When it comes to picturesque cities with their own unique charms, Venice is a cut above the rest. A rustic yet romantic oasis of classic Venetian architecture, serenely offset by the calm waters of the canal, and with an enticing subculture to boot, it almost seems like the city is on a world of its own. It makes you feel like visiting here isn't enough! You'd want to live here, immerse yourself with local life, and become a true-blue Venetian. Well, if you do have such plans, know that moving here isn't easy peasy. But it's not impossible either! This relocation guide will tell you that!
Overview
Even though Venice is, without a doubt, one of Italy's most famous cities, it's not actually that populated. As of 2021, its current population consists of only 638,000 people, mostly local but with a good percentage of expats as well. Though thousands of travelers from all around the world visit the iconic city, it seems not a lot of them reach the point of actually relocating here. But that's not necessarily a bad thing! Those lucky enough to live and move here enjoy a warm Mediterranean climate that never snows as well as, of course, such stunning sceneries.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Visa
You probably already know that you need a
Schengen Visa in order to gain entry to France and the rest of the EU. Especially if you're coming from a non-EU country. There's also the option of getting into the country via the
ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. If you're eligible, you can travel to Italy even when you don't have a Schengen Visa. But to stay here for more than 90 days (approximately three months), you'll need to apply for a residence permit within 8 days of arriving in the country. This will allow you to stay for at least a year and from there, you can start the legal process of actually moving here.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Getting Around
Apart from walking and enjoying the beauty of Venice up close,
public transport here is alive and well. The most iconic of which, you'd probably already know, are the gondolas. Granted they're mostly used for tourism, they're also official modes of public transportation in the city. Instead of casually sailing across the city and back, you can request certain gondoliers to take you to your destination. There are also the buses and taxis too, as well getting around by bike. And it'd be much easier to navigate them with the help of a
transportation app!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Where to Live
Before you even start packing your bags to move here, you have to know which
neighborhood in Venice you plan on calling your new home. While most of the areas in Venice may seem like they'd be great as your new address, what type of place you're looking for matters the most. If you're keen on living a quiet life in Venice, neighborhoods like Dorsoduro, Lido, and Santa Croce will work just fine! And if you prefer to live within the hustle and bustle of Venice, you're better off settling down in San Marco or San Polo!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Real Estate
Since Venice is one of the most famous cities, not just in Italy, but around the world, you'd expect it to be expensive, right? The truth is the
living costs in Venice aren't that high. At the very least, compared to other cities like
Rome and
Milan. In terms of rent, for instance, whether you go for a
luxury apartment or a humble home, you can get a place for as low as €835.71 a month. But what if you want a three-bedroom flat in the heart of the city? It'd cost you a monthly rental fee of €1,500.00 to €2,500.00.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Employment
With a 9.9% unemployment rate as of 2021,
Italy's job market looks to be surviving for now. At the very least, it has stayed consistent since 2019, when it was 9.5%, and improved since 2018 when it was 10.3%. This means that, when you move to Venice, there's a big chance you can still
find a job! Most especially if you search online, rely on your network, or even seek help from an employment agency. These are just some of the most common ways people find work in Italy. It's up to you to take the initiative to see what's out there!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Education
One of the great things about Venice being a popular city around the world is that, because of this, the city has
a ton of international schools your kids can enroll in. There's the
International School of Venice,
State Art School in Venice, and for higher education, there's
Ca’ Foscari University. If you're worried about how your kids can continue their studies when you plan on starting new in Venice, don't! They can easily continue to study and possibly even get better grades in these educational institutions. Though some of their tuition fees may cost a lot, they'd be worthy investments!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Healthcare
As far as
Italy's healthcare system goes, as long as you've become a legal resident in the country, you can access the public option here in Venice. That's the only way expats can join the system, after all. Get your paperwork done and over with so that you can get treated to all the
hospitals in Venice, whether they be public or private. However, it's no secret that the process of becoming a legal resident of Italy is long and time-consuming, so in the meantime, you can always get a temporary private plan as well.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Safety
What are
Venice's crime rates? Will you be safe here in the city? The answer is, as of the moment, the city's general crime rate is 23.05%. It's considered low on the scale but it'd definitely not Italy's lowest. Still, compared to other cities, this means you're a lot safer in Venice. Most especially since the safety rate for walking around the city during the day is 86.76%. Come nightfall, on the other hand, the safety rate drops to 68.21%. Though there's a double-digit difference between the two, both are considered generally high nonetheless!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Taxes
One of the first things you ought to understand when you move to Venice, or to any city in Italy for that matter, is
its tax system. Know that if you get even the tiniest detail wrong when it comes to taxes, it could spell financial or even legal troubles for you. The moment you become a resident (or a tax resident, which is when you stay in Italy for about 6 months per year), you'll automatically be required to pay taxes. When it comes to your income tax rate, just like in many other cities, this will depend on how much you earn annually.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Relocation Tips
Finally, for some last-minute relocation tips! First and foremost, even though Venice is practically an international city,
learning Italian will still benefit you a lot in the long run. As will
opening a local bank account too! Don't rely on online money-sharing platforms when it comes to dealing with your finances here. Storing and saving your money in a local bank is still a lot safer. Furthermore, don't forget to
join a local mobile network too! It'd be easier for you to stay connected with friends and family, both in Venice and back in your native country, when you have a local SIM card in your phone!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
It'd probably be a dream come true for you to move to Venice, one of the most beautiful cities in the world, isn't it? Be that as it may, it'd sooner turn into a nightmare if you're not prepared! Luckily, this relocation guide can still help you!
