A New Life in Italy

Planning a move to Italy with your spouse or children can feel overwhelming, especially when it comes to visas. One of the biggest mistakes families make is assuming Italy offers an automatic family visa or that loved ones can simply arrive together without careful planning.
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson walks you through how family visas in Italy actually work, why so many families get delayed or separated, and what you need to know before you make a single move.
Italy’s family visa system is not intuitive. Timing, eligibility, and sequence matter more than most people realize. Misunderstanding just one step can trigger long delays, denials, or years-long waiting periods.
If your move to Italy includes a spouse, children, or dependents, this episode is essential listening.
What You Will Learn in This Episode
• How family visas in Italy really work and why they are not standalone visas
• The difference between family reunification visas and family visas for spouses of Italian or EU citizens
• Who qualifies as a dependent under Italian immigration law and who does not
• Why adult children and parents are rarely approved without proven medical dependency
• The exact order required for family reunification applications
• What a Nulla Osta is and when it is required
• Why the Suitability Certificate is critical and often overlooked
• How entering Italy too early can trigger a two year family reunification delay
• Why showing up without a visa no longer works in Italy
• When a family visa may not be the best option for your situation

Who This Episode Is For
• Families planning to move to Italy together
• Couples where only one spouse qualifies for a visa
• Parents relocating to Italy with minor children
• Spouses of Digital Nomad, Investor, Work, or Student visa holders
• Spouses of Italian or European Union citizens
• Anyone confused about family visas, dependency rules, or timing

Key Topics Covered
• Family visa Italy explained
• Family reunification visa Italy
• Spouse visa Italy
• Moving to Italy with children
• Italian visas for families
• Nulla Osta for family reunification
• Suitability Certificate Italy
• Permesso di soggiorno for family members
• EU spouse visa Italy
• Italian immigration rules for dependents

Listener Questions Answered
• Is it too early to start planning visa timing if we are moving to Italy in a year
• Does Italy care if only one spouse qualifies for a visa
• Is it normal to feel overwhelmed trying to coordinate visas, school, healthcare, and residency

Important Takeaway
Family visas in Italy are never automatic. But they are absolutely manageable when you understand the rules, respect the required sequence, and plan ahead.
Most family visa problems are not caused by bad luck. They are caused by assumptions.
This episode gives you clarity so you can protect your ability to arrive in Italy together and start your new life without unnecessary stress or separation.
Listen to the full episode to avoid the most common and preventable family visa mistakes.

Have a Question for a Future Episode
Send Samantha Your Question
If you have a question about visas, moving to Italy, or starting a new life abroad, you can leave a voicemail using the link in the show notes. Your question may be featured in a future episode.
Ciao for now, and see you next week on A New Life in Italy.

How much does it really cost to move to Italy?
In this episode, we break down the real cost of moving to Italy so you can understand what to expect financially and emotionally before making a big decision. Not the Instagram version. Not extreme worst case scenarios you find online. Real numbers, real planning, and the real life behind the move.
In the first episode of Season 4 of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson walks you through the true costs of relocating to Italy, including one time moving expenses, ongoing monthly living costs, visa and immigration fees, housing setup, and the hidden cost offsets many people overlook. We also talk honestly about the financial and emotional cost of staying where you are.
This episode is not about convincing you to move to Italy or pushing you toward a timeline. It’s about replacing fear and overwhelm with clarity, so you can decide if moving to Italy makes sense for your life, your finances, and your future.
If you’ve been dreaming about Italy but feeling stuck in the planning phase, this episode will help you see the full picture and take your next step with confidence.
Links and Resources
Download the companion workbook for this episode to walk through the numbers calmly and clearly at your own pace.
You’re not making decisions today. You’re gathering information so you can move forward with confidence when the time is right.
Visit Smart Move Italy
Mentioned in this episode:
Sentire Media Website
APP Link
Sentire Media Website
APP Link

