Founders Relocating to Italy: Practical FAQ

Founders often decide to move to Italy before they know how the move works. The questions below come up again and again. The answers are general. Your nationality, your role and your company structure change the details.

Do I need a visa?  

It depends on your passport. EU citizens can move freely. Citizens of other countries usually need a visa or a permit tied to a specific purpose, such as employment, self-employment or investment. The right route depends on what you will do in Italy and who will pay you.

Start this early. Visa steps involve documents from your home country, and those often take longer than expected.

Can I work in Italy while my company is abroad?  

This is the question that causes the most trouble. Working from Italy for a foreign company can create obligations for both you and the company. These may include payroll, social security and tax registration. Doing the work without a proper setup can lead to penalties later.

You have a few options. You can open a local entity. You can hire through an Employer of Record (EOR), which employs you in Italy on behalf of your company. Or you can use a different structure if your situation allows it. The EOR route is useful when you want to move now and do not want to set up a legal entity first.

What does an Employer of Record do for a founder?  

An EOR becomes your legal employer in Italy. It handles the employment contract, payroll, contributions and compliance. You keep working for your company, and your company directs your daily work.

It can also help with the practical side of the move. That includes visa support, relocation steps and registration with the Italian social security system.

An EOR is not a replacement for a long-term plan. Many founders use it to start, then open a local entity once the team grows.

Will I pay tax in Italy?  

If you live in Italy and make it your main home, you will likely become an Italian tax resident. That can affect how your income is taxed, including income from abroad. Special regimes may exist for new residents, and rules change over time.

Speak to a tax adviser before you move. Do not rely on a forum post. Your home country may also still claim a right to tax you, and a tax treaty may decide the outcome.

What about social security and healthcare?  

When you are employed in Italy, you and your employer normally pay social security contributions. These contributions connect you to the national system. Healthcare access usually follows registration as a resident.

If you come from a country with a social security agreement with Italy, you may be able to keep your contribution history. Check this before you choose your setup.

Where should I live?  

Italy is not one market. Milan, Rome, Turin and Bologna feel very different from smaller cities. Think about what you need:

• Airport and train links for travel
• A local startup or business community
• Cost of rent and daily life
• Schools, if you move with family
• Good internet

Visit before you commit. A short stay in each shortlisted city tells you more than a long article.

How do I find housing?  

Rental contracts in Italy often ask for documents you may not have yet. These can include a tax code and proof of income. Landlords may prefer tenants with a local employment contract. This is another reason an Italian employment setup helps early on.

Get your tax code as soon as you can. You need it for almost everything: contracts, utilities, a bank account and a phone plan.

Can my family come with me?  

In many cases, yes. Family members can often apply to join you through a family-related route. Requirements depend on your own permit and on your family relationships. Plan the paperwork for the whole household, not just for you.

What documents should I prepare?  

Expect to need some of these:

• A valid passport
• Your employment or service agreement
• Proof of qualifications
• Civil documents such as marriage or birth certificates, if family joins you
• Translations and legalisations where required

Check which documents need an official translation or a legal stamp. Doing this late is a common source of delay.

What mistakes do founders make?  

• They move first and sort out the employment setup later.
• They assume their home payroll still works once they live in Italy.
• They ignore tax residence until a bill arrives.
• They underestimate how long paperwork takes.
• They plan for themselves and forget their family.

What is a sensible order of steps?  

First, decide how you will be employed or engaged in Italy. Second, confirm the visa or permit route. Third, get tax and social security advice. Fourth, prepare documents. Fifth, plan housing and your arrival. Only then book the move.

Getting the order right saves time and avoids rework.

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