Americans in Italy: How US consulates can help you and why Americans are moving to Italy

Welcome to our regular look at everything you need to know about life in Italy for The Local’s readers from the US. This newsletter is published monthly and you can receive it directly to your inbox before we publish by going to newsletter preferences in ‘My Account’ or following the instructions in the newsletter box below.

The number of US citizens relocating to Italy is on the rise, with 16,534 Americans officially resident as of 2024 - over 2,000 more than in 2022.

To find out what's driving the trend, we asked The Local's readers who've recently moved to Italy to share their motivations.

"Italy has more to offer in terms of culture, beauty, history, food, and friendly people," summed up Michael, who left his home in California for the central region of Umbria in 2022.

Several others pointed to the current political climate in the US and in particular Donald Trump as a major push factor.

"The US is NOT the 'country I grew up in', mainly because of the current political situation, specifically the president," said Marguerite Wolff, who moved from Seattle to start a new life in northeastern Treviso.

Trump, guns and better quality of life: Why Americans are moving to Italy

Several of our US readers expressed dismay following reports that Donald Trump's administration is considering the closure of the Consulate General in Florence under plans to downsize the US State Department and cut costs.

But what is it that a consulate actually does?

It's not just a place you call when you've lost your passport on holiday and need an emergency replacement.

From providing evacuation and repatriation services in the event of a natural disaster to assistance with tax filings, we took a look at the key services Italy's US consulates offer.

Americans in Italy: What can US consulates help you with?

If you're a pet-owning American considering a move to Italy, you'll first want to know whether you can take your furry friend with you.

The answer, fortunately, is yes: in fact, you can bring up to five, including dogs, cats or ferrets.

But what if your pet is a bird, aquatic animal, reptile, rodent or rabbit? You can bring them too, though you'll first need to make sure you comply with the EU's strict entry requirements.

Here's a look at the steps you need to take to bring your pet from the US to Italy.

Can I bring my pet from the US into Italy?

Italy's elective residency visa, or ERV, is a popular choice for US citizens planning to retire to Italy - though the application process is more complex and the requirements stricter than many initially realise.

And while securing the visa in the first place is generally hard, it's usually only valid for one year (maximum two), meaning that you'll need to begin the renewal process not so long after arriving in Italy.

But how does the procedure work and what are the steps involved?

Reader question: How do I renew my Italian elective residency visa?

Thanks for reading and please get in touch with us by email if you have any feedback on this newsletter.

You can find more information about moving to or living in Italy as an American in our Americans in Italy section.