A Top Relocation Expert tells us why it's a bad idea to ask social media for advice. 

As someone who has lived in Italy for many years myself, I can vouch for the information presented in this video. It was 100% correct. And yes, what is fair, doesn't always play a part in the process, either to immigrate or to get your Italian driver's license, etc. It's important to understand that if and when you pass the tests involved for obtaining your Italian driver's license, you will be considered a brand new driver, and you will essentially be on driver's "probation" for a period of three years. You are also limited to the type of car you can drive for the first year after receiving your license. So, you might want to factor all of this in, when deciding where in Italy that you would like to live.

As an American who has done extensive research on the topic of moving to Italy, I really think this is the best channel for expats wanting to live in Italy by far. Damien is also a marvelous guest. He's obviously dealt with the crazy Italian law and bureaucracy directly and fully understands and values keeping things above board and clean. When I'm ready to make my move he would be one of the first I call. Thank you for your channel! Anche è bellissima vedere il Giardino degli Aranci di nuovo! Che mi manca Roma!

He's so right about the Internet. It's full of misinformation. Even on the UK government website it was wrong about so many procedures in Italy. It's been exhausting just getting the right information because even in person, in Italy, people tell you the wrong information constantly and just bounce you from one department to the next.

Man you have deep knowledge and you see all aspects of administration. Hats off. It is very unusual for Americans to go so deep into and understand it

Very interesting, and I have found many of the points to be true. I have lived on and off in Italia since 2012, and tried to find a "work around" for la Patente. I have driver's licenses from the USA in 2 states, and, of course, an International one. I even have a license from New Zealand( which took about 20 minutes to obtain). Finally I decided to "bite the bullet" and take the test. ( after 10 years of living here!!!) I passed the written test on the first attempt. My point being that as your guest had mentioned it might be better to forget trying to beat the system and accept that if you want to live here, you will have to truly be a part of the society, which translates to following the rules of the society, and is really why we want to live here in the first place. I have Italian blood. Both my parents were born here( which BTW scores no points with your application for both an residenza elettiva or a citizenship. In fact in my case it worked against me.) I eventually hired an attorney for my citizenship( and Married an Italian citizen!!! 😂) and I am waiting( it takes 2 years no matter what the case) but the law is clear, and besides, I have been a legal resident here for 12 years. In short, there are no legal "work arounds". Just accept the laws and the red tape and it seems whatever you want here in Italia you pretty much can get, but in Italia's time, not yours. Everything your guest said I have found to be spot on. Great advise. Thank you for the video

I moved to Italy prior to the idiocy of Brexit, so my life has been much simpler. I just exchanged my driving licence, registered at the commune as a resident, signed to the SSN (healthcare system) and paid the voluntary contributions. The it finally became possible, my (Italian ) partner and I registered a civil union here. I'm now retired, so my healthcare is covered by the S1 certificate system. Inform yourself how the systems work, what your responsibilities are and where you can get advice (the CISL and the CAF locally where I live are helpful). For taxes I pay an accountant a small fee, about €100 annually, to file mine for me every year.

As always many thanks for your content. I really enjoyed this second episode with Damien. His advice is always very insightful. If I may, I have a suggestion for a future video. Despite Damien's comment, I still consider Italy as place to retire to. I am looking at the incentive to retire to one of the 8 southern regions and pay only 7% TAX on foreign income, however, the more research I do, the more I realise that there are many points that need clarifying to make it work e.g. it's not just selecting one of the 8 listed southern but but specific areas within the 8 regions. This is just one grey area and there are clearly MANY more to take into consideration.

I'm so glad you did this because I agree that there is a lot of misinformation out there. Thank you for sharing! 😊

Excellent interview. This expert is well informed, professional and provided logical/clear insights and advice👏. Thank you. ❤

Great episode. Could you do one for couples (married or long term cohabiting), where one is Italian and the other is not? It's really tricky to navigate this and even know who to speak to for the right advice.

Very informative, great advice, thank you. 🥰

not sure if you have heard of this but the italian consulate in Australia is saying we can stay in italy for 180 days without a visa due to a bilateral agreement between italy and Australia signed in the 1950's. They also suggest that we can spend 90 days in a Schengen country and then a further 90 days in italy, again without a visa. not sure how we could confirm are arrival date in italy if we enter europe in another schengen country? thanks

I have no problem with the advice on this video - good on you for putting it out there. However.....Italy is a potentially very difficult place to ive in because it is easy to fall prey to the laziness and ignorance of any bureaucrat you come across. It is completely random and arbitrary. In 2022, my wife - an EU citizen - spent 6 months being bounced from one office to another by government officials in Padova...so not a small country village. We had previously been living in Germany for 5 years (without any hassle or arbitrariness in government administration at all). But after 8 months in Italy - with my wife finally registered by the local idiots who don't understand or like EU participation, btw - we decided to leave. Myself and my daughters were still not registered - cos the local iditots didn't know how to do it. I had planned to base my manufacturing company there and invest in housing (the impatrirati laws looked promising) - but hell no!! Not in a million years. The arbitrariness of Italian administration is a disaster - there is no way I want to expose my business to that nonsense. Be warned, people.

Love your channel I think you give the most real, advice and examples of folks living their lives in Italy! Really appreciate your channel. Italy is missing out to Portugal, it would help their country to write some good laws to get expats.

I get the divers license issue. There are alot alot people that use public transportation. I lived in suburbs of Chicago, drove everywhere. When I moved to Chicago, I didnt drive for 20yrs . Im sure areas of Italy doesn't have public transportation 24hrs a day . Get yourself organized and you dont need to drive

What is the name of this lovely park? Is it easily accessible via public transportation?