Frequently Asked Questions

 

Italy in General

Q. Is Italy an expensive country?

A. Italy, like most of Europe, in general has a high cost of living. As is the case with most countries, you will find certain items that cost less than at home and certain items will cost more.

Q. Is the crime rate high in Italy?

A. In comparison to some other European countries, Italy does not seem to have such a problem with serious crimes. However, caution should always be exercised as you move around.

Q. I’ll be accompanied by my spouse when I move to Italy. Will it be easy for them to find work?

A. Italy does not have a vibrant job market and fluently in Italian would be required to secure most job positions.

Q. We are a same-sex couple and we would like to move to Italy. Will our relationship be recognized by the Italian authorities?

A. At present, Italy does not recognize same-sex couples. If your partner is an EU citizen they can come to live and work in Italy without any problem, if on the other hand they are a Non EU citizen, they may only stay in Italy for ninety days at a time in any given six-month period.

Q. Is Italy a child-friendly country?

A. Italians in general seem to love children and for this reason it is commonplace to find children in restaurants with their parents. That said, Italy does not have an abundance of sports and recreational facilities that children are provided with in other countries.

Q. Are Italians open to foreigners?

A. Italians for the most part are friendly and receptive to foreigners. If you try to learn the language and you yourself are open, you should have no major problems interacting with Italians.

 

Accommodation

Q. Does Italy offer a choice of unfurnished, semi-furnished and furnished properties?

A. In Italy there is a wide range of properties for rent. An unfurnished apartment in Italy means literally that and quite often the property will not even have kitchen or bathroom fixtures. A semi-furnished property will have a basic kitchen, possibly light fittings, and sometimes bathroom fixtures, and a furnished property, most of the time, will have all of the necessary items that one would expect of such a property, though, items such as a tumble dryer, washing machine and air-conditioning may not be included. These items can be asked for at the time of negotiating the contract.

Q. Are Italian landlords flexible when it comes to rent and property contents?

A. Any property in Italy that is worth renting will be in high demand. Therefore, most landlords do not feel obliged to enter into any kind of bargaining with regards to the rent. You can always offer a lower rent than what is being asked, but be prepared to have this offer refused given that the housing market favors the landlord. In the case of having air-conditioning installed for example, some landlords will agree to this, but may pass the cost on to the tenant through a higher monthly rent. It is highly improbable that a landlord will agree to costly renovations or providing extra furniture or other accoutrements without trying to make up the cost. Any agreement that is made between the landlord and the tenant should be put in writing as verbal agreements don’t carry much clout in Italy. Principal Relocation Company on your behalf will negotiate a contract that is beneficial and acceptable by both parties. We will keep you informed every step of the way and will not hesitate to let you know if the landlord’s requests are unreasonable.

Q. Can I choose the number of properties that I will be shown?

A. Depending on which relocation package has been approved for you, you will be shown a minimum of eight or a maximum of twenty properties. Additional property searches can be carried out if necessary, but at an extra cost.

Q. If I see a property I like, will I have to decide immediately?

A. Given that the Italian housing market is very dynamic and properties are snapped up quickly, unfortunately, you won’t have much time to make an offer. Many Transferees have missed out on their dream homes in Italy because too much time passed before they put in an official offer. The only way to make sure that a property is not rented by another party is to make a written proposal. Basically in the written proposal you make an offer to rent the property and you include and conditions or clauses that you would like the landlord to accept. Together with this proposal, the person intending to rent usually provides a one month’s holding deposit in the name of the landlord and this is normally paid with a check. The landlord then has several days in which to consider the proposal. This is usually around seven days and is specified in the proposal. During this time, the landlord can decide to accept or refuse the proposal. If the landlord accepts the proposal, the property must be rented to the person who made the proposal and any holding deposit paid will be deducted from the total amount that needs to be paid in order to move in.

Q. What are the fees involved in renting a property in Italy?

A. Before moving into a property in Italy, all money due must be paid at the time when the contract is signed. The norm in Italy is to pay a security deposit which is the equivalent of two or three months rent. However, some landlords require a guarantee in the form of a certain amount of money which is deposited in a bank account and is left there as a guarantee against non-payment of the rent. The first month’s rent is also paid along with any deposit and any holding deposit paid will be deducted from the total amount to be paid. In addition to these costs, realtors in general take one month’s rent as their commission or the equivalent of 10 – 15% of the total yearly rent (VAT is not included in their commission) – this depends on the city where the property is situated. The landlord is obliged by Italian law to register the contract and the fee for doing this is paid equally between the landlord and the tenant, with the tenant’s share amounting to 1% of the yearly rent. Government revenue stamps also need to be paid for that are attached to the contract and these are paid by the tenant either at the time of signing the contract or as part of the second month’s rent.

