15 Reasons People Regret Moving to Italy
Italy draws in dreamers with its hilltop villages, iconic pasta, and sunshine-soaked coastline, but once the honeymoon fades, the realities of day-to-day life can surprise newcomers. What lies beneath the beauty are bureaucratic tangles, job market challenges, and cultural quirks that don’t always suit everyone. Before packing up for la dolce vita, it’s worth knowing what sometimes makes expats say, “Maybe this wasn’t the right move after all.”
The Bureaucracy Will Test Your Patience
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Italian bureaucracy has a reputation for being slow, confusing, and wildly inconsistent. Something as simple as registering for residency or getting a health card can turn into a multi-appointment ordeal involving outdated forms, vague instructions, and multiple office visits. Even native Italians joke about how long paperwork takes. A 2023 OECD report ranked Italy at the bottom for public service efficiency in Europe.
Salaries Are Lower Than Expected
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Average monthly wages in Italy hover around €2,000 (about $2,150), but that figure drops significantly in the south and in service-sector jobs. Meanwhile, housing, food, and fuel costs continue to climb. For skilled workers coming from higher-paying countries, this pay cut can sting.
Learning Italian Isn’t Optional
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English isn’t widely spoken outside tourist zones, and many services, from the pharmacy to the post office, don’t offer translations. Google Translate can only get someone so far. According to Eurostat, only about 34% of Italians speak English. That number drops even lower in rural areas and among older generations.
Driving Feels Like a Full-Contact Sport
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In cities like Naples or Rome, drivers ignore lane markings, scooters weave between cars, and red lights don’t always mean stop. Outside the urban centers, expect tight rural roads, sudden sharp turns, and deep potholes. Foreign licenses expire after six months, so long-term residents face a tough driving exam. The written test is only in Italian, and lessons are expensive. For anyone used to American roads, adjusting takes time and patience.
Customer Service Runs on Its Own Schedule
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In Italy, the “customer is always right” idea doesn’t really apply. Shops may open late, close midday, or shut entirely on random afternoons. Service can be polite, but it’s rarely speedy. For anyone used to instant refunds and around-the-clock assistance, this laid-back, take-your-time approach might take some serious getting used to.
Finding Work Can Be Tricky
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Networking is everything when it comes to landing a job, and formal applications often take a backseat to family ties or connections. This makes it hard for foreigners to break in, especially if they don’t speak Italian fluently. Even qualified professionals can struggle to find opportunities. Many expats rely on remote work or create niche businesses aimed at other expats and tourists.
Renters Have Fewer Protections
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Rental contracts in Italy can be confusing, and landlords don’t always play fair. Deposits often go missing at the end of leases, maintenance issues can drag on, and tenants unfamiliar with local laws may get taken advantage of. Short-term contracts are common, offering little stability.
Healthcare Can Be a Mixed Bag
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Italy’s public healthcare system is affordable and generally reliable, but it’s far from perfect. Long wait times for specialist appointments and regional differences in care quality can frustrate new arrivals. In southern regions, hospital infrastructure lags behind. Many expats opt for private insurance to supplement care, especially for dental, vision, or faster access to diagnostic testing.
Internet and Tech Infrastructure Lag Behind
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Not every corner of Italy is online-friendly. Rural areas often suffer from slow internet speeds and spotty mobile service. Even in cities, installation delays and limited provider options can cause headaches. According to Speedtest Global Index (2024), Italy ranked below the European average for fixed broadband speed.
Daily Conveniences Are Hit or Miss
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Shops in much of Italy close for several hours in the afternoon, and many don’t reopen on Sundays. Pharmacies, supermarkets, and even banks keep shorter or irregular hours, especially outside big cities. Delivery options are limited compared to the U.S., and late-night essentials are often hard to find. Planning ahead isn’t just smart—it’s necessary.
Gender Norms Can Feel Outdated
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Discrimination based on one’s gender is still embedded in parts of Italian culture, particularly in traditional workplaces. Women may face subtle (or overt) discrimination, with hiring decisions sometimes influenced more by appearance than ability. Public commentary on women’s looks is often brushed off as normal. While change is happening, Italy lags behind much of Western Europe in gender equality rankings.
The Tax System Is Complex and Costly
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Italy’s tax structure is full of red tape. Filing taxes as a foreigner, especially if self-employed or with income abroad, requires professional help. Expats often face double taxation issues, and social security contributions are high. For self-employed workers, the tax burden can reach up to 43%. Missteps are easy, and consequences can be serious.
North-South Divide Is Real
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Italy isn’t one-size-fits-all. The north tends to have better infrastructure, job prospects, and services, while the south is often more affordable but has fewer opportunities. Public transport, schools, and hospitals vary dramatically between regions. This north-south divide can shape a person’s experience entirely, depending on where they settle.
Getting Residency Is a Process
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Residency permits require more than just showing up. Non-EU citizens need visas, proof of income, housing contracts, and often a formal language test. Even EU citizens must register officially if they plan to stay long-term. Immigration offices are notorious for delays and miscommunication. Many expats report needing several appointments and sometimes conflicting advice before securing their paperwork.
The Dream Can Overshadow Reality
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Some expats arrive chasing a postcard version of Italy: morning cappuccinos, countryside villas, and carefree afternoons. But real life includes crowded trains, paperwork piles, and sky-high utility bills. Romanticizing the move can lead to big disappointments when things get tough. Italy is rich in beauty and charm, but it’s still a functioning country with flaws. For some, the contrast between fantasy and daily life is enough to cause regret.