Best destinations to retire to in Italy

Firstly, why retire to Italy?

Retiring to Italy isn't just a romantic idea involving gelato and sunsets. It is also a practical choice for many. With its rich mix of landscapes, strong community spirit and excellent healthcare, Italy continues to attract retirees from across the world. You can spend winters near the snow-capped Alps and summers by the sea in Sicily, all while enjoying a lifestyle built around connection, wellness and pleasure.

The public healthcare system, known as the Servizio Sanitario Nazionale, is ranked among the best in the world by the WHO and is accessible to legal residents. For non-EU citizens, including those from the UK and the USA, the elective-residence visa offers a clear route to settling in Italy, provided you meet the financial criteria.

There are also tax advantages. Foreign retirees moving to many southern regions can benefit from a flat 7 percent income tax rate. Factor in the relatively low cost of living and affordable property in many areas, and your pension may go much further than expected.

Italy is well connected too. High-speed trains link major cities, local rail and bus networks serve rural areas, and budget airlines operate regular flights to the UK, Europe and beyond. Whether you want to explore new corners of the country or visit family abroad, getting around is simple.

If you are looking for a retirement that offers beauty, balance and a high quality of life, Italy makes a compelling case.

Rome

Retiring to Rome offers more than just ancient ruins and Renaissance art. The Eternal City balances history with energy, offering a retirement lifestyle that’s as lively or as laid-back as you choose. Spend your retirement wandering through cobbled streets and leafy piazzas, enjoying world-class exhibitions at the Galleria Borghese, or perfecting your pasta-making skills in a local cookery class. With sunshine most of the year and countless cafés, markets and gardens to explore, Rome is ideal for culture-loving retirees who enjoy the buzz of city life with a historic twist.

Rome’s public transport system is one of the most extensive in Italy, with metro, tram, and bus lines that cover the city. It also has two major international airports – Fiumicino and Ciampino – connecting you to the UK, US, and the rest of Europe. High-speed trains to Florence, Naples and Milan mean day trips or weekends away are always on the cards.

Healthcare access in Rome is excellent. Public hospitals such as Policlinico Umberto I are well regarded, and private clinics like Rome American Hospital and Salvator Mundi International Hospital offer services with English-speaking staff — a big plus for international residents.

Rome’s large international community makes integration easy. Groups like Expats Living in Rome and Rome Expats Meetup host regular social events, language exchanges, and workshops. There are also plenty of Facebook groups to join that can help you meet other expats in the city, including Expats in Rome. Plus, expats should consider local volunteering opportunities, creative courses, and community centres offering classes, talks and social clubs for over-60s.

Property prices reflect Rome’s popularity. In the city centre, flats average between €3,500 and €5,500 per m². Prices for city centre apartments can vary, with some 2-bedroom apartments starting from around €90,000. If you’re looking for more space for your money, we suggest searching in outlying districts and nearby towns like Frascati or Tivoli. Kyero lists over 1,900 properties for sale in Rome, so you can hopefully find your perfect Italian property to start your retirement! 

Lucca, Tuscany

With its perfectly preserved medieval walls and slow, peaceful pace, Lucca offers one of Tuscany’s most picturesque retirements. The historic centre is flat and walkable, dotted with cafés, churches, and shady gardens. You can cycle the famous tree-lined ramparts, browse antique markets, or take in an open-air opera performance in the summer months. It’s a town that invites you to linger, where life feels charmingly unchanged.

Lucca is well connected by train, with regular services to Pisa (30 mins), Florence (1 hr 20) and the Ligurian coast. Pisa International Airport is just 30 km away, offering low-cost flights across Europe.

Healthcare in Lucca is reliable and accessible. The main public hospital is Ospedale San Luca, located just outside the walls. For private care, Casa di Cura Santa Zita provides a range of specialist services with a strong reputation.

There’s a small but active expat community in Lucca, including English-speaking groups who meet for coffee mornings, cultural tours and social activities. It’s encouraged to join social groups or Facebook groups if you’d like to meet other expats and locals, Friends in Lucca is a popular Facebook group. Many retirees also take up Italian lessons at local language schools or volunteer with heritage projects and community gardens.

Property prices are moderate compared to Florence or Siena. Flats within the city walls typically range from €2,800 to €4,000 per m². With over 700 property listings in Lucca centre, you can find apartments, villas, and traditional country homes close to the buzz. Countryside homes in the nearby Lucca hills and surrounding province may offer more space and garden potential for less.