Q. Are there any building fees that need to be paid?

A. If you live in an apartment building, you will also be liable for condominium charges that will be included in the rent or paid directly to the building administrator. These charges cover the cost of maintenance of the building, lighting, and cleaning as well as the concierge and garden upkeep if applicable. If you live in a private house in a residential compound, you’ll be liable for a monthly fee for the maintenance of the roads, lighting, upkeep of green areas shared with other residents, and compound personnel salaries.

Q. How will Principal Relocation Company assist in renting a property?

A. Once we have identified a suitable property for the Transferee based on their needs and requirements, a written proposal must be prepared which Principal Relocation Company will take care of. This must be signed by the tenant and given to the realtor along with the holding deposit so that the landlord can sign. Once the landlord has signed the proposal, the holding deposit will only be refunded if the landlord changes his/her mind. Besides this documentation, the landlord may also request a written guarantee or a letter from the Transferee’s employer which states that he/she makes enough money to cover the rent. Once the proposal has been accepted, Principal Relocation Company will negotiate and draw up a legally binding property contract. Both parties must be in agreement before the contract can be signed. All payments due must be paid and the landlord may not allow the tenant to enter the property until they have received these payments in their bank account. Sometimes proof of payment such as a bank transfer receipt is enough to obtain the keys of the property. Once the contract has been signed, it is the responsibility of the landlord to register it. If the property contract is in the name of a company, Principal Relocation Company will prepare the complete contract and send it to the company in order to have it signed. Once the contract has been signed by their legal representative, we will have it delivered to the realtor in order for the landlord to sign it. Together with the contract the company must also provide a copy of their company’s registration at the local Chamber of Commerce together with a copy of an identity document of the company’s legal representative.

Q. Will I get my deposit back without any hassle?

A. Provided that you hand back the property in the state in which it was rented, Principal Relocation Company will usually be able to negotiate your deposit back without any problem. In order to facilitate the return of the deposit, we carry out a detailed property assessment and cataloging of contents in the presence of the landlord and tenant upon the tenant entering the property. This is signed by both parties as proof of how the property was rented.

Q. What am I responsible for while renting the property?

A. Italy differs from many other countries in that it is the tenant that is responsible for the general maintenance of the property, while the landlord is responsible for major maintenance such as plumbing, electrical problems, etc. All Transferees are given a detailed list by Principal Relocation Company at the time when the move into the property of what they are responsible for.

Q. Can I make any structural changes to the property?

A. While living in the property, small changes such as hanging an additional wall light can be done. However, as the contract will clearly state that the property must be handed back in the state in which it was rented, any changes made must be undone. Any major changes made to the property without the landlord’s consent will not be paid by the landlord and any expenses incurred by the landlord in order to reinstate the original condition of the property will be deducted from any deposit paid.

Q. What happens if I need to break the contract prematurely?

A. Most property contracts are for four years with an option to rent for another four. In order to protect the tenant, Principal Relocation Company will negotiate a break clause that will allow you to rescind from the contract with three or six months notice.

Q. What utility bills will I be liable for?

A. All tenants are responsible for paying their own utility bills which include, gas, electric, and water. How much these will cost is based on how much you consume. In addition to these utility bills, each tenant is also responsible for the local garbage tax that must be paid on each property. When a property is rented, the utility bills must be put into the name of the new tenant. Any costs incurred for the transfer of the utilities will be included in the new tenant’s first bill sent by each of the utility companies.

Q. When will I receive the utility bills?

A. Utility bills in Italy are sent out every two months. To make sure that you are not overcharged, Principal Relocation Company will read all the meters as part of the property assessment and cataloging of contents and communicate these readings to the relevant utility companies. In order to make sure that you don’t receive any catch up bills, it is very important that you communicate regularly the meter reading to the utility companies to avoid any unpleasant, large bills.

Q. Will I be able to get cable television in Italy?

A. Italy has both cable and satellite options and Principal Relocation Company can assist you in opting for what will be most appropriate for your needs and requirements.

