Moving to the UK from Italy

Visa and Immigration Routes

Since 1 January 2021, Italian citizens need a visa to live and work in the UK ^[1]. Free movement ended with Brexit. Italians already resident in the UK before 31 December 2020 could apply to the EU Settlement Scheme ^[2].

Visiting without a visa.

Italian citizens can visit the UK for up to 6 months without a visa for tourism or business meetings ^[1]. Working, paid or unpaid, is not permitted during a visitor stay.

Skilled Worker visa.

The primary employment route. Requirements include a job offer from a Home Office-licensed UK employer, a certificate of sponsorship, and a salary of at least £41,700 per year or the going rate for your occupation ^[3]. Reduced thresholds of £33,400 apply for Immigration Salary List roles, new entrants, and PhD holders ^[3]. You must demonstrate English language proficiency at CEFR B1 level through an approved Secure English Language Test ^[4]. Italian citizens are not exempt from the English language requirement. The visa lasts up to 5 years and leads to indefinite leave to remain after 5 continuous years ^[5].

Health and Care Worker visa.

For qualified healthcare professionals. Lower salary thresholds apply, and holders are exempt from the Immigration Health Surcharge ^[6]. Italian doctors and nurses have been part of the NHS workforce for decades.

Graduate visa.

Italians who completed a UK university degree can apply for 2 years of unrestricted work (3 years for PhD holders) without employer sponsorship ^[7]. The visa cannot be extended but allows switching to a Skilled Worker visa ^[7].

Global Talent visa.

For leaders or emerging talent in academia, research, digital technology, or the arts. No job offer or salary threshold required. Leads to settlement after 3 years ^[5]. Particularly relevant for Italian academics and researchers.

Family visa.

Italian citizens with a British or settled partner can apply for a family visa, subject to the sponsor's minimum income requirement ^[8].

EU Settlement Scheme.

Italians living in the UK before 31 December 2020 who applied hold settled status (indefinite leave to remain) or pre-settled status ^[2]. Those with pre-settled status should apply for settled status before expiry. The main deadline was 30 June 2021, but late applications are accepted with reasonable grounds ^[2].

Innovator Founder visa.

For Italians starting a business in the UK. Requires endorsement from an approved body and a genuinely innovative business plan. No minimum investment amount, but you must show the business is viable. Leads to settlement after 3 years ^[5].

Tax Obligations

The UK taxes residents on worldwide income. You become UK tax resident under the Statutory Residence Test if you spend 183 or more days in the UK in a tax year ^[1].

Income tax rates.

For 2026-27, the personal allowance is £12,570 ^[2]. The basic rate is 20% on income from £12,571 to £50,270, the higher rate is 40% from £50,271 to £125,140, and the additional rate is 45% above £125,140 ^[2]. Scotland has different rates.

Comparison with Italian tax.

Italy applies IRPEF (income tax) with progressive rates, plus regional and municipal surcharges. At most income levels, the combined Italian tax burden on employment income is higher than the UK equivalent. Moving to the UK often results in a lower effective income tax rate. The treaty governs which country taxes which income ^[3].

UK-Italy Double Taxation Convention.

The treaty prevents double taxation on income and capital gains ^[3]. Once you become UK tax resident, the UK is your primary taxing jurisdiction. Italy provides relief on any Italian-source income under the treaty. If you retain Italian property or investments, those income streams are governed by the treaty's specific provisions.

Italian tax exit (AIRE registration).

When you leave Italy, you must register with AIRE (Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all'Estero) through your local Italian consulate in the UK. This registration officially changes your tax residency status. Without it, Italy may continue to consider you a tax resident. The UK-Italy treaty provides mechanisms to resolve dual-residency disputes ^[3].

Personal allowance.

As an EEA national, you can claim the UK personal allowance on UK-source income even when not UK resident ^[4].

National Insurance.

Employees pay Class 1 National Insurance at 8% on weekly earnings between £242 and £967, and 2% above that (2026-27 rates) ^[5]. Apply for a National Insurance number as soon as you arrive ^[6]. You can start work before receiving it.