Castiglione del Lago, Umbria

Set beside the sparkling waters of Lake Trasimeno, Castiglione del Lago is one of Umbria’s hidden gems. With its medieval castle, narrow streets and panoramic lake views, it’s a peaceful, affordable spot ideal for a nature-led retirement. Enjoy lakeside walks, gentle boat rides, birdwatching, or try your hand at painting and pottery in one of the many local workshops.

The town is connected by regional train to Perugia and Florence, and Perugia Airport (45 mins away) offers flights to London, Brussels and other European hubs. Driving is common here, with good road links across Tuscany and Umbria.

Ospedale di Castiglione del Lago offers basic public healthcare services, while more specialised care is available in nearby Perugia at Ospedale Santa Maria della Misericordia. Several private clinics in the region offer English-speaking support.

There is a welcoming international community here, with many British, Dutch and German retirees. Local associations host language exchanges, art classes, and seasonal food festivals that bring people together. There are also Facebook groups, like Expats living in Tuscany & Maremma where expats can meet likeminded people to enjoy social activities together including hiking, trekking etc.

Castiglione is also one of the more affordable lake locations in central Italy. Flats typically cost €1,500–€2,500 per m², while stone farmhouses in the surrounding hills can be surprisingly reasonable.

Siracusa, Sicily

Sun-soaked and steeped in ancient history, Siracusa on Sicily’s southeast coast is a captivating place to retire. Its Baroque architecture, sea views and thriving local markets make everyday life feel like a scene from an old movie. Explore the winding streets of Ortigia island, swim in the Ionian Sea, or relax over a long lunch in a sunny piazza. Retired life in Siracusa moves at a blissfully gentle pace.

The city is served by nearby Catania Fontanarossa Airport (an hour by car), which offers year-round connections to major Italian and European cities. Regional trains and buses link Siracusa with other parts of Sicily, including Noto, Ragusa and Taormina.

Siracusa is well equipped with healthcare services. The main public hospital is Ospedale Umberto I di Siracusa, and private options include Clinica Villa Azzurra, which offers a range of services with English-speaking support.

Sicily attracts a growing international community thanks to its affordability and charm. In Siracusa, you’ll find expat social groups, like Expats and Locals in Siracusa, language exchanges and plenty of opportunities to get involved in cultural events and heritage projects.

Property prices in Siracusa are among the most affordable in Italy. Flats start from €1,200 per m², especially in older buildings, while seafront homes on Ortigia island or in nearby coastal villages may fetch a premium.

Olbia, Sardinia

If beach life is calling, Olbia offers a sun-soaked and surprisingly practical place to retire. Set along Sardinia’s northeast coast, it has turquoise waters, a vibrant marina, and easy access to the island’s famed Costa Smeralda. Life in Olbia is lively and filled with cultural activities,  local festivals celebrate everything from jazz to olives.

Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport connects the island to mainland Italy and Europe, especially during spring and summer. Ferry services also run from Olbia to Genoa, Livorno and Civitavecchia, providing scenic alternatives to flying.

Healthcare is well provided for. The city’s main public hospital is Ospedale Giovanni Paolo II, and private services are available at Mater Olbia Hospital, a modern, internationally recognised clinic with multilingual staff.

There is a small but growing expat community in Olbia, often drawn by the scenery and slower pace of life. English-speaking clubs, yoga and hiking groups, and cultural associations offer plenty of ways to get involved. You can meet other expats and set up language exchanges with locals to help you assimilate through various Facebook groups, including Expats Living in Sardinia.

Compared to the luxury hotspots nearby, property prices in Olbia are more accessible. Flats typically range from €2,000 to €3,500 per m², depending on sea views and proximity to the centre.

Scalea, Calabria

Tucked into Calabria’s mountainous Tyrrhenian coast, Scalea is one of Italy’s best-kept retirement secrets. Colourful houses cling to the hillside above quiet beaches, and the historic old town is full of winding lanes and warm welcomes. If you’re looking for laid-back living, stunning scenery and great value, Scalea ticks every box.

Lamezia Terme International Airport is around 2 hours away by train or car, and the town is connected to the Italian rail network with services north to Naples and south to Reggio Calabria.

Public healthcare is provided at Ospedale di Praia a Mare, 15 minutes from Scalea, with more comprehensive services available in Cosenza. Private clinics are fewer but reachable in nearby larger towns.

Scalea has a surprisingly international feel, thanks to decades of low-cost property drawing buyers from across Europe. English is widely spoken in shops and services, and many residents participate in local clean-up days, hobby groups and language exchanges. You can connect with fellow expats and likeminded locals in Facebook groups, like Expats in Scalea.

Property prices are among the lowest in Italy. You can find flats for under €1,000 per m², and even spacious villas with sea views remain affordable by most standards.
 

