Episodes

This season finale is a look back at the questions that mattered most. The ones you saved, shared, and replayed because they helped you make smarter decisions about moving to Italy. In this episode, I revisit our most popular topics from the true cost of living in Italy and whether €2,000 a month is realistic, to buying property, renovation surprises, investor visa rules, document apostilles, and what foreigners really need to know before making a move. It is also a thank you. Your messages, v...

In this episode, I’m breaking down what’s really happening in Italy’s rental market right now — the good, the bad, and the red flags you need to know before you commit to a property. More people are searching for rentals from outside Italy than ever before, and with that has come a noticeable rise in scams, misleading listings, and contracts that can’t support residency. While there are absolutely excellent properties, owners, and agencies out there, there are also situations where things aren’...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m diving straight into a topic I know so many of you are curious about. Opening a business in Italy. Living here. Working here. Figuring out how to blend the life you want with the work you love. This one comes up in my inbox almost every single day, so let’s break it all down together. I start by clearing up one of the biggest misconceptions. Yes, almost anyone can open a business in Italy. Truly. But if you actually want to live here and work in that ...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I, Samantha Wilson, explain why a visa is much more than just an entry ticket—it’s your first step toward long-term residency, EU rights, and even Italian citizenship. I start by breaking down the role of a visa: it gives you official permission to enter Italy for purposes like retirement, work, study, or family reunification. But a visa is just the first step. Once you arrive, you apply for a permesso di soggiorno (permit to stay), which allows you to le...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson explores one of the biggest questions for anyone thinking about a move to Italy: Is now a smart time financially? With global economic and political uncertainty, it’s normal to hesitate before making such a big life change. But as Samantha explains, the timing might actually be better than ever for relocating—whether for retirement, remote work, or property investment. She highlights four key reasons why moving to Italy isn’t just a dream—...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m pulling back the curtain on what really happens after you get your Elective Residency Visa. Everyone celebrates when that visa finally arrives in their passport — and rightfully so. It’s a huge accomplishment. But here’s the thing most people don’t realize: getting the visa is just the beginning. The real adventure (and sometimes, the real frustration) starts once you land in Italy. I talk about that mix of excitement and nerves when you first arrive,...

Before you even start a visa application for Italy, it’s important to know what to look out for. This episode explores the often-overlooked complexities of choosing the right visa and how to avoid frustration, delays, or unexpected roadblocks, with the help of Host Samantha Wilson. Many visa challenges arise long before a visit to the consulate. They often stem from selecting the wrong visa based on incomplete information or unrealistic expectations. The episode highlights four major red flag...

You don’t have to move to Italy to start living like an Italian. In today’s episode of A New Life in Italy podcast, I’m joined by Amy Laparelli, travel planner and founder of Away to Italy. Amy has created a step-by-step approach to planning a trip that’s just right for you—one that also embraces the art of slow travel. This topic resonates with countless people, and struggling to put slow travel into practice is completely understandable. For many, Italy is a once-in-a-lifetime experience, an...

Ciao a tutti! In this episode of A New Life in Italy, we’re delving into a crucial topic that often causes hesitation for those dreaming of moving to Italy: finances. From money management to taxes, investments, and retirement planning, these elements can significantly influence your decision to relocate. I am joined by Alex Ingrim, co-founder and president of Liberty Atlantic Advisors, a cross-border financial planning firm that specializes in helping Americans navigate the complexities of man...

Ciao, friend—and welcome back. This week’s episode is a special one, because it follows our biggest event of the year—the Move to Italy Bootcamp. Thousands of you joined me, and let me tell you... reading your stories, your fears, your dreams—it reminded me of something I say all the time: moving to Italy isn’t just about documents and checklists. It’s about creating a life. And if there’s one place where life in Italy truly lives, it’s the kitchen. So in this episode, I want to explore how l...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m back with something really exciting — it’s Bootcamp season! Every year around this time, my inbox fills up with questions from people just like you who are dreaming about making the move to Italy. So I thought, why not answer some of the biggest ones right here on the podcast? I’m diving into all the essentials you need to know if Italy is on your horizon. Things like visas (yes, including the tricky elective residency visa for retirees), what kind of...

Ciao a tutti and welcome back to A New Life in Italy podcast! With today’s special topic and guest, it’s only fair that we bring some Italian words (parole) into the mix. Have you ever wondered how to combine travel with language learning? And have you fallen for the myth that there’s an age limit when it comes to effective language learning? Well, keep reading, because in just a moment, you’ll not only gain insight, but also encouragement. After all, learning Italian isn’t about achieving per...

