Removals to Italy: historic centres, islands and the paperwork.

Residence: visa first, then the permesso di soggiorno

A non-EU national who plans to stay in Italy for more than 90 days normally applies for a national long-stay visa before travelling. Italian consular pages say a holder of such a visa must then apply at the Questura (the local police headquarters) for a permesso di soggiorno, the residence permit, within a short period of arrival, which they give as eight days. One consular sheet counts working days, so confirm the count with the Questura. An elective residence visa does not allow work. Other categories cover work, study and family. EU nationals follow a separate framework, so check with the comune where you will live. Your belongings should not be collected until you know which route applies.

Official guidance: Italian consulate: elective residence visa · Italian consulate: residence permit (permesso di soggiorno)

Household goods from outside the EU

Italy applies the EU household-goods relief. In general you need at least 12 months of previous residence outside the EU customs territory, six months of possession and use of the goods before leaving, and the same intended use in Italy, with entry normally within 12 months of establishing residence. The Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli publishes two request forms, one without a guarantee (Mod. F-01 A) and one with a guarantee (Mod. F-01 B). Ask the customs office which applies to you, whether you are claiming before or after you settle, and what proof of your previous residence abroad it wants. Alcohol and tobacco are excluded, and vehicles have their own evidence requirements.

Official guidance: Agenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli: customs exemptions and forms · EU household-goods duty relief: Articles 3 to 8

Check the special territories

The European Commission lists most of Italy, including Sicily and Sardinia, within the EU customs, VAT and excise territory. Three Italian areas are treated differently. Livigno is outside all three. Campione d'Italia and the Italian waters of Lake Lugano are inside the customs territory but outside the VAT territory. If your new home is in one of these, say so in your enquiry.

Official guidance: EU customs and VAT territory boundaries

Enrol the children at the school, at any time of year

Italian rules allow the enrolment of foreign minors in schools of every level on the same terms as Italian children, and the application can be made at any point in the school year. A pupil without complete records can be enrolled provisionally. The teaching staff may place a child in a different class from the one that matches their age, taking account of their previous schooling and skills. Documents usually include proof of years of schooling, with legalisation, a declaration of value and a sworn translation, so ask the school which it needs before you leave. The ordinary online enrolment window for the next year is a separate matter.

Official guidance: Ministry of Education: foreign pupils in Italian schools

Historic centres and ZTL zones

Many Italian towns restrict vehicles in the historic centre through a zona a traffico limitato (ZTL), a limited-traffic zone, and the rules and permits are set by each comune. Ask the comune or the building administrator whether a delivery vehicle needs a permit, what hours apply and how a booking is made, and give us the details early. Streets in old centres can be too narrow or too steep for a large vehicle, and some properties are reached only on foot or by a long flight of steps. Photographs of the street, the entrance and the stairs help us decide on the vehicle, the number of people and any shuttle.

Apartments, hill villages and the islands

In a condominium (an apartment block managed by an administrator) ask about the lift size and whether the block restricts delivery hours. In a hill village or farmhouse, measure gates and check bends on the approach. Sicily and Sardinia need a sea or ferry stage, so name the island and the comune. The final leg to a coastal or mountain address can be the hardest part of the move, and we assess it from your address and photographs.

List furniture, then boxes

Italian homes often have tiled or marble floors, tall shutters and built-in fittings, so check what you can take and what stays. Measure large pieces against doorways, stairwells and any lift. Mark fragile and valuable items and tell us what you would like packed.

• Large furniture with dimensions, and items to dismantle.
• Fragile, valuable or antique pieces.
• Collection access, the Italian comune and street, and who will receive the delivery.

Moving out of Italy instead?

Tell us the receiving country and the Italian collection town. The receiving country decides its own residence and import checks, and a UK return needs the right distinction between Great Britain and Northern Ireland.