San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche

This cheerful seaside town on Italy’s Adriatic coast offers the perfect mix of beachside living, palm-lined promenades, and cultural charm. San Benedetto is known for its fresh seafood, cycling paths, and laid-back vibe that draws retirees seeking both sunshine and community.

The town is connected by direct trains to Bologna, Ancona and Rome, and the nearest airport is Ancona Falconara (1 hour 20 mins away), with connections to Germany and the UK.

Healthcare is served by Ospedale Madonna del Soccorso, with private options available in nearby Ascoli Piceno. Medical services are accessible and well reviewed.

There’s an active local community, with beach yoga, art exhibitions, live music, and expat clubs that organise language exchanges and group excursions into the Apennine mountains.

Property prices are moderate. Expect flats from €1,800 to €2,700 per m², with villas or townhouses near the coast commanding a little more.

Montepulciano, Tuscany

Perched among Tuscany’s rolling hills, Montepulciano feels like something from a storybook. In addition to its fairytale feel, Montepulciano is also a thriving town where retirement is peaceful and enriching. Best known for its velvety Vino Nobile and dramatic Renaissance skyline, this hilltop haven invites you to ease into a slower rhythm. Mornings might begin with coffee under vaulted archways, followed by leisurely walks through sun-dappled vineyards or afternoons spent browsing artisan shops and open-air markets. Despite its small size, Montepulciano is culturally alive, with concerts, food fairs and traditions that bring the community together all year long.

While Montepulciano itself doesn’t have a train station, nearby Chiusi (about 30 minutes away) is on the main Florence–Rome line, offering excellent rail links. Florence and Perugia airports are both reachable in under two hours.

For healthcare, residents rely on the Ospedale di Nottola, a modern public hospital just outside town. For private care or English-speaking support, clinics in Siena or Arezzo provide additional options.

The expat population here includes artists, retirees, and remote workers, particularly from the UK and US. Language schools and Italian cultural courses are available locally, and many international residents get involved in local volunteering and food-focused clubs, plus online forums and groups where you can join meetups, like Expats in Tuscany and Maremma.

Property prices in Montepulciano are surprisingly varied — expect €2,000–€3,500 per m² depending on whether you’re buying in the historic centre or surrounding countryside. Rustic farmhouses and restored villas are particularly sought-after.

Desenzano del Garda, Lombardy

Located on the southern shores of Lake Garda, Desenzano combines postcard views with everyday convenience. It’s one of the lake’s liveliest towns, with a marina, shops, excellent restaurants and a vibrant year-round population. Retirees are drawn by the relaxed lakeside lifestyle, cultural events, and easy access to walking trails and wellness spas.

Desenzano has excellent transport links, with a train station on the Milan–Venice line and nearby access to the A4 motorway. Verona airport is just 30 minutes away, and Milan’s airports are within easy reach too.

Healthcare is well covered, with Ospedale di Desenzano offering public services and Clinica Pederzoli nearby in Peschiera del Garda providing private care and international support.

There’s a strong expat presence around the lake, especially among German, Dutch and British retirees. The area hosts wine tastings, walking clubs, and Italian classes designed for newcomers.

Flats near the lake start from around €3,200 per m², with villas commanding higher prices. More affordable options can be found slightly inland or in surrounding villages.
 

Carrara, Tuscany

Nestled between the Apuan Alps and the Ligurian Sea, Carrara is a town with a rich artistic soul — best known for its marble quarries, which supplied Michelangelo himself. It’s a laid-back, coastal city with a strong local identity, and ideal for retirees who want proximity to both the sea and mountains, without the crowds of better-known Tuscan hotspots.

Carrara is served by the regional rail line linking Pisa, La Spezia, and Genoa, with Pisa airport around 45 minutes away by car. Local buses connect the town to nearby beaches and hill villages.

Healthcare is provided by the Ospedale delle Apuane, a public facility serving the province, and private care is available in nearby Massa.

While the expat population is small, Carrara appeals to creatives and retirees seeking authenticity over tourist buzz. There are art schools, hobby groups, and language cafés, and it’s easy to integrate into the rhythm of local life.

Property remains accessible, with flats priced around €1,500–€2,000 per m², and stunning countryside homes available for less than you’d pay elsewhere in Tuscany.

Bordighera, Liguria

A short hop from the French border, Bordighera is a chic coastal town with an aristocratic past and palm-fringed promenades that inspired Monet. Today it offers a quieter, more refined alternative to its neighbour Sanremo. The climate is one of Italy’s mildest, and the elegant Riviera lifestyle with morning walks by the sea, aperitivo in pastel-painted squares, makes retirement here feel like a permanent holiday.