Ciao a tutti! Samantha here. I’m thrilled to announce the latest episode of A New Life in Italy podcast, which is dedicated to those of you who dream of calling Rome home or simply want to experience the city in a more authentic way. Author of "Italy Made Easy", Doug Morris, joins today's episode, sharing his insight after spending a decade in the adored Eternal City. We start by discussing the unique charm of Rome, where ancient history seamlessly intertwines with modern life. Doug shares wha...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I sit down with Jaid, a fellow Canadian who traded life in Toronto for a fresh start in Bari just one year ago. Jaid opens up about her solo trip to Puglia in 2023 that completely changed her path, leading her to take a leap of faith and move to Italy. She shares the highs and lows of that journey—culture shock in Palermo, the charm of Lecce and Monopoli, navigating Italian bureaucracy, and finding her place in a country where friendships often span dec...

Hey everyone, it’s Samantha Wilson with a special breaking news episode of Your New Life in Italy. On today’s show, I’m unpacking a landmark court ruling that could completely change how families apply for one of Italy’s most challenging visas—the Elective Residency Visa (ERV). Here’s the big news: For years, consulates (especially in the US and UK) have insisted that each adult applying under the ERV prove their own independent passive income of over €31,000 per year. So if you were a couple?...

Ciao friends — it’s Samantha, and in this episode of A New Life in Italy, we’re talking about something that no one tells you enough about when buying property in Italy: how to actually move your money… without losing your mind, your deal, or your savings. You’ve probably been dreaming about that hilltop farmhouse or beachy little pied-à-terre. You find the one, make the offer… and boom. Things get real. Fast. But here’s the thing: Italy isn’t going to sit around and wait while your bank tries...

Hey there, it’s Samantha! In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m digging into something that surprises a lot of people: why summer is actually one of the worst times to start your move to Italy—and what you should be doing instead. I know, I know… sunshine, Aperol spritzes, the dream of strolling into your new Italian life with sunglasses and gelato in hand—it all sounds perfect. But trust me, summer is not the time to pack your bags and expect things to fall into place. It’s the time to ...

How Fast Can You Really Move to Italy? Let’s Talk Timing. Hey there, it’s Samantha! If you’ve ever found yourself wondering how soon can I actually move to Italy?—this episode is for you. I’m diving into what the timing really looks like depending on your situation. Whether you’re dreaming of moving in six months… or six days, I break down the fastest paths (and the not-so-fast ones), so you know what to expect. If you’ve got Italian or EU citizenship, good news—you’re already ahead of the gam...

Ciao! It’s Samantha, and in this episode of A New Life in Italy , I’m sharing my personal favorites — the tools, places, and little life-savers that make living in Italy easier, more beautiful, and a lot more fun. From my go-to Italian language teachers to where I escape the summer heat (spoiler: not Florence), the restaurants I return to again and again, and even the apps I use daily — this episode is full of real, honest recommendations. No sponsors, no affiliates — just what I actually lov...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy , I’m diving into a question I get all the time from clients, members, and listeners: “If I get the Digital Nomad Visa… can I bring my spouse? What about my kids?” The short answer? Yes—you can. But (you knew there’d be a but, right?)… it’s not always as straightforward as people expect. So today, I’m walking you through what it really looks like to bring your family with you when you’re making the move to Italy on a Digital Nomad Visa. We’ll talk a...

Ciao friends—Samantha here! In this episode of A New Life in Italy , I’m taking you behind the scenes of one of the biggest (and most confusing) decisions you can make when moving to Italy: buying a home . If you’ve ever found yourself endlessly scrolling through dreamy Italian property listings online and thinking, “I’ll just message the agent and go from there,” —I’m going to stop you right there. Because the truth? The buying process in Italy isn’t as simple—or as straightforward—as i...

In this episode of A New Life in Italy, I’m getting honest about something I think too many people overlook when planning a big move: the emotional side of starting over in a new country. Yes, Italy is beautiful. Yes, the lifestyle shift can be amazing. But today, I want to talk about what doesn’t always make it onto Instagram—the reality of what happens when you move your entire life, your identity, and your sense of home to a place where everything is different. I’ve seen it time and time ag...

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 the big one—housing. Whether you’re buying or renting, I walk ...

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 citizenship-by-descent laws in the world—you didn’t need to live in I...