Planning Your Move to Italy from the UK: A Step-by-Step Checklist

Moving from the UK to Italy involves two parallel processes that need to run alongside each other, not one after the other. The first is administrative: visas, residency registration, tax planning, school applications, and the various steps required by Italian law after you arrive. The second is logistical: deciding what comes with you, arranging a survey, packing, customs documentation, and the physical move itself.

Most people focus on one track at a time. The administrative steps tend to feel more urgent, and the removal logistics feel like something to sort out closer to the time. In practice, leaving the logistics side too late creates pressure at exactly the wrong moment, when visa decisions are landing, property completions are happening, and the administrative workload is already at its peak.

This checklist runs both tracks in parallel, month by month, so you can see where the two intersect and plan accordingly. Your Williams & Yates move coordinator handles the logistics track throughout, which means your attention can stay on the administrative steps that require your direct involvement.

The earlier you begin, the more options you have. Several of the most consequential decisions, including your visa route and tax position, are much harder to reverse once the process is underway.

Decide on your visa route.

Since Brexit, UK nationals require a long-stay visa to live in Italy. The right visa depends on your circumstances: the elective residence visa suits those with sufficient passive income; the digital nomad visa suits remote workers; other routes exist for employment, self-employment, and family reunification. Instruct an Italian immigration specialist early. See our guide to visa options for UK nationals for a full breakdown.

Begin gathering documents. 

Visa applications require originals and certified translations of a range of documents, including proof of income, criminal record checks, and health insurance. Many of these take time to obtain.

Apply for your codice fiscale. 

Italy’s tax identification number is needed for almost every administrative step that follows, including property transactions, opening a bank account, and registering with a doctor. UK residents in the London consular district can apply by emailing the Italian Consulate General London with a completed AA4/8 form and passport copy. Alternatively, a power of attorney can be used to apply directly to the Agenzia delle Entrate in Italy.

Begin your property search. 

Whether you intend to rent long-term or purchase, the Italian property market moves at its own pace. Beginning your search early gives you time to understand the market in your preferred area without pressure.

Tax residency planning.

If applicable, engage UK and Italian tax advisers to consider your exit from the UK tax system and your position in Italy. Italy’s flat-rate tax regime for new residents can offer significant advantages for high-net-worth individuals, but the planning needs to happen before you move, not after.

Make initial contact with your removal company.
At this stage, a preliminary discussion and in-home survey allows us to assess the scope of your move, identify any items requiring specialist handling, and give you a clear picture of logistics, timeline, and costs. This is particularly important if you have fine art, antiques, a vehicle, or a large property to move.

This is typically when the administrative process moves from planning to action, and when the logistics side needs to become concrete.

Submit your long-stay visa application. 

Applications are submitted to the Italian Consulate General in London. Processing typically takes up to 90 days, so submitting at the six-month mark allows time for any delays without disrupting your move date.

Confirm your Italian property.

A signed lease or exchange of contracts gives you the fixed address you will need for subsequent administrative steps, including residency registration on arrival.

Begin decluttering. 

Decide what comes with you, what you will sell, and what goes into storage. A detailed inventory at this stage makes the customs documentation process significantly smoother later.

Arrange private health insurance. 

Most long-stay visa categories require proof of comprehensive health insurance before the visa is issued. Even where it is not a visa requirement, private cover is advisable until you are registered with the Italian national health service after arrival.

School applications. 

If you have school-age children, international school places in Italy often have waiting lists. Confirm places as early as possible.

Vehicle re-registration research. 

If you plan to bring a UK-registered vehicle, the re-registration process in Italy requires a certificato di conformità (certificate of conformity) from your vehicle’s manufacturer or an accredited distributor. This document can take several months to obtain, so begin the process now. You will also need to notify the DVLA of permanent export. Once you establish Italian residency, you have 60 days to complete re-registration before the vehicle risks impoundment.

Confirm your removal date and inventory.
Work with your coordinator to agree a moving date, finalise your inventory, and identify any items requiring specialist crating or custom packaging. For high-value items, our in-house crating workshop builds bespoke packaging to specification.

With your visa confirmed and property secured, the focus shifts to practical preparation on both tracks.

Confirm your visa has been received. 

If there are any delays or queries from the consulate, three months gives you time to resolve them without disrupting your move date.

Begin packing with your coordinator’s guidance. 

A systematic approach, room by room and category by category, reduces the risk of items being missed or damaged. Your coordinator will advise on the sequence that works best alongside your removal date. When moving with Williams & Yates, the packing is handled for you in the days running up to your move date.

Notify HMRC of your departure. Inform HMRC of your intended departure date and residency change. De-register from UK systems where relevant, including your NHS GP and the electoral roll.

Arrange utility disconnections. 

Agree disconnection dates for utilities at your UK property that align with your departure.

Begin transfer-of-residence customs documentation. 

Household goods moved as part of a genuine change of residence can qualify for customs relief, meaning they enter Italy without import duty. This requires an itemised inventory, proof of prior ownership, and your codice fiscale. Your coordinator will manage this documentation alongside the logistics, but your input on the inventory is needed at this stage. See our guide to customs and transfer-of-residence relief for full details.

Pets. 

