Brexit and your life and property in Italy

With the UK now out of the European Union, you may be worried that buying your dream home in the Italian sunshine, or enjoying a long and healthy retirement among the hills of Tuscany or the lemon trees of Sicily is no long possible.

Nothing could be further from the truth. Brexit is not the end of your overseas property dreams.

It’s true that with the UK having left the European Union, some new rules will apply to British people moving to Italy and other EU countries.

However, the good news is that property buyers will be completely unaffected by Brexit. It is only if you are moving permanently that new rules will apply.

Here are your essential need-to-knows, covering the three crucial issues of the right to buy property, your access to healthcare, and your right to live in Italy.

1. The right to buy and own property

You will continue to be able to buy and own property in Italy after Brexit, just as before, even after the transition period. Property ownership comes under Italian, not EU control. You will also be able to rent it out, just the same as an EU citizen.

2. Access to health services

For holiday home buyers:

Your EHIC will no longer be valid, and most people will opt to take out travel health insurance. If you don’t take out insurance you will be treated in an emergency by the Italian health services but may face a large bill afterwards.

Retirees/relocation: 

Those resident by 31 December will maintain their pre-Brexit rights to healthcare. If you move afterwards it seems likely that there will be further healthcare cooperation, but it remains to be announced. In the meantime it is safest to assume that you need comprehensive health insurance cover.

3. Right to residence

If staying less than 90 days:

You should not need a visa. Most non-EU citizens are allowed free access without a visa for 90 days in every 180.

If staying more than three months at a time:

If planning to live in Italy full time you will probably need a visa. Several types are available in Italy. The “Elective Residency Visa” looks the most promising for non-EU retirement. It is initially issued for a year but can be extended. The main issue with this visa is the required to have an income of at least €31,000 (the precise amount is not defined) which does not derive from work in Italy.

4. Pensions

You can receive your pension in Italy if you are retired, whether you move before or after the Brexit transition period. You may also be able to claim certain Italian benefits, if you qualify, but this will depend whether you move before after the transition period.

You will still receive your UK pension in Italy. However, whether it will be up-rated each hear has not yet been settled. The latest from the UK government is that it will be uprated until March 2023 at least.

5. Driving

If you are a resident in Italy, you can change your UK driving licence for a Italian permit up till the end of the transition period.

After the transition period, British travellers wanting to drive in Europe may need an international driving permit (IDP). These are available at any British Post Office over the counter. The countries outside the EU this is currently needed for can be seen on the official list here.

“What about me?” Your questions answered

Let”s put that into some real-life examples.

“I’m buying a holiday home in Italy” No problem. Nothing will change.

“I’m moving to Italy to retire/work/study, BEFORE 31 December 2020″ No problem. You will not need a visa, but remember to get a residency card as soon as you can.

“I’m moving to Italy to retire/work/study, AFTER 31 December 2020″ You may need a visa. An Elective Residency Visa will let you move with an income (including pension) of roughly €3,000 a month. There will also be various work and entrepreneurial visas available.