How to Retire in Italy as a UK Citizen

Visa Requirements for UK Retirees in Italy, and Stipulations for Free Healthcare
An Expert Guide to Retiring Among Olive Groves and Medieval Charm

For many UK retirees, the idea of spending their golden years surrounded by the rolling hills, rich flavors, and slow rhythms of Italian life is more than just a dream—it’s a life plan. Since Brexit, the journey has changed slightly, but it remains entirely possible, and enormously rewarding.

At Dolce Vita Coliving, nestled in the restored medieval village of Vallo di Nera in Umbria, we’ve met many retirees who’ve made the leap. This guide offers everything you need to know about Italian visa requirements for UK pensioners, how to benefit from free healthcare, and how to live well—truly well—in the heart of Italy.

The Elective Residency Visa: Your Gateway to Italian Life

To retire in Italy as a UK national post-Brexit, you’ll need to apply for a long-stay visa known as the Elective Residency Visa (ERV). This visa is specifically designed for individuals who want to live in Italy long-term without working.

Key Requirements:

• Proof of Financial Self-Sufficiency
  You must demonstrate that you have adequate financial means to support yourself—typically this includes your UK state pension, private pensions, savings, or other steady income. The minimum income requirements vary by consulate and can start at around €31,000 per year for individuals.

• Proof of Accommodation in Italy
  You must show that you have a place to live—whether that’s a rental, a purchased home, or a long-term agreement like a stay at Dolce Vita Coliving.

• Comprehensive Health Insurance
  Initially, you’ll need to obtain private health insurance valid in Italy, but more on switching to public healthcare later.

• No Employment
  The ERV is strictly for non-working retirees—working remotely or locally in Italy is not permitted under this visa type.

Application Process:

Submit your application through the Italian consulate that covers your area in the UK. Processing times vary, so it’s wise to begin several months before your intended move.

Accessing Italy’s National Healthcare System: The S1 Form Explained

Having access to healthcare is fundamental, especially during retirement. Luckily, as a UK retiree with an exportable state pension, you have the right to access Italian state healthcare—for free—thanks to the S1 scheme.

What is the S1?

The S1 form is a certificate of entitlement that allows UK state pensioners to transfer their right to healthcare to another EU country, like Italy. Essentially, the UK pays Italy to take care of your medical needs.

How to Use it:

1. Request your S1 from NHS Overseas Healthcare Services (by phone or online).

2. Bring your S1 form with you to Italy and register it with your local ASL (Azienda Sanitaria Locale).

3. Once registered, you’ll receive a Tessera Sanitaria (Italian health card), which gives you access to the same care as an Italian citizen.

This means no more expensive private insurance after your first year, and peace of mind about your wellbeing in your new home country.

Settling into Village Life: What to Expect in Vallo di Nera

Once the paperwork is complete, the real adventure begins. At Dolce Vita Coliving, we offer more than just a home—we offer a way of life. Retiring here isn’t just about comfort and security—it’s about connection, culture, and discovery.

Slow Living in Umbria

Vallo di Nera looks like a postcard brought to life. Cobbled lanes curve past stone houses, rosemary grows wild in the walls, and a medieval church tower marks time with a mellow bell. The pace is gentler here, with days shaped by morning walks, midafternoon chats with locals, and lingering communal dinners.

Real Community

Many retirees worry about isolation—but that’s not something you’ll find here. Dolce Vita Coliving is a hub for digital nomads, creatives, and like-hearted people of all ages. Weekly events, cooking nights, cultural tours, and shared hikes ensure you’re never far from lively conversation (or a glass of Umbrian wine!).

Practical Tips for a Smooth Transition

• Brush Up on Basic Italian: Locals appreciate it, and while many younger people know some English, the older generation may not.

• Stay Long-Term at Dolce Vita Coliving: We offer special long-term rates that are ERV-compliant and ideal for retirees looking to embed themselves in community living.

• Explore Before You Date a House: Consider a 6–12 month stay to really taste life before deciding on buying property.

• Get to Know the Local Comune: Relationships with your local town hall and health office go a long way in making life smoother.

