Your Secret Weapon Against Italian Bureaucracy
Tired of emails to Italian government agencies being ignored? We've got a tip. Plus, what's old is new, why moving to Italy is freakin' hard, and upgrading life on the shores of Lake Como.
PEC Email - A Light in the Dark Tunnel of Italian Bureaucracy 🔦
How’s it going trying to communicate with Italian government agencies? This is a bit of a trick question since the answer is already clear. Whether you’re trying to track down a birth certificate from your ancestral commune for citizenship purposes or you’re trying to get an answer about residency or taxes, it can sometimes feel like the “send” button is more like “delete.” Emails disappear into the abyss pretty frequently here so is it even possible to communicate like it’s the 21st century?
There could be hope.
PEC (posta elettronica certificata) emails could be your saving grace when it comes to interacting with government agencies. Unlike your regular email, PEC emails offer a secure and legally recognized way to communicate. Think of it as a certified mail service but for the digital age. It guarantees your message reaches the agency, hasn't been tampered with, and serves as a documented record – all crucial aspects for dealing with officialdom.
If you’re going down this route, you can’t just use any old email address. You need to search for the recipient’s PEC email (sometimes it’s on the website) and you’ll need your own as well. It’s important to keep the tone formal, to the point, and as brief as possible. This isn’t the time to go on and on about how frustrated you are with a process or to beg for a response.
PEC emails:
👉 offer delivery confirmation and a verified record of contact.
👉 are secure and considered legally valid documents in Italy.
👉 are encrypted and digitally signed, ensuring security.
👉 provide delivery confirmation.
Obtaining a PEC email does take a bit of legwork, starting with choosing a service provider. Here are some suggestions to get you started:
📧 Aruba
📧 Namirial
Armed with this knowledge, you are prepared to tackle the bureaucratic beast (or at least better communicate with it). In boca al lupo!
A New (Old) Way to Enjoy Italy - Albergo Diffuso
Imagine your favorite Italian hilltop town. Maybe you’ve been there a dozen times. Maybe you’ve only visited in your dreams. Now, roll back the clock to a time when life hummed along without the influence of modernity. Today we refer to it as “the old way of life,” but back then, it was just life. Food was fresh and local. Artisans worked hard at their craft and supported themselves by selling their wares. Shopkeepers knew their customers and stocked their shelves with the necessities. The heartbeat of the community created a distinct culture that sustained itself and defined this tiny corner of the world.
Sadly, many of these towns have been abandoned over the years. Residents have left in droves escaping economic hardship, or earthquakes. The structures still stand in stark contrast to the landscape surrounding them, but signs of life are few. Some say it’s a shame. Others say it’s an opportunity.
There is a movement to revitalize these abandoned towns, using an innovative, sustainable hospitality model. It’s called Albergo Diffuso (scattered hotel) and it’s catching on with those looking for a truly authentic experience far from the polished presentations of city centers that cater to mass tourism.
One example can be found in the heart of Abruzzo, in the town of Santo Stefano di Sessanio. This medieval village, once prosperous and known for its exceptional wool, was ruled by the Medici but then left to crumble. It could have been a fall from grace, but it was actually poised for redemption. Inspired by the town’s beauty, an Italian entrepreneur started purchasing and restoring buildings in Santo Stefano, which eventually became part of the Albergo Diffuso project.
Visitors can stay in a number of rooms that are scattered throughout the town, each restored using original and recycled materials. Guests melt into the rhythm of the town while enjoying local, handmade cuisine, learning how to make bread, pastry, and soap, or taking a weaving class with a resident expert. The project has restored jobs, attracted residents, and, essentially, saved Santo Stefano from becoming a ghost town — and it’s not just in Abruzzo. You can find alberghi diffusi throughout Italy.
Find out more about this movement and plan your own albergo diffuso discovery 👇 here.
Easier Said Than Done? A Realistic View of Moving to Italy
There are the movies about Italy…and then there is Italy. In a recent episode of our Moving to Italy series, two of our favorite community members, Sal and Kevin, share their journey from their Under the Tuscan Sun honeymoon to their permanent move to Florence. If you’ve been following along, you’ve already met them in a previous episode but this is an opportunity to dive deep. This full-length interview offers more than just nuggets of wisdom — it gives you an honest, behind-the-scenes look at the nuts and bolts of turning a dream into a new life in Italy, and there’s no sugar-coating involved.
You’ll notice a theme threaded through their story: Italy will humble you. Between the logistics and the maddening paperwork, it can be tempting to walk away - to find another fabulous location to host your dreams - but you’d be missing out on so much. Sal and Kevin have stuck it out and are being rewarded with a life full of new friendships, adventures, and sweet challenges. Find out how they did it and what their best advice is for those who want to join them.
Don’t miss this👇 insightful episode and be sure to follow our YouTube Channel for more!
Community Success - Quality of (Lake) Life
We hear all the time from SMI community members who are considering buying a house in Italy. They have a lot of questions and are often unsure of how to proceed in an unfamiliar market. Buying property here in Italy is an adventure to be sure, but you don’t have to do it alone. Helping foreign buyers through the process is one of our favorite (and most popular) services; we have the track record to prove it.
This week, we’re introducing you to Brian Kissel, a community member from New York, who recently bought a condo in Lecco on Lake Como. You may see a bit of yourself in his story. If that’s the case, we’d love to help you, just like we helped Brian.
❓ Lake Como is wildly popular with foreign buyers, for good reason. How did you decide on this area?
🗣️ The lakes and mountains are some of the most beautiful things in nature, and I knew I wanted to be near them. I looked at properties on all the big lakes (Iseo, Garda, etc.) but Lecco is a good distance away from Milan and Bergamo for convenience.
