Moving from United Kingdom to Italy
A dream move that now comes with paperwork. Since Brexit, Britons need a visa, a codice fiscale, and a transfer of residence customs file. Sort those and a sunlit life follows. Here is the honest brief.
The big change on this corridor is Brexit. For decades Britons moved to Italy under free movement with nothing more than a van and an address. Now the United Kingdom is outside the European Union, so you need a visa for any long stay, your goods clear under transfer of residence relief rather than as internal European Union freight, and you need an Italian tax code, the codice fiscale, almost immediately. None of it is hard, but it is new, and underestimating it is the classic mistake.
The move itself is short and usually goes by road. A removal lorry runs from the United Kingdom through France to your Italian region, which suits most households and is faster than sea. For larger loads or the islands, a container to Genoa, Livorno, or La Spezia is an option. Plan the visa, the shipping, and the residence steps together, because the visa is the long pole and your arrival date sets when registration can begin.
What it costs to move from United Kingdom to Italy.
What it really costs to move a household from the United Kingdom to Italy in 2026, as indicative ranges by home size and method. Road freight suits most moves, while sea makes sense for very large loads or the islands.
Indicative ranges for 2026 in US dollars, before full packing, premium insurance, and destination delivery beyond the port city. Air freight is far higher and suits essentials only. These are not binding figures.
Volume drives the price, because part load road freight charges for the space and weight you use, so a declutter before the survey pays off. Distance within Italy matters, since a delivery to Sicily or Puglia is a longer haul than one to Milan or Turin. Season brings a summer premium from roughly June to September. And access counts, because a historic town centre with restricted vehicle zones and narrow streets can need a shuttle vehicle, which adds to the delivery cost.
A realistic schedule, working back from collection.
Work back from your move date. On this corridor the Italian visa is the long pole since Brexit, so start it first, then arrange the road freight and the customs file.
Start the visa
Apply for the Italian long stay visa that fits your situation through the consulate, gathering income or job evidence, accommodation proof, and health cover. Since Brexit this step gates the move for any stay beyond ninety days.
Get binding surveys
Have movers run video or in home surveys for an accurate volume, and compare part load road freight against a sole use load on a like for like basis. Confirm whether you go by road or by sea to Genoa or Livorno.
Build the customs file
Prepare the detailed valued inventory and the transfer of residence paperwork the Italian Customs Agency expects, and apply for your codice fiscale so it is ready on arrival. Sort pet paperwork under European Union pet entry rules.
Pack and load
The packing crew comes one to two days before collection. Goods are inventoried, sealed, and loaded for the road or the port.
Clear customs and register
Goods clear under your transfer of residence file and are delivered. Register your residence at the comune, the ufficio anagrafe, and start your permesso di soggiorno if your visa requires it.
Clearing your goods into Italy.
Italy applies European Union customs rules, and because the United Kingdom is now outside the union you import under transfer of residence relief. Done correctly, used household goods come in free of customs duty and import value added tax.
The usual conditions are that you have lived outside the European Union for at least 12 months, that you have owned and used the goods for a qualifying period, and that you import them within a set time of moving your residence to Italy. The declaration goes to the Italian Customs and Monopolies Agency, the Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli, normally through your shipping agent, with a detailed valued inventory, your passport and visa or residence document, a declaration of change of residence, and your codice fiscale. The tax code is needed for the customs process and for nearly everything else, so obtain it early.
Restricted items follow European Union lines, with limits on alcohol and tobacco, controls on weapons, and rules on certain foods and protected species. Pets travel under European Union entry rules with a microchip, a valid rabies vaccination, and a compliant animal health certificate. A vehicle can sometimes enter under transfer of residence relief, but you then face Italian registration and roadworthiness steps, so weigh importing against buying locally.
How Britons actually move to Italy after Brexit.
British citizens can visit the Schengen area for up to ninety days in any one hundred and eighty, but living in Italy now needs a long stay visa arranged before you go. These are the routes most British movers use.
For people with stable passive income, such as pensions or investments, who will not work in Italy. You show a reliable income and suitable accommodation. Popular with retirees and the financially independent.
- Basis
- Passive income
- Work
- Not permitted
- Proof
- Means and housing
- Path
- Renewable
Tied to a job within Italy's annual quota system, the decreto flussi, with the employer driving the process. Highly skilled roles may use the EU Blue Card instead.
- Basis
- Job offer
- Quota
- Decreto flussi
- Work
- Permitted
- Employer
- Sponsors
For self employed work or to start a business, subject to quota and qualifying conditions. Italy also runs a digital nomad and remote worker route for qualifying professionals.
- Basis
- Business or remote work
- Conditions
- Income and quota
- Work
- Own activity
- Path
- Renewable
For the family member of an Italian or European Union citizen, or of a non European Union resident, subject to the relationship and support conditions.
- Basis
- Relationship
- Work
- Usually allowed
- Conditions
- Means and housing
- Path
- Renewable
How to choose a mover for this route, with no names attached.
This site never names, ranks, or recommends a moving company. Instead, here is the neutral checklist that separates a safe international mover from a risky one. Apply it to every quote you receive on the United Kingdom to Italy lane.
Get Moving Quotes for United Kingdom to Italy.
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Questions people ask about this move.
How much does it cost to move from the United Kingdom to Italy?
As indicative ranges for 2026, a 2 to 3 bedroom move runs roughly 2,800 to 5,000 US dollars by part load road freight and more for a sole use load, before packing, insurance, and delivery within Italy. Deliveries to the south or the islands cost more. Get a binding quote from a survey.
How long does shipping from the United Kingdom to Italy take?
By road, a part load is usually one to three weeks door to door depending on consolidation and your Italian region. A sole use load is faster. Sea freight to Genoa or Livorno adds time but suits very large moves and the islands. Summer is busy, so book early.
Do I pay duty on my furniture moving to Italy?
Usually not, if you qualify for transfer of residence relief. Used household goods owned and used for a qualifying period, brought by someone who has lived outside the European Union for at least twelve months and is genuinely relocating, are commonly admitted free of duty and import value added tax. You lodge an inventory and proof with the Agenzia delle Dogane. Verify first.
What is the codice fiscale and when do I need it?
The codice fiscale is the Italian tax code. You need it for the customs process, to sign a lease, open a bank account, and register with the health service. You can obtain it from the Italian tax agency or a consulate, so arrange it early in the move rather than after you arrive.
What visa do Britons need to move to Italy now?
Since Brexit, any stay beyond ninety days needs a long stay visa arranged before you travel. Common routes are the elective residence visa for the self funded, work visas within the quota system, self employment and digital nomad routes, and family visas. This is not immigration advice, so confirm current rules with the Italian consulate.
Do I have to register when I arrive in Italy?
Yes. After arriving you register your residence at the local comune through the ufficio anagrafe, and non European Union nationals apply for a permesso di soggiorno, the residence permit, within the deadline set for your visa. Doing this promptly is what makes the rest of settling in possible.