The town is well connected, with a regional train station offering direct access to Nice, Monaco and Genoa. Nice airport is just over an hour away by car or train.

Bordighera is served by Ospedale Saint Charles, and private clinics are available in nearby Ventimiglia and Sanremo, with several English-speaking doctors and specialists.

There’s a small but steady international community, especially among French and British retirees. Language schools, bridge clubs and gentle hiking groups help newcomers settle in easily.

Being close to the Riviera, property prices are higher — expect €3,500–€5,000 per m² for a flat in the centre or with sea views, though better value can be found further uphill.

Ostuni, Apulia

Known as the “White City” for its sun-bleached walls and winding alleys, Ostuni is one of Puglia’s prettiest towns. Set among ancient olive groves and close to the Adriatic Sea, it offers a rustic yet vibrant lifestyle. The coastline is dotted with quiet beaches, and nearby towns host regular markets and festivals.

Ostuni has a local train station with regional links, and Brindisi airport is just 35 minutes away. Bari airport is also within easy reach.

The Presidio Ospedaliero di Ostuni provides local public healthcare, and private options including English-speaking practitioners can be found in Brindisi or Lecce.

Ostuni has become increasingly popular with expats, particularly from the UK and northern Europe. Language schools, cooking classes, and cultural associations offer plenty of ways to connect with both locals and fellow newcomers.

Property prices remain good value: flats in town average €1,800–€2,500 per m², while countryside trulli and villas are widely available and often come with large plots of land.

Things to know before retiring to Italy

Before you sign off your working years and head for the Italian hills, there are a few practical matters worth wrapping your head around. Italy may be famous for its food, fashion and fine views, but it is equally fond of rules, forms and unhurried administrative processes. Patience is essential. A strong espresso also helps.

Visas and residency

If you are not an EU citizen, you will need a long-stay visa to retire in Italy. The most common option is the elective-residence visa, designed for those with a stable income and no plans to work. You must apply from your home country, provide evidence of financial independence and take out private health insurance for the first year. Once in Italy, you will need to apply for residency at your local comune and obtain a permesso di soggiorno. This process is known to test the limits of one’s optimism, so allow time and avoid scheduling anything cheerful immediately after your appointments.

Healthcare access

Italy’s national healthcare system (SSN) is ranked among the best in the world. Once you become a legal resident, you can register with your local health authority and access services at low cost. Some expats choose to keep private health cover as well, either for peace of mind or to avoid the occasional long queue. Providers like Generali and Allianz offer policies that include English-speaking support and faster access to specialists.

Cost of living and property taxes

The cost of living in Italy varies by region. Southern towns and rural areas are far more affordable than Milan or central Florence. Everyday expenses such as groceries, dining and public transport are generally reasonable, although bureaucracy may introduce fees for services you were not expecting to pay for.

Property owners should be aware of annual taxes. These include IMU (applied to second homes or luxury primary homes), TARI (waste collection tax) and bollo (various administrative fees that seem to appear just when you thought you had paid everything). Budget with breathing room.

Language and bureaucracy

While many Italians are friendly and helpful, not all of them speak English. Basic Italian is not just polite, it is often essential for dealing with local offices, doctors and plumbers. Bureaucracy in Italy is an experience in itself. You will need multiple copies of everything, plus identification, and possibly an old electricity bill. Appointments may be rescheduled. Systems may go offline. Entire documents may vanish without trace. The official advice is to bring patience. The unofficial advice is to find a local who understands the system and accepts coffee as payment.

If you’re going to retire somewhere, it might as well be beautiful, culturally rich, and filled with decent wine. Italy, with its unapologetic obsession with food, family, and long lunches, remains an unbeatable candidate.

From the citrus-scented coasts of Sicily to the vineyard-striped hills of Tuscany, Italy offers every possible flavour of the good life. You can choose between opera and olive groves, Roman ruins or Renaissance frescoes, depending on how theatrical you’re feeling. There’s even excellent healthcare to keep you in one piece while you enjoy it all.

Retiring in Italy in 2025 doesn’t need to be just a fantasy reserved for people with improbably good pension plans. Thanks to tax incentives, residency options and some surprisingly affordable property markets, it’s a very practical decision disguised as an extremely glamorous one.

So whether you’re chasing sun, scenery or simply the joy of never having to rush anywhere again, Italy offers a lifestyle that is both enviably slow and endlessly rewarding. Really, the only thing you’ll need to hurry for is the morning market before all the good tomatoes are gone.