Italy vs South Korea for Expats (2026)
South Korea scores higher overall for expats based on cost of living (index 61.4 vs 61.6), visa accessibility, salary potential, and expat satisfaction rankings.
Data last verified: 2026
Key Stats
| Metric | 🇮🇹 Italy | 🇰🇷 South Korea | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 61.4 | 61.6 | Too close to call |
| Visa Accessibility | 7 pathways | 7 pathways | Too close to call |
| Salary Potential | €32,000 | €36,000 | South Korea |
| Path to PR | 5 years | 5 years | Too close to call |
| Path to Citizenship | 10 years | 5 years | South Korea |
| Language Requirement | A2 Italian | B1 Korean | Italy |
| Expat Satisfaction | #44/53 | #48/53 | Italy |
| Visa Processing Speed | 23 weeks avg | 8 weeks avg | South Korea |
Cost of Living Breakdown
Lower = cheaper. The number is roughly the share of New York City's everyday expenses you'd pay there (so 60 ≈ 60% of NYC). The gap between two columns is roughly how much cheaper one place is than the other.
| Category | Italy | South Korea |
|---|---|---|
| Cost of Living | 61.4 | 61.6 |
| Rent | 20.5 | 16.1 |
Based on aggregated cost-of-living data from multiple public sources, 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Italy or South Korea cheaper to live in?
Italy has a cost of living index of 61.4 compared to South Korea's 61.6, making Italy roughly 0% more affordable for everyday expenses including rent.
Which has easier immigration, Italy or South Korea?
Italy offers 7 non-tourist visa pathways while South Korea offers 7. Average processing time is 23 weeks for Italy and 8 weeks for South Korea.
Do I need to speak the local language to get residency in Italy or South Korea?
Italy requires A2 Italian for permanent residency. South Korea requires B1 Korean. Language proficiency can also affect your citizenship timeline.
How long does it take to get permanent residency in Italy vs South Korea?
Italy requires 5 years of continuous residence for PR. South Korea requires 5 years. Both timelines start from the date your first residence permit is issued.
What are salaries like in Italy compared to South Korea?
The median skilled worker salary is €32,000 per year in Italy and €36,000 per year in South Korea. Cost of living differences mean purchasing power varies significantly.
Can I work remotely in Italy or South Korea?
Italy offers a digital nomad or remote worker visa pathway. South Korea offers a digital nomad or remote worker visa pathway.
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How we compare countries
Rankings based on publicly available cost-of-living indices (NYC=100 baseline), government-published visa requirements, OECD salary statistics, and expat satisfaction survey results. All data sourced from official government agencies, international organizations, and public databases.