A New Life in Italy

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m digging into one of the most common—and important—questions I get: how much does it really cost to live in Italy?

Now, I know it’s easy to fall in love with the idea that Italy is some dreamy, budget-friendly paradise. And in many ways, it can be more affordable than other countries—but I’m here to give you the honest truth about what it actually costs to live here long term.

We start with ...

Ciao amici! In this special report episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving into something that’s been creating a lot of buzz (and a little bit of panic, if we’re being honest)—the big changes Italy is proposing to its citizenship law.

If you’ve been dreaming of claiming your Italian roots and getting that coveted passport through ancestry, you’ll definitely want to tune in. For years, Italy has had one of the most generous citize...

If you’ve ever wondered what life in Italy is like with a pet—this episode is for you.

Hey, it’s Samantha, and in today’s episode of A New Life in Italy, we’re talking all about bringing your furry (or feathery!) family members along on your Italian adventure. Whether you're already deep in the planning phase or still daydreaming with your dog curled up next to you, this one’s packed with everything you need to know.

I share what it’...

Alright, let’s get real about buying property in Italy. In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m breaking down exactly how to plan a successful property viewing trip—because trust me, just showing up and hoping for the best? That’s a recipe for frustration.

Buying a home in Italy is exciting, but it’s also full of twists and turns that can trip you up if you’re not prepared. I’m sharing what I’ve seen work (and what doesn’t) when...

iao, my friends! If you've been dreaming about moving to Italy but keep hearing horror stories about high taxes—take a deep breath and stick with me. Because today, I’m breaking down some incredible tax breaks that most people don’t even realize exist for new residents in Italy.

Yes, Italy has a reputation for high taxes. But did you know that if you plan properly, you could pay significantly less than you ever expected? In this epi...

Have you ever caught yourself thinking, One day, I’ll move to Italy? You’ve got the dream, but maybe you’re waiting for the perfect moment—retirement, more savings, or just the right timing. Well, today’s episode is going to make you rethink that approach.

I had the absolute pleasure of sitting down with Tanya and Davide Raso, a couple who decided that waiting wasn’t an option. They packed up their life in Minnesota, moved to Italy ...

Moving to Italy is a dream for so many people—but let’s be real, getting here isn’t always smooth sailing. Italian bureaucracy is a beast of its own, and whether it’s consulates, comune offices, or the questura, every office seems to have a different answer for the same question. It’s confusing, it’s frustrating, and it’s easy to get caught up in misinformation or, honestly, just go with the answer you want to hear rather than the ...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving into the thrilling, sometimes nerve-wracking experience of packing up your life and moving to Italy. Hi, I’m Samantha Wilson, and today, I’m joined by Vanessa Reid, a Canadian content creator who took the leap and relocated to Torino just eight months ago.

Vanessa’s story is all about bravery, determination, and embracing the unknown. Imagine moving to a city you’ve never even visit...

Hey there! It’s Samantha here, and today we’re diving into a question I hear all the time: Should you go for the Elective Residency Visa or the Investor Visa when moving to Italy? Whether you’re planning to retire under the Tuscan sun or just want the freedom to hop back and forth, knowing which visa fits your dreams (and your situation) is super important.

Let’s start with the Elective Residency Visa (ERV). If you’re retired or hav...

Hey there! Welcome to Season 3 of A New Life in Italy! I’m Samantha Wilson, and I couldn’t be more excited to kick off this season with a topic that’s on so many of your minds: the Elective Residency Visa (ERV). Or, as some people like to call it, the "retirement visa." If moving to Italy is your dream but the whole visa process feels overwhelming, then this episode is absolutely for you.

Let’s break it all down together.

First, I wa...

Ciao Tutti! I can’t believe we’ve already reached the end of Season 2 of A New Life in Italy! It’s been such an incredible season filled with inspiring stories, helpful advice, and—my favorite part—your questions.

For this special finale, I’m tackling some of the most common and pressing questions you’ve sent in about moving to Italy. Whether you’re just starting to dream about life here or you’re already making plans, I’ve got answ...

Welcome to another episode of New Life in Italy! I'm Samantha Wilson, and today, we’re diving deep into the power of chasing big dreams—especially the dream of moving to Italy and building a meaningful life here.

In this episode, I sit down with Ashley Bartner, the co-founder of La Tavola Marche, an organic farm, inn, and cooking school tucked away in the stunning countryside of Le Marche. Ashley and her husband, Jason, took the plu...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m tackling a topic that’s more relevant than ever: fake news and misleading information about moving to Italy. Let’s face it—when you’re navigating the overwhelming amount of advice online, it can be hard to know what’s true and what’s not. That’s why I’m here to help you separate fact from fiction, especially when it comes to something as life-changing as relocating to a new country.

We’ll ...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving into one of the most complex and, let’s face it, daunting aspects of the citizenship journey: claiming Italian citizenship through the court system. If you’ve traced your family roots back to Italy and are eager to secure your citizenship, you might have already run into obstacles like the infamous 1948 rule or endless wait times at your local consulate. The truth is, for many, the...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, we dive into what it’s like to move to Italy as the spouse of an Italian citizen. We explore common questions, like how the process changes if your Italian spouse is already living in Italy versus if you’re moving together from abroad.

From the unique privileges and responsibilities that come with being married to an Italian citizen to the legal steps required for residency, we’ll walk you thr...

Hey there! In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving into one of the biggest challenges of relocating to Italy: figuring out the visa maze. If you’re not an Italian or European citizen, choosing the right visa is absolutely key for living here longer than 90 days. I know it can feel overwhelming with so many visa types, each with its own rules, so I’m breaking it down by focusing on the three most popular options: the Elec...

In this episode of "A New Life in Italy," I, Samantha Wilson, delve into a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of moving to Italy: the necessity of securing a rental property before applying for a visa. Many aspiring expatriates find themselves caught off guard by this requirement, which can complicate their plans and create confusion.

I begin by outlining the types of long-term visas available in Italy, specifically the National D ...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m thrilled to dive into the incredible world of Italian cuisine with Robert Campana, the founder of the popular Instagram channel Stop Italian Sounding. We explore why it’s so important to recognize authentic Italian food versus the many imitations you often see outside of Italy.

Robert shares his journey as an Italian American and how living in Italy inspired him to educate others about gen...

Welcome back to another episode of A New Life in Italy! I'm your host, Samantha Wilson, and today we’re diving into a critical topic for anyone considering or currently in the process of applying for Italian citizenship.

In this episode, we discuss a significant recent change from Italy's Ministry of the Interior that impacts how citizenship applications are handled, particularly for those affected by what we refer to as the "minor ...