Planning library
Visas and Residency
The legal route comes first. Everything else in your plan depends on it.
Americans who are not EU citizens generally need a long stay visa issued before moving, followed by a residence permit applied for after arrival. For retirees living on passive income, the elective residence visa is normally the relevant category.
Requirements are set nationally and applied by the Italian consulate serving your U.S. state, which means checklists and evidence standards differ. Always confirm current requirements with your consulate.
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