Taste the Good Life: What to Eat and Sip Nearby

In this corner of Umbria, your retirement diet is pure delight:

Recommended Foods & Drinks:

• Strangozzi al Tartufo Black Truffle Pasta – Local pasta with earthy Umbrian truffle

• Norcineria Salumi – Cured meats from nearby Norcia, world-renowned for pork

• Lenticchie di Castelluccio – Tiny, flavorful lentils grown in high-mountain fields

• Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG Wine – A bold red wine grown just a valley away

• Formaggio di Fossa – Cave-aged cheese with a robust, nutty flavor

And don’t skip the olive oil—it’s green, peppery, and often made from trees hundreds of years old.

Immerse Yourself: Local Happenings to Experience

Let your calendar fill with joy:

• Infiorata di Spello – This nearby flower festival sees entire streets turned into intricate floral carpets.

• Estate Nera Festival – Music, food, and spontaneous celebration light up our little village each summer.

• Olive Harvest Season (October-November) – Get hands-on with the harvest and help press your own oil.

A Firsthand Invitation to Reimagine Retirement

Retiring in Italy isn’t just feasible—it’s transformative. With the ERV visa and S1 health coverage, UK retirees have a clear, accessible path to living well abroad.

And at Dolce Vita Coliving, nestled in the green heart of Umbria, you’ll find more than a place to live—you’ll find a second home, shaped by heritage, nature, and heartfelt connection.

Come visit us. Stay a while. Find out firsthand how la dolce vita can be your every day.

Contact us today to learn more about long-term stays, retirement planning with ERV support, and how you can begin your journey in Italy, one cobblestone at a time.

🏰 Buona vita. Welcome to the village.Italian Supermarkets: Farmers Market Quality at Your Fingertips

Travel Diary from Umbria, Italy

On my first full day at _Dolce Vita Coliving_—a dreamy remote work haven nestled in a medieval village in Umbria—I set out for an ordinary chore: my first supermarket run. I expected the typical stock-up of standard groceries. What I found instead was a total revelation about everyday Italian life.

As I walked into the local commercial supermarket (yes, just your standard chain store) I was instantly drawn to the fruit and vegetable section. It felt more like a farmer’s market than any supermarket I’ve seen in the UK. The vegetables weren’t shrink-wrapped in plastic. They weren’t all shaped the same. In fact, they looked like they came straight from the soil—still earthy, vibrant, and perfectly imperfect.

From plump heirloom tomatoes in a dozen reds and oranges, to deep-green zucchinis and oddly-shaped but sweet-smelling peaches, everything glowed with freshness. It was clear that Italians expect high-quality ingredients every day—not just on market day.

And then, the meat counter. There, you’ll find paper-thin slices of prosciutto crudo expertly folded by the butcher, fresh mortadella with delicate pistachio flecks, local salame, porchetta, fresh ham—it’s not just food, it's culinary art. Don’t be afraid to ask for “un assaggio” (a taste)! The staff are usually warm and generous.

Trip Details

• Stops: Local supermarket in Vallo di Nera area, nearby towns for extra flair—Spoleto, Foligno, and Vallo di Nera itself.

• Duration: 1–2 hours food shopping, or make it a half-day adventure if you include a stop in a nearby historic town for lunch or sightseeing.

• Difficulty: Easy, suitable for all. A basic level of Italian or a translation app helps.

• What to Bring: A shopping bag or two (Italians rarely offer plastic bags), cash or card, and your appetite. If you're staying at Dolce Vita Coliving, a backpack is perfect for the winding cobbled walk back.

Nearby Cultural Stops

After shopping, wander through Spoleto, a historic gem known for the Festival dei Due Mondi and its magnificent Roman theater. Or visit Foligno, set along the Topino river, where the rhythm of everyday life dances between tradition and understated beauty. Of course, Vallo di Nera itself is like walking through time—a medieval village untouched by modern stress, where stone houses and local legends invite slow discovery.

Foods & Drinks to Try

Seek out Pecorino cheese, locally made olive oil, wild boar ragu, and lentils from Castelluccio. Don’t miss a glass of Montefalco red wine or a cold Peroni birra for something lighter. Try truffle-based spreads and fresh egg pasta at nearly any local deli corner.

Living at Dolce Vita Coliving means discovering that even a trip to the supermarket can be part of your Italian adventure. Whether it’s the flavor of a sun-warmed tomato, the friendly smile from behind the meat counter, or a slow-strolling afternoon through historic alleys, this place invites you to rethink your daily routine—one moment of la dolce vita at a time.

Ready to taste it for yourself?
Book your stay now at dolcevitacoliving.com/book and let Umbria feed your soul (and your fridge).