❓ What was the biggest factor in your decision to move to Italy?
🗣️ The cost of living in Italy. I’m on a fixed income, and the property and costs of living in the US are just unsustainable for me. Also, Italy is beautiful, has great food, and is a cultural match for me.
❓ What has been the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your new hometown?
🗣️ Definitely the language barrier. I’m learning, and I know I’ll get there, but as of now, I still have to rely on translation software.
❓ How has SMI helped?
🗣️ My SMI agent was incredibly helpful in searching the various sources for properties that matched my criteria, liaising between me and agents to set up viewings, and making sure I understood the process.
❓ What would be your biggest piece of advice for someone following in your footsteps?
🗣️ Hire SMI, and definitely make sure you visit properties in person. I booked a month-long stay here with nothing else planned just to look at properties. It was very beneficial. Also, apply for your Codice Fiscale ASAP!
Thinking about upgrading your quality of life in Italy? Jump into our Property Purchase Assistance program and enjoy the process with minimal stress and maximum support. Sign up for a consultation👇 and we’ll show you just how easy buying a home in Italy can be.
Location Spotlight - Fiesole, Tuscany
For many years, Tuscany has been attracting visitors and expats from all over the world. One visit to this central Italian region and it’s easy to see why. If you ask 10 people to name the crown jewel of Tuscany, you may get a wide range of answers but Florence is bound to come up more than not. The City of Lillies has captured many hearts but it is her demure neighbor that deserves some of the spotlight.
Nestled into a hill overlooking the Arno Valley, Fiesole is every bit as Tuscan as Florence, but a bit more relaxed. With all of the sights and sounds to take in during a visit to Florence, many overlook Fiesole but since it’s just 6 kilometers (3.7 miles) outside of the city center, you really shouldn’t miss it. You can easily reach this town by bus, taxi, or rideshare (the bus ride takes about 16 minutes, while a taxi ride takes about 10 minutes). Once you arrive, you’ll see the panoramic view alone is worth the trip.
The quaint neighborhoods and tree-lined streets make Fiesole feel intimate, charming, and a bit exclusive. Given its proximity to Florence and its impressive vantage point, real estate here can be on the higher end but once you visit, it will all make sense. Here you are well-connected and within a stone’s throw of Italy’s most treasured artistic and historical sights, but without the crowds.
If you are falling for Fiesole like we are, take a peek at this👇incredible 4-bed, 3-bath farmhouse. It’s definitely a luxury listing, priced at €1.250,000 but it’s always fun to dream!
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!
Podcast Corner - Ouch! Spending More Than You Need To?
When it comes to a new life in Italy, there is one universally unavoidable topic that must be addressed: money. While there is a soft and dreamy side of making the move, the practicality of finances cannot be ignored. Budgeting is one of the most important things that you do. Sometimes we forget to account for the currency exchange but that’s a mistake. It’s easy to take the hit when you’re on vacation but when you’re moving, the struggle is real…and it can hurt. You need to plan in advance to minimize the pain.
If you’re coming from a non-EU country, this means exchanging currency is part of the deal. It may be tempting to roll with whatever exchange rates are handy, but doing so could mean spending way more than you need to — and who wants to do that??
On a recent episode of the A New Life in Italy podcast, Samantha breaks down the sometimes complicated topic of currency markets and shows you how to make the most of your money when you move to Italy. On top of sharing her own insights, she welcomes a special guest, Rachel Canales from GC Partners, an international currency exchange firm. Rachel’s tips on avoiding hidden fees, finding the best rates, and utilizing tools like forward contracts will deepen your understanding and, essentially, help you stretch your money to fund your Italian dream. You can’t afford to miss this one!
Ask Samantha Anything (ASA)
Dear Sam: To get to the point, I am looking for a bargain property. I’m not afraid to renovate — I’m actually expecting to. I’m curious about the costs associated with hiring good contractors to help with this process. Is it hard to find help and should I look for someone prior to purchasing to make sure there’s availability in the area?
Dear Isabel: Thanks for the question and your idea of buying low and renovating is a very popular one! The mass media promoting special initiatives across Italy like the 1 euro homes, and the countless IG accounts that feature low-cost homes, has definitely helped people realize that owning a little slice of la dolce vita could be possible for them.
The devil, however, is in the details. Although property in Italy is much lower than most North American cities, you still get what you pay for. Some of the lower-cost properties may look amazing online, but in reality tell another story. That is not to say there aren’t great bargains out there - there are - and I encourage you to seek them out, just be cautious because renovating in Italy can be a significant challenge, especially if done from afar.
You will need to hire a trusted project manager, who will not likely be the builder but will supervise the job, organize the work, ensure budgets are being met, apply for bonuses, and keep you informed. The trick is finding one that is very good, and that speaks English.
This will take time. I suggest you start with asking the agent for some recommendations, and then ask neighbors and people you meet in town. This country is built on relationships and referrals so this is always a good place to start. There aren’t any websites to find these people, so you will need to put in the time and effort to build relationships with connectors in town.
A good project manager will cost you about 10% of the renovation budget. The cost to renovate will vary widely depending on your style, quality of finishing, location, and access to the property, and about a hundred other considerations. I recommend getting a minimum of three (3) estimates and do not take the cheapest one. Aim for the middle ground, but most importantly focus on finding that amazing project manager as they are the key to the success of the project. Good luck!!
Share The Love 💕 🇮🇹
Have a friend who loves Italy (almost) as much as you do? Share the love by inviting them to join the Per Te party.👇
While you’re at it, let them know that Smart Move Italy is here to answer any questions. In fact, they (and you) can send a question right now!
As always, thanks for being part of the SMI famiglia. A presto!