Brexit advice for Brit expats in Italy

If you’ve just moved or are planning a pre-Brexit move to Italy, you’ll need to get clued up on what’s necessary before the UK leaves the EU at the end of March next year.

Most British expats living in Italy are convinced one result of Brexit will be a total bureaucratic nightmare for those living in European Union member states. Even for long-term Brits in Italy, the lack of specific information and uncertainty is causing stress, worry and more than a little fear for the future, especially as the longer one lives in this laid-back country the more obvious it becomes that Italians aren’t known for their organisational skills.

One well-known, Rome-based Italian immigration lawyer has channeled his beliefs about the immediate Brexit effects into several main points of consideration for panicking British expats, the first of which is that Britain’s leaving the EU doesn’t mean a total loss of legal rights for Brits living in Italy. It should be remembered that the UK will still be bound by the rules laid out in the European Convention on Human Rights, which safeguard rights such as respect for family and private life, property rights and the enjoyment of possessions. However, the ECHR rights can’t replace the full rights granted to Britons as EU citizens.

British nationals who’ve lived in Italy for more than four years and are officially resident should immediately apply for Italian citizenship, presenting proof of a clean criminal record, three years’ tax returns and proof of an annual taxable income of €8,000 or more. Those who’ve not yet registered as residents should do so without delay. The next task is to apply for an Italian driving license or to convert a current UK license to its Italian equivalent. Registering for an International Driving Permit is also recommended.

As regards healthcare and the recognition of UK professional qualifications, an agreement has not been settled yet, but EU rules state mutual recognition of degrees, etc, is only possible between EU member states, so it's 'watch this space' on this issue. If expats are considering selling their Italian property and relocating to the UK, it’s best to do this now as taxes related to property sales may increase post-Brexit, with the same applying to those wishing to emigrate to Italy and purchase a home. British expats running businesses or in receipt of pension payments from the UK are advised to take regulated, expert advice on Brexit-proofing their assets and finances as much as is possible.