Why Brits and Americans Are Moving (and Investing) in Italy — And How to Do It Properly

Relocating to Italy

Italy has always been a place people fall in love with. But in the last few years, something has shifted: more British and US citizens are no longer just visiting Italy — they’re relocating, restructuring their lives, and investing for the long term.

Even with the end of EU freedom of movement for UK nationals, the pull hasn’t weakened. If anything, it has matured. Today’s movers are more intentional: they arrive with clear goals (residency, lifestyle, tax efficiency, property, business) and they want a plan that actually works in real life.

Meanwhile, Italy continues to attract substantial international relocation overall — in 2024, 382,071 foreign citizens moved to Italy.

So what’s driving Brits and Americans to choose Italy — and what makes the difference between a dream move and a bureaucratic headache?

Italy isn’t “a move.” It’s a cross-border strategy.

Relocation to Italy involves three systems that must match each other:

1. Immigration status (visa / permit of stay / residency registration)

2. Tax residence and reporting (Italy, plus UK/US obligations)

3. Assets and operations (property, trusts, investments, companies, banking)

When one of these is handled without the others in mind, problems appear later — often when you least want them (tax assessments, blocked banking, delays at the Comune, missed deadlines, inheritance complications).

This is exactly why an integrated approach matters.

Dolce Vita in Italy

Why Italy still wins (post-Brexit and for US citizens)

1) Lifestyle is the headline — but stability is the real reason

Quality of life is still the visible driver: climate, culture, food, family-friendly rhythms, and the ability to enjoy your wealth rather than just manage it.

But the deeper reason is structure: with the right route, Italy offers a defined legal framework to live in the EU, run a business, and plan your family future.

2) Property and business opportunities feel “tangible”

Many buyers feel the UK and US property markets have become emotionally and financially exhausting. In contrast, Italian real estate still offers variety: lifestyle homes, hospitality projects, renovation plays, and long-term family property.

And for entrepreneurs, Italy can be a base for:

• Hospitality & short-lets (done compliantly)

• Boutique imports/exports and cross-border trade

• Professional services and advisory businesses

• Holding structures for EU investments

3) Tax planning can be a legitimate part of the decision

Italy has specific regimes designed to attract inbound residents — but these are not “one size fits all”, and the rules have evolved.

For example:

• Italy’s “neo-domiciled” lump-sum regime (a fixed annual substitute tax on foreign-source income) has changed: for those opting from the 2025 tax period, the flat tax is €200,000 under updated rules.

• There has also been discussion about increasing the lump-sum amount again, so anyone planning a move should factor in the possibility of further changes when timing their relocation.

• Italy’s inbound workers regime was updated from 2024: eligible employees and self-employed individuals may benefit from a 50% tax exemption on qualifying income, subject to specific conditions, limits, and eligibility requirements.

None of these are “automatic wins”. They require modelling, eligibility checks, and correct sequencing.

4) The UK and US motivations are different — and that’s the point

Brits often prioritise EU access, residency certainty, and long-term family planning post-Brexit. Americans often prioritise lifestyle + investment diversification, while needing to remain careful about ongoing US tax reporting even after moving.

Italy remains a popular destination for both groups even in travel flows: ENIT’s tourism reporting shows the UK and USA among top source markets for Italy. ENIT

The real risks people underestimate (and why plans fail)

Here are the issues we repeatedly see when people attempt the move “piece by piece”:

• Wrong visa choice (or applying with evidence that doesn’t match requirements)

• Unclear tax residence position (day count assumptions, “I’m not resident yet” misunderstandings)

• Bank account problems (compliance requests, source-of-funds evidence, non-resident restrictions)

• Property purchase without structure (ownership, inheritance exposure, renovation contracts, rental compliance)

• Trust and estate planning mismatches (especially for HNW/UHNW families with cross-border heirs)

• Company formation without tax/immigration alignment (director residency, permanent establishment, reporting)

Even the “simple” Elective Residence route (popular for retirees and those with passive income) has documentary and consular requirements that must be handled carefully. conslondra.esteri.it

LEXeFISCAL LLP and Italy Business Hub are here to help

The solution: one strategy, executed on both sides

This is where LEXeFISCAL LLP (London) and Italy Business Hub (through Naples Business Hub, Napoli) operate as a coordinated team.