Q. As a foreigner will I have any difficulties setting up my utilities?

A. As long as you have a valid Permit of Stay and an Italian tax code, you should not encounter any difficulties other than certain delays that can occur sometimes in Italy when installing a phone for example. Certain remote areas of Italy are not covered by the ADSL network and your Relocation & Immigration Associate will inform you if this option is not available. The average time that it takes to install a phone in Italy is about two weeks. It can take longer however if there are problems with the network in the neighborhood, if you’re not home when the technician comes by, etc. Your Relocation & Immigration Associate will make sure that the wait is a short as possible.

 

Driving and Owning an Automobile in Italy

Q. Will I have to exchange my driver’s license in Italy?

A. All 27 European Union countries have an agreement where EU citizens can freely exchange their licenses in another member state. Therefore, citizens of the other 26 EU countries can exchange their licenses in Italy without any problem. Some other countries have treaties with Italy that allow their citizens to exchange their licenses in Italy, while for example this is not possible with American driving licenses. Your Relocation & Immigration Associate will let you know the status of your driving license’s validity in Italy and if it needs to be exchanged. Any driver’s license which cannot be exchanged for an Italian one has a validity of one year from the time in which you become a resident. This license should also be accompanied by an International Driving License that should be obtained before you leave your country of origin. If you continue to drive on this license and the year is up you are breaking the law and risk being heavily fined.

Q. What documents do I need to buy a car in Italy?

A. In order to buy a car in Italy as a foreigner you will need: a) Valid Permit of Stay b) Permanent Residency c) Italian Tax Code d) Italian Identity Card.
 

Working in Italy

Q. Can I move to Italy and freely work there?

A. All EU citizens have the right to live and work in Italy without having to obtain a work permit. All Non EU citizens have to obtain a work permit in order to work in Italy.

Q. Can Principal Relocation Company help me find work in Italy?

A. We are a relocation company and not an employment agency, therefore, this is not a service that we provide.
 

About Principal Relocation Company

Q. Who owns Principal Relocation Company?

A. Principal Relocation Company is owned by Lucy Merlante who has been a pillar in the field of international immigration for several years in her role of Managing Director of Mazzeschi Srl. She now brings her wealth of knowledge in the areas of corporate and international immigration to Principal Relocation Company as Managing Director, a role that she carries out with poise and professionalism. Having chosen to live in the UK a part of the time each year, Lucy has fully emerged herself in the world of being an expatriate, this experience has given her vital, practical experience in understanding the challenges of relocating abroad. Lucy actively carries out various speaking engagements each year regarding culture shock and is fluent in English, French and Italian.

Q. How can Principal Relocation Company assist HR with their immigration needs?

A. Through a detailed consultation without any obligation with HR, Principal Relocation Company will assess the immigration needs and requirements of the company’s expatriate employees arriving in Italy. Once this has been established and a contract has been put in place, Principal Relocation Company will take care of gathering and preparing all the necessary documents in order to initiate the immigration process. After which, Principal Relocation Company’s immigration experts will follow the entire progress right up to the issuing of the work permit and the registering at the police department which follows afterwards.

Q. How can Principal Relocation Company assist HR in setting appropriate housing budgets?

A. Through the detailed Property Analysis Form that each Transferee receives at the beginning of their relocation process in which they detail their housing needs and requirements, our Relocation & Immigration Associates can easily see if the expectations of the Transferee match the reality of the local housing market. If there is any discrepancies between what is being asked for and the budget available with regards to the local market, we will contact HR immediately to inform them of any potential challenges that could come about from the Transferee’s expectations and to see if their budget is open to negotiation.

Q. Does Principal Relocation Company provide services in all of Italy?

A. Yes. No matter how remote the new destination, we cover all of Italy with regards to our immigration and relocation services, including the islands of Sicily and Sardinia. All of our Transferees are assisted by local, qualified and experienced local counselors who are very accustomed to working with expatriates relocating to Italy.

Q. Does Principal Relocation Company offer assistance with group moves?

A. Yes and this can be done in any part of Italy.

Q. How does Principal Relocation Company deal with emergencies?

A. Principal Relocation Company has a 24-hr emergency helpline which is available to our Transferees as part of certain relocation programs. If the number is not part of your relocation program, it can be purchased as an extra service.