Best places to live in Italy for Expats

Table of contents

1. Brescia

2. Palermo

3. Abruzzo

4. Lake Como

5. Florence

From the north of Italy, renowned for its mountainous landscapes and vast lakes, to the south with its beautiful sandy beaches and hotter weather, there is plenty of choice for expats. Take a look at our pick of the best locations in Italy for inspiration for ahead of your relocation.

Brescia

Located at the base of the Alps in the region of Lombardy, nearly 200,000 residents live in the city of Brescia. If you’re moving to Italy for work, it is worth noting that some of the main job sectors here are IT, textiles and finance.

Lombardy is a popular choice for expats, with foreign nationals making up 13% of the total population as of 2023, the highest in Italy. [1] Brescia is also attractive for those who enjoy seasonal weather, as it has a continental climate.

During the winter months, winter sports are a popular pastime in Brescia, providing plenty of opportunity for activities such as snowboarding and skiing. You can also visit the lakes in your spare time, with Lake Garda around an hour away by car.

Don’t forget before you move abroad to create a realistic plan to help you keep organised. In our handy blog, we provide you with some tips about how to budget in preparation for your relocation.

Palermo

Palermo is the capital city of the island of Sicily, and has a population of approximately 670,000 people. Dating back to 734 BC, it is known for its diverse architecture, food markets and multitude of historical sites.

Palermo has good transport links to mainland Italy, with ferries able to reach here in as little as 20 minutes. It has its own international airport, and Sicily as a whole has a further 5 airports, with Catania International the largest.

With its Gothic architecture and vibrant street markets, Il Capo is a district of Palermo that is great for expats. Or if you like being at the centre of things, then Ruggero Settimo might be the right choice for you, with its cobbled streets and wide variety of shops.

Don’t forget that if you wish to move to Italy, you may need to apply for a visa. Check out if this is a requirement for you here.

Abruzzo

Located on the eastern coast of Italy on the Adriatic Sea, Abruzzo has a population of over 1.3 million people.

Famous for its mountainous scenery, diverse wildlife and hillside towns and villages, Abruzzo is another spot that makes our list. In your spare time, you can explore Abruzzo’s huge stretch of coastline or one of its climbing spaces, such as the Gran Sasso.

Some areas to think about living in Abruzzo include Penne. Nicknamed the ‘city of bricks’, it is a quiet village found in the Apennine Mountain hillside. Other options incorporate Teramo, a bustling city that dates back to ancient times and is renowned for its picturesque landscape.

It’s important to note that the central industries in this region are tourism, IT, agriculture and manufacturing. Ensure you’ve updated your CV before you start applying for jobs and refresh your skills to support you in the process!

Lake Como

Found in northern Italy and famous for its natural beauty and crystal clear waters, Lake Como is an excellent option for expats who prefer a slower pace of life. It has a milder climate than other parts of Italy due to being near to the mountains and huge swathes of water.

For individuals looking to work around here, prominent industries include textiles, hospitality and agriculture. Lake Como is also appealing for many due to its great transport connections; Como town is just over an hour away from Milan by train and only 40 mins away from nearby Lugano in Switzerland.

It is an ideal location for fans of water sports, enjoying high temperatures in the summer months. Expats can take part in wakeboarding, waterskiing, kayaking and a whole array of other activities on the lake.

Areas you could consider living in are Menaggio, centrally located and known for its artistic history, or Como town itself, which has a population of over 80,000 people and is famous for its Gothic cathedral and stunning views.

Florence

Birthplace of the Renaissance, home to delicious food and situated in the heart of Tuscany, there is lots on offer in Florence for expats. The city is on the smaller side with a population of around 380,000 and notable sites include the Uffizi Gallery, the Cathedral di Santa Maria del Fiore and the Ponte Vecchio.

It’s worth noting that this region is one of the more expensive parts of the country to rent in, with rental prices averaging at 16.3 euros psqm. [2]

If you think Florence could be for you, neighbourhoods to consider include Oltrarno, which is full of history and has an array of art galleries, or San Marco, a quieter area of the city that is well situated for dining out and located close to Santa Maria Novella Train Station.

For more information about what it is like living in Italy as an expatriate, check out our informative guide here.