Thinking about retiring in Italy or reducing your tax burden? Italy’s 7% tax regime sounds almost too good to be true… and for some people, it is incredible. But for others, it can lead to the wrong move for the wrong reasons.

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson breaks down exactly how the 7% flat tax works, the recent expansion that added 74 new towns, and the lifestyle trade-offs most people don’t consider until it’s too late.

This is not just about saving money. This is about choosing a life that actually fits.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

What the 7% tax regime in Italy actually is and how it works

Who qualifies and the key eligibility requirements

What counts as foreign income and how it is taxed

Why there is no wealth tax on foreign assets under this regime

The recent change increasing town population limits from 20,000 to 30,000

How this expansion added 74 new qualifying towns

Examples of newly eligible locations like Ostuni and Noto

The reality of living in smaller towns in southern Italy

Who this tax incentive is really designed for

Common mistakes people make when choosing this option

What happens in couples where only one person qualifies

Why timing and residency setup are critical

Resources Mentioned:

Our top pics in qualifying regions and newly added towns

Smart Move Italy resources for visas, relocation, and property

Commercialista consultations for tax planning

Who This Episode Is For:

Retirees with foreign income considering Italy

Individuals looking to reduce tax on investments or pensions

Couples planning a move and needing clarity on tax implications

Anyone exploring a slower lifestyle in southern Italy

If you’re considering this move, don’t just focus on the 7%.

Look at the lifestyle.

Look at the location.

And make sure the decision fits your life, not just your spreadsheet.

Subscribe to A New Life in Italy for weekly insights, real stories, and expert guidance on moving, living, and building your life in Italy.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

Sentire Media Website

Thinking about moving to Italy but not planning to retire?

Then at some point, probably soon, you'll face the question: what am I actually going to do for work?

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson sits down with Aisling, an Irish expat who moved to Italy, changed careers in her late 30s, and built a successful freelance business teaching English to corporate clients.

If you’ve ever considered teaching English in Italy, freelancing, or starting over in a new country, this episode gives you a real, honest look at what it actually takes.

Because the truth is… it’s not just about speaking English.

It’s about qualifications, bureaucracy, relationships, and building something sustainable over time.

Aisling shares her 10-year journey from working in the arts in Ireland to teaching business English in Milan, and eventually creating a flexible, location-independent career from her home in Tuscany.

You’ll learn how she got started, what surprised her most about working in Italy, and why relationships matter more than resumes in the Italian business world.

This episode is essential listening if you are planning your move to Italy and want to understand how to realistically support yourself once you arrive.

How to teach English in Italy and what qualifications you actually need

The difference between working for a language school and freelancing

How to set up a freelance business in Italy, including Partita IVA

Why you need a commercialista and how taxes work for freelancers

How to find clients in Italy and why networking is everything

The reality of Italian bureaucracy when starting a business

How long it takes to build a stable income as an expat

Why business English is one of the biggest opportunities in Italy

How COVID changed remote work opportunities across the country

What it really takes to build a sustainable career in Italy

Anyone planning to move to Italy and needing to work

Expats considering teaching English in Italy

Freelancers and remote workers looking to relocate to Italy

People changing careers later in life and starting over abroad

Listeners who want a realistic view of working and living in Italy

Aisling’s book: Freelance English Teaching in Italy: How to Find High-Paying Clients and Build a Sustainable Career

If you’re serious about moving to Italy and want expert guidance on visas, relocation, or building your life here, you’ll find everything you need at Smart Move Italy.

And if this episode helped you, make sure to follow the podcast and share it with someone who’s dreaming about their own life in Italy.

Because this move is possible… when you know how to do it right.

Mentioned in this episode:

Sentire Media Website

APP Link

Sentire Media Website

You’ve planned it, dreamed about it, and finally made the move to Italy.

But what happens next?

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson shares the real experience of the first 30, 60, and 90 days after arriving in Italy. This is the phase no one fully prepares you for and where most people feel overwhelmed, stuck, or unsure if they made the right decision.

If you are planning your move to Italy, currently applying for a visa, or have recently arrived and feel like things are harder than expected, this episode will help you understand exactly what is happening and how to move through it with clarity and confidence.

This is not about the dream. This is about building your life in Italy.

In this episode, you’ll learn:

What the first 90 days in Italy actually feel like beyond the excitement

Why emotional ups and downs are completely normal after moving abroad

How Italian bureaucracy really works and why nothing seems to happen in a straight line

The biggest mistakes foreigners make after arriving in Italy

How to approach your first 30, 60, and 90 days with a clear and simple plan

Why loneliness can show up even when you’re living your dream

How to stop feeling behind and start building your life with confidence

Topics covered include:

Moving to Italy for foreigners

Living in Italy after relocation

Permesso di soggiorno process explained

Italian bureaucracy and settling in

Expat life in Italy

Emotional challenges of moving abroad

Renting vs buying property in Italy

Cost of living in Italy for newcomers

Public transport vs owning a car in Italy

Listener Questions Answered:

Should you buy property in Italy before moving or rent first?

How much money do you need for your first year living in Italy?

Do you need a car to live in Italy or can you rely on public transport?

If you’re in that in-between phase where the dream has become real life and things feel harder than expected, this episode will help you reset, refocus, and move forward.

Ready to move to Italy with clarity and support?

Download our free visa guide or explore how we can help you with visas, relocation, and property at Smart Move Italy.

If this episode helped you, share it with someone who is planning their move to Italy.

And don’t forget to follow the show so you never miss an episode.

Mentioned in this episode:

APP Link

Sentire Media Website

Sentire Media Website