Liguria has drawn Germans, Austrians and Swiss for decades: mild winters, the sea, the Italian way of life — and, thanks to EU freedom of movement, surprisingly low barriers to relocating. As an EU citizen you need neither a visa nor a residence permit to move to Italy. This guide covers the practical side of relocating to the Riviera — from registering your residency to healthcare.
EU freedom of movement and registering residency (residenza)
As an EU citizen you enjoy freedom of movement: you may move to and settle in Italy without a visa. If you are staying long-term, you register your residency with the local municipality (comune) after about three months — the so-called iscrizione anagrafica, or residenza.
Registering is more than a formality: when you buy a property it also unlocks the prima casa (main-home) tax benefit. For almost everything in Italy — registration, a bank account, contracts — you will also need a codice fiscale, the Italian tax number.
Healthcare
For healthcare you can register with the national health service, the SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale). In the transition period right after your move, you can bridge cover with the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) or private insurance.
Clarify early when you can enrol with the SSN and which option makes sense in your situation — it is tied, among other things, to registering your residency.
Climate and German-speaking communities
Liguria — and especially the western Riviera dei Fiori, with Sanremo, Bordighera and Imperia — has the mildest winters in northern Italy. That is exactly what has long made the region popular with retirees looking to escape the cold back home.
The western Riviera has established German-speaking communities. That makes settling in easier: you find contacts, advice and familiar structures more readily while you get to grips with the language and daily life.
Daily life, language and access
In everyday life, and above all when dealing with the authorities, Italian helps enormously — even though much can be handled in German on the Riviera, a working knowledge noticeably eases the bureaucracy. The cost of living and property prices are generally cheaper than in prime areas of Germany, Switzerland or Austria.
Access is good: the airports of Nice and Genoa connect the region, so visits from home and trips in both directions stay straightforward. Anyone emigrating sooner or later thinks about a home of their own — and the step from renting to buying a property in Liguria is a natural one.
FAQ
Emigrating and finding a home go hand in hand: if you can picture Liguria as your new home, the next step is searching for the right property on the Riviera. This guide is general orientation, not legal or tax advice. Always consult a notary (notaio) and an accountant (commercialista) before buying.