This season finale is a look back at the questions that mattered most. The ones you saved, shared, and replayed because they helped you make smarter decisions about moving to Italy.
In this episode, I revisit our most popular topics from the true cost of living in Italy and whether €2,000 a month is realistic, to buying property, renovation surprises, investor visa rules, document apostilles, and what foreigners really need to know before making a move.
It is also a thank you. Your messages, voice notes, and stories shape this show, and being part of your journey to Italy is something I am truly grateful for.
I also share a sneak peek of season four, launching January 14, 2026, where we go deeper into real life in Italy with more behind the scenes conversations, honest debates, and updates from people actively navigating their move.
Save the parts that speak to you, share this episode with someone who dreams of Italy, and stay connected with me on Instagram or through our newsletter.
Italy is waiting for you.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sentire Media Website
APP Link
APP Link
Sentire Media Website

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really happening in Italy’s rental market right now — the good, the bad, and the red flags you need to know before you commit to a property.
More people are searching for rentals from outside Italy than ever before, and with that has come a noticeable rise in scams, misleading listings, and contracts that can’t support residency. While there are absolutely excellent properties, owners, and agencies out there, there are also situations where things aren’t what they seem. My goal in this episode is to help you understand the current landscape so you can rent safely and confidently.
I walk through the most common issues I’m seeing: listings that look legitimate but don’t exist, owners who aren’t legally authorized to rent, properties that can’t be used for residency, and contracts that fall outside the protections of Italian law. I also explain why certain contract types — like transitorio, 3+2, and 4+4 — offer real legal security, and why anything outside of those structures can put you at risk.
I share examples of what’s going wrong for people right now, especially renters searching from abroad who are relying on photos alone, skipping contract registration, or trusting AI tools to review legal documents. These are simple mistakes, but they’re costing people money, time, and in some cases, their ability to secure residency.
My goal isn’t to scare you (safe, legal rentals do exist), but to make sure you understand how the market is shifting and what that means for you. With the right steps, you can protect your money, your residency process, and your peace of mind.
I also answer listener questions on suitability certificates, converting tourist contracts to long-term leases, and whether short-term rentals can be used for residency.
If you’re planning to rent in Italy next year, this episode will give you the clarity and confidence you need to do it the right way.
Mentioned in this episode:
Sentire Media Website
APP Link
Sentire Media Website

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving straight into a topic I know so many of you are curious about. Opening a business in Italy. Living here. Working here. Figuring out how to blend the life you want with the work you love. This one comes up in my inbox almost every single day, so let’s break it all down together.
I start by clearing up one of the biggest misconceptions. Yes, almost anyone can open a business in Italy. Truly. But if you actually want to live here and work in that business, that’s where visas come into play. There’s a big difference between forming a company on paper and being legally allowed to work inside it. I walk you through that distinction in a really simple way.
From there, I get into the fun part. The types of businesses people just like you are already running here. Everything from travel planning and photography to online consulting, content creation, digital nomad businesses, even innovative startups. And honestly, the best ones are usually a blend of your past experience and the life you want to build in Italy. When those two pieces come together, magic happens.
I also talk about the practical side of things. What it looks like to run a business in Italy versus running one from abroad. We go over the basics like legal structures, VAT numbers, tax regimes, the difference between a sole proprietorship and an SRL, and what you actually need to get set up. By the end, you’ll understand the moving pieces without feeling overwhelmed.
And you know me. I can never talk about Italian business life without mentioning the people you'll need in your corner. A good commercialista is gold. A notary who explains things clearly is a lifesaver. Having local support truly makes the entire process smoother and a lot less stressful.
A big part of the episode is also dedicated to visas. I walk you through the Digital Nomad Visa, the Investor Visa, and a few other pathways so you know which options might actually fit your life and your goals. Spoiler. There are more possibilities than most people think.
Toward the end, we get into the emotional side of this journey. Because starting over in Italy is not just a logistical decision. It’s a heart decision. And you absolutely do not have to choose between living the life you’ve been dreaming about and building a meaningful career. You get to have both.
And of course, I wrap up by answering your listener questions. Everything from Digital Nomad Visa confusion to whether there’s ever a perfect time to move to Italy to how to build a social circle when you’re brand new here.
So if you’ve been craving clarity around working or starting a business in Italy, this episode is for you. Let’s get into it and help you take that dream one step closer to reality.
Resources:
Smart Move Italy
Innovative Start Up Visa for Italy
Visa Guidebook
Mentioned in this episode:
Sentire Media Website
APP Link
Sentire Media Website
APP Link