If you are moving with a dog, cat, or ferret, you will need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian. Since April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer valid for travel to EU countries, following APHA guidance issued that month. An AHC must be obtained within 10 days of your departure date and covers a single entry. Begin the process with your vet at this stage to understand timing and costs, which typically range from £90 to £350 per pet.

Fine art and CITES items.
If your move includes fine art, antiques, or items containing materials from protected species (ivory, certain hardwoods, coral, tortoiseshell, or reptile skin), additional permits are required. A UK export licence administered by Arts Council England is needed for cultural objects leaving Great Britain. CITES permits for protected species materials can take 5 to 30 business days to process. Your coordinator will initiate the permits process and manage it through to collection.

The final month is about confirming everything is in place and closing out your UK commitments in an orderly sequence.

Final inventory check. 

Your coordinator will run a final check against the agreed inventory to confirm nothing has been added, removed, or changed since the customs documentation was prepared.

Confirm Italian property access. 

Check that your Italian property will be accessible on the date your consignment arrives and that any building management or access arrangements are in place.

Redirect post and update contacts. Set up a Royal Mail redirection and update your banks, financial institutions, and HMRC with your Italian address.

Italian bank account. Some Italian banks allow accounts to be opened remotely; others require an in-person visit in Italy. If you have not already done so, arrange this now. Having a local account in place before arrival simplifies the first weeks considerably.

Confirm collection logistics. 

Your coordinator will confirm the collection date, timing, and access requirements at your UK property. If there are parking restrictions, building management permissions, or lift bookings needed, and your removal company doesn’t handle these on your behalf, arrange these now.

Finalise insurance. 

Confirm that your private health insurance is active for your arrival date and arrange travel insurance that covers the move period itself.

The first days in Italy carry a clear administrative sequence. The order matters: each step tends to depend on the one before it.

Apply for your permesso di soggiorno. 

Under Article 5 of Italy’s consolidated immigration law, non-EU citizens must apply for their residence permit within 8 working days of entering the country. The application is submitted at your local Poste Italiane branch using the kit giallo (yellow kit). Missing this window can create administrative complications, so treat this as your first priority after arrival.

Register with the anagrafe. 

Once you have a confirmed address, register with the anagrafe office at your local comune (town hall). This establishes your official Italian residency and is a prerequisite for accessing a range of public services.

Register with a local GP. 

Once your SSN (codice sanitario) registration is in order through the ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale), you can register with a medico di base (local GP). The sequence varies slightly by region, so a local relocation contact can advise on the specific steps in your area.

Italian tax residency.
If applicable, begin the Italian tax residency election process with your tax adviser. The timing of this step has implications for your tax position in both the UK and Italy, so take advice before acting.

Once the immediate arrival steps are complete, the focus moves to confirming everything has arrived safely and closing out your remaining UK obligations.

Check your delivery against inventory. 

Your coordinator will be available to address any queries about the delivery. Check all items against the agreed inventory and flag any concerns promptly.

Close out UK commitments. 

Close UK accounts you no longer need, settle any final utility bills, and confirm that all post redirections are working as intended.

Begin settling in.
Register with local services, establish a healthcare routine, and if you have children, begin the school settling-in process. The administrative workload eases considerably from this point, and the focus can shift to making Italy home.

How soon after arriving in Italy do I need to apply for a permesso di soggiorno?

Under Italian immigration law, non-EU citizens must apply within 8 working days of entering the country. The application is made at a local Poste Italiane branch using the kit giallo. Missing the deadline can create administrative difficulties, so treat this as your first priority on arrival.

Can I bring my household goods to Italy without paying import duty?

Household goods that qualify under transfer-of-residence (ToR) relief can enter Italy without import duty, provided you are making a genuine change of residence, the items have been owned and used for at least six months, and the necessary documentation is in order. Your coordinator will manage the customs documentation, but an itemised inventory and your codice fiscale are needed in advance. See our customs and transfer-of-residence guide for full eligibility criteria.

What do I need to bring my dog or cat to Italy?

Since April 2026, EU pet passports issued to UK residents are no longer accepted for travel to EU countries including Italy. You now need an Animal Health Certificate (AHC) issued by an Official Veterinarian, obtained within 10 days of your departure date. Your pet must be microchipped and have a valid rabies vaccination. A new AHC is required for each trip. Begin the process with your vet at least three months before your move date to understand the timing and costs involved.

What happens if I want to bring a UK-registered vehicle?

You have 60 days from establishing Italian residency to re-register a UK vehicle. The key document is the certificato di conformità from your vehicle’s manufacturer or an accredited distributor, which confirms the vehicle meets Italian road standards. This can take several months to arrive, so begin the process at least six months before your move. You will also need to notify the DVLA of permanent export.

I have fine art and antiques. What do I need to arrange?

Moving fine art and antiques from the UK to Italy requires a UK export licence for cultural objects, administered by Arts Council England. If any items contain materials from CITES-listed species, such as ivory, certain hardwoods, coral, tortoiseshell, or reptile skin, additional CITES permits are required. Processing times typically run from 5 to 30 business days depending on the species. We recommend beginning the permits process at least three months before your move. Your coordinator will manage this alongside the specialist crating and handling arrangements for your collection.