey? If you are even remotely considering this visa, you can’t afford to miss our upcoming ERV Workshop. This will be the single best investment you can make in your visa preparation - hands down.
In this LIVE 90-minute event, you’ll learn the exact method we use to help our clients land this coveted visa. Sam only runs this workshop 2 times a year so mark your calendar and grab your spot NOW.
Along with a TON of updated content, Sam will also be answering questions in a live Q&A so you can get the clarity you need — and deserve. A limited number of spots are available so that everyone can get their questions answered, so don’t wait to sign up!
You could be posting your success story on our Facebook page, just like these SMI community members:
There have been a LOT of changes this year, and this workshop will cover everything you need to submit a successful application. You will learn:
Exactly what the ERV is and what it isn't.
How to evaluate your strengths and weaknesses and estimate the likelihood of a successful application
How to assemble your documents to WOW the consulate
What exactly qualifies as passive income, and how to present your financial viability to prove you qualify
How to prepare your documents (apostille, translations, healthcare, cover letter, bank letters...)
How to ensure your residential address/lease /deed qualifies
💥 Plus you’ll get Sam’s ERV WORKBOOK, which includes cover letter templates with writing prompts and bank letter templates that have proven to tip the scales in your favor (This book alone is worth the price of registration!).
The #1 reason for a denial is the lack of financial proof and/or an incomplete application..so let's make sure you give it your best shot!
This is always a popular event within our Smart Move Italy community…and for good reason. Enrollment is now open, so GRAB your seat before they’re gone!
Italy + A Sense of Humor = ❤️
When you first set your sights on Italy, it may seem like there’s a mountain standing between you and your dream. The paperwork, the rules, the regulations, the logistics — there is one obstacle after another to overcome. The good news is, if you do the hard work, creating a new life in Italy is not only possible, it’s completely doable.
Fast forward to a time when your checklist is checked off and you’re finally able to make the move. Benvenuti in Italia! 🇮🇹
That’s when the fun begins. And by fun, I mean, adapting to a world that operates in a way you may not be used to. Maybe you expect people to show up when they say they’re going to, give you a wide berth of personal space, and follow every rule of the road. Perhaps you expect the trains and buses to run on time, customer service to be customer-centric, and lines at the questura to move quickly. Even if you’ve mentally prepared yourself for the practical, cultural, and bureaucratic differences, chances are, you’ll underestimate the extent of the frustration you’ll experience…unless you have a sense of humor.
Italians are born into the chaos of life in their home country. They learn over the years to accept the things that sometimes drive newcomers crazy. This doesn’t mean they don’t complain about the chaos (they do!) but it does enable them to handle it. As someone just starting a new life in Italy, trying to change a system set in its ways is futile. There have been cases when the bureaucracy, language barrier, lack of punctuality, and cultural nuances have sent newcomers packing. If you want to avoid this fate, tackle every interaction with a dose of humor (deep breaths and a glass of Chianti can also be helpful). You will have plenty of opportunities to test this advice, so keep it in mind when you can’t quite express yourself in Italian or you’re trying desperately to decipher government paperwork.
…and when you get spaghetti alle vongole when you wanted spaghetti aglio e olio, just eat the clams (then work on your Italian pronunciation) and add it to your list of funny stories to tell your friends back home.
Have you been in a situation in Italy that required a solid sense of humor? Tell us about it in the comments. 👇
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Dear Sam: I would like to better understand the tax implications of having a rental property in Italy if I’m NOT a taxable resident. What is my obligation and how do I go about fulfilling it? Do I need to work with a commercialista? Thanks for clarifying this sticking point for me.
Dear Derrick: Buying a rental property in Italy can be a very good investment. In some areas, the returns are almost guaranteed. However, if you are earning income in Italy (from your rental) then you will be obligated to submit income tax on the money earned here. If you are not a resident, then you only need to report and pay tax on your rental income earned in Italy, and nothing else. Some rental booking sites now withhold the tax on your behalf, but others do not. Also, if you are renting privately you will need to report this income. In addition to income tax, you will need to pay the property tax yearly. I strongly recommend that you have a commercialista (Italian tax accountant) help you with your returns every year. If it is not over-complicated it should only cost you a few hundred euros in fees.
See you next week!
One last reminder to sign up for the ERV Workshop. Seriously. You won’t want to miss it.
As always, thanks for being part of the Smart Move Italy famiglia. A presto!