What LEXeFISCAL LLP London does (strategy + cross-border protection)

We lead on the international tax and legal architecture, typically covering:

• Pre-move feasibility & risk mapping (UK/US + Italy position)

• Tax residence planning and day-count strategy

• Inbound regime assessment and modelling (what applies, what doesn’t, and why)

• UK/US coordination (reporting touchpoints, exit/arrival considerations, ongoing obligations)

• Cross-border estate, IHT and succession planning

• Trust structuring and governance, where relevant

• Investment structuring (especially where assets span multiple jurisdictions)

• Ongoing compliance strategy so your plan stays stable year after year

What Italy Business Hub / Naples Business Hub does (execution + local reality)

We convert the strategy into on-the-ground outcomes in Italy, including:

• Immigration process support (visa pathway coordination, permit-of-stay steps, local registrations)

• Comune residency registration (Anagrafe) and practical administration

• Codice fiscale and essential onboarding

• Company formation and operational setup in Italy (where appropriate)

• Administrative filings and coordination with Italian authorities

• Local network activation (the practical “how do we get this done” layer that protects timelines)

In short: LEXeFISCAL designs the plan so it works cross-border; Naples executes it so it works in Italy.

Typical client pathways we support

1) “Lifestyle move” with property purchase (UK or US families)

Goal: buy a home, spend most of the year in Italy, stay compliant, protect wealth. We support: visa/residency route, tax residence strategy, property ownership structuring, succession planning, rental compliance if applicable.

2) HNW/UHNW relocation (with investments, trusts, complex families)

Goal: relocate with certainty, avoid surprises, protect legacy. We support: inbound regime modelling, trust/estate alignment, cross-border reporting coordination, governance and documentation.

3) Entrepreneur/investor setup (hospitality, trading, services)

Goal: invest or build an Italian operation without triggering avoidable tax exposure. We support: company formation aligned to immigration/tax position, accounting coordination, operational compliance, cross-border structuring.

A simple “Move to Italy” checklist (done properly)

If you’re British or American and you’re considering Italy seriously, you should be able to answer these before you commit:

• Which visa/residency route fits your reality (income type, work plans, timeline)?

• When do you become tax resident in Italy, and what does that trigger?

• What are your UK/US reporting obligations after you move?

• How will you hold property and investments, and how does that affect inheritance?

• If you invest or run a business, where is it managed and controlled, and what tax consequences follow?

If any of these are unclear, that’s not a problem — it’s simply the signal that you need an integrated plan before you act.

Closing thought: Italy rewards the prepared

Brits and Americans aren’t moving to Italy “despite the paperwork.” They’re moving because the lifestyle is real — and because, with the right structure, Italy can be a stable base for a new chapter.

If you want the move to feel exciting (instead of stressful), the key is simple:

Build the strategy in London. Execute it in Italy. Keep one line of accountability.

If you’d like, share (1) your nationality, (2) whether you plan to work or retire, (3) where you want to live in Italy, and (4) whether you’re buying property or investing — and I’ll outline the most sensible pathway and the first steps to take.

If you’re considering relocating to Italy—or investing there—don’t leave the outcome to chance.

Book a relocation and investment strategy call with LEXeFISCAL LLP (London) and Italy Business Hub (through Naples Business Hub, Napoli) to map out the right visa/residency route, clarify your tax residence position, and structure your assets and activities so everything works smoothly across borders.

Come prepared with:

• your nationality (UK / US),

• your intended timeline,

• whether you will work, retire, or invest,

• where in Italy you plan to live,

• and whether property or a business is involved.

Italy is a beautiful move—when it’s a structured one. Let’s make it happen with clarity, coordination, and confidence.

General information only — not legal or tax advice.

Download here the general Italian guide.

For further info, contact

Dr Clifford J Frank – LEXeFISCAL LLP Senior Partner: clifford.frank@lexefiscal.com

Marinella Carangio - Italy Business Hub: italybusinesshub@libero.it