Relocation
Expat and Digital Nomad Life in Italy: Where Americans Can Find Community
Compare international communities in Rome, Milan, Florence and Bologna while checking remote-work permission, schools, internet and everyday costs.
Italy offers several attractive choices for Americans who want to live abroad while staying connected to an international community. Rome and Milan provide big-city settings, Florence has a well-established student and academic scene, and Bologna is worth exploring for its university atmosphere and food culture.
For remote workers, the best destination depends on more than scenery. Reliable internet, a suitable place to work, housing costs and permission to work from Italy all matter. The right city is the one that supports both your working day and the life you want after you close your laptop.
Is there an American expat community in Italy?
Yes. Americans live throughout Italy, with international communities in major cities as well as smaller groups in other regions.
It is difficult to give one definitive figure for “Americans living in Italy.” Counts can differ depending on whether they measure registered residents by citizenship, people born in the United States, dual citizens, students or people staying temporarily.
An estimate of around 15,000 is therefore best treated cautiously rather than as a current count of everyone who considers themselves American. Italy’s national statistics agency publishes resident population data by citizenship, which is useful for understanding registered residents but does not describe every part of the broader American community.
You do not need to live in a large city to make friends in Italy. But if an established international network is important to you, it is worth researching local groups and activities before choosing where to settle.
Living in Rome as an American
Rome may appeal to Americans who want a large city with history, culture and opportunities to meet people from different countries. Its international student community can also make it a useful place to begin building connections.
Two institutions mentioned when discussing American education in Rome are the American University of Rome and John Cabot University. Both are universities in Rome; they are not examples of primary or secondary international schools.
If you are moving with school-age children, research international schools separately. Check their curriculum, location, fees, admissions process and available places, then consider how the journey to school would fit with your choice of neighborhood.
For remote workers, Rome’s size offers different housing and work environments. Before committing to an apartment, check its internet connection and the journey to any coworking space you might use.
Living in Milan as an American
Milan may be a strong option for people who want an international, business-oriented city. It is particularly relevant to Americans interested in fashion, finance, technology and other professional fields.
For a remote worker, Milan’s cosmopolitan setting may make it easier to find professional activities and workspaces that suit an international routine. The trade-off is that housing can be expensive, so compare your expected income with the full cost of rent, utilities, transportation and any coworking membership.
Think about the working day you want. Would you prefer to work from home, be around other professionals in a shared office, or divide your time between the two? The answer may affect which apartment and neighborhood make the most sense.
Florence’s student and academic community
Florence can appeal to Americans looking for a smaller-city feel alongside access to art, architecture and an English-speaking student and academic community.
That community may provide opportunities to meet people through classes, talks and cultural activities. Some students and visitors stay only temporarily, so newcomers looking for longer-term friendships may also want to explore local clubs, language classes and activities outside a university setting.
Florence is worth considering if culture and a walkable daily routine are important to you. As with Rome and Milan, check the practical details of a particular home rather than assuming that every central apartment will be affordable or suitable for remote work.
Why consider Bologna?
Bologna is an option for Americans who want to look beyond the destinations most often associated with moving to Italy. Its university setting and food culture may appeal to people who enjoy a city with an active academic and social life.
For someone choosing a home base, the useful questions are personal: Does the city have the activities you enjoy? Can you find an apartment within your budget? Are the travel connections and healthcare services you expect to use convenient for your needs?
If possible, spend time in Bologna as part of an extended visit and compare it with Florence, Rome or Milan. A few ordinary weekdays can tell you more about the fit than a short sightseeing trip.
Can digital nomads work remotely from Italy?
Italy has a visa route for qualifying non-EU digital nomads and remote workers. It is intended for highly qualified workers, so being able to work online does not, by itself, establish eligibility.
The Italian Consulate in Los Angeles lists requirements concerning professional qualifications, income, accommodation, health insurance and previous experience. The precise documents should be checked with the Italian consulate responsible for your place of residence.
If you plan to work remotely from Italy, check the immigration rules for your intended activity and length of stay before making travel plans. A tourist visit should not be assumed to give you the same permission as a residence status that allows work.
Remote work can also raise tax, social security and employment questions. If you work for a U.S. company, speak with your employer as well as a qualified adviser before relocating.
Internet and coworking in Italy
Major Italian cities offer coworking options and internet services suitable for many kinds of remote work. However, availability and performance can differ by building, provider and connection type.
Before signing a lease, ask the landlord about the connection available inside the apartment, not just the advertised service in the city. If reliable video calls are essential to your work, request a recent speed test and ask whether you can test the connection yourself.
It is also sensible to consider:
- Whether the apartment has a comfortable, quiet workspace.
- Whether internet is included in the rent.
- What mobile coverage is like inside the property.
- Whether a coworking space is convenient and offers the facilities you need.
- What backup you could use if your home connection fails.
A well-located apartment is much more useful to a remote worker when it supports the working day as well as the lifestyle outside it.
How to meet people after moving to Italy
Finding community often takes a little time, even in a city with many international residents. Start by looking for activities that fit your interests and schedule, rather than relying only on an area’s reputation as an expat destination.
You might explore language classes, professional gatherings, cultural events, sports or local groups. Coworking can also offer a setting to meet other people, although its atmosphere and opportunities for interaction vary from one space to another.
English-speaking connections can be reassuring when you first arrive. Learning Italian can also help you participate more independently in daily life and build relationships beyond an international circle.
How to choose your Italian home base
Rome and Milan may suit Americans seeking a large-city environment and international connections. Florence is worth considering for its cultural and academic setting, while Bologna offers another university city to explore.
Before making a decision, compare each place against your own priorities:
- The type of community you hope to join.
- Your housing budget and preferred neighborhood.
- Internet reliability and workspace needs.
- The presence of schools, if you are moving with children.
- Your access to healthcare and everyday services.
- The travel connections you expect to use.
- Your eligibility for the visa or residence status needed for your plans.
If possible, spend time in your shortlisted cities before committing to a long lease. Test your working routine, visit neighborhoods during the week and see how the city feels when you are doing ordinary errands.
If you’re considering a move to Italy as an American or remote worker, contact Vantage Point Europe to discuss your plans and be connected with an appropriate independent provider.