Retiring to Italy in 2026? Here’s What I Would Do BEFORE Selling Everything
Thinking about retiring to Italy in 2026? Before you sell everything and book the one-way ticket, this episode is your reality check.
In this episode of A New Life in Italy, Samantha Wilson breaks down what she would personally do right now if she were planning a retirement move to Italy from scratch today.
Not the fantasy version.
Not the Instagram version.
And definitely not the “figure it out later” version.
After a recent situation where a client became completely derailed by misinformation they read online about the Elective Residency Visa, Samantha dives into one of the biggest hidden challenges people face during this process: panic, overwhelm, and emotionally reacting to bad information.
Inside this episode:
• The real financial conversations you need to have before applying for the ERV
• Why passive income matters more than savings
• The exact spreadsheet Samantha would create before planning a move
• Why waiting another year could actually protect your dream
• The “February Test” every retiree should do before choosing where to live
• Why renting first may save you financially and emotionally
• The biggest mistakes people make after reading Facebook advice
• How misinformation creates panic and bad decision-making
• The practical documents you should begin preparing now
• Why Italy is not just a lifestyle move in the beginning… it’s an administrative project
• How to prepare emotionally, financially, and realistically for life in Italy long term
If you have been researching the Elective Residency Visa, the 7% tax regime, retiring in Italy, or simply wondering if your dream is still realistic… this episode is for you.
This is not about fear.
It’s about creating a move that actually survives real life.
Questions answered in this episode include:
• How much passive income do I realistically need for the Elective Residency Visa?
• Can investments count toward the ERV?
• Should I rent or buy first in Italy?
• Is the 7% tax regime really worth it?
• What are the biggest mistakes retirees make when moving to Italy?
• How do I avoid misinformation and panic online?
Want more help planning your move to Italy?
Visit Smart Move Italy for resources, support, consultations, and guidance for visas, relocation, property, and retirement planning in Italy.
Mentioned in this episode:
If you’re enjoying A New Life in Italy Podcast please consider rating and reviewing my show! This helps me support more people — just like you — to move toward their new life in Italy and start living their best lives. Be sure to let me know what you loved most about this episode!
Also, if you haven’t done so already, follow the podcast. I’m adding a bunch of bonus episodes to the feed and, if you’re not following, there’s a good chance you’ll miss out. Click the Blue Follow Now button at the top of the page!
If you're thinking about moving to Italy full-time, part-time, or for a lifetime, come and see me over at Smart Move Italy.