Council Tax.

A local property tax paid by occupants. Amounts vary by property band and local authority, typically £1,200 to £4,000+ per year ^[7]. Single occupants receive a 25% discount ^[7]. This is separate from any Italian IMU (Imposta Municipale Unica) you may still owe on Italian property.

Healthcare and NHS

Immigration Health Surcharge.

Most visa applicants pay the IHS when applying. The current rate is £624 per year (£470 for students) ^[1]. This gives you NHS access on the same basis as a UK resident. Health and Care Worker visa holders are exempt and access the NHS free from day one.

GP registration.

Register with a local GP surgery after arriving. You do not need proof of address or immigration status ^[1]. GP practices cannot refuse registration based on nationality. Registration is free.

What the NHS covers.

GP consultations, hospital treatment, emergency care, maternity services, and most prescriptions (with a per-item charge in England; free in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland). Dental and optical care require separate registration and involve patient charges.

Differences from Italian healthcare.

Italy's SSN (Servizio Sanitario Nazionale) and the UK's NHS are both universal public healthcare systems, so the transition is less jarring than for nationals of countries with private-first systems. Key differences: the UK GP acts as a gatekeeper for all specialist referrals (in Italy, you can sometimes access specialists more directly), prescription charges apply in England (Italy uses a ticket system), and the NHS does not offer the same level of choice in selecting your specialist or hospital.

Prescriptions.

Bring documentation of ongoing medications with generic names (International Nonproprietary Names). Italian and UK medications often have different brand names. Your UK GP can prescribe based on your Italian medical records. In England, prescriptions cost a fixed per-item fee; consider a Prescription Prepayment Certificate if you take regular medications.

EHIC/GHIC.

Once established in the UK, apply for a UK Global Health Insurance Card (GHIC) for reciprocal healthcare coverage when traveling in the EU, including visits back to Italy. Your Italian Tessera Sanitaria is no longer valid for UK healthcare coverage after you deregister from the Italian SSN.

Social Security and Pensions

UK-EU social security coordination.

The Trade and Cooperation Agreement Protocol on Social Security Coordination allows Italian citizens working in the UK to aggregate pension contributions from both countries toward qualifying periods ^[1]. You pay into one country's system at a time, normally the country where you work.

Certificate of coverage.

If an Italian employer sends you to the UK temporarily (up to 24 months), you can remain in Italy's INPS system by obtaining a PD A1 certificate from INPS ^[1]. Without this certificate, you pay UK National Insurance from day one ^[1].

UK State Pension.

You need 10 qualifying years of UK National Insurance contributions for any UK State Pension, and 35 years for the full amount ^[2]. Under the TCA protocol, years of INPS contributions in Italy count toward the 10-year minimum, though the pension amount is based proportionally on UK contributions only.

Italian pension rights.

Contributions made to INPS before you left Italy are preserved ^[1]. When you reach Italian retirement age, you can claim an Italian pension based on your Italian contribution record. Italy's pension system is complex (contributivo vs. retributivo calculations depending on when you started working), so consult an Italian patronato for a personalized assessment.

Voluntary contributions.

You can make voluntary Class 3 UK National Insurance contributions to fill gaps in your UK record ^[2]. You can also make voluntary INPS contributions to Italy if you want to maintain your Italian pension record, though this is less common for those who have fully relocated.

Workplace pensions.

UK employers automatically enrol eligible employees. The minimum combined contribution is 8% of qualifying earnings (3% employer, 5% employee) ^[3]. If you had a supplementary pension fund in Italy, cross-border pension transfers between Italian and UK schemes are complex and have tax implications in both countries. Consult a cross-border financial advisor before making any transfer decisions.

TFR (Trattamento di Fine Rapporto).

If you left Italian employment, your accumulated TFR (severance fund) should be paid out by your former Italian employer. This is separate from your INPS pension contributions and is typically disbursed when you leave the company.

Banking and Financial Setup

Opening a UK bank account.

You need proof of identity (Italian passport or carta d'identita) and proof of UK address. The address requirement is challenging for new arrivals. Digital banks like Monzo, Starling, and Revolut often accept applications without proof of address. If you already use Revolut in Italy, your account may transfer to the UK entity, simplifying the transition.

Maintaining Italian bank accounts.

There is no restriction on keeping Italian bank accounts while living in the UK. Many Italian nationals maintain an Italian account for receiving Italian-source income, paying Italian bills, or managing Italian property. Be aware of the Italian imposta di bollo (stamp duty) on Italian financial products and the UK's requirement to declare foreign accounts on your tax return if applicable.

Currency and transfers.

The EUR/GBP exchange rate affects your purchasing power. Wise and Revolut offer competitive rates for regular euro-to-pound transfers. For larger amounts (moving savings or receiving Italian rental income), compare specialist brokers.

Credit history.

Italian credit history does not transfer to UK credit reference agencies. You start from zero. Building UK credit takes 6 to 12 months: open a bank account, register on the electoral roll if eligible (EU citizens with settled or pre-settled status can register for local elections), and consider a credit-builder card.

Tax-advantaged savings.

Once UK tax resident, you can open an ISA (Individual Savings Account) sheltering up to £20,000 per year from UK tax. Italy has no direct equivalent, though the Italian PIR (Piani Individuali di Risparmio) serves a somewhat similar purpose. If you hold Italian investments, consider the UK tax treatment of Italian-source investment income under the treaty.

Property in Italy.

If you retain Italian property, rental income is taxable under the treaty provisions. Italy applies the cedolare secca (flat tax on rental income) option for qualifying properties. The UK taxes worldwide income including Italian rental income, with a credit for Italian tax paid under the treaty ^[1].

Moving Logistics and Settling In

Flights.

Direct flights connect Italian cities (Rome, Milan, Naples, Venice, Bologna, and others) with UK airports. Ryanair, easyJet, British Airways, and ITA Airways serve multiple routes. Flight time from Rome or Milan to London is approximately 2 to 2.5 hours.

Shipping belongings.

Italy-to-UK moves by road take 3 to 5 days depending on the route (typically through France). Several Italian and international moving companies handle this corridor. Shared-load services are significantly cheaper than a dedicated vehicle. Get at least three quotes. Personal effects shipped as part of a residence transfer are generally exempt from UK customs duties.

Driving.

Italian driving licences are valid for driving in the UK. You can drive on your Italian licence indefinitely while it remains valid. The UK drives on the left, which requires adjustment from Italian right-hand driving. If you bring a left-hand-drive Italian car, you can use it temporarily but must re-register it in the UK after 6 months of residency.

Finding housing.

Use Rightmove and Zoopla for property listings. UK rentals typically require a deposit (capped at 5 weeks' rent in England), the first month's rent, and references. Without UK references, landlords may request a guarantor or additional rent upfront. London is the most expensive market, but Italian communities exist throughout the UK.

Italian communities.

The UK has a well-established Italian community, particularly in London (Clerkenwell was historically "Little Italy"), Bedford, Peterborough, Manchester, and Edinburgh. Italian cultural institutions, churches, and community organizations are active. The Italian consulates in London, Manchester, and Edinburgh provide consular services including AIRE registration. Italian restaurants, delis, and grocery shops are widespread, though the availability of specific Italian products (particularly fresh produce and regional specialties) varies by location.

Language.

English proficiency among Italians moving to the UK varies. Professional roles require strong English, and the Skilled Worker visa mandates CEFR B1 minimum. British workplace culture is more indirect and understated than Italian communication styles. Meetings are more structured, and casual physical contact (cheek-kissing, hand-touching) is far less common in professional settings. Regional UK accents can be challenging for non-native speakers.

Children and schools.

Children aged 5 to 16 must attend school. State schools are free, and your local council assigns places. Schools provide EAL (English as an Additional Language) support. Italian supplementary schools operate in London and other cities, offering Italian language and culture classes alongside the regular UK